Why do Americans love large vehicles like SUVs and large trucks?

Question

when a small gas efficient vehicle makes more sense in terms of gas cost and ease of parking?

Answer 1

We have mentality that "the bigger is better". But seriously, on our highways it is very easy to get into the car accident, people are driving 90 miles an hour, an it is much safer to be with your kids in a larger vehicle. Lots of times we carpool, and we have 5-6 kids in the car, so again there is a need for a bigger car. These are just some of the reasons, I'm sure that there is more. Many Americans drive SUVs, but many more drive small cars.

Answer 2

Passenger, storage room, and safety are usually on the top of our lists. We have larger roads and parking spaces so we have larger vehicles on average. Now with higher gas prices, Americans are starting to look at fuel efficiency more when purchasing a vehicle. In regard to safety, in the parts of Europe I have been, large trucks have a speed limit of 80kilometers per hour. There is no such limit on semi trucks in the U.S. I'd much rather be in an SUV next to a semi going 85mph than a 2 seater smart car that he can't see in any of his mirrors. But, now that many American car companies are making hybrid and other efficient SUV's it will probably be a few more years before more of those are in use. Hopefully soon we can keep our love of large vehicles and still be efficient at the same time.

Answer 3

I have a 1 ton Ford van, with a 10 cylinder 6.8L engine. 15.5 MPG. I use it when carrying more than 5 people or when pulling my 15,000 pound camp trailer. It saves fuel compared to taking 2 or 3 smaller cars. I also have a 4WD Chev truck, very poor fuel mileage, but when I need a strong truck it works well.
When just driving I have cars that get around 30 mpg.
I do have 12 children, 6 are still living at home, so only small cars would not work much of the time. Unlike much of the world where a couple only has 1 or 2 children.

Answer 4

Personally, I like larger vehicles because the amount I'm going to save in gas is worth less to me than the value of the lives in the vehicle. God forbid that I or someone in my family are involved in an accident...but if we wereI want there to be enough sheet metal between them and the other vehicle to give them added protection. My brother is a Highway Patrol man, and he can recount for you the many fatalities he has seen in small gas saving cars.

I can recall one time when I was growing up my mom had a Geo Metro. Great on gas but the thing was a tin can on wheels. One time she backed into the handle of the wheel barrow and the wheel barrow won. It put a huge dent into her car. I couldn't imagine what that car would have looked like if it was hit by another vehicle.

Answer 5

How many people do you need to carry? What do you need to tow? Do you do a lot of highway travel? Any safety concerns?
Do you live in the USA?
Agreed, many people bought big vehicles 'cause it was the "in" thing. However, "doodlebugs" can't carry a crowd or pull themselves up a hill, let alone a load. When you're in an accident, do you want to be in a "doodlebug" or a "tank"? When you merge on the interstate, do you expect the 18 wheeler to slow down & let you in? Traveling long distances on US roads can be rough; heavy cars don't bounce as much. Are you in favor of lowering the speed limit again?

Answer 6

I think it is because we are self centered and inconsiderate. There is no other good reason for a person to go shopping in a huge SUV or pickup truck. In the old days pickups were utility vehicles not family transportation. Ever see a Caddy Escalde trying to park at Wal Mart? The poor lady had to put down her latte and cell phone just to get it close to the spot.

Answer 7

I work in construction and need my truck to haul my tools.
I'm 6'1" 235 (Muscle not fat)
I also travel from the Northwest to the Southwest a couple of times a year. It's an 1100 mile trip one way, through numerous mountain passes and endless desert plains with frequent high winds.
My reasons:
1) need something bigger than a teacup to haul me (6'1" 235) and my tools.
2) need some thing that will haul me (6'1" 235) and my tools up those mountain passes, without spitting parts outta my tranny like some bulimic anorexic.
3) need something that will haul me (aw skip it you get the picture) and my tools through those endless desert plains without the fear of being blown of the road by every gale force wind that mother nature and endless freight trucks throw at you.
So to answer your question, we love large vehicles because we love to live. You come to America and drive our highways and byways , I give you a year and you'll be trading in your soup can for something that you can drive comfortably and safely

Answer 8

I've seen pix where Europeans have their 4 cylinder pickups WAY overloaded with hay or whatever. Maybe Americans want to have that extra capacity when they need it, and because we have the ability to pay for it we drive those big vehicles. You gain fuel economy with small vehicles, but lose so much in comfort, safety, and capacity.

Answer 9

Along with the many other reasons listed by other people. They ride a lot better than the small cars that you mentioned. Also because many people have children the extra size makes long trips easier to handle, both for cargo and room for people.

Answer 10

Few human beings do, yet out interior the country, that is greater achievable. BTW, i may well be for a regulation than mandated %. up vans for farm use in basic terms, and entirely band SUVs. nicely-known inhabitants does not might want topersistent automobiles this enormous.