SUVs: They just aren't worth the cost

Essay by WuzDropdOnMiHedCollege, UndergraduateA-, May 2007

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The SUV-whether you think it was a great vehicle or a gas guzzling monster, rules the road in America. "The debate over this immensely popular vehicle rages on. To some, the high gasoline consumption of the vehicle is a symbol of decadent waste. To others, the large size of the vehicle is a symbol of status and safety" (Kic). What is certain, however, is that the SUV, the way it is, creates definite economic problems. Many things can be done to change this, but many automakers feel it is in their best interest to not fix those problems.

There is a large gap in the fuel economy between what the average passenger car receives (28 miles per gallon) and what popular SUVs receive (12-16 miles per gallon) (Economics of SUVs). An example of the real difference this makes would be to consider a driver of a passenger car that receives 28 miles per gallon-a 2005 Chevrolet Impala SS fits this category, and a driver of a SUV that receives 15 miles per gallon-a 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe fits this category, that both drive 12,000 miles per year (MSN Auto ).

The driver of the Impala will spend $1, 213 a year on gas at $2.83 a gallon . The driver of the SUV will spend $2,264 a year on gas at $2.83 a gallon. This is a difference of $1,050 a year! I am sure the average consumer can find a much better way to spend over a thousand dollars.

Improving fuel economy standards could be done with relatively low cost compared to the excess amount of money that would be spent on gas. "Duleep identifies feasible fuel economy improvements that can be made in the upcoming five to ten years and their respective costs. He estimates that average efficiency can...