FWD SUVs, why do they exist?

[OverVolt]

This is something that has always bugged me when I'm pricing out SUVs. Some actually come with a FWD base model like the Juke, Renegade, Rav 4, Rogue, etc.

I can't imagine its very good in the snow but I guess its better than a car just because it rides higher. My main question is why??? Who is buying these things? Do you know anyone with a FWD SUV? I generally expect any SUV I see on the road to be AWD or 4x4 but I really wonder how popular a FWD SUV is in the market. Maybe they're more common-place than I thought.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

They're very common place. They're cheaper for one thing. Also, look at the number of people who drive pick ups that never put anything in the back. Just look at the proliferation of suv's in the first place.

 

[JimKiler]

I now drive my wife's SUV a CX-7 and we debated getting AWD but with traction control it is very rarely needed, 5 days total for where i live a year. I can didn't mind saving $7K to forego it and get the base model. Which is good since the CX-7 with AWD had a horrible transmission. Also I prefer cars but this was originally my wife's car, but I will gladly drive it over a minivan.

 

[NutBucket]

I told my parent to get a CR-V instead of a sedan because the ingress and egress is easier and it's easier to transport stuff in the hatch. They don't need AWD as FWD served them fine for over 30 years. They appreciate the design benefits.

 

[Kaido]

Before getting my Renegade (AWD with 4WD lock), my '14 Soul was the best car I had ever driven in the snow. It was FWD, but as of 2014 I believe, the government mandated that ESC be installed on all cars. This basically makes driving through snow the same as driving through mud, really amazing technology. However, the Renegade is super amazing in the snow because of AWD & it would be hard to go back to winter driving without it. That, and not every place gets snow...if you live in California, don't want a minivan, but need to haul people around, it's either an SUV or a stationwagon, and an SUV makes more sense because it has more vertical cargo space for hockey gear & whatnot.

 

[agent00f]

This is something that has always bugged me when I'm pricing out SUVs. Some actually come with a FWD base model like the Juke, Renegade, Rav 4, Rogue, etc.

I can't imagine its very good in the snow but I guess its better than a car just because it rides higher. My main question is why??? Who is buying these things? Do you know anyone with a FWD SUV? I generally expect any SUV I see on the road to be AWD or 4x4 but I really wonder how popular a FWD SUV is in the market. Maybe they're more common-place than I thought.

Most cuv/suv buyers are just looking for a taller car. A lot of them are women who are more practical than machismo.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

They are station wagons.

Somewhere along the line, we decided station wagons didn't look cool enough.

 

[OverVolt]

Most cuv/suv buyers are just looking for a taller car. A lot of them are women who are more practical than machismo.

Practical like having 100 pairs of shoes practical? =)

Men and women each have their quirks.

https://www.quora.com/How-many-pairs-of-shoes-does-the-average-woman-own

 

[Torn Mind]

Because gas milage is better and space that is filled up need not always be filled up with lead.

And they are stigma-free compared to minivans.

And in fact, many cars can handle 800 lbs because they have to haul 4-5 adult Americans, which probably will weigh around that.

 

[HarryLui]

Some people just like the seat higher so they can slide in and out easier with bad hips and knees.

 

[OverVolt]

Anyway... pretty interesting so far... people don't take them in the snow right?

 

[npaladin-2000]

Anyway... pretty interesting so far... people don't take them in the snow right?

No that's another reason for them. It's not as much the AWD (though that helps) but the ground clearance really helps clear snow banks and ruts where normal height cars might get high centered.

Sent from my mobile device.

 

[Torn Mind]

Anyway... pretty interesting so far... people don't take them in the snow right?

AWD means the typical driver will. FWD is arguably superior to RWD anyway. A truck with RWD needs weight in the bed.


Also, subcompact SUVs are a much different animal from mid-size ones like a Highlander. A subcompact gives gas mileage and more space than a similar, but it is not an Explorer(the most recent generation), Highlander.

 

[agent00f]

Practical like having 100 pairs of shoes practical? =)

Men and women each have their quirks.

https://www.quora.com/How-many-pairs-of-shoes-does-the-average-woman-own

More practical about cars, maybe less about other things they like instead.

 

[boomerang]

Anyway... pretty interesting so far... people don't take them in the snow right?

I'd be interested to hear why you feel FWD is not good in snow.

 

[rh71]

A lot just need it to be taller version of a standard car. Because another factor is having newborns which is when many decide to get a new / 2nd car. It's a shit ton easier to throw the carrier in and pull it out. Same with all the crap for the trunk. My bro decided on a fwd Tucson when the baby came (2nd car) and because it was all they needed.

The only benefit for minivans (other than slightly more space) are sliding doors. I hate driving my dad's minivan because it drives like a friggin boat.

 

[tweakmonkey]

I wonder what percentage of SUVs will never see snow or off road. I bet it's the majority.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Anyway... pretty interesting so far... people don't take them in the snow right?

Anywhere south of the mason dixon line and when are they going to have the opportunity to take it out in the snow?

 

[mindless1]

Too vague a question or rant. Different SUVs/configs exist for different needs.

FWD is great in snow if it has AT, let alone MT tires instead of the HT that many now come with as stock. I'm not talking about off-road or big snow banks, just the average amount of a few inches often seen on roads before city road dept. trucks get around to plowing and/or chem-treating them.

 

[mindless1]

Better question is why would RWD SUVs exist, since anyone towing or hauling much cargo should get a higher cargo wt rated pickup truck instead, now that the avg SUV is unibody. FWD is more efficient, works better in snow or mud than RWD, and not everyone wants the higher cost and mechanical complexity (long term repair costs) of AWD or 4WD.

 

[nakedfrog]

They are station wagons.

Somewhere along the line, we decided station wagons didn't look cool enough.

Yep. I lament this change, as a wagon fan, and my SUV is even a wagon as far as my insurance company is concerned.

 

[JulesMaximus]

My first car was a FWD SAAB 99LE. That car was awesome in the snow. It had near 50/50 weight distribution and was built like a tank. I'd put it up against any RWD truck or SUV in the snow any day.

 

[JimKiler]

Anyway... pretty interesting so far... people don't take them in the snow right?

what cars? I am fairly certains FWD cars can go in snow or we would all know it by age 5 do not drive your car in snow.

 

[JimKiler]

They are station wagons.

Somewhere along the line, we decided station wagons didn't look cool enough.

I will Mazda would bring the Mazda 6 wagon stateside, but i get it, they would not sell.

 

[jlee]

Better question is why would RWD SUVs exist, since anyone towing or hauling much cargo should get a higher cargo wt rated pickup truck instead, now that the avg SUV is unibody. FWD is more efficient, works better in snow or mud than RWD, and not everyone wants the higher cost and mechanical complexity (long term repair costs) of AWD or 4WD.

What unibody SUVs are RWD?