Compact SUV to Luxury Car - The Modern Range of 4WDs

Compact SUV basically refers to a small Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). SUV is the American term for the Australian four-wheel drive. The term has even been adopted by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries to categories all the vehicles that were previously classified as 4WDs.
Technically, compact SUVs are built based on the traditional small car design and are sometimes also known as Urbane SUVs. They lack the heavy ladder frame chassis that most 4WD vehicles have making them lighter. SUVs that are under four metres or under five metres are about 1.8 metres wide and their ground clearance ranges from 175mm to 220 mm.
Also, a compact SUV has the cargo capacity of an SUV and the fuel economy of a normal car. Typically, compact SUVs are 5-passenger vehicles though some have an optional third row seating which is suitable for kids. Most compact SUVs also have four doors and a tailgate and that is why they are sometimes referred to as five door wagons (5DR).
Due to the crossover of features, it can often be mistaken as a luxury car. Luxury cars represent achievement and success which is what most people dream of. Though most luxury cars are very expensive they offer comfort and prestige. They not only drive well but they also have an appealing interior.


***Engine Options***
Compact SUVs and luxury cars offer a wide variety of engines and transmission choices. Most feature standard four-cylinder engines though some optional upgraded engines are available. They range from 1.6 litres to 3.0 litres in size and capacity and they have a standard gear box that offers manual transmission in five and six speed configurations. There are some Hybrid compact SUVs available though the selection is very limited and they cost a lot more than the traditional gas powered small SUV.


***What to Look For In Compact SUVs and Luxury Cars.***


**Roomy Interior**
A compact SUV or luxury car should be large, accommodating and have enough interior room to accommodate five adults. The trunk should be capable of holding a generous amount of luggage. Some Compact SUVs do offer alternative seating options which enables the vehicle to accommodate for more adults or children.
**Acceleration**
Good luxury cars can accelerate to 100km/h within seven seconds or less due to the light off road duty capabilities. However, acceleration, handling and braking are some of the negative points associated with a Compact SUV's. That's because they weigh more than the compact car models, which the vehicle specifications are derived from. More car weight, means more fuel consumption, which means they are less wieldy and heavier to manoeuvre on-road.


**Comfort and Performance**
One rarely finds compact SUVs and luxury cars off-road, so when buying them, on-road comfort and performance are very important. Some of the features to look out for include air conditioning and climate control, about five speed automatic transmission, keyless entry and power windows. Other features include door locks and mirrors, a multi-speaker audio system, leather seats and a remote security system.


**Fuel economy**
Most compact SUVs offer great fuel economy compared to larger and mid-size SUVs. Most luxury cars are just as expensive to fuel up as they are pricy.
Some luxury cars can be much better than other compact SUVs when it comes to fuel economy and it is these cars that one should look out for. Therefore before you purchase a compact SUV, consider what you need over what you want. It is by understanding these differences that will help you purchase a valuable vehicle for long term use.