In the past few years the SUV has risen to prominence in the UK, with many people picking this type of car as an alternative to the traditional family estate.
As well as affordable SUVs such as the Dacia Sandero and Vauxhall Mokka, premium brands have jumped on the bandwagon to great success. The Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 paved the way for the Range Rover Evoque and Jaguar F-Pace to enter this arena.
Even manufacturers which have traditionally focused on producing sports cars have added SUVs to their release schedules.
But is an SUV really a practical choice, or should you really make an estate your next family car purchase?
Traditional Benefits
Whether you are buying a new vehicle outright or picking one up from a car leasing company such as http://leasing.totalmotion.co.uk, there are still plenty of good reasons to pick an estate, especially if you want to be able to use it for picking up the kids from school, going on holiday and completing the daily commute.
One obvious advantage that this type of vehicle has over an SUV is that it offers a large boot and lots of onboard storage without sacrificing handling or fuel-efficiency. And so the running costs will usually be lower, with models such as the Skoda Superb receiving hugely positive reviews at the moment.
Estate cars have the added benefit of being cheaper upfront than equivalent SUVs, which is clearly going to be a consideration for most buyers looking for a vehicle that will not leave a big dent in their bank balance.
Modern Sensibilities
The main reason that SUVs have taken over the market at the moment is due to the fact that they are as much a fashion statement as they are a lifestyle choice. The size and ride height of an SUV can make them an imposing presence on the road, while the large interiors allow them to feel roomy and luxurious even if you are buying a compact model.
SUVs will often offer off-road capabilities not found on estates, although actually getting to use things such as four-wheel drive is something only a handful of buyers will ever achieve.
Be prepared for the higher running costs of SUVs compared with estates, as well as increased asking prices depending on the model you pick.
