Tips on buying a SUV or pickup

The Philippine automotive industry has evolved from cars to LCVs or light commercial vehicles such as pickups, SUVs and MPVs. But for a first time buyer, choosing one is a daunting task. I’ll try to simplify buying one for you with these tips:

1. For family, work, play or all of the above?

Your choice will depend on your intended use. An MPV will be the most comfortable, a pickup the most utilitarian, and an SUV the best compromise.

Then again, some pickups like Nissan’s Navara offer an independent multi-link rear suspension that rivals or even betters a lot of SUVs and MPVs, yet is still able to carry a ton on its bed.

2. 4×4 or 4×2?

If you opted for an SUV or a pickup, do you want to spend on a 4×4 or just a 4×2? Remember that a 4×4 has far better mobility and can get you to more places.

But it costs more and will consume more fuel due to the added weight. Long-term, servicing will also cost more due to the added complexity.

3. Fording depth, ground clearance?

These are two of the most asked about features in most pickups and SUVs.

Fording depth is the vehicle’s ability to go through water: the higher, the better.

Ground clearance is the lowest point in a vehicle’s undercarriage and its distance to the ground. Again, the higher, the better for off-road use.

4. Safety features and electronic aids

Generally, top-of-the-line variants have all the safety equipment. Some have six or seven airbags, traction/stability control, ABS-EBD brakes, and even some vehicles have an electronic aid to make off-road adventures easier.

Examples for Ford’s Everest and Ranger, and Mitsubishi’s Montero Sport.

5. After-sales service

I generally recommend people to buy a vehicle that has an extensive dealership network. Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Nissan have a huge coverage nationwide in the country as an example, are well-stocked on parts, and provide excellent servicing.

6. Gas or diesel?

Ninety-nine percent of the time, I recommend diesel-powered vehicles because they are generally more efficient (by roughly 30 percent, especially on the highway), and use diesel fuel that is roughly 20 percent cheaper than gasoline.

But the downside is that diesel-engined vehicles tend to cost more when service time comes.

If you do a lot of highway miles and frequently carry heavy loads, diesel is the better choice.

7. Crossover or ladder frame chassis?

This is another question I get asked a lot. The difference between the two is that a crossover is essentially a regular car chassis that has been raised, whereas a ladder-frame chassis is purpose-built for heavy duty use.

The former drives sharper, like a car, while the latter drives more like a truck, and all things being equal, can take more abuse.

If you are mainly a city slicker, the crossover is an easier alternative. But if you drive to remote areas regularly, and carry or tow heavy loads, the ladder frame-based vehicle is the wiser option.