SUVs continue to be in the fast lane

SUVs continue to be in the fast lane

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and off-road vehicles are increasingly shaping the street scene in Austria. Currently, 81 percent of Austrians can imagine buying an SUV. The vehicle type is equally popular with women and men. This is shown by a survey conducted by Innofact AG on behalf of AutoScout24 among 525 Austrian car owners, representative of the population and divided by age (18 to 65 years) and gender. “On the AutoScout24 platform we see an increasing demand for SUVs of up to 30 percent, with vehicles from the German manufacturers VW, BMW and Audi particularly enjoying great popularity,” says Nikolaus Menches, Country Manager of AutoScout24 in Austria.

Sit and load

For more than half of those surveyed, SUVs score points primarily because of their higher seating position and therefore better visibility in traffic. This is particularly appreciated by women (57 percent) and even more by the 50+ generation (63 percent). Equally important to Austrians is the space and the ability to accommodate a lot of luggage so that longer trips can be undertaken comfortably in their own car (52 percent). Two thirds of the young population up to the age of 30 see this as the biggest advantage of a sport utility vehicle. Men are particularly happy about the pleasant driving style in an SUV; four out of ten point to the comfortable suspension. But the safety aspect is also crucial for a third: “The SUV makes me feel safe because it is robustly built and has good safety systems,” is the consensus regardless of gender and age.

Versatility required

Those who choose an SUV love the versatility of the vehicle and its off-road capability: 28 percent are impressed by the fact that the car can be used just as well in the city as for a trip off-road or is suitable for off-road use. Almost a quarter would not like to do without modern technology combined with many useful functions. For one in five people, the pulling power of an SUV is important because it can also be used to tow heavy loads such as a caravan. For only a minority of 10 percent, an SUV conveys a sense of status and lifestyle. When choosing an SUV, Austrians primarily rely on German manufacturers. The VW Tiguan is in first place, followed by the BMW X5 and BMW X3. The fourth-place Audi Q5 will record a particularly strong increase in demand of 30 percent in 2024. BMW again takes fifth place with the Model X1.