What is an SUV? - Small & large SUVs within my budget

The SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) has become increasingly popular in recent years. A major reason for this is the raised entrance and seating position, which provides more comfort while driving. But what types of SUVs are there? And which SUV suits my lifestyle?

Parking full of SUVs, both new and recent used cars, at Dex Hooglede.
Which cars are SUVs?

An SUV is mainly characterised by its higher entry and often sturdy design. The SUV was developed as an intermediate segment between a family car (monospace or estate) and off-road vehicle (Jeep). The car is thus suitable for day-to-day use just like a family car but with the advantages, namely the raised entry and seating position, of a real off-road vehicle. Meanwhile, the SUV evolved so that, within this segment, compact SUVs or city cars and Cross-over SUVs or sporty SUVs also came into being.

What are the advantages of an SUV?

The biggest advantage of an SUV is its raised entry and seating position. The raised entry ensures that you get in & out of the car easily. In addition, the raised seating position gives you a better overview of the road and thus the traffic. So it gives the driver an extra sense of safety.

Because the car is higher, it is also easier to lift your children out of the car seats and to take your shopping out of the boot, for example.

Verschillende soorten SUV's

Time does not stand still in the automobile sector, and thus not in the SUV segment either. Meanwhile, you can distinguish different types of SUV:

  • Crossover SUV: By a Crossover SUV, we mean a sporty car that stands slightly higher than a similar saloon car. Crossover SUVs can often be recognised by their sloping roofline, which immediately emphasises their sporty character. Some examples of a crossover are the Volkswagen Taigo, Audi Q3 Sportback & Audi Q5 Sportback.
  • Compacte or small SUV: The compact or small SUV evolved from the demand for elevated city cars. A small SUV offers you the convenience of a city car with an elevated seating position and usually a larger trunk than the city car variant. The Volkswagen T-Cross, Ford Puma, Skoda Kamiq, Renault Captur and Opel Crossland are just a few examples of a compact SUV.
  • Medium-sized SUV: A mid-sized SUV is often the ideal car for day-to-day use, i.e. both for city traffic and longer trips on the motorway. It comfortably accommodates 4 occupants, but a 5th person can also tag along in this car. Below we find the Volkswagen T-Roc, BMW X1, BMW X2, Skoda Karoq, Nissan Qashqai, MG EHS, Peugeot 3008 & Volvo XC40.
  • Fullsize SUV: The full-size SUV is the ideal elevated family car. It comfortably seats five people and has a large trunk for a pram, for example. Some examples of this family car include the Ford Kuga, Land Rover Discovery Sport, Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq, Seat Tarraco & Volkswagen Tiguan.
  • Luxury SUV: Comfortable, packed with gadgets and finished in quality materials, in short this SUV lets you enjoy luxury. Some examples are the Land Rover Discovery, Mercedes GLE and BMW X7.

Small or compact SUV

The small SUV is on the rise because of its compact size. These cars are ideal for commuting and city driving. These SUVs are easy to manoeuvre and still offer enough space for groceries, among other things. In addition, getting in & out of these cars is easy and the elevated seating position provides a perfect overview of traffic.

Affordable SUVs

An SUV does not have to be expensive, the cheapest SUV starts at 13,595 euros with us. For this price, you will enjoy a mid-size SUV with a spacious trunk. In addition, for the price of 18,995 euros, you already have an SUV for the whole family.

Buying an SUV?

Looking to buy an SUV or interested in a particular car? Explore the full range or give us a call and we are happy to help you in your search for the ideal SUV.

Find your SUV here

Published on Thursday, June 27 2023 by A.D.