My ICE car (Mazda 3) is almost 20 years old, and as the title says, I am thinking of getting an EV or PHEV. I am a DIYer and amateur woodworker, so I routinely pick up 8 ft. boards, big bags of mulch, etc. All of this stuff currently fits in my little Mazda 3, but it seems as though they only have SUVs or crossovers in the USA for EVs/PHEVs that have similar cargo space. I am not comfortable with SUVs. Is there a reason why EVs are SUVs? Do they utilize the extra height for the batteries? I have always liked little wagons or hatchbacks—easy to park, easy for short people to lift stuff into the back. Just want to know if there is a logical reason for all the SUVs, or is it only ‘because that’s what the normal US customer wants’ (and I guess that means I am not normal).
SUVs and trucks are about the only thing people buy now. That’s what.
emma said:
SUVs and trucks are about the only thing people buy now. That’s what.
If only people knew that SUVs are really just tall wagons.
My SUV, an older Landy, is considered a station wagon according to the EPA.
An EV has a very low center of gravity, and they are hard to flip because the battery is the heaviest part of the car.
diallo said:
An EV has a very low center of gravity, and they are hard to flip because the battery is the heaviest part of the car.
Thank you, I never drove one, so that makes me feel a lot better.
All EVs have a low center of gravity because of the battery placement. I get what you’re saying though—I’d love something like a Golf or Jetta wagon, but those don’t really exist in the North American market anymore. I ended up with an Ioniq 5, and while the turning radius isn’t as tight as my old Golf, it’s still great to drive.
I feel like the ‘SUV’ label is being misapplied. Most EVs are really just wagons or large hatchbacks marketed as SUVs to appeal to buyers. I fit 8 ft boards in my Ioniq 5, though I had to be careful with the front screen. Look at cars like the Kona or get a roof rack—there are options out there.
I’m anti-SUV too. I loved my Prius for its hatchback and folding seats. Now I drive a Hyundai Kona EV, which is marketed as an SUV but really feels like a hatchback. The taller height probably helps with battery placement, though.
The battery packs in EVs take up vertical space at the bottom of the vehicle, so seats and foot positions are higher. This means EVs are better suited to CUV or SUV form factors.
People prefer the higher seating position in SUVs because it’s easier to get in and out of, and it feels safer with better visibility. The EV platform’s low center of gravity negates many downsides, making SUVs even more popular.
Check out the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. They’re marketed as SUVs but have less ground clearance than a Subaru Outback. I own an EV6 and it doesn’t feel like an SUV at all.