Small SUVs

Welcome to smallsuvs.org! Our site features ratings and reviews for all small SUVs currently out there featuring models from 2011 and 2012. Browse our site for more iformation on small SUVs, read useful auto maintenance advice and more.

Small Sport Utility Vehicle Comparison

A Sports Utility Vehicle(SUV) was designed to sustain any terrain and weather. It is also designed to carry a large capacity of passengers and cargoes as it has spacious compartments, plus most models are also good for towing trailers, boats etc. But, being large vehicles similar to traditional SUVs, large engines and more air conditioning have their effects on the overall gas consumption. Although SUV have been making its way to the top in auto charts during the early 1990s and the late 2000s, more revised model is manufactured in the mid 2000s. The new SUV now has added hi-tech features and safety air bags. Some of the small SUVs also feature hybrid models that can reuse gas and increase gas mileage.

Still many have been using the traditional Sport Utility Vehicle and somehow received problems regarding large expense on gas usage and malfunction or broken spare parts, though spare parts can easily be found in the market but rather cost them as much money as buying the car itself. As a result to such criticism that most consumers make when using a Sport Utility Vehicle, car companies made different sizes to accommodate their basic needs but other problems still persist. Gas mileage excluding hybrids still has a higher gas intake.

Small Sport Utility Vehicles or commonly known as Compact SUVs, have smaller length which only takes 5 meters or less  compared to other SUVs. Compact SUV has smaller passenger and cargo space but can easily be maneuvered as it would be like driving a small conventional car and although it has a good gas mileage record some parts are easily damaged but can also be easily replaced.  Such models are: 2012 Jeep Patriot, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, Hyundai Tucson and Subaru Forester. However, there are other sizes available in the market for an SUV like Mid-Size and Full-Size.

Compared to the small size USV, the Mid-Size SUV is a bit larger and has more engine power compared to the Compact SUV but a lot smaller than the Full-Size but still reached the top of the charts as an affordable utility vehicle. Mid-Size SUV’s can accommodate 5 persons with cargo compartments but the gas mileage is lower. However, SUV mid-size hybrids can counter the gas mileage problems. Common models of mid-size USV includes: BMW X-5 M, Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe and Jeep Commander.

Full-size SUV with the length of 15-16 meters is much larger than the compact and the mid-size SUV and have a better cargo and passenger capacity extending for about three passenger rows is perfect for carrying the whole family and a much bigger tow. Full-size SUV can accelerate more engine power compare to the two sizes of the SUV and has a larger surviving impact due to its durable and bulky exterior feature but gas mileage is lowered and has a larger split distance to the ground. Full-size models include: Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Dodge Durango, Ford Flex and Toyota Land cruiser which acquired the worst mileage record. However, full-size SUVs are still in demand in the auto market.

Differences between Crossover and Traditional Sport Utility Vehicles

For many years SUV’s had then evolved to a better looking and luxury car-like features thus carrying the same features of the traditional SUV with a bulky exterior, wide passenger seats and a large cargo compartment. The new models of SUV also carried the capability to go on a mountainous area and off-road riding. Before picking up a Sport Utility Vehicle, one should be aware of the classifications and difference to avoid further troubles and cost.

Traditional SUV bare the significance of a pick-up truck however the cargo compartments are covered to give more security to the items and protect them from harmful elements while carrying heavy loads. These SUV can go directly from paved to a rocky road giving the driver less worries about the car’s turbulence. However, a traditional SUV is built basically for off-road terrains, like Ford Explorer for example, can consume your fuel in just a few mile run. Most auto consumers prefer the traditional SUV simply because of its strong foundation and high capacity to survive a crash. But, based on the weight of the SUV, emergency stops are hard to achieve therefore leaving the car still at risk of collisions.

The crossover on the other hand, is a smaller version of the traditional SUV but there are other crossover which belongs to the Full Size SUV can carry up to 7-passenger, a shared passenger and cargo rear access and has a larger cargo compartment.  Auto companies widen its gas compartment to add about 25-30% of gas as answers to the gas mileage problems with traditional Sport Utility Vehicles and added high-tech and safety features to make driving easy. In the last few years, Crossover SUV had been on the top charts in the SUV market like the Audi Q5, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Rogue.

Definition of Sports Utility Vehicles or SUV

Sport Utility Vehicle or SUV is commonly known as the 4-wheel-drive, jeep or off-road-cars. Most of it resembles the pick-up cars and considered as a light-utility vehicle or a station wagon and has the towing capacity of a small sized truck and can accommodate 5-7 persons. SUV are commonly used in off-road or a place that usually has paved roads but still gives the driver the comfort of driving a sedan. Although SUV had been in the market for over 2 decades, car companies made adjustments regarding the consumer complaints about the fuel intake and the smoke emission that had helped in air pollution. Regardless of the effects that it gave to the environment, SUVs allow users to have the benefits of saving money on repair and maintenance since the spare parts of the said vehicle are commonly sold in car shops and supplies.

Although SUV’s design varied from different old SUV models and mini trucks, the concept of having a box-type, four-door, high ground clearance and a large cargo space remained. The design itself made it more aerodynamic. Thus, lowering the SUV’s gas mileage and kept emitting large amounts of smoke. Companies had started to remodel the SUV’s external and internal features on the late 2000s making 2-door SUV and a removable top and a smaller version but consumers demanded that the four-door SUV is more likely to be used. By 2010, older models of SUV were slowly wiped out of the auto market due to the high gas price and the continuous downfall of the economy. However, many car companies had remodeled the SUV’s features making its way back to the market. Unlike the traditional SUV, car manufacturers took the complaints seriously and managed to make crossovers and hybrids, eco-friendly car, to better save the consumer on gas and money.

Where to Find Used SUVs for Sale

Finding used Sport Utility Vehicle is not hard, since SUV had been mass produced in the 1990s and the early 2000 and some car owners still use it today. Picking the right SUV for you is not as tricky as picking a new and more modernized sedan. But you must be aware that SUV are not as fuel efficient, has a low gas mileage and has contributed large amounts of air pollution but rather commend its features such as wide and spacious room and is very capable of going off-roads which will be difficult for other conventional vehicles.  But before purchasing a used SUV, you must secure the car papers to assure that the car had not been under a bad record or in a criminal case to avoid being forfeited and legal papers are to be signed by the previous owner.

If you want to find a cheap and used SUV’s then going through the yellow pages in your telephone book, you might find car shop that sells used SUV’s. There is also information about where to find used SUV on your daily newspaper where owners and car factories advertise specific cars for sale or auctioned. This 5-sitter SUV are commonly sold in the U.S. but going through a different car auction sale would be a big help since SUV does not have a high price range compared to newer versions of such, but you can get more discount on bidding. You may also go through the internet and find thousands of websites that sells used SUV. These sites could be anywhere in the world and for sure there is one or two near you. Another way to buy used SUV is going directly to the owner to assure that the car is in full function and have them fixed (optional) to save more money or have your old car exchanged for a new SUV.