The GREAT Debate: Is Your NEXT Vehicle Purchase Going To Be An SUV Or Pick-up Truck?

Agent 001 and I talk quite often about the large, overall industry trends. For the past several years we've been keen to note that there's been a major shift from the standard, four-door sedan to, well, just about anything else. 

That's why automakers have been so keen on producing any kind of sport-utility vehicles, and cars that are in different form factors are in fashion.

I had a funny realization the other day while I was in my New York City parking garage. Most of the vehicles were SUVs. In New York City, that just doesn't make sense especially when you consider none of them had car seats or are being used for towing purposes. 

And then it got even more real. My 'ol man is going to be looking for an all-new vehicle as his BMW 5-Series is getting a bit long in the tooth. While he's owned one SUV over the past 20 years, which he hated, he turned to me recently and said "You know what, I really want my next car to be an SUV."

I asked why and he cited the normal reasons most people want one: More space, more utility and for towing. So this weekend I will be test driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit as well as a BMW X5.

Out of curiosity, I've just got to ask: Is your NEXT vehicle purchase going to be an SUV or a pick-up truck?

TheSteve - 11/11/2017 2:50:35 AM

-1 Boost

I spent all my driving life in coupes, convertibles, and motorcycles. 2 years ago I made the big switch to an SUV. I can't tell you what my next car(s) will be.

TomM - 11/11/2017 8:05:04 AM

-2 Boost

My next car purchase will either be my bosses Three(will be four) year old Rolls Phantom - or a new Mercedes Maybach or S600 (Definitely a 12 cylinder) - The Mulsanne does not have a 12. I am leaning toward the Mercedes which I believe to be a better car.

I have had SUVs in the past - but now I see that a Mini-Van is a more logical choice - it is better at hauling people or things than any SUV - and while they do not have four wheel drive - I have found that as I get older - if I cannot get there in a front wheel drive vehicle - most others will not get there either. But - if I wait one day - the plows are likely to clear the roads.

And if I really need a truck for something specific - I can rent one.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 11/11/2017 8:28:00 AM

-1 Boost

It will be an SUV. Mid size, not a CUV. Real 4WD with low gears. No question. My life does not fit into anything smaller.

jeffgall - 11/11/2017 9:45:45 AM

+1 Boost

Life or wife?

MDarringer - 11/11/2017 10:03:14 AM

+1 Boost

Popping popcorn now.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 11/11/2017 12:03:04 PM

0 Boost

Life. I was holding the door for someone else (a knuckle dragging Neanderthal) when I thought I met my wife, an angelic Portuguese Princess. Currently my SUV needs are driven by a 85lb male Chesapeake Bay Retriever who has to travel in a XL sized airport travel case because he wants to eat the people he sees on the sidewalk and in the cars beside us. Not a happy traveler or a friendly pet for strangers. As well a team of 8 at a 24hr MTB relay-race requires a lot of stuff. Full truck and full Thule 2100XT box.... I used to try to do all this with a 3-Series BMW and my much calmer first dog, but it was a joke. I have driven a Yukon before and it felt like a room on wheels. Gas mileage was unbelievable too. Mid size is just fine.

MDarringer - 11/11/2017 8:37:40 AM

+1 Boost

Oh Lordy! Where to start?

How about here with this statement: "I had a funny realization the other day while I was in my New York City parking garage. Most of the vehicles were SUVs. In New York City, that just doesn't make sense especially when you consider none of them had car seats or are being used for towing purposes..."

It makes PERFECT sense to have an SUV in NYC. Higher vantage point makes it easier to see the psychotic cyclists. SUVs with their extra ground clearance are much better suited to notoriously bad NYC streets. If they were all replaced by sedans, the seats would still be unused, so that argument falls flat too. An SUV is the most logical choice for NYC...if you can find a parking space that is.

My latest acquisition is neither a pickup nor an SUV, but a coupe. Ditto for the wife. But we are anomalies because coupes are also a shrinking market.

Furthermore, "...there's been a major shift from the standard, four-door sedan to, well, just about anything else..." isn't true either. The market for coupes, convertibles, and minivans isn't growing.

skytop - 11/12/2017 9:00:54 PM

+2 Boost

Thanks to the corrupt liberal government in NYC and NYS, city and state roads are by far the WORST and have the most pot holes and broken pavement. NY streets are seriously dangerous and unsafe. Any vehicle used in NY must have very stout rims with tall (high aspect ratio) tires to stand any chance of surviving in the asphalt jungle of NY.

MrEE - 11/11/2017 9:34:40 AM

0 Boost

Neither, I don't see the sport or the utility in a SUV, just a higher and upright seating (HUV?). Pickup with 4 doors is even less sensible having an bed too small to be of any real carrying capacity. If <3500 lb. towing was a requirement, a minivan is hard to beat. Personally might consider a "crossover" if one comes to market in the next few years that would meet my other criteria (safe, efficient, reliable, comfortable, value). Otherwise a 5-door or sedan is fine with me.

vdiv - 11/11/2017 9:54:45 AM

+5 Boost

Think I like the Multi-Purpose Vehicle as a better descriptor for these. The ergonomics begin to matter as people grow older. Can't fault them for wanting a larger vehicle that is easier to get in and out of and is more forgiving when encountering curbs and bad roads as Matt here suggests.

jcarys - 11/11/2017 11:15:10 AM

0 Boost

Nope, I'm replacing my current coupe with a more powerful and better optioned coupe. I would consider a convertible as a second car. If I need a bigger option for moving furniture I just rent something for the day.

pchera01 - 11/11/2017 11:37:24 AM

+2 Boost

some sort of SUV

CarCrazedinCali - 11/11/2017 12:36:45 PM

+2 Boost

I wish there were more AWD wagon choices to supplant the SUV/Crossovers... The Audi A4 Allroad seems to be the best looking and driving alternative to a SUV for me... The all-new X3 is a handsome option now too....

mre30 - 11/11/2017 1:07:28 PM

+3 Boost

My next vehicle will be another SUV. I live in the NYC/NJ area and because the government finances are so screwed up, there is minimal road maintenance. I've been to the third world (West Africa) and some parts of the third world have better roads than NYC/NJ.

Its a durability choice (flat tires suck) and is really a shame because they use more fuel than (and do not drive as well as) sedans which otherwise would have been my choice.

atc98092 - 11/11/2017 5:36:41 PM

+2 Boost

Since I'm in an SUV now and also own a truck, it's kind of immaterial. But I'm waiting for my dealer to receive a new Outback and my Q5 is being traded. The Outback is more of a lifted wagon, rather than an SUV, although they are still labeled as such sometimes.

skytop - 11/11/2017 8:57:54 PM

0 Boost

When the next oil company price scam occurs driving gas prices over $4 a gallon, everyone with the gas hog SUV's will be writhing in pain in their pocketbook.

MDarringer - 11/11/2017 9:16:33 PM

0 Boost

Not necessarily. When the gas prices spiked under the Obama Bin Barack regime, pickups and large SUV sold astonishingly well for us.

TauronB2G - 11/12/2017 5:12:31 AM

0 Boost

No need for an suv or truck. I don’t have kids, am not towing a boat and don’t plan on taking many people anywhere I go. The only time there are more than 2 people in my car is when I’m going to lunch with the guys at work. Convertible and sedans are all I will consider.

Jaeko - 11/13/2017 7:03:01 AM

+1 Boost

SUV (CUV), stuck between a Lexus RX350 Fsport awd or an Infiniti QX60 awd, dislike Lexus's front grill and rear side floating roof design, dislike Infiniti's center control unit (looks old), upgrading from a 2007 Infiniti G35 S sedan.

MDarringer - 11/13/2017 8:30:54 AM

+2 Boost

Go with the Lexus for better quality and reliability.