The SUV you are driving may not be a true SUV, Here's why.

 An SUV looks bulky, rugged, and above all, has a lot of room inside the cabin compared to other cars. But only the appearance of a vehicle doesn’t give it the SUV tag, there’s more to it. Let us see what makes an SUV an SUV with a go anywhere characteristics.

Mahindra Thar is a pure SUV made for off roading

In 2015-16, the concept of compact SUV started to gain its popularity in the Indian automobile industry. The likes of Ford Ecosport and Renault Duster were the very firsts of its kind. Then came the bestseller, the Vitara Brezza from the house of Maruti Suzuki and also the Tata Nexon which has recently got its aggressive face lift. But did you know that these so called “SUVs” are not SUVs but a Crossover. They have the looks of an SUV but what they don’t have is the SUV quotient and the characteristics.

Ford Ecosport

The biggest difference in a true SUV and a crossover is the platform on which it is built on. A true SUV has a ladder frame chassis over which the whole body of the vehicle is mounted because of which this chassis is also known as Body on frame. Whereas a compact SUV or even a hatchback or a sedan is built on a monocoque chassis i.e., the whole chassis is a single unit. The ladder frame has more strength than a monocoque chassis which makes and SUV stronger compared to the other segments. But one disadvantage of the ladder frame chassis is that they are less stable than the monocoque.

Ladder frame and Monocoque chassis

 The next difference is of the drivetrain or the powertrain. A pure SUV has a system known as All Wheel Drive (AWD) or 4X4 drivetrain. What this means is that the engines produces the power and gives it to all the four wheels which gives the wheels the adequate power to generate traction in off road conditions. A compact SUV or cars of similar segments have either a front wheel drive or rear wheel drive powertrain. Generally, sensitively priced cars have a front wheel drive powertrain which makes them restricted to normal road driving.  

A very important feature of a pure SUV is that they have differential locking system. What this feature do is that the driver can decide that the power should go to which particular wheel(s). This feature is very essential when the vehicle is driven in off road conditions. The Mahindra Thar gets the MLD system (Mechanical Locking Differential) which makes it the proper machine made for the best off roading possible. 

We all know that how important are the electronic systems in a car of today's time. The SUVs are not the exception. A true SUV has some of the sophisticated electronic systems which are pretty helpful during off roading conditions. Systems like Hill descend control, roll over mitigation, traction control (also available in normal cars), terrain response system,etc.

Next on the list is design of SUV, not the looks but the practical design of the SUV. An SUV has the adequate approach angle, departure angle and break-over angle. Approach angle is that angle between the front bumper and the bottom of the front wheels. The departure angle is the angle between the rear bumper and the bottom of the rear wheels.The angle made between the intersecting lines joining the two wheels is called the break-over angle. You can even see this in the picture below. If these angles and kept above the threshold limit which is specific for an SUV, then it wouldn’t be a problem for the drive to manoeuvre the vehicle during heavy off-roading.

 

Approach angle, Break-over angle & Departure angle

 In India, we have got many true SUVs. From Mahindra Thar, Force Gurkha, Jeep Compass to the Ford Endeavour, Toyota Fortuner & the Mahindra Alturas. The Land Rover is an automobile company which is known only for their SUV series like the Range Rovers and the legendary, Defender.

 

Land Rover Defender & Toyota Fortuner

So now as you have got an idea about a true SUV, you will think twice before going for an off-roading drive in a compact SUV (crossover). A compact SUV is made for those people who want looks and space of an SUV and can't afford to buy one. But a  proper true SUV is made for the true off-roading experiences. So, that's all for now, till then happy driving!