Questions you need to ask before buying an SUV

Buying a new vehicle can be a daunting experience. With more brands, body styles and engine options available today than ever before, it can be hard to identify which model best suits your needs. But if you’re looking for a vehicle to keep up with your multitasking life, you may find that the modern SUV has the answer.

Around the world, people are discovering that SUVs offer many benefits over traditional sedans. In fact, SUVs have overtaken medium-sized cars to become the world’s largest automotive segment, with sales expected to rise to 42 million by 2031.

Here are the six guidelines by Rahul Gautam, vice president, Marketing, Ford India for the next time you’re in the market to ensure you find the SUV that’s right for you.

Why should I consider an SUV?
More and more buyers are realising that affordable prices, high efficiency and fun driving dynamics are no longer just the domain of smaller cars. SUVs also offer other advantages: a higher driving position that helps you to easily see over the traffic ahead, versatile storage space, and easy access whether stepping in and out or loading kids into children’s seats.

How many seats do I actually need?
Think about this as packing smart. You wouldn’t want to take a suitcase full of rock climbing gear on a picnic. Likewise, you want a vehicle that does all the things you need it to do, but you don’t want pay for or carry around extra features or seats if you don’t plan to take advantage of them.

Do I really plan to head off the beaten track?
We may all have fantasies of using an SUV to participate in extreme desert races or reach remote, untouched wilderness. But how many times have you actually driven off-road in the past few months?
One of the top selling points for SUVs is greater confidence when driving in adverse conditions. But different SUVs have different capabilities, and it’s worth having a think about what capabilities you need.
Places where seasonal flooding can be an issue, SUVs offer better ground clearance and can be designed to wade through deep water. Buyer beware: Not all SUVs are as capable as they look. Make sure that the SUV you’re considering is designed from the ground up to take on water

Are high-tech gadgets part of my life?
You know who you are: You’re surrounded by electronic devices and can’t wait for the day when your social media feed is transmitted directly to your brain.
If you’re tech-savvy and need an SUV that accommodates family needs, mid-sized SUVs usually offer the latest in technology: interactive touchscreens, Bluetooth connectivity and voice-controlled GPS.

Do I care about fuel economy?
This is a trick question. Who doesn’t care about fuel economy? The good news is many modern SUVs are very fuel efficient thanks to smart design and engineering. Make sure that the SUV you’re considering takes a holistic approach to improving fuel economy with advanced engine technologies and an aerodynamic design.

How much do I want to spend?
This one is entirely up to you. Companies like Ford have responded to a wide range of potential SUV customers with diverse model lineups to meet nearly every conceivable need. No matter what you’re looking for and how much you have to spend, there’s an SUV out there that meets your needs and budget.