SUVs went off the radar at one point primarily due to rising gas prices. As expected, these giants are making a comeback following a fuel price drop to about $2.55 a gallon.
Multiple reports confirmed a spike in new SUV and pickup sales-a 9.6-percent increase-while other vehicle types suffered a drop. The same can be said of used SUVs and pickups, which registered an increase of over 10 percent. In Louisiana, the average gas price straddles below the national average at $2.33 a gallon.
Whether in the market for new or used cars near Baton Rouge, do falling gas prices alone justify the decision to buy an SUV?
A Decent Compromise
SUVs like the GMC Acadia and Honda Pilot combine the passenger capacity of a van with the cargo capacity of a pickup. If you plan on taking your family of four on a trip to the bayou, complete with all your essential gear, an SUV would make the suitable vehicle. Even with an extended cab, pickups won't be able to bring as many people for the trip.
There's also the issue of off-road travel. SUVs are designed with backwater roads and paths in mind, especially those with four-wheel-drive capability, thanks to their elevated chassis. Not all family vans, if any, have the right stuff to traverse mud and gravel, let alone steep climbs. You don't want to get bogged down in a bayou, that's for sure.
A Strong Market
Now may be a good time to buy an SUV or trade in for one. Dealerships such as Baldwin Subaru offer a vast array of Subaru and non-Subaru SUVs, new and used. With gas prices at a record low, there's no reason for you not to spend extra on tanking up. An SUV's massive engine can get you out of sticky situations and where you need to be right now.
It's best to seize the moment while it lasts, though. Global economies are no strangers to fluctuations in gas prices, after all, and it's only a matter of time before they return to $4 a gallon. Find used cars around Baton Rouge, LA with exceptional fuel efficiency ratings so you can weather any economic uncertainty.
(Source: SUVs are making a comeback, thanks to falling gas prices, Vox, December 10, 2014)
