Planning to buy an SUV in Bangalore? Here are a few things you should consider

9 years ago

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A bigger car means parking issues, difficulty in handling, more maintenance, low fuel and expensive spares. Well, on the contrary owning an SUV in Bangalore is not a bad idea, here are a few things that might help you consider buying one.

Parking

When it comes to a big car, the number one concern of Bangaloreans is the traffic. It does have its pros and cons though. Yes, parking would be a bit of a problem, but that shouldn’t bother you much if you are willing to park in a mall or in one of the paid parking services and do a bit of walking.

Driving

A lot of people think that driving an SUV is difficult, especially those who are upgrading from a small car. The truth is, it’s every bit like your small car or sedan as far as the driving feel is concerned. You will get used to it in less than a week.

However, you will have to avoid narrow lanes and tight turns, though people driving smaller cars on main roads do tend to give way to SUVs because of their sheer size.

Roll

Because of the superior suspension and larger wheel size, SUVs tend to have a little more roll on speed breakers and bumpy roads. But that shouldn’t bother you much, because SUVs usually have higher ground clearance. You wouldn’t be damaging your undercarriage as much as in sedans and small cars.

Comfort

More interior space means more comfort. Most of the SUVs available in Bangalore can accommodate at least 7 commuters without compromising on comfort. Another advantage of an SUV is its large boot space.

Women and SUVs

Most of the SUVs you can buy in Bangalore come with power steering, electronically assisted transmission and ABS. The ladies don’t have to be worried about it being difficult to drive as even the pedals are amazingly soft.

Fuel

You will have to compromise a little on mileage simply because SUVs have more powerful engines. That shouldn’t be much of a pinch, because most SUVs come in diesel variants too. But then again, if you’re willing to sacrifice a few km/ltr, you can enjoy better style, status, space and power.

Long drives

SUVs are perfect for long drives and weekend getaways. They’re more stable at high speeds, more comfortable and safer than other cars.

Off-Roading

For those who love rough terrains and steep climbs, the 4 wheel drive feature proves to be a really awesome one. With an SUV, you can explore terrains that other cars wouldn’t be able to tread.

Besides, Bangalore has a couple of off-roading terrains, just a few kilometers outside the city limits, such as Ramnagara, Dodda Belllapur, ShivaGangay etc.

Feel

The heightened chassis puts the driver a little higher than in other cars, making the line of view from the windscreen a little higher too. So basically, you will get a better view of the road, and this also helps in judgement, because you will be looking at roofs of smaller cars on the roads.

If you’re driving an SUV in Bangalore, you feel more confident and there’s always that sense of superiority over smaller vehicles.

Editor’s pick

If you’re planning to buy an SUV in Bangalore, there are a few which will make a great choice. First on my list is the Mahindra XUV 500. It’s got some great features for its price and you will spend a little lesser on maintenance and services. If you got the moolah, the Toyota Fortuner and the Mitsubishi Pajero sport are good buys.