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motor insights
Choosing the right SUV: 6 questions that'll help you make your mind up
We asked a motor dealer to share some SUV expertise.
FINDING THE RIGHT car for your lifestyle and budget can be a tricky process. We want to help streamline the search. As part of our Insights series, every week we’ll take a different car-buying question to the experts at the heart of the motor industry.
This week, we’re talking SUVs. In recent years, SUVs have surpassed the estate or saloon as the model of choice for drivers looking for space, comfort and multi-terrain capabilities. But with so many on the market, how do you select the one that’s right for your needs?
We asked John Reilly, Sales Manager at Mooney’s Hyundai Long Mile Rd (you’ll find Mooney’s Hyundai in Deansgrange too), to offer some advice. Here are six things to look out for when choosing an SUV, right from the dealer’s mouth…
1. It’s spacious, but is it spacious enough?
One of the main reasons buyers progress up from a typical car to an SUV is the guarantee of more space. But it’s important to clarify if your new SUV will fit everything you want it to: kids’ car seats, sports equipment, the dog or all three.
To help people out a bit, we keep buggies, suitcases and the like in the dealership for anyone who wants to check what fits in a boot or a back seat. We have everything but a dog!
2. Do I really need to shell out for four-wheel drive?
Not all SUVs come with four-wheel drive as standard, and some drivers might feel they need it when they probably don’t. If you’re going to be bouncing around the Phoenix Park or if you live on a farm, yes, you’ll need four-wheel drive capabilities. But for typical day-to-day city driving, the two-wheel drive that most SUVs have is perfectly fine.
3. Can everyone get in and out easily?
It’s not just the driver’s seat that needs to fit your needs. Before choosing an SUV, check the ease of access for all doors and seats.
Can kids or people with limited mobility get in and out easily? Do the doors open wide enough? Can your kids climb into middle or rear seats easily? Finding the ‘Goldilocks’ car that everyone can use is important, especially for a family vehicle.
4. Does it have all the safety features a bigger car needs?
Reversing cameras and reversing sensors are important with larger vehicles like SUVs to help prevent collisions. You have fewer blind spots in an SUV because of the elevated driving position, but it’s still essential to be able to see what’s behind you.
As with any family car, you’re putting your most essential cargo in, so be sure to look out for an SUV with ISOFIX seat fitting points, seatbelt pretensioners and semi-autonomous braking systems among other things.
5. How does it fare against other SUVs in terms of reliability?
SUVs are known for durability, but not all of them are created equal. There are of course brands that are more reliable than others, and the warranty you’re offered will be a testament to that. At Hyundai, for example, we offer a five year unlimited mileage warranty. You can expect a certain level of reliability with any modern car, but it’s important to do your research too.
6. What’s the resale value going to be like?
If you’re planning on selling or trading up down the line, aim to choose an SUV with a good resale value. As a general starting point, what’s popular now in the new car market will most likely still be popular second-hand in a couple of years time. People buy what they see, so if a certain SUV is everywhere now, the demand for it will probably continue to be high.
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