Why are 4x4s singled out as being evil?

Question

We have a freelander 1998cc DI, being a diesel injection (without a turbo) it does better mpg than most cars on the road (averaged 45-50mpg). We have had it 7 years and it will easily go on for many years more, when some other cars have long died and gone to the scrap heap. Why is my 4x4 car evil and a sporty petrol car that does 20mpg isn't?

Before anybody suggests, I know a bike or public transport is the greener option and I do walk where I can. Buses do not serve my village very well and I cannot take my kids 5 miles to school on my bike and they're not allowed on the bus provided by the school until they are 7 as it's unsupervised. I didn't design this country so you need a car, but it is a fact of life (unfortunately).

The question is one about my car versus other cars

Answer 1

Firstly let me say to D. B. that he should be preaching to his fellow compatriots about gas guzzling not preaching to us brits about air quality and gas consumption in our Country. It is his Country that is one of the worst of offenders on our planet.......... We in the UK all know too well in this country what is happening in the world, and our Country is trying to do something about the Global situation not sticking our head in the sand like emus, and gaily carry on ruining our planet like the US people are doing.

Your 4x4 sounds very economical Scarab if it has that type of fuel consumption, and in your particular circumstances I can see the need for a vehicle to get your children to school, etc. The trouble is, is that the people who have 4x4's in large cities, and only use them as status symbols, for posing and using phenominal amounts of fuel in traffic jams have set the majority against that type of vehicle.

I agree that your fuel consumption, and not doubt your emissions are far less than say some of the average family saloon cars on the roads today. Its only the fact that the Government have jumped on the bandwagon stating that bigger cc vehicles are gas guzzlers, but it is not always the case that smaller vehicles are more economical. Its their efficiency that is the question.

Answer 2

My take is simple: I have a 1.5 Toyota estate car, and a 2.4 older one. On top of it, a mate took and old 2.4 toyota 4X4 on trade for a motor cycle and had no place to keep it.
So, on any given day I can drive any of the three. I prefer the 1.5 for performance and agility, my own 2.4 for comfort, and drive the 4X4 to simply keep the battery up.
Long and short of it, the 4X4 is small does get reasonably good gas mileage.
Certain toyotas and other models are not that bad, especially in Diesel, and if one does not live in a congested area. If I were living in London (or any congested metro area round the world), I would be insane to have anything larger than that 1.5.
I think it depends on the area, and the use. I might add there are no decent public transport options where I live. I either have to drive myself or I must (ahem) hire a taxi.

--That Cheeky Lad

Answer 3

At last, somebody putting the positive case for 4x4s. Thank you so much.
I drive a Nissan X-Trail 4x4 diesel. 99% of the time it is in 2WD and only when in snow or mud does it switch itself into 4WD. It is more economical than many, so-called, ordinary cars but they get a really bad press and people are just so like sheep. One bleats and they all follow!! It's really very ignorant.
Why is everybody so against them? Jealousy I suppose. We don't all live in towns and take kids to school.
Personally, I live in the Highlands of Scotland and need mine in the adverse weather conditions we get here at times.
At the age of 60 I am well past the age of taking children to school thank goodness but when I had children, I took them to school in an ordinary hatchback, but then I lived in the South of England at the time. No 4x4s necessary there in my opinion apart from those towing trailers to horse shows, and the like. I kept a battered old Series 2 Land Rover for that which hardly ever got used as a road car.
I think tolerance all round is the answer or, put another way, live and let live.

Answer 4

There are a lot of people wo don't live in the country and have never been near te countr with their 4 x 4. It's not a problem if you do use it for what it was made for. However if you use it in the city where there is no real reason for it, it becomes a dangerous vehicle due to the size and weight of it. If you were to hit a pedestrian they have very little chance up against a 4x4 where as another kind or family car hits a padestrian slightly lower on the body so it is not likely as much to kill.

Answer 5

Your 4X4 isn't a problem. SUVs in general, are a problem.

SUV's are singled out, because, in general, they consume too much gas and are an inefficient way to take one person to the grocery store.

The important thing is this. They are not subject to the same fuel economy standards as cars. If they were, they wouldn't be evil. But SUV owners have blocked that legislation. If they supported it, all would be well.

So your 40+mpg 4X4 is a fine ecologically sound vehicle. But most SUVs are not.

Answer 6

I think it's a complete myth about the green element particularly. I own a new Kia Sportage and the emissions and mpg are as good or better than any car I've had. On the minus side 4 x 4's driven by the wrong people who can't handle them and park selfishly or believe that they are beyond being hurt in one is completely wrong. It's the state of mind that drivers of them have that worries me. Being hit by a 4 x 4 as a pedestrian may be slightly worse I don't know but hey, who wants to be hit by a car at all.

Answer 7

I would definitely say your free-lander is not evil. People are probably jealous about the mileage your getting and the money your saving by not having to buy another for quite some time. A diesel will always out last a gas motor with proper care. Stick with you vehicle and don't let others tell you what to drive. It is your choice not there's. Congrats on the great mileage.

Answer 8

Because it would be better for everyone if every 4x4 was dismissed off the road and everyone switched to smaller, cost effective cars, preferably the new breeds of Electric cars that are starting to appear on the Market.
I too live in a rural area. I do not own a 4x4 and find it very annoying when travelling too and from work, shopping and other amenities trying to park, pass or see around someone in a 4x4 as they are too big.
Also I am not calling you one. But the majority of 4x4 users are arrogant and use there vehicles as a status symbol.

Answer 9

I have no problem with the way you use yours but where I live the local school each morning and afternoon is like a 4 x 4 showroom.Most of the people using them live within walking distance and the majority of the vehicles are 2nd cars in the right place there are great but not in urban areas driven by Mums doing a school run.

Answer 10

About time! Stand up for the 4x4's!!

I live in the country and it would be very dangerous to take cattle to our local mart driving a Fiesta! I need my Landrover Discovery!

It actually has lower emissions than the new Mini's!!



People are misinformed - or just plain ignorant.