2009 - SUV buying guide

Over the years, since SUV’s have come up it has grown from fairly basic truck-based vehicles to include car-based crossovers, mid- and full-size SUVs and luxuriously appointed mansions on wheels.

Today, if you want to buy a SUV you get really confused which one to go for which will actually work for you and would it be in your budget? Here we are to help you out with the BUYING GUIDE which would give you at least some knowledge about the SUV’s regarding there range and few highlighted features and the things that you should keep in mind before you choose one.

WHAT THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE BUYING A SUV?

There are few things that you should know before you buy a SUV for yourself and they are: -

1.SUV CAR BASE:
Check it out which SUV is it? It might be Car Based or Truck Based SUV. If you are interested in more comfortable ride, sharp handling and more comfortable and great interiors then you should chose a Car Based SUV. Truck Based SUV is capable to tow more weight, is more capable off-road and generally is sturdier all around due to their truck-derived hardware.

2.SUV SIZE:
As you look for the size you also move up in engine power, towing ability, passenger room and price. Sport-utility vehicles are generally classified into three groups: mini/compact SUV, midsize SUV and full-size SUV.

3.SUV PRICE AND RECOMMENDATION:
Rather than separate this general segment out by individual body types, we divided them up according to price ranges. Within these ranges, you’ll find both crossovers and truck-based SUVs. Here we have grouped them as SUVs under $25,000, SUVs Under $35,000, SUVs Under $45,000 and SUVs Over $45,000.

•  SUVs Under $25,000: In this price range, you might expect to find some pretty straightforward crossovers that lack the creature comforts but it is not the fact here in this range we have found three SUV’s for you. Two of them are crossovers which are 2009 HONDA CRV and TOYOTA RAV4 which are vehicles offering a wide range of versatility and strengths in their given fields without breaking your budget. Both are excellent with room space cabins and city driving manners.

The Honda CR-V suv has a refined interior and seating for five, while the Toyota RAV4 offers third-row seating and a more powerful V6 engine. We have a truck based SUV in this range which is 2009TOYOTA FJ CRUISER. This is for those looking for adventure off the beaten path it is the kind of utility no crossover can deliver and is known for its astounding off-road prowess and nostalgic styling.

• SUVs Under $35,000: For this price category, the choices have moved past small crossovers in favor of the large crossovers with increased passenger seating and cargo space. Here we have HYUNDAI VERACRUZ and MAZDA CX 9 with seating capacity of seven with the CX-9 offering just a bit more room for the rearmost passengers. Third option we have is GMC ACADIA which has seating capacity of eight and it includes the selection of GM cousins which are BUICK ENCLAVE, CHEVROLET TRAVERSE AND SATURN OUTLOOK.

The Veracruz and CX-9 are quite a bit less expensive than the Acadia. ALL in this price range are powered by V6 engines and are offered in a wide range of trim levels and is also available in front- or all-wheel drive, with the fully loaded trim levels of the AWD Veracruz and CX-9 just peeking above the $35K boundary.

•  SUVs Under $45,000:  In this price range we have the only hybrid-powered vehicle among our SUV picks which is 2009 LEXUS RX 400h SUV it is well known for its luxurious interior and for its V6 power with four-cylinder fuel economy. Other one is 2009 PORSCHE CAYENNE which is only available in the base model trim with a manual transmission. The Lexus and Porsche are both all-wheel drive suvs.

• SUVs Over $45,000: In this group there is no price limit and we would pick up the most happening SUV’s here which are 2009 BMW X5 AND 2009 MERCEDES BENZ GL CLASS. Both of these have impeccable handling, prodigious power, wide range of amenities and luxurious interior, offers more room, lots of power and the option of an off-road package. All of this naturally comes with a high price tag and, in direct opposition to the BMW, some may find the ride a bit too soft. Both of these choices of suvs have luxury, style and performance for SUVs. . Luxury SUVs start around $40,000 and top out over $100,000.

4.SUV ENGINE AND ECONOMY:
Mid size SUV’s come standard with six-cylinder engines, with V8s as options, compact SUVs offer both four- and six-cylinder engines. A four cylinder compact SUVs can achieve mileage figures in the mid-to-upper 20s, while most six-cylinder average in the upper teens. All full-size SUVs use V8 engines these full size vehicles generally get between 12 and 20 mpg.

5.SUV 2WD/4WD/AWD:
Two-wheel drive means that only the front or rear wheels provide power to the vehicle. Four-wheel-drive vehicles allow the driver to select between two- and four-wheel drive, and provide low-range gearing for off roading. All-wheel-drive vehicles automatically distribute power in varying degrees to the wheels with the most traction.

6.SUV OPERATING COSTS:
Since compact SUVs are generally smaller, lighter and have less complex four-wheel-drive systems, their maintenance and fuel costs are generally lower. With higher sticker prices and larger engines, midsize and full-size SUV’s generally get poor mileage and are more expensive to insure.

7.SUV LUXURY FEATURES:
Most compact sport-utility vehicles offer basic amenities along with some additional features like CD changers, automatic climate control and leather. Midsize SUVs typically come packed with convenience features, while offering additional luxury amenities as options. The full-size category offers the widest array of luxury SUVs.

8.SUV SAFETY:
All the important safety features like side curtain airbags, rollover protection systems and stability control can be available on all sizes of SUVs and in all price groups, if not included then at least as options. What buyers should read up on is the braking and handling performance of the models that really interest them.

9.SUV PASSENGER, INTERIOR AND CARGO CAPACITY:
All the SUV’s are designed to carry at least five passengers. In most of the compact SUV’s there are rear seats which have capacity for three with the adjusting legroom. While most midsize and full-size SUV’s offer comfortable second-row accommodations. Many SUVs, from compact to full-size, now offer the option of adding a third-row seat for additional passenger capacity — these rows are usually intended for use by small children only.

All SUV’s allow you to fold or remove the rear seats for more cargo capacity, many SUVs with third-row seats allow you to fold them into the floor. Compact SUV’s top out at about 70 cubic feet of capacity, while midsize SUVs can expand to as much as 100 cubic feet. Full-size SUVs offer cargo areas in excess of 100 cubic feet.