Yes, torquey is a word, and one of my favourites
After a weekend spent nursing my virus-addled home pc, I return to find...An interesting variety of views, expressed with commendable civility.
Cynthetiq, I had spotted this theme in motors and thought it would benefit from a wider airing. Such a thread topic probably seems like a shocking load of whinging to some, but I do think it is important to keep asking these questions. Thanks for your further input.
Robert, 1337haxor, I'd say the fact that your mum survived unscathed from her guardrail impact was sheer good luck. I'm very thankful she came out okay. Unfortunately, the fact that the centre of gravity on these machines is so much higher than with cars means that very often in such accidents the SUV is 'tripped' by the barrier. The resulting rollover accident leaves the weakest point of the car - the roof - to bear at least some of the impact.
Furthermore, the strong frame on most SUV's means that on impact with an unyeilding object such as a bridge support, there's nothing to spread the load of the collision, and the crash force is transfered directly to the vehicle occupants.
In side impacts with other cars that truck-derived ladder chassis takes on the form of a battering ram, travelling at around shoulder height to most other road users. Side impact protection on cars is minimal at best. Side airbags are good, but when that much pointy steel comes through the window at whatever speed they're not going to help.
SUV's are getting more and more popular. While the people with the money to buy them new tend to drive them carefully, soberly, as the SUV class gets longer in the tooth we're seeing huge numbers of Explorers, Yukons, Dakotas entering the second hand market within the reach of drivers with less idea of how to drive and less consideration for the potential consequences of their behaviour.
I can't say too much on the economy and environmental issues, driving as I do probably one of the most polluting vehicles with the lowest mpg on the road. I'm sorry about that...I'm selfish in many ways. I pay through the nose for the privilege, however; with gas prices here currently at the equivalent of $5.37 per gallon, filling up costs around $130 so I don't do it all that often...
The status quo constitutes a serious, and worsening problem for America's drivers and passengers alike. Seeing as the rest of us often end up with the vehicles and the tastes developed for the world's biggest market, it's a serious issue for us all.