Is a Full-Size SUV Right for You?

Full-size SUVs are an interesting vehicle class. They have a reputation for being carpool cars—essentially replacing the minivan for busy parents who need to cart several kids, backpacks, and groceries around town. As a dealership that sells used SUVs Near Cary, NC, we at CBS Quality Cars certainly do sell many pre-owned large SUVs to families who fit that description. There’s no denying that these people haulers can get the job done when you’re taking your kids and all of their buddies to soccer practice, or you have to take the squad back-to-school shopping. However, full-size SUVs are an excellent match for any number of other drivers. Small business owners and avid campers love their big SUVs, and garage bands would have a hard time getting their equipment to a gig without one.

Several top names make great full-size SUVs. Chevrolet has the Tahoe and Suburban. Ford has the Expedition. GMC has the Yukon, and Nissan has the Armada. If there is a specific manufacturer you’re most comfortable with, there is a good chance that they offer a full-size SUV and that we carry it. However, we understand that a full-size SUV is, simply put, a lot of car to handle. So, it’s important to understand whether or not you need what it offers before committing to such a large model. So, who will benefit from owning a full-size SUV? In general, anyone who needs substantial yet configurable passenger and cargo space. That applies to many drivers, beyond your busy families.

Personal Car Services/Rideshare Drivers

Today, with so many people relying on ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber to get around, these companies offer a lucrative side hustle if not even full-time hustle possibilities. If you are planning on making extra income as a rideshare driver, or you’ve already been doing so and want to increase your earning potential, consider a full-size SUV.

Remember that both Lyft and Uber give passengers the option to order a vehicle that can hold six or seven passengers. However, Lyft has said that the majority of its drivers opt for sedans, which can make it difficult for customers traveling in large groups to find a vehicle that can hold them all. This would give any driver with a full-size SUV—which can typically hold seven or eight people—a leg up in the large rideshare vehicle market. When the demand is higher than the supply, you can do great business picking up large groups in your full-size SUV.

Remember that full-size SUVs also tend to have rear seats that fold down. This makes them ideal for medium-sized groups traveling with a lot of luggage. If you live near a major airport, you might regularly pick up groups of three to five people traveling with a substantial number of suitcases. You can seat everyone in the first two rows of your full-size SUV and fold down the third to make room for their luggage. A sedan simply cannot offer this service, even if it can hold the number of passengers.

You Need Truck-Like Towing Abilities

Some drivers come to us saying that they want truck-like towing abilities, but unfortunately, pickups can’t hold as many passengers as they need. We love to show these shoppers full-size SUVs. Many full-size SUVs have towing abilities that rival those of full-size pickups, sometimes in the range of 5,000 to even 8,000 pounds. In fact, the Jeep Wagoneer can tow 10,000 pounds, which is even more than many pickups.

If you want to tow for mostly recreational purposes—you’re looking to tow a camper, boat, or ATV—and you want seating for seven or eight, check out a full-size SUV. When you have one of these SUVs, you can travel with the whole crew in one vehicle out to your campsite and bring your sleeping quarters in tow.

Anyone With Fluctuating Passenger And Cargo Needs

Many small business owners have different passenger and cargo needs from one day to the next. You might need the ability to transport equipment, presentation materials, tools, technology, furniture—you name it—some days of the week. On other days, you need seating for seven or eight passengers because you have a large family.

A pickup truck might have a bed that’s good for those cargo needs, but it doesn’t have the seating capacity of a full-size SUV. If you transport valuables, you might prefer to keep them discreetly in the rear area of an SUV by putting the back seats down. This keeps your items more protected than an exposed pickup bed does. If you’re transporting tons of things one day and people the next, consider a full-size SUV.

Drivers Who Leave Paved Roads

There’s another type of driver that often comes to us, needing part of what a truck offers but not all of it. This is the driver looking for all-wheel or four-wheel drive, plus seating for seven or eight. Traditionally, when people think of off-road-ready vehicles, they think of pickup trucks. However, some drivers have substantial passenger needs, but they live in rural areas where leaving paved roads is a regular part of their lives.

Many full-size SUVs have all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The Lincoln Navigator has full-time four-wheel drive and is a full-size SUV. The Chevy Suburban and Tahoe both come in four-wheel drive versions. These models will send torque to all four wheels when necessary, giving you good control in off-road settings. If you spend a lot of time on dirt roads, but a pickup truck isn’t right for you, consider a full-size SUV.

Large Families

Obviously, we can’t talk about the full-size SUV segment without talking about families. Full-size SUVs always have been and always will be great for large families. If you’re in charge of the morning carpool, you volunteer to drive for field trips, or you transport the little league team to games, you need seating for eight passengers. Full-size SUVs are also perfect when you’ve dropped the kids off at school and have to make a big grocery trip run. When you’re shopping for a large family, you’ll like being able to fold down those rear rows and make room for a week’s worth of food for growing kids.

Come Find Your Pre-Owned Full-Size SUV at CBS Quality Cars

We would love to help you find the ideal full-size SUV for your needs. You’ll find all the top names with us and some of the most popular full-size SUVs like the Tahoe, Wagoneer, and Expedition. We carry a variety of generations and trims, too. If you want a low price on a high-quality full-size SUV, pay us a visit. Tell one of our sales associates how you want to use your SUV and they’ll help you find the right one for your needs.

Full-size SUVs are so much more than family vehicles. They certainly meet the needs of busy families, and we proudly put parents behind the wheel of safe, comfortable, and powerful SUVs every day. However, we want to expand your mind on what a full-size SUV can be good for. These versatile vehicles combine power with functionality, and we’d love to help you find yours. Visit us and pick out your great used full-size SUV today.