[GST]

Originally Posted by Poitive

* Honda City 4th gen is immense VFM. You get something you're familiar and happy with.

* XUV300 if you don't need a large boot. A 2600mm wheelbase in a sub 4m car (city friendly size, and you pay less taxes). I believe it comes from the Ssangyong stables to Mahindra's. Many variants to choose from.

Great to hear of suggestion to a prospective buyer that has sedans and SUVs as choices. Recently I test drove 1litre TSI manual Taigun, and found that it's driving dynamics- on a small stretch of road where I could go atmost 60 kmph- was not much better than my four and a half year Ciaz: They drove very similarly, though Taigun's clutch felt slightly smoother. I have also driven a test drive XUV300, and a test drive Nissan kicks (older diesel vehicle). somehow I found Ciaz more composed than all these cars. For reference, Taigun was very new, whereas XUV300 and Nissan kicks were older than 3 years and XUV had about 50K kms on it and Kicks had about 85K kms on it.

I am inclined to think that a prospective buyer should not look for a vehicle primarliy with a fixed body type, rather based on needs, preferences, budget... should be open to cross-shop. In this regard, I would appreciate comments of knowlegeable forum members based on their experiences/discussions with experts regarding the following points when comparing vehicles for driving dynamics and safety: For vehicles having comparable unladen weights and dimensions adjusted to their body types and manufacturing arcitechures and keeping in mind modern safety equipments- particularly stability control systems- how much of extra safety modern sedans offer over modern SUVs due to expected better handling, and how does the passenger (and driver) comfort vary among the two kinds of vehicles in terms of body roll and other possible human anatomical reasons?

To be fair and less vague we should stick to vehicles in on the road price range of 12-25L and top models of considered vehicles.

Thanks very much.

[apollo_1999]

When compared to a SUV, sedans are way better in terms of driving dynamics, handling and also the ease of use, not to mention about the lower operating cost than a suv. But thanks our potholes filled roads suv are a better choice anyday. For me a car can only be qualified to be called a suv, only if it has 4x4 or an AWD drivetrain. Raised hatchbacks are strictly not a suv.

[lionheart_mm]

SUVs particularly compact SUVs make total sense in our road condition. Our roads are full of potholes unscientifically designed bumps and dips, and many roads have only enough space for one car to move forward.

[ajayc123]

Like fashion changes over years, car shapes also appear to be following the evolution.

Sedan shape is dying, SUV shaped cars (intentionally added, because most of the cars aren’t true SUVs, but rather like wolf in sheepskin) are the mainstream now, and actually becoming quite boring

I am curious about the next emerging car shape. Is it a coupe ?

[locusjag]

SUVs have been dominating automotive markets worldwide

The overall market trend favoring SUVs has been seen worldwide. It became so much so that Ford had dropped all sedans except the Mustang around 3 years ago from their American product portfolio!

I cannot fathom why folks buy the way they do in Europe. I have lived in the US so I could take a guess as to why they favor SUVs over there. Australia is an obviously SUV friendly market because of its outback conditions. But I would rather talk about the Indian automotive scenario.

First, let's talk about how India lives despite the Government.

We Indians have had corrupt Governments and administration since our Independence. We have gotten so used to their ineptitude that we have been circumventing the following government services:

Because Govt hospitals are terribly maintained and overcrowded, Indians flock to private hospitals and get fleeced there because of the misconception that money begets superior service.

Because Govt schools are terrible, we shell out our hard earned money to private schools.

Because the Govt cannot provide water to most homes, we dig borewells and empty out entire geographies’ water tables (e.g., Sea water has intruded into Coastal Chennai's water table 2 decades ago)

Because urban transportation availability or service levels in India has been sub par, we've taken to two wheelers and cars in a big way

The meat of this post - why India loves SUVs

Because the Government fails to provide road safety, good road conditions and doesn't give a rat's arse about our lives, Indians have gravitated towards SUVs gradually.

The problems faced by car owners and solutions offered by SUVs include:

* Unsafe traffic and highway conditions. SUVs offer a sense of safety in this regard, however true it may be.
* Harassment by fellow road users and police. You should see how the same road users scatter in front of a commanding SUV. And cops don't bother an apparently upwardly mobile SUV owner; they would rather bother a lowly hatchback owner.
* Terrible roads. Enough said.
* Unscientific and unsafe speed breakers. Obviously SUVs help us get past these easily.

Bonus content
Here's proof that India's politicians don't care about our lives. Here's an incident from 2012 when a Minister's son was killed on his 2 wheeler by a stupidly laid speedbreaker. The very next week, owing to the death of the minister's son, all of Chennai's speedbreakers were hastily relaid as per proper standards!

https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities...le12063520.ece

How many of us have suffered damage to vehicles and lives due to speedbreakers? How many have lost lives due to our potholes and speedbreakers? Have you ever seen any level Government move this fast for us, as it did in TN after the minister's son's death?

Just buy a SUV.

[sparameswaran]

Having moved from a sedan to an SUV recently, I am a bit concerned about a particular safety aspect of a 7 seater SUV.

If someone is driving with the 3rd row tumbled and had packed the area behind the second row with luggage, is it not possible that something from among the luggage gets thrown ahead during heavy breaking / emergency manoeuvre and land on the back / head of passengers seated ahead?

Is this risk real or imagined?

If real, how can it be prevented? Most 7 seater SUVs seems to not have any option for restraining luggage placed in the place of 3rd row. Any aftermarket options for this?

This may not be possible in a 5 seater SUV with a parcel tray in place - that should keep the luggage from getting unsettled, I guess?

[heavenlybull]

Originally Posted by sparameswaran

If someone is driving with the 3rd row tumbled and had packed the area behind the second row with luggage, is it not possible that something from among the luggage gets thrown ahead during heavy breaking / emergency manoeuvre and land on the back / head of passengers seated ahead?

Is this risk real or imagined?

Yes, the threat is very real, especially when the 3rd row is folded with luggage in there. Get a sturdy luggage net that's meant for your vehicle. I'm assuming your car has 4 anchor points to hook up the four corners of the net.

[sparameswaran]

Originally Posted by heavenlybull

I'm assuming your car has 4 anchor points to hook up the four corners of the net.

Well, I don't think the Safari comes with these hooks

Is there any car/SUV which comes with these hooks in India?

[heavenlybull]

Originally Posted by sparameswaran

Well, I don't think the Safari comes with these hooks

Is there any car/SUV which comes with these hooks in India?

I'm not sure about the others but in Carens (as shown in the photo) there are 4 hooks. Maybe you can double check just in case they are there in Safari

[Gandalf18]

Hi,

I have recently moved to Bangalore and looking for a SWB SUV or an old used SUV like mini pajero, land cruiser prado, nissan patrol etc.

Any specific waters to fish in? Any dealers who specialise in imports?

I am old school fella....regret selling my 1991 left hand drive corolla. So looking to relive the sheer joy of old school.

Senior BHPians in Bangalore - pliss to help

regards
Saakar

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Gandalf18

Hi,

I have recently moved to Bangalore and looking for a SWB SUV or an old used SUV like mini pajero, land cruiser prado, nissan patrol etc.

Any specific waters to fish in? Any dealers who specialise in imports?

I am old school fella....regret selling my 1991 left hand drive corolla. So looking to relive the sheer joy of old school.

Senior BHPians in Bangalore - pliss to help

regards
Saakar

I think the 3 door Thar will be ideal choice. Older models have a tendency to require a lot of maintenance, plus you never know when the government will phase them out (like in NCR)

[amolathalye]

I find the 3 box type Sedan cars to be safer ( for second row passengers ) than the 5 seater SUV cars. In case of rear end collision the second row seats of SUV are too close to the tail end of the car. I feel safer to travel in a second row of a sedan than in any compact or mid size SUV. Once when I was traveling on a second row of a mid size SUV , we were waiting at one toll in a long queue and suddenly one large truck came to a screeching halt right behind us which stopped just around 9" away from our car. That was a very scary experience to say the least. In a similar situation the 3rd row of any MPV car would be very unsafe for the occupants irrespective of the safety rating of the car. So considering this I would prefer a sedan to SUV.