SUVs vs Station Wagons: Are High-Clearance Vehicles Really the Future of Driving?

In the past, as the name suggests, station wagons were considered the symbol of a universal car. However, now consumer interest is attracted to off-road vehicles, or SUVs with higher ground clearance.

Is it just a fad, or can SUVs really offer more?

Crossover or SUV?

Cars with higher ground clearance are gaining more and more market share, and traditional body models are simply disappearing – car companies are ceasing to produce them one by one.

Looking back at the “Latvian Car of the Year” competition, a significant trend can be observed – in recent years, more than half of all applicants have had a higher clearance.

Are they really superior to hatchbacks, sedans and station wagons?

Jury judges explain that there is no single correct answer to this question. Guntars Puls, editor-in-chief of “Profi Latvija” magazine, who is a long-time judge of the competition, believes that

higher cars should be divided into two categories – crossovers and SUVs.

“Currently, there are relatively few true off-roaders left on the market, and two types are mostly fighting for the hearts of buyers – models that have borrowed some attributes of an SUV, but are actually upgraded light cars, and cars whose chassis, suspension and drivetrain are really ready for more difficult roads. conditions and light off-road. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages,” says Guntar.

How can an SUV beat a station wagon?

The Japanese manufacturer Mazda is one of the few companies that still offers a mid-range car with a station wagon body.

Apart from premium brands, only Volkswagen, Škoda and Peugeot offer them. We are talking about such models as “Arteon Shooting Brake”, “Superb Combi” and “508 SW”.

Other companies have stopped making midsize models and have replaced them with various crossovers and SUVs. They seem more attractive and durable to motorists, and also create a greater sense of security.

For example, the “Mazda CX-60” hybrid, which has raised the manufacturer’s standard to the premium segment, is offered only with all-wheel drive.

Photo: Publicity

“Serious SUVs are definitely superior to station wagons. First of all, they create better transparency and allow a more accurate assessment of the situation on the road. Second, they have a natural advantage in tough driving conditions.

Here, you have to evaluate specific models and equipment, but there are also convincing models thanks to efficient four-wheel drive, greater ground clearance and even proper underbody protection.

SUVs usually also have a higher roof and a larger glazed part of the body – this creates a feeling of spaciousness in the cabin, and if there is also a glass roof, it becomes even more pleasant to drive,”

says G. Puls.

Photo: Publicity

The advantages of SUVs are especially evident in rural areas, where access roads remain unsanitary and which can become an insurmountable obstacle for passenger cars. However, crossovers are not completely written off either.

“Often driving through difficult and risky terrain is a matter of good tires and driver experience. Extra clearance and single-axle drive of the crossover is often enough. Therefore, small cars should not be underestimated and large ones should not be underestimated,” emphasizes Guntars.

Are SUVs really not as roomy?

And what about the versatility of a traditional SUV – room for passengers and luggage? SUV models have a higher body but are shorter than station wagons.

The latter have a longer rear overhang for more capacity.

“In my opinion, a universal car should be able to comfortably seat four people and have space for their luggage.

When I say “comfortable”, I mean enough legroom, a comfortable backrest angle and a width so that you don’t have to poke your elbows. It is ideal if there are handy places for small things and each has its own USB port.

The trunk should be at least big enough to fit five medium-sized bags. However, one should not equate large dimensions with large capacity, because not all large cars are practical. You always need to study the technical data,” advises Guntars.

Photo: Publicity

For example, the trunk volume of the Mazda CX-60 SUV is 570 liters. This is exactly the same as the BMW 5 Series Estate and the Audi A6 Avant.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class station wagon is the most spacious with a 640 liter trunk, but Mazda is proving that the SUV can keep up with the station wagons.

Plus, versatility isn’t limited to luggage capacity. With the CX-60’s rear seats down, more than 1,700 liters of cargo space is created, and objects up to 1.9 meters long can be carried in the cabin.

The 40:20:40 folding rear seat for four people allows you to comfortably go to the mountains, placing your skis in the cabin and thus doing without a roof box.

In addition, comfort does not suffer from this, as the rear seat heating controls and USB ports are conveniently located on the back of the center console.

Despite the fact that the Japanese SUV is not inferior to station wagons in terms of capacity, it is more compact. “Mazda CX-60” is 4.745 m long, while the mentioned “BMW” is 4.963 m long, “Audi” – 4.939 m, and “Mercedes-Benz” – 4.949 m.

“You have to keep in mind that a bigger car is not always more practical.

If you live in a central courtyard house or have to park your car in a crowded apartment building district, a relatively compact vehicle that can accommodate the same four family members will be better. No matter how cliché it sounds, sometimes less really is more,” adds G. Puls in summary.

2023-12-29 09:43:33
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