Is An SUV Your Best Option?

SUV's off-roading capabilities and towing capacity are awesome features... if you need them.

Most people buy them for looks more than necessity, but don't forget you have to pay the price. If you stop and think for a second, you'll realize most of what you look for in the best SUV can be found in other, more affordable vehicles.

For families, SUVs are a cool alternative to minivans because they provide plenty of passenger seating, but, have you taken a look at minivans lately? Trying to get rid of the "boring image" they've been associated with, manufacturers have given them a more SUVish design, without other expensive features that soccer moms probably don't need anyway.

Another SUV myth is that, since they are larger and heavier built, they are safer vehicles. In reality their height makes them three times more likely to rollover than normal passenger cars. Because SUVs are categorized as small trucks, they don't have to meet the same safety standards as passenger cars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rated the Kia Sedona, a minivan, and the Subaru Impreza, a passenger car, as the safest picks.

Cargo space in an SUV is an asset to consider, however, small and medium-sized SUVs don't meet this requirement. You might be better off looking at comparable-sized minivans and vans that offer more space. Also, take into consideration that SUVs usually have higher cargo floors, which can make it hard to load heavy objects.

If you're looking for a car that will handle better in the snow and sticky situations remember that not all SUVs offer good traction. Think about front-wheel and all-wheel-drive vehicles with good tires instead and you may get better results at a more affordable price.

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