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Whilst the end of the 1980s saw our obsession with making things smaller such as computers, mobile phones and walkmans, it also reflected our desire to be big on the roads. Hence, the dramatic rise in popularity of SUVs. Since the late 80s and early 90s, our obsession for all things smaller has slowly creeped into the SUV world with SUVs nowadays providing a number of highly desired features that are common to sedans and hatchbacks. The result is that there are SUVs for all drivers and for all purposes, from the big traditional SUV to the new crossover SUV model which is tearing its way through the automobile market. These SUVs offer different features and vary greatly in size, performance, and cost. Hence, choosing one SUV from this large selection is not an easy job!

The majority of new buyers now have little or no idea about choosing and buying the perfect SUV for them. This article will try and breakdown for you this increasingly complicated automobile market segment!

Some of the aspects that would play a vital role in your decision are-

• Size: SUVs can be broadly characterised into three different categories – sedan based SUVs or Crossovers, mid-size SUVs and truck based SUVs. Crossovers combine the features and sturdiness of an SUV with the compactness of a normal sedan. Truck based SUVs are, on the contrary, quite large and heavy. Mid-sized SUVs lie somewhere between the two. Your choice would largely depend on the number of passengers the SUV will have to carry. A car based SUV carries 5 passengers; a mid-sized SUV carries 7 while a truck based SUV can carry up to 9 passengers comfortably. Here are some examples of the different categories:

Crossover SUVs: Chevrolet Equinox SUV Crossover, Acura ZDX SUV Crossover, Mazda CX-9 SUV Crossover

Mid-Sized SUVs: Toyota Highlander SUV, Nissan Xterra SUV, Kia Sorento SUV

Large SUVs: Chevrolet Suburban Three QTR-Ton SUV, Cadillac Escalade SUV, Lincoln Navigator SUV

• Budget: The compact Crossover SUV price isn’t too steep and generally offer a more efficient fuel economy. Truck based SUVs, on the other hand, are associated with high initial prices as well as low fuel economy. Here are some examples: Nissan Juke SUV Crossover, Mazda CX-5 SUV Crossover, Dodge Caliber SUV Crossover.

Also, see our infographic on the most fuel efficient SUVs of 2012: http://suv.reviewitonline.net/fuel-efficient-suvs/

• Usage: Some might need the SUV for travelling through the crowded roads of a city, while others might need it for towing trailers, boats, etc. This will also affect your choice largely. Though the fuel economy offered by truck based SUVs is relatively low, they offer enormous power and strength. As a result, they can be used for towing and off road driving purposes conveniently. On the other hand, crossover SUVs are less powerful, but compact, and prove to be much more practical on city roads.

 Best Towing SUVs: Ford Expedition SUV, Toyota Sequoia SUV, Audi Q5 SUV

• Service centres: Now that you have chosen the right kind of SUV for yourself, the next thing you would need to do would be to choose the manufacturing company and model. The wise thing to do is to go for the brand which has made efficient service centres available in your region.

There are all kinds of companies launching various models in all categories. The luxury offered by these models depends from company to company. Keep your budget in mind as you choose the set of features that you want with your new car. Your choice would also depend on your personal taste and comfort. Go for a test drive and see which model grabs you!