Features to look for in the ideal SUV

MANILA, Philippines–The most coveted automobile category right now is the sport utility vehicle (SUV). This mutant descendant of the station wagon purports to combine the comfort of a sedan, the space of a minivan and the ruggedness of a pickup. With SUVs ranging in size from the Ford Ecosport to the Chevrolet Suburban, and in character from the Ford Expedition to the Land Rover Defender, there are plenty of models to choose from. Here are some features and characteristics to look for when visiting the showrooms:

Ride height. One advantage of an SUV is its tall driving position. This allows drivers of all statures, particularly females, to have a good view of traffic.
Although not all SUVs will allow you to peer over the roof of sedans and hatchbacks, most should allow for an airier feel and a better view of traffic than you would have from a passenger car. Look for a driver’s seat that can adjust for height to help find the perfect position.
Best example: The Toyota Fortuner has one of the tallest driving positions, keeping you eye-to-eye with truck drivers and looking above passenger cars’ roofs.

Ingress and egress. Remember that SUVs’ tall ride height entails some effort in getting in and out. Children and elderly folks may find it more difficult to scale the front or rear seat of an SUV, particularly if there’s no stepboard to assist in the climb.

Best example: The Subaru XV has the perfect “hip point,” allowing one to easily slip onto the driver’s seat.

Comfort. Traditional SUVs ride on pickup truck chassis. That’s good for their ability to go on rough roads or offroad, but bad for the ride comfort. Take a test-drive to experience whether an SUV’s ride is sufficiently comfortable. The worst ride is usually in the second or third row of seats, so be sure to sit there during the test-drive, too.
Best example: The Honda CR-V, riding on a passenger car platform, exhibits a soft, comfortable ride.

Engine. All that weight translates to relatively poor fuel economy. Manufacturers have countered with diesels and even small-displacement turbocharged gasoline engines. Mated to sophisticated transmissions, these help squeeze more mileage per liter.

Best example: The Mazda CX-5 Sport AWD manages more than 8 kilometers per liter in city driving, thanks to its high-compression gasoline engine.

Road clearance. When the going gets rough, SUVs have to keep going. Whether it’s the muddy trail to your farm or the muddy trail that used to be your street before the rain, SUVs need to have sufficient ground clearance to go over obstacles and the traction needed to traverse slippery surfaces.

Best example: The Land Rover has 250 millimeters of ground clearance.

Interior space. With families expecting the bigger SUVs to carry three rows of passengers, they should be close to minivans in quantity and quality of space. That’s not always a given, as despite their big exteriors, not all is translated in interior space.
Best example: Hyundai Santa Fe has generous third-row knee room and adequate shoulder room.

Cargo space. Sometimes the cargo is given short shrift in favor of passengers. What’s the use of carrying eight passengers to the airport or to Tagaytay if you can’t haul their luggage? Make sure the vehicle has space for bags even with alls eats up.
Best example: Ford Expedition has more than 500 liters of cargo space behind the third row.

Convenience features. Aside from the usual power features, look for something that makes your life easier.
Best example: Ford Escape opens and closes its tailgate with a wave of your foot under the bumper, and that comes in handy when your hands are full.

Safety. SUVs have this image of being sturdy and indestructible, but not all fare well in a crash, or even in avoiding crashes. Check US websites such as the iihs.org  to see how your favored SUV fares.
Best example: Subaru Outback has the active safety features of a low center of gravity drivetrain and full-time all-wheel drive, as well as a full suite of electronic stability aids and airbags.