But why did you fall in love with this vehicle type? Was it the history behind it? Was it the way this car made you feel and still does when you start the engine? Or was it because it makes you look good and gives you yet another reason to show it off every chance you get?
I cannot pinpoint a single, one-fits-all reason for all SUV owners and admirers. Each SUV aficionado is unique and each reason is valid!
Let’s take a closer look at SUVs, lay out all the different types of SUVs, talk about why they are so popular in the US, who buys and drives them, and all the things that affect the shipping cost of any type of SUV.
What is an SUV?
SUV or Sports Utility Vehicle is a vehicle similar to a station wagon or estate car equipped with a four-wheel-drive that can be used for off-road activities. In recent years, even terms like Jeep and Land-Rover have been replaced by the term SUV. We’ve already covered the differences between SUVs and Jeeps in the past.
In some countries, and especially in the United States, SUVs are not classified as cars. They are part of the light trucks category. There have always been discussions about SUVs and whether they should be considered a car or a light-truck.
No wonder! Many SUVs are built on a light-truck chassis. Nevertheless, they are used by lots of families and are considered perfect for a family vehicle role. Moreover, even though they are designed for driving on rough terrains, most SUV owners use their vehicles for the daily commute. SUVs are just perfect and can be used on and off-road.
Now let’s find out who buys or drives them, and why they are so popular in the US.
Why more and more Americans are buying SUVs?
“Americans Don’t Just Want SUVs Anymore. They Need Them”, according to a Bloomberg article. Last year, Jeep sold 20 percent more vehicles in the U.S. than it did three years ago.
“It’s been a good combination of timing and product attributes,” said Scott Talon, head of Jeep marketing. “We keep looking at Millennials as these kids living in their parents’ basements, but the reality is they’re approaching 40 years old, they’re buying houses and they’re very active.”
Everyone who has a big family and loves to do activities on and off-road is a potential buyer of an SUV. Even millennials have begun to purchase SUVs, not only their parents and older relatives. Sports cars are now becoming less popular and SUVs are taking over the world.
In the US, SUVs have replaced large passenger cars and station wagons. Also, more and more Americans have been choosing in favor of 4/5-door models instead of 2-door off-roaders.
Think of the SUVs this way: you can use them to go to work, go out, run errands, take vacations, or travel off-road. You don’t have to own several cars and vehicle models to do any of these activities. An SUV will simply be there for you, no matter where you want to go.
Furthermore, Americans are no longer “forced” to buy a sports car to experience a great car performance. SUVs offer great performance that reflects their expressive style and design. This is one of the main reasons why so many people are embracing SUVs. They are loving their practicality, usability, and excitement.
How to ship your SUV?
What if you are moving and need to ship your SUV? Did you buy your dream crossover out of state and need to bring it home? How do you go about it? Shipping an SUV is not like shipping a regular sedan. SUVs are heavier and bulkier. As a result, they take up more space on a carrier truck, and hence, they cost more to ship from one location to another.
The exact number will depend on various factors. But before we talk about all vehicle shipping cost components, let’s take a look at all the SUV market segment classifications:
Mini SUV — also known as a subcompact SUV or subcompact crossover, is the smallest size of sport utility vehicles.
Compact SUV — also called a crossover SUV, is yet another type that classifies as one of the smallest SUVs. Compact SUVs are usually built with less cargo, small engines, and small passenger space that allow the vehicle to offer better fuel economy.
Mid-size SUV — as the name itself suggests, is a medium-sized SUV that is bigger than a compact-sized SUV and smaller than a full-size SUV. Outside of North America, this type is considered similar to full-size and mid-size SUV.
Full-size SUV — unlike Compact SUVs, the Full-size SUV has a greater cargo and bigger passenger space. Besides offering a bigger space for its passengers, the Full-size SUV is considered safer than its smaller counterparts.
Extended-length SUV — also called a long-wheelbase SUV, is similar to full-size SUVs, but it has even larger cargo (130 in) and passenger space that can fit up to 8 or even 9 people. General Motors and Ford are among the automakers that are still actively building these types of SUVs in the United States.
What factors affect your SUV shipping cost?
- Size and weight of your SUV
- Type of service
- Distance and location
- Car delivery time and supply and demand
- Additional factors
The size and weight of your SUV
Depending on what size of SUV you own, the shipping cost will vary. The larger the SUV, the more space it will take on the transport truck, and consequently, the more it will cost to transport. Full-size and Extended-length SUVs are more difficult to fit onto standard trailers. They are heavier than mini SUVs, mid-size SUVs, and compact SUVs, so expect to pay more for shipping it.
Type of service
- Open vs enclosed carrier
There are two main carrier types: open and enclosed. Many customers choose in favor of open carriers due to their availability and cost. These are the haulers you see most often on highways. When you opt for a standard open carrier, your vehicle travels with up to eight-ten other vehicles at the same time. Open carriers don’t protect your vehicle from weather and road elements like rain, snow, and dust.
If you choose an enclosed carrier, the shipping will cost more, but your SUV will be completely shielded from potentially damaging weather and any other elements such as rain, snow, ice, dirt, and dust.
- Terminal-to-terminal vs door-to-door
Another thing that can affect the cost is whether you choose a terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door option. Depending on your particular circumstances terminal-to-terminal may or may not be the most beneficial and cost-effective service.
Most customers prefer door-to-door deliveries as it’s often the most convenient. The auto transport company will pick up your SUV from a location of your choice, deliver and unload it as close to your doorstep as possible
Distance and location
This factor is an obvious one. Shipping an SUV from Los Angeles to Las Vegas is not the same as transporting it from LA to New York. The longer the shipping distance, the more it will cost you.
Your SUV pick up and delivery locations may also affect your shipping cost. If your SUV is awaiting pick up far from any main highway, in a rural or hard-to-get-to area, shipping will cost you some extra dollars.
Whether you are transporting your SUV to a rural area or large and popular cities like New York, Chicago, or Miami, will also affect the shipping price. Popular shipping destinations will always cost you less.
Car delivery time and supply and demand
The car delivery time can be separated into two parts: the time it takes the shipping company to pick up your SUV and transit time. The standard pick up time frame is five business days. Transit time mainly depends on the distance. In general, the more flexible you are, the less expensive it will be for you to ship your SUV anywhere you want.
If you need your car on or by a specific date, you can opt for expedited service. It’s a premium service that comes at a higher price.
Let’s move on to supply and demand. It’s the factor that determines the final price to ship your SUV. When the demand peaks, prices usually go up, which can sometimes happen within hours.
The time of the year and season you need to ship your SUV also matter. If you want to save money, we would suggest you avoid the peak moving season, which is during the summer.
Shipping your car during the winter is not ideal either. Even though not a lot of people move their vehicles during the cold season, winter comes with safety risks due to harsh weather. This can make it very hard to drive under difficult conditions, and the shipping costs during the winter can be often higher than in the summer season.
Any additional factors that you need to know?
Other factors such as modifications on your vehicle, your SUV running condition, additional services such as top load, and whether you have personal items loaded in your SUV, will also affect the shipping cost.
Are you looking to ship your SUV? Feel free to drop us a line via our online chat or call us at (818) 850-5258. Our logistics experts will be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide you with a free, no-obligation SUV shipping quote. We look forward to serving your auto shipping needs. Thank you!
