[RahulNagaraj]

According to a new study by S&P Global Mobility, SUV owners are the most loyal when it comes to body styles. The study showed that 73% of SUV owners are likely to get another SUV when purchasing a new vehicle. Reports also state that this trend can be seen over 11 consecutive quarters.

The study, though, did state that SUV owners are loyal to the utility body style, and found that buyers didn't return to the same SUV segment often. The report also reveals that it's not enough to have just one or two SUVs in the lineup. Brands will have to offer multiple SUVs covering different sizes and price points in order to retain customer loyalty.



The results also showed that owners of other body styles were nowhere near as loyal as those with SUVs. The study indicated that only 48.8% of pickup owners would buy another truck when purchasing a new vehicle. Loyalty among sedan body style owners is even less, with just 35.6% of drivers looking for another saloon while making a new purchase.

Source: S&P Global Mobility

Link to Team-BHP news

[I_am_TSG]

True that. Can't speak for the others, but I only intend to replace my Hexa when a good BoF comes along (the likelihood of this happening is increasingly diminishing). I don't feel as special in an XUV700 or the Innova Hycross. There's just no 'climbing' into them and the feeling of 'riding an elephant'. [sigh]

[Red350]

As someone who has driven and owned both a sedan and a SUV, I believe one reason for this is clearly the sense of security (actual or false being debatable) provided by SUV due to its inherent size.

Though driving a sedan is more enjoyable on most of the roads. The sense of toughness is somehow missing. This confidence to go anywhere and on any kind of road is anyday preferable.

[GTO]

Even as a sedan lover, I have to admit that I'm drawn to SUVs & Crossovers.

- The current breed of SUVs is damn good-looking and very amenable to aesthetic modifications.

- Product choice today is superior & wider in Crossovers / SUVs than sedans. Simple reason = that's where the demand is.

- With crossovers, the gap in handling has greatly diminished. Body-on-frame SUVs might suck in handling, but the monocoques are competent.

- In fact, a crossover will probably be faster from Point A -> Point B because of the enhanced ground clearance, superior visibility and other road users not cutting you as much.

- As much as I love turbo-petrols, I love turbo-diesels too. And there are no diesel sedans left in the 20 - 40 lakh segment.

- Butch SUVs are very, very stylish.

- In terms of practicality, crossovers & SUVs blow sedans away (more space, 3rd row of seats, more cargo capacity, rough road ability etc.).

- A 5-star NCAP rated SUV will probably do better than a 5-star NCAP rated sedan in a crash. Size, weight and all that.

- I love BIG cars and, other than the Camry, there are no big sedans left this side of the E-Class & 5-Series. On the other hand, there are many well-sized crossovers & SUVs, even at 25 lakhs (e.g. the deadly looking Tata Safari).

[yuvmudapa]

I totally agree. I made the switch to SUV in 2014 with the XUV500 and in 2022, bought it's successor, the XUV700. My height is 6 foot 2 so naturally I felt an SUV is the best choice for me. The headroom in the back never seems to be enough in any of the sedans.

Even in the future I can tell you now itself that I will buy an SUV for sure!

[Sheel]

I can not even think of replacing my Scorpio S10 4WD with anything which is not a SUV, is not towering above most private vehicles on road. It is not about road bullying as most people think. While touring / driving long distances, you are never sure of road quality, un-announced speed breakers, road diversions and maybe a steep incline to reach your home-stay / resort (only possible in 4L).

Plus, when driving, if you are not in a SUV, you have to keep scanning the road surface a bit more cautiously (I am already alert watching out for traffic, scanning the surface at the same time is a chore when you have driven some ~600 kilometers and have ~200 kms to go), so SUV's as primary ride absolutely rocks my boat. So SUV's, always when driving long distances. Average speeds maintained on a SUV will always be higher if road and traffic conditions are mixed.

[kosjam]

Originally Posted by GTO

Even as a sedan lover, I have to admit that I'm drawn to SUVs & Crossovers.

- The current breed of SUVs is damn good-looking and very amenable to aesthetic modifications.
- Product choice today is superior & wider in Crossovers / SUVs than sedans. Simple reason = that's where the demand is.

- Butch SUVs are very, very stylish.

- A 5-star NCAP rated SUV will probably do better than a 5-star NCAP rated sedan in a crash. Size, weight and all that.

A couple of points I would like to opine on...

- In a comparison between a 5 star NCAP rated SUV and sedan, due to the lower centre of gravity, sedan occupants would tend to be safer. Assuming the accident occurred on a road. The inherent structure adds stability compared to a high CG SUV.

- Crossovers are basically raised sedans with a slightly SUV garnishing, easiest example is the VAG twins which are near identical in their offerings, whether as a crossover or a sedan, with the only discriminating factor being the shape of the body.

- With the condition of roads being as it is, especially in Mumbai/Maharashtra, SUVs might be preferred, but in any area/state which has decent road infrastructure, a sedan would be far superior in terms of ride comfort and handling. To be honest, with the ground clearance the VAG sedan twins command, even the pothole conquering ability is something they can be proud of.

- Finally, it being a vicious circle, there has been little to no investment in next generation sedans. Hopefully that will change with mainstreaming of EVs, as the sedan shape, with its 3 box layout, is the most aerodynamic shape to maximize efficiency and minimize dirty air losses. The best range will always be for a sedan with such a shape.

[Axe77]

Assuming we’re allowed to interpret SUVs a little liberally, I myself have found myself loving the whole monocoque SUV or even monocoque MUV format off late, specially with my experience with the Meridian (we’ve only owned hatchbacks and sedans before the Meridian).

I think for the foreseeable future any two car garage I have will likely combine one sedan (or large hatch) along with an MUV / monocoque SUV / crossover. As much as I LOVE driving my GT, the Meridian offers its own distinct kind of comfort and driving pleasure, both within the city as well as out on the highway - and whether at the wheel or whether being chauffeured.

The peace of mind with the added and required ground clearance is also a huge convenience - almost mandatory on our absolutely apologetic road conditions - one that’s hard to let go once one experiences this format.

[ninjatalli]

I see a bit of inherent flaw in this report / findings. The shift for SUVs (across sizes / utility body styles) as a mainstream vehicle is a recent phenomenon over the last 1+ decade(s). We are still in the growth (or maybe) peak phase of SUV adoption; there hasn't been a shift from SUVs to any other style (existing or new) since then; so any research in this area/segment will always point to high numbers (be it loyalty, customer preferences, customer budgets, actual sales figures, etc.).

[ashvek3141]

I can completely relate to this!

Having owned a pseudo-SUV = the 1st gen Creta for over 6 years; when the time came to replace our 2nd car = 2nd-gen Swift, we didn't even look at the hatch's or the sedan's. The list comprised ONLY of crossover's / pseudo-SUV's. We finally ended up getting the Sonet D AT.

Soon, we will also have to replace the Creta, and I have no second thoughts that it will be replaced by an SUV ONLY. The only worry is , there will be a big dilemma of the IC v/s Electric! I just hope that I'll be able to get the absolute last crop of turbo-diesel SUV in another 2 years.

[I_am_TSG]

Originally Posted by Sheel

Plus, when driving, if you are not in a SUV, you have to keep scanning the road surface a bit more cautiously (I am already alert watching out for traffic, scanning the surface at the same time is a chore when you have driven some ~600 kilometers and have ~200 kms to go), so SUV's as primary ride absolutely rocks my boat. So SUV's, always when driving long distances. Average speeds maintained on a SUV will always be higher if road and traffic conditions are mixed.

Well said, it's more about the surety of being able to h handle anything that comes your way. I regularly did Chandigarh - Delhi in the past, mostly in the Hexa. I once did the route in our 2019 Civic and reached more worn out than usual. I was scared for the car everytime I went into a pothole, or an undulation, whereas in the Hexa I just enjoy picking one clear lane and pushing through like a locomotive

[chims]

I completely agree with this statement.

I have always been a sedan guy. I always loved the drives in the sedans especially on highways.

But once we added the Q5 to our garage (which already has an octavia, baleno and a Verna) I would surely shift to a Crossover/SUV, when I plan to replace any of the other cars.

Although the driving pleasure is not as much as a sedan, but the sense of security, driving over potholes and not being worried constantly about the car touching the road.

[swami69]

Very true, in the past 23 years and changing 16 cars, finally ended up with a used Toyota Fortuner last year and every day I drive to the office, it comes to my mind, yes, this is it. Whatever negatives it may have from a General public point of view, to me, when i sit in the car, it gives a sense of completeness. It is a feel and cannot be expressed in words, that much.

Swami

[puneetakhouri]

Originally Posted by Sheel

Plus, when driving, if you are not in a SUV, you have to keep scanning the road surface a bit more cautiously (I am already alert watching out for traffic, scanning the surface at the same time is a chore when you have driven some ~600 kilometers and have ~200 kms to go).

This is such an un-discussed topic. When I used to drive the Baleno, so much time and energy I had to spend looking at the road for potholes and cuts, etc. And adding traffic to the mix made things a lot more stressful. But with the Storme now, that has become a thing of the past and that reduces stress a lot.

[Sisu]

Absolutely agree with this study.

Case in point myself, bought my 1st SUV/MUV in 2013 - XUV500 which completely got me sold on the SUV concept after driving a Honda City for 4 years prior.

Replaced the XUV with a BMW X5 in 2021 and living the dream owning a car that can deliver best of both worlds - Speed and Toughness!

Thankful to be owning the last of big diesel engines before going green

#dieselhead