First of all, I want to make it clear that I am not a strong supporter of SUVs and that I literally mourn the disappearance of the traditional car. That of subcompacts, coupes, convertibles and wagons that melt like snow in the sun, to make way for vehicles that all look alike, adopting the same shape. Yes, the famous sport utility vehicles!
However, it was while listening this week to an interview with Dominique Anglade where the explosion in SUV sales was discussed and a direct link was established with the environmental impact that I chose to write this column. Because in this interview, it was about the “big bad” SUVs. Of these polluters and the habit of motorists who always buy more and more. Ms. Anglade, obviously not knowing what an SUV is, also suggests to the population in this interview to reconsider their choice in order to abandon it.
What is an SUV?
So, in 2021, what is an SUV? And why is the SUV automatically associated with polluting vehicle? No doubt because in the 90s and early 2000s, the SUV was generally synonymous with gasoline sink. Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Xterra, Ford Excursion, Toyota 4Runner, name them! All of these vehicles consumed well in excess of 15 L / 100 km, sometimes bordering on 20 L / 100 km. And of course I spare you the famous Hummer, which environmentalists have glared at as if it were a cruise ship.
Obviously, there are still SUVs today that consume a lot. For example, a few large luxury vehicles at Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz, as well as traditional large American SUVs, which account for just 1% of SUV sales in the country. However, in general, today’s “SUVs” consume less than 10 L / 100 km. Also included in this number are several hybrid, plug-in hybrid or 100% electric models. And then there are these nicknames SUVs. Those which replace the now defunct subcompact cars and which are marketed as “SUVs” for a simple question of marketing. For example, the Buick Encore, Hyundai Venue or Nissan Kicks, which are actually small cars just a little higher on their legs, but which are nevertheless singled out by environmentalists, just like a Chevrolet Suburban or a Ford F-150.
More and more electrified models
The most popular SUV segment in the Canadian market is unequivocally compacts. Ford Escape, Nissan Rogue or Toyota RAV4. Versatile, practical and … not very greedy. These vehicles consume an average of 8 to 8.5 L / 100 km, which is barely more than a Toyota Corolla. Now add hybrid and plug-in hybrid models to the equation, and the average definitely drops to the compact car level.
At Toyota, for example, 2021 will have been a year in which some 60,000 RAV4s will have been delivered. Of that number, consider about 14,000 hybrids (6.0 L / 100 km) and 4,000 plug-in hybrids (2.5 L / 100 km). And the more time goes by, the more popular the proportion of SUVs adopting this kind of technology. Moreover, since the last increase in the cost of fuel, no less than one in ten vehicles sold in Quebec was a plug-in hybrid or 100% electric. For the vast majority, SUVs. Ranging from a Hyundai Kona EV to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, passing by the Tesla Model Y.
Targeting SUVs as enemies to be destroyed is therefore a mistake. Because the vast majority of those sold are energy efficient and the industry overuse this qualifier for a simple marketing issue. However, this does not prevent some statisticians from making shocking statements about SUVs, which some media will then take up to cry scandal.
Now, is it acceptable to see the appearance in 2022 of new SUVs developed and designed without any environmental concerns? For example, the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer, whose advertised fuel consumption rating is 16 L / 100 km. A vehicle that is certainly attractive, but which gives the environment a real honor. I think in this case, to ask the question is to answer it.