[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by Driver2000

One other interesting aspect here: I have noticed that people dont stand too close to the SUV when at a set of lights.

A garbage truck blows that point to another universe.

[asr245]

Originally Posted by Driver2000

b) Comfort of night drives: Owing to the higher position, I get less glare with our very caring opposite high beam drivers.

I haven't experienced this even in a bus (been on the front row many times).

Originally Posted by Driver2000

c) Sheer presence / Road respect: (somewhat specific to a Scorpio) Have you ever switched on your turn indicators, and have the oncoming traffic halt for a second to allow you to turn? Drive the Scorpio, and see it happen!

That's not road presence. It's the fear of the one driving. The "might is right" factor on Indian roads and their's nothing to brag about their.

Originally Posted by raj_5004

Infact, i was so accustomed to this that when we bought a new Maruti Ritz, I turned on the indicator & flashed the headlight to an oncoming sedan & to my surprise he dint stop! Instead he flashed his light back & made me brake hard. His speed was slower than mine, but he dint care.

You do know that if you are the one who's turning then, according to rules, you should be the one to always wait, irrespective of the size of the vehicle? General rule, when entering an intersection, changing lanes, turning - Give way to the vehicles on your right.

Originally Posted by raj_5004

So on Indian roads, the mightier one has the advantage & thats a fact. So why should SUV owners/drivers be badmouthed for that?

In case of an accident, the bigger vehicle has the advantage over the smaller one on all roads of the world. In India, many abuse this which is why SUV drivers and, more so, bus and truck drivers are amongst those who are most flamed/blamed.

[shankar.balan]

this is a good point Himanshu. Not much fun I agree, when one has to change tyres!
maybe us SUV users could look at buying one of those nice hydraulic jacks which seem available quite easily these days at a price of about Rs 2500-3000.
It will certainly take some of the load off the back, especially when jacking the vehicle up prior to changing a tyre.
That said, luckily with these new tubeless tyres the punctures per se are fewer and further between than in the standard tubed tyres.
Plus with things like SLIME etc available nowadays there are plenty of preventive measures too.

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

In contrast, the tool kit in my safari was a joke and i once tried using the jack for practice sake (no puncture) and it was a real chore.
I know this is a very minor issue, but an owner ship experience is the sum total of small things, and as they say, God is in the details.

[raj_5004]

Originally Posted by asr245

You do know that if you are the one who's turning then, according to rules, you should be the one to always wait, irrespective of the size of the vehicle? General rule, when entering an intersection, changing lanes, turning - Give way to the vehicles on your right.

I do know that but tell me how many of us actually follow all the traffic rules on indian roads? its more about practicing that just preaching.

Leave the rules aside, just see how many follow basic driving manners. Heck, I am showered with all sorts of abuses & stares for not taking off (when all the other cars are) before the signal turns green & the LED indicator is at 5 seconds! I give an indicator & am in the proper lane & am cut off by an idiot without an indicator in the wrong lane. Cars come the wrong way in a One way & push us off the road.

So lets not talk about 'general rules'. the are fine on books but does not work on the indian roads.

I am not saying we should not follow rules... not at all. Infact, I am very finicky about following traffic rules. but some unsaid 'rules' are followed on our indian roads & everybody follows just that.

[architect]

Have been reading every post in this thread, I can understand that people buy SUVs for pose value, ability to handle bad roads,better driving position & view and space. I think these are absolutely valid arguments.

If the argument in favour of buying an SUV is that "people make way for you", then it is only applicable in case of others driving smaller vehicles than you. If everyone adopts this philosophy and buy SUVs, then nobody will give way to anybody, and everyone will be happy driving Volvo B7Rs.

Two wrongs don't make a right. A high beam in response to a high beam doubles the risk of accidents. If bullies in SUVs don't give way to cars, then buying an SUV to bully them in return is no solution.

[raj_5004]

I am not at all ashamed to say that one of the factors for which i like an SUV is that "some people make way for me". I believe that does not, in any way, make me a rash driver. I do not bully anyone on the road, I dont overspeed nor drive as if I own the road. So if i am getting better treatment by some road users in an SUV than a sedan, whats the harm? I openly admit I like it & I am no saint !!!

Yes, there are some road users on the road, not necessarily in an SUV or sedan, can be even in a swift or santro who think they own a lambo & I term those people as rash & arrogant instead of simply stereotyping 'white scorpio (SUV) owners'. I give way to such people irrespective of which car I am driving.

So, my take on this is that, whether some agree or not, SUVs do command more respect. It is NOT that we bully anyone or drive rashly. Its just the size, height & girth of the vehicle that other cars automatically give way, the way we SUV drivers give way to Volvos, city buses & military trucks! That makes my driving much more comfortable in cities & on highways.

Of course, the primary reason for selecting an SUV is not this! I selected a Scorpio because I am 6'2" tall & I liked the tall seating position & the view ahead from the driver's seat. The whole bonnet can be seen & so driving in city is so much easier. Good ground clearance & heavy duty suspension ensures you dont need to worry about monster speed breakers or bad roads. Heavier sheet metal & side cladding also means you dont need to worry about small nicks & dents often. And I loved the mHawk engine.

We just need a 5 seater & we never use the last row seats of the scorpio & I drive mostly in city... still I drive an SUV due the above mentioned reasons!

[shankar.balan]

i think this thread is in danger of deteriorating into some amount of polarization and off topic points.
suggest we haul it back to the spirit in which it was begun OR shut it down.
Attitudes of different people will always differ. There is NO one size fits all solution in this world.
Hence lets remain mature and confine ourselves to the merits and de-merits of the respective types of vehicles under discussion.

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

i think this thread is in danger of deteriorating into some amount of polarization and off topic points.
suggest we haul it back to the spirit in which it was begun OR shut it down.
Attitudes of different people will always differ. There is NO one size fits all solution in this world.
Hence lets remain mature and confine ourselves to the merits and de-merits of the respective types of vehicles under discussion.

100% in agreement Shankar

Staying with the original topic, I just want to get some expert opinion on similar priced (or same family) sedans v/s SUV / Crossover. For e.g.; A Skoda Laura v/s Yeti. Both are based on the same platform, seats 5, offer almost similar interior space and comfort. Yeti have an advantage of high GC, but I guess the Skoda sedans in India do have rough road package (please correct me if I am wrong at this assumption).

In the above comparison, what you reckon will be a better option for an Indian customer?

[shankar.balan]

My colleague and several pals of mine own Skoda Laura vehicles.

2 -3 of these cars have gone through the rough roads of Kerala, Ooty and Coorg several times. No problems at all provided one drives them carefully.

Skoda Laura any day of the week scores over the Yeti in terms of effective, comfortable, enjoyable passenger space + more than sufficient luggage space.

Where the Yeti Scores is its higher GC, 4x4, Hill Descent Control and so on.

Thats my submission - because I went again last Saturday along with my Dad and re-evaluated the Yeti and the Laura.

Originally Posted by vb-san

100% in agreement Shankar

Staying with the original topic, I just want to get some expert opinion on similar priced (or same family) sedans v/s SUV / Crossover. For e.g.; A Skoda Laura v/s Yeti. Both are based on the same platform, seats 5, offer almost similar interior space and comfort. Yeti have an advantage of high GC, but I guess the Skoda sedans in India do have rough road package (please correct me if I am wrong at this assumption).

In the above comparison, what you reckon will be a better option for an Indian customer?

[TaureanBull]

Well, its a debate so obviously there would be arguments in favour and otherwise. So far its going fine. However, I feel that since the beginning it has been suggested that one should buy SUV only if his situation demands (more passengers/bad road conditions) else switch to a sedan.

The selection is personality based and need not be logical. People buy SUVs/Sedans as it "befits their personality". So be it! Its his money and his choice. It is possible that I am alone, drive only in city, dont need space but still I prefer a SUV.

If someone thinks that this debate in the end would give a decisive result that SUV/sedan is better than it wont. I prefer SUVs for my personal reasons. I respect people who buy sedans or small cars. Its just a personal choice for personal reasons.

Drive and enjoy your choice!

[bharatbits]

It is purely one's own choice.Period.
My next automobile will definitely be a Safari .

[swathyd]

We Indians actually need is a vehicle which transforms into an suv as well as a small hatch . Our roads are not suited for all kinds of vehicles , neither our authorities are concerned about road users . There are numerous examples for it . We can always expect the worst scenario . So it is always safe to travel in an SUV in India .

Few weeks before , a cousin traveled to trissur in a zen . He told me that virtually it sat on many places . Any sedan/hatch manufactured in India will go through such situations except a few . SUV in Indian context has significance than a sedan .

[drrajasaravanan]

Hi,
One point against a sedan will be ease of ingress and egress of a MUV or a SUV compared to any sedan. My father who has had a ligament rupture finds it more easier to enter and exit a MUV rather than a sedan(even after 8 hours of driving). One of my friends father too complimented my MUV for the same (My friend owns a city). Plus riding comfort depends on who is handling the vehicle. If you are a balanced rider who does not demand speed thrills than MUV or SUV or a sedan would not matter. If you want to take U turns at 80mph than you should not be driving a MUV or SUV. Maneouvering in the city people claim sedans are much better than SUV. I dont completely agree to it. The turning radius is more for SUV's but that does not mean its difficult to drive in city. For example fiat palio has got a turning radius of 4m, indica vista is 4.9m and xylo 5.4m. How difficult would it be to turn a car with 4.5m turning radius and a car with 6m turning radius. Plus anybody who is driving a SUV (exclude the politicians please) will not go trying to push their vehicle into all unseen or presumed gaps and drive it much more straighter (body roll forces them too). Cheers.

[pratim]

Originally Posted by architect

If the argument in favour of buying an SUV is that "people make way for you", then it is only applicable in case of others driving smaller vehicles than you. If everyone adopts this philosophy and buy SUVs, then nobody will give way to anybody, and everyone will be happy driving Volvo B7Rs.

You made my day buddy. I was imagining myself trying to drive a B7R and I went like .

But I agree to your arguments. Yes, two wrongs dont make it right.

-Pratim

[Chopper]

I think most of the Indians decide on it based on their requirement. In my case, I got a hatch now and my next would be a SUV/MUV. Points to support my decision are:
1. Road conditions to my native
2. Comfort and Command.
3. Not a speedy driver.
4. More space for Kids to enjoy.
5. Got a parking space big enough to accommodate an SUV .