The SUV-olution: How Family Cars Became an Empire

In recent years, a quiet revolution has taken place on our roads. Compact cars and estates have been largely replaced by behemoths of steel and chrome, which now dominate our streets. According to sales figures, SUVs account for 30% of all cars on the road, with an astonishing 50% of new car sales in rich countries last year alone.

This shift is not just about numbers; it’s also changing the physical presence of vehicles on our roads. Narrow roads are being transformed into highways for these large vehicles, while parking spaces shrink to accommodate their massive frames. The result is a landscape that’s increasingly hostile to smaller cars and pedestrians.

Coco Khan’s recent experience searching for a “normal” family car offers a glimpse into a world where consumer choice has been hijacked by the SUV lobby. Her story is one of frustration and disappointment as she navigates the used-car market in search of a practical, fuel-efficient vehicle. But what emerges from her account is a disturbing picture – one of coercion and manipulation, where dealers are happy to peddle their wares regardless of whether they suit the buyer’s needs or not.

The branding on these vehicles is telling. Military language abounds, with vehicles touted as “built to conquer” and “designed for off-road adventures.” However, this marketing trick belies a more sinister reality: SUVs are being sold as fortresses of safety, capable of protecting their occupants from harm. Yet research suggests otherwise.

Studies have shown that children are three times more likely to be killed if hit by an SUV rather than a conventional vehicle. This increased risk is not just due to the higher bonnet of these vehicles; it’s also because drivers often sit too high up to see pedestrians or other obstacles on the road, as transport writer Christian Wolmar observes.

So what does this mean for consumers? Are we victims of circumstance, forced into buying SUVs by a market that’s been hijacked by the car lobby? Or is there something more at play – a cultural shift towards a world where safety is paramount, and everything else takes a back seat?

The answer lies in our modern parenting culture, where every aspect of family life has become a battle to be won. From baby socks with built-in heart rate monitors to SUVs designed for off-road adventures, we’re living in a world where the emphasis on safety has created an entire industry that’s more concerned with selling products than protecting people.

However, as Khan astutely points out, this is precisely what’s gone wrong. In our zeal for safety, we’ve lost sight of something far more important – collectivism over individualism. We’re driving around in Batmobiles, thinking ourselves heroes, but blithely unaware that we might just be the baddies.

The SUV-olution may have begun with our roads, but its impact stretches far beyond. It’s a symptom of a broader cultural shift, one that’s redefining what it means to be safe and what it means to be a family on the move. As we hurtle towards a future where SUVs are the norm, it’s essential to remember the words of Coco Khan: “You either die a hero, or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.” For in this brave new world of ours, the SUV may be our greatest foe – and ourselves.