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FWD SUVs, why do they exist?

OverVolt

OverVolt

Lifer
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
OverVolt said:
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.
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Most cuv/suv buyers are just looking for a taller car. A lot of them are women who are more practical than machismo.
 
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.
 
OverVolt said:
Anyway... pretty interesting so far... people don't take them in the snow right?
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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.
 
OverVolt said:
Anyway... pretty interesting so far... people don't take them in the snow right?
Click to expand...
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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
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.
 
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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.
 
mindless1 said:
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.
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What unibody SUVs are RWD?
 
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