Looking to go on holiday at home in the UK this year? Or perhaps you’re thinking that your next family car should be able to cope with a ‘staycation’ trip in the future? What you need is a family SUV, and in this article we’re going to explain why.
Below you can find out the benefits of choosing an SUV and why it can be a good option for those looking to take the family on a local holiday trip. We’ll also look at some top buying tips for choosing a used SUV so you won’t be disappointed when it’s time to buy.
But before you buy any new or used car you should make sure you have a budget in mind. You should check how much your car is currently worth and using an online tool for car valuations, which will give you a figure to work from. Once you have that, you can think about which SUV is right for you.
SUVs are practical and spacious
Most SUVs are designed around family life, which means they’re made to be spacious inside and have big boots. In general, SUVs are bigger than their hatchback counterparts. For example, take the Renault Clio and Renault Captur – the latter is built using the same engines and many of the same mechanical parts, but as it’s an SUV, it’s larger inside and has a bigger boot.
SUVs are easy to get into
If you have older family members or those with mobility problems, a higher-up model like an SUV can be easier to get in and out of. This is because the seats are higher up and you don’t have to clamber down into a low seat – although sometimes it can go the other way if the SUV is too big and it’s hard to climb up into.
SUVs are good for towing
Many SUVs have tow hooks available on the options list and are rated to tow trailers and caravans. It’s not just SUVs that can tow caravans, but their larger size means they’re often a good choice, plus they come with four-wheel drive which is useful for getting to more remote campsites.
Top buying tips for used SUVs
All the tips here refer to used SUVs but many will also apply when buying a new one – it’s always worth being prepared before you buy any kind of car, so read on for our top tips.
- Check for scuff marks around the underside that might indicate that the SUV has been used off-road. A few scuffs shouldn’t put you off, but damage indicates a careless previous owner who hasn’t bothered to put it right.
- Check the towing capacity of any potential purchase. If you need to tow a caravan you need to know how much your car can legally pull. Some small SUVs have low towing limits, so it’s always worth checking before you consider one.
- Models with larger alloy wheels and firmer suspension (often called sports suspension) are generally more uncomfortable. Since SUVs are almost never sporty to drive, we reckon sports suspension is a useless addition to any SUV, so avoid it.
- Check to make sure maintenance has been carried out on extra components such as a four-wheel drive system. These need oil changes just like a transmission, for example, so avoid cars where this has been overlooked.
- Check out owners forums, reliability surveys and other online sources to find out how good spares availability is. The last thing you need is a really expensive repair just because, for example, windscreen wiper motors are in short supply.
