Time and time and time again. I see people (mostly enthusiasts) complaining about the rising empire that is the CUV kingdom. Storming villages, homeland and even other castles that were once ruled over by the once huge and always growing market that was Sedans, no one looked; no one batted a single eyelash in the direction of the CUVs. Our ignorance to their frontal attack is what led to our demise. CUVs are constantly growing and at an unprecedented rate. Taking over the land and sales that were once enjoyed by the Sedans; where did it all go so wrong? When did we let our needs craft the perfect storm? A storm we as the consumers caused.
Self-reflection: Glory Once Held.
Long before CUVs became the wildly popular sensation they’ve become today, Sedans ruled the automotive landscape. Offering performance, efficiency, practicality, looks and other important factors that were hard to match for the price and for the size; SUVs were good but they typically had bad mileage, weren’t as easy to park in city scenarios and didn’t drive as nicely as Sedans did. While they did pack more power, the weight problem instantly shattered any dreams of getting a big jump over their smaller counterparts.
Sedans just made sense. Although, more mid-western parts of America did have a greater need for the 4×4 ability SUVs brought along than western and eastern parts of the US of A. This aside, Sedans (and also Minivans) were the choice for families. As they were easy to afford, easy to run, easy to drive and gave them what they needed. A vehicle for transporting stuff without going completely overboard. A vehicle that was good but uncompromising, giving what they needed in personal transportation and nothing more.
Sedans were simple yet brilliant. Not remarkable but without them, we’d be who knows where today. With that being said, Europe tended to prefer the just as small but even more practical hatchback. SUVs didn’t really have any real advantages to sway the sales their way. They had four-wheel-drive, a higher driving position and were more capable in more challenging driving positions but most didn’t want to give up the fuel-efficiency that Sedans so boastfully offered. SUVs were popular in their own right sure, but Sedans had built an empire. One no one thought could ever topple. So where did it go so wrong? Where did the Sedan Royal Army lose its footing and fall into the abyss of lesser sales than gasp higher riding vehicles? To figure out where CUVs come from, let’s start with this.
Listen. I don’t care how much you may hate this car, save all your boos and hissing until the end of the article. Because what I’m about to say is far too important to miss.
The Chrysler PT Cruiser was ahead of its time. “WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?” I hear you screaming with more agony than me stubbing my bad toe on a sharp corner in the walls of my home. Seriously though, think about it. It was roughly the same size as a normal car, has a high seating position, is easy to get in and out of, is pretty practical with the huge tailgate and gets decent mileage. This can easily be considered one of the first cars of the modern era to be what modern CUVs are today. Sure, other cars handled more spiritedly than the Cruiser and were probably more fun to drive. However, the Cruiser lofts around like an old sofa you haven’t seen in awhile. It’s not remarkable, but somehow familiar and comforting. Most modern CUVs have a lot more going for them but the Cruiser was; at best, a sign. At worst – a laughing stock lumped in with the likes of the Pontiac Aztek as one of the ugliest vehicles ever created.
Sedans did handle better than bigger vehicles. Sedans had better fuel economy than bigger vehicles and were a screaming value all the same. But this didn’t stop automakers from breaking the mold and testing the waters, trying to see what was up.