For the professional classes who enjoy travel there are any number of vehicles available to meet your needs. The ubiquitous pick up is ok for lugging crops to market or small business users, but what about the urban family who want to enjoy the myriad travel and cultural opportunities?
New-age urban SUVs | Bangkok Post: auto
No longer is the SUV market out of reach for the consumer. A Nissan March or Toyota Aygo might be ok in the nippy hustle of the big city, but what about those with families who want some comfort, safety and the reassurance of a high driving position?
I make do with a 10 year old Mistubishi 2.8 diesel SUV, but if Ford and Chevy have any say in it, how long before we get a Honda Jazz sized 1.0 litre SUV?
Never mind the cup holders, how many coconuts, rubber sheets, water melon or Durian can you get in the back?
Yea right...you need 4 wheel drive to negotiate a city traffic jam
Versatility is the key, after price, space and driving position. Why limit your imagination to cities? Spread your wings and enjoy this breathtaking countryside.
SUV doesn't mean 4 wheel drive per se.Originally Posted by kiwiling
You mean there are two wheel drives? What is one going to do with a heap of heavy junk when they go off road then?
---Update---
Yea right...I found this on Wiki...
A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a vehicle similar to a station wagon or estate car, usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability.
Most city slickers would have trouble mounting a footpath let alone going into genuine 4wd territory...I had one once with altitude and horizontal plane gauges
I think the majority of SUVs currently sold such as Toyota Fortuner, Mitsubishi Pajero, Isuzu MU7, Chevrolet Captiva and Traiblazer, are two wheel drive vehicles.
^
2wd with 4wd capability if required.
Migrated
I don't get that. Please elaborate.
Some four-wheel-drive vehicles allow the driver to select either two or four wheel drive which maintains fuel efficiency by enabling the driver to use 2WD around town.
That system is called part time four wheel drive. Those cars can be set to two wheel drive, four wheel drive high and four wheel drive low. Some electronically, some mechanically and some especially the older ones with special hubs on the front wheels.
Going back to the SUVs sold in Thailand. The current majority are two wheel driven cars. No transfer case available to switch to four wheel drive.
---Update---
Have a look here:
Mitsubishi Motors
TOYOTA FORTUNER 2012
Chevrolet Trailblazer Options and Specs | Chevrolet Thailand Motor Show New SUV
main
f you read the link in the OP, it describes the efforts of Ford an Chevrolet to develop a small SUV based on current platforms such as the Fiesta. With small high tech engines, SUV body style and good fuel economy.
Although likely to be 2WD they should make long distance travel more accessible in the small family car segment. Better visibility and higher ride height help too.
My old Pajero is 2/4WD with Hi/Lo ratio.
---Update---
What is wrong with an ordinary body style...SUV's pander to a type of market that wastes fuel
I thought that too until I hired a Fortuner a few months back.
The fuel consumption was comparable to a Camry I had hired previously.
Surprised I was.
So if they removed the "optional" 4wd it would use even less gas
I had a 2WD so I expect the wasted fuel comes from dimwits using 4WD around town.
My view of a 4WD is that it provides options you don't have in a saloon car but, given that many people cannot even handle a manual transmission, or even drive an automatic properly, I dare say equal numbers don't know how to use 4WD effectively.
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