Parents - Do you "Need" an SUV with Kids?

[tremolo]

I'm driving a dual cab Ranger at the moment while my RS is in for service

I found this short video of what it's like to drive one

[Captiva Fan]

Comparing a Ranger (which is effectively fitting a 500Nm diesel engine to an oversized squarer Renault 2CV) to a Kluger (which is a 300kg overweight Camry with a 4' higher COG) ain't quite the same ... dunno that the "gerlytrux are safer" proponents are really talking about Rangers & Navaras & Hiluxes.

[Willy]

Yep, you definitely don't need an SUV. We have 2 kids (2 and 4). We initially blindly followed the SUV route and bought a Mitsu ASX. We got bored with that after a few years and bought a 2011 STI. Never looked back Sedans/hatches are so much better for performance, handling and enjoyability. May as well enjoy what you drive. The pram fits in the boot of the WRX, too (not that we use it anymore). I also sold my Stagea and bought a R32 GTR. Kids seats fit in the back fine and they absolutely love going for a ride in Daddy's car.

[lumpy]

it's like people that put "baby on board" stickers on their cars. ok mate, i get it, your child is the start and end of your world. it isnt for the rest of us though...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx5hralV4kA

You are not "on board" your Nissan.

[-Matt-]

Driven plenty of Navara's over the past 2 years and yes they are comfortable and have airbags in the rear but at the end of the day they are no hatch or sedan and certainly dont handle like one either - shocking in the wet

No pics has gone from driving the Mercedes B250 daily to a GLA 250 4 Matic - the B250 stopped much better with runflats compared to the B Class and the GLA is hardly a big SUV

[Steve Whitney]

Yep, you definitely don't need an SUV. We have 2 kids (2 and 4). We initially blindly followed the SUV route and bought a Mitsu ASX. We got bored with that after a few years and bought a 2011 STI. Never looked back Sedans/hatches are so much better for performance, handling and enjoyability. May as well enjoy what you drive. The pram fits in the boot of the WRX, too (not that we use it anymore). I also sold my Stagea and bought a R32 GTR. Kids seats fit in the back fine and they absolutely love going for a ride in Daddy's car.

In the case of the ASX, it's almost literally a jacked-up Lancer hatch, since they share the same platform etc.

[Captain_Slow]

On the space efficiency thing - local Alfa dealer had an open day on the weekend to show the new Stelvio, so I went and had a look. The Stelvio is essentially a taller, jacked up wagon version of the Giulia.

In the Giulia, there would have been no real way for anyone over about 12 to sit behind me. Using my highly scientific rear seat room measuring method, my hand fit in between the front and rear seats with thumb slightly out. I thought the Stelvio should have some advantage being taller, but it was about the same. I suppose I could have put the seat up higher in the Stelvio and sit further forward, taking advantage of the extra headroom, but then you're stuck with a bar stool driving position.

The Stelvio's boot wasn't anything to write home about either, so while I understand why Alfa is selling it, there didn't seem to be anything gained.

[Captain_Slow]

I'd have to agree, don't care who you are, my family come first.

Agreed that the safety aspect is negated when every cunt is driving them but what ever makes the wife sleep better at night is ok with me.

BRB, ordering a Silverado for the nopics.

[tremolo]

I'm 6'3" and comfortably fit in the back seat of a Stelvio behind a driver of similar height.

[Mr Purple]

The Stelvio's boot wasn't anything to write home about either, so while I understand why Alfa is selling it, there didn't seem to be anything gained.

What is gained is the fact that they can actually sell it.

For reasons already discussed at length in this thread it is much easier to sell a jacked up, heavier, worse version of a car for more than its sedan or wagon equivalent.

[Captain_Slow]

I'm 6'4" and if I had any more legs I'd be a supermodel. I never have headroom issues, only legroom...

[Captain_Slow]

What is gained is the fact that they can actually sell it.

For reasons already discussed at length in this thread it is much easier to sell a jacked up, heavier, worse version of a car for more than its sedan or wagon equivalent.

Yeah - and that's why I understand why Alfa is selling it. I meant "what is gained" by the customer (other than getting what they want/think they need).

[Gammaboy]

I saw a Maserati SUV in traffic on Friday. It is everything that is wrong with the world.

[Willy]

In the case of the ASX, it's almost literally a jacked-up Lancer hatch, since they share the same platform etc.

Haha, that's true. That said, we found it big enough even with the big pram we had for newborn stage. I'm recalling now that the only reason we bought it was because it was manual. We struggled to find any normal station wagon that was manual.

[lumpy]

On the space efficiency thing - local Alfa dealer had an open day on the weekend to show the new Stelvio, so I went and had a look. The Stelvio is essentially a taller, jacked up wagon version of the Giulia.

In the Giulia, there would have been no real way for anyone over about 12 to sit behind me. Using my highly scientific rear seat room measuring method, my hand fit in between the front and rear seats with thumb slightly out. I thought the Stelvio should have some advantage being taller, but it was about the same. I suppose I could have put the seat up higher in the Stelvio and sit further forward, taking advantage of the extra headroom, but then you're stuck with a bar stool driving position.

The Stelvio's boot wasn't anything to write home about either, so while I understand why Alfa is selling it, there didn't seem to be anything gained.

So you'll pass on the Stelvio?