Why Is Everything an SUV or a Truck Now?

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Sedans are a dying breed. There aren’t many left. But there’s really not much in between either. Meaning, there aren’t many sports cars, there aren't many coupes, there aren't any other unique designs, it’s mostly SUVs and trucks now. In fact, some manufacturers have an entire lineup that consists of simply different SUV models. What’s interesting is that SUVs, in general, really aren’t that fuel efficient compared to smaller vehicles. Sure, they’ve gotten better in recent years, but compared to passenger cars, the increased weight, reduction in aerodynamics, and boost to power — like all-wheel drive — mean they’re not as efficient as many legacy options.

That’s not to say they don’t offer benefits. They are much larger in size and with spacious cabins and cargo space than passenger cars, that’s certain. Many people also feel safer in them because they’re positioned higher, especially in traffic. Why are SUVS so popular, though? Why is everything on the market seemingly an SUV or a truck now?

As of 2025, SUVs account for 52% of all new vehicle sales which is an increase from 46% in 2021 and 38% back in 2016. But even from those late year numbers we can see the substantial increase in adoption across those periods. Here’s why that happened and why it most likely will continue.

That Higher Positioning Counts for a Lot with Modern Drivers

Simply put, trucks and SUVs are more popular because they offer drivers and passengers alike a higher positioning so they can see over traffic. It also feels much safer that way compared to being low to the ground. While it may make more sense to have lower, more aerodynamic cars for curvy treacherous roads, people don’t seem to care.

And why should they, SUVs and modern trucks feel as responsive as ever, and with electric options on the market, they’re also as efficient as you would expect. So, you get the higher sightlines, the responsive and aggressive driving support and better fuel efficiency options when you really care about them. You could call it the perfect storm.

SUVs and Light Trucks Meet More People’s Needs

A sedan or passenger vehicle is really only good for one thing, getting from Point A to Point B safely. Sure, they might have some extra trunk space to lug a few bags but you’re definitely not using them to move houses or move big items like furniture. SUVs are a solid middle ground between sedans and trucks. They’re versatile enough that you can use them to stow and lug a decent amount of cargo but still comfortably seat the entire family inside for road trips. They are also definitely not a van, which is always a plus.

If you want a proper truck, you can spring for that too or go with a light or mid-size truck to keep some of that extra space in the cab. But there’s no denying that SUVs, compared to sedans, simply meet more of the modern family’s needs. Even solo drivers can benefit from the spacious and upscaled interiors of an SUV.

They’re Actually Really Safe Compared to Legacy Vehicles

In the early days, SUVs had a bad reputation for being top heavy and tippable, as well as generally unsafe in accidents and other events. That has changed considerably in recent years. In fact, there are many, many SUVs that have been awarded five star safety ratings from the NHTSA and/or made the IIHS top safety pick for the year. They passed all road tests with flying colors and are often recommended for family safety.

Thanks to the advent of more safety technologies and measures, they’re world’s better than anything that came before. Side, knee, passenger, and spaced out airbags for extra coverage. Driver safety and assistance tech to keep you in your lane and prevent accidents. Better brake designs to keep them from running into quick-stop performance problems. Automakers keep improving year after year, too, which is a bonus for everyone.

SUVs Are Pretty Easy to Maintain and Last Long

The way older generations talk about modern tech, you wouldn’t think things are getting better all the time. Sure, that may be the case with some products, but certainly not with cars if you research and buy the right models. There are quite a few SUVs that are long-lasting, easy to repair, and relatively low-maintenance. Of course, there are vehicles in all categories that are the exact opposite, too — lemons still exist.

Some great examples of long-lasting modern SUVs are the Toyota Land Cruiser, Chevrolet Suburban, Honda Pilot, Jeep Wrangler, and many more. The major point is that it bucks any previous misconceptions that SUVs are more expensive to take care of than other classes of vehicles, especially sedans. That can be both true and untrue, but mostly, if you choose a reliable vehicle you’ll be set for years to come.

Speaking of maintenance, it’s always a good idea to keep a healthy selection of tools on hand for DIY repairs and maintenance. You can refer to the experts for the heavy-duty stuff, but keeping something like an OBD2 scanner handy can help you spot potential issues with the vehicle’s major systems. Every driver should have an OBD2 scanner like the Innova 5210 or the Innova 5610 on hand.

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