The Great SUV Debate

[20lbSloughShark]

For weeks I have been arguing that an SUV is a truck. I see the argument that truck is in the pickup catagory and an SUV is separate, but those who classify them as a car are completely wrong. Don't mix Crossovers with SUV, an MDX is not an SUV. What really gets me going is when someone who thinks an SUV is not a truck, calls an Explorer Sport-Trac a truck. The Sport-Trac, even though it has a bed, is an SUV. I think vehicles are classifed by overall catagories like car, truck, van, tractor, etc. A pickup, and SUV are both in the truck catagory. What some say is that SUV is next to truck, and is not actually in the catagory. What do you guys think?

[Alagnak]

I think the new Ford explorer is built on the same chassis as their taurus. Does that help? LOL

[Esox_Magnum]

If it has a bed it's a truck if no bed an SUV, if it don't have 4x4 it's worthless....

[sptitz]

I don't think pickups should be called trucks but who cares. Call em what ever you want.

[fishuhalik]

if it gets used as a truck (work, loaded all the time, spends alot of time off road, lots of hauling, etc) it's a truck. if it's stuck on a paved highway all it's life its a car. and yes, that includes rams, silverados, and dually f-350s.

[Finns]

I think I wasted three minutes reading this. Might talk to the DMV as they seem to be the ones who classify them come license time.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Actually they are lt trucks. And don't forget about vans, whether mini or full size!

If an SUV can be a lt. Truck than a full size van would be a truck also? Or would it be crossover?

And where exactly do station wagons fit in? Are they suv's or cars?

[Powerstroke]

So is a Subaru a truck? Somehow over the last decade they have become one simply as a matter of classification as a SUV despite the fact they are just as much a station wagon as they were 10yrs ago.

[BoxMN]

If you don't care if the bloody gutted deer drips, and if you can't smell the gas vapors from a 5 gallon can for the mower, then it's a truck. If not it's a car

And yes, I think I am stoopider for even replying haha!

[dougger222]

I feel my wifes SUV is more truck than SUV being it's an Excursion which is built on the F250/F350 platform. Sometimes I'll call it a van though...

Of course you can't buy a van that weighs in at 8,000 has factory lock out hubs, leather front to back, 44 gallon fuel tank, and runs on a diesel motor that gets 20 mpg!

My wifes thinks a lot of the small SUV's running around now look a lot like minivans. Guess it's easy to say when you're driving the biggest SUV ever made... Funny thing is she wants to get an X5 now as she's nervous the X has 235K miles on it.

[CJH]

Generally if 4wd (not AWD) is available, its a truck, that includes SUV's. Whether its enclosed or not is irrelevant to me.

You can get into frames/chassis and such, but generally the criteria above separates the truck chassis' from the car/crossover chassis as well.

My

[gunmunky]

Does it really matter????? LOL!!!!

[LightningBG]

Its all about the frame. Most SUVs are trucks in my mind, but not all. and crossovers are not trucks either. Subarus are cars and they also say something about your sexuality (if its a subaru wagon).

4WD cant be the determining factor because there are plenty of 2wd work trucks and duallies. and there are plenty of 4wd or AWD cars.

[MNice]

Its all about the frame. Most SUVs are trucks in my mind, but not all. and crossovers are not trucks either. Subarus are cars and they also say something about your sexuality (if its a subaru wagon).

CARP!! My wife has an impreza wagon and we have a forester. I always thought we were straight

[CJH]

4WD cant be the determining factor because there are plenty of 2wd work trucks and duallies. and there are plenty of 4wd or AWD cars.

I said available - IE there are versions w/ 4WD. There are NO 4WD cars I am aware of, they are AWD.

[S.D. Ice Angular]

Does it really matter????? LOL!!!!

X2

[givetoget]

I guess it would all depend on wether it could hall a box fan and a lamp with birds in at the same time. Sorry couldnt resist.

[delcecchi]

CARP!! My wife has an impreza wagon and we have a forester. I always thought we were straight

Hmm. Do they have Wellstone stickers on them? Or "visualize whirled peas"?

[LightningBG]

CARP!! My wife has an impreza wagon and we have a forester. I always thought we were straight

You might want to start keeping track of how often she goes out for "girls night".

[LightningBG]

When my brothers wife graduated college her dad said he would buy her any car she wanted (within reason) as long as it wasn't a Subaru, because he didn't want people to think she was batting for the other team.

[hanson]

My grandpa has told me for years, thats not a truck... its a pickup.

A truck would have 3 axles, 10 tires, a 5th wheel, air brakes, Diesel, 9 Speed RoadRanger, etc. etc...

[SkunkedAgain]

Where does the El Camino fit into the labeling?

[Scott K]

Truck. Just for one instance, the Ford Edge, Escape, and Explorers are all considered a truck.

[KatoMike]

SUV's aren't trucks, they are SUV's. Doesn't matter if they are cross-overs with unibody frames or Suburbans they are still SUV's not trucks. Can't put a load of gravel in them...can't tow a fifth-wheel with them...but you can go to the mall and grocery store when it's snowing with them...

[pureinsanity]

if it gets used as a truck (work, loaded all the time, spends alot of time off road, lots of hauling, etc) it's a truck. if it's stuck on a paved highway all it's life its a car. and yes, that includes rams, silverados, and dually f-350s.

Sweet! My VW Jetta is a truck!

I use it as a work truck, It has work tools in it. Its always loaded with something and it spends lots of time hauling my tush around!