A True Utility SUV Designed to Do One Important Thing Other SUVs Cannot

Fulfilling Your True SUV Needs

SUVs are typically bought as family cars because they are roomy for multiple passenger ferrying, have significantly more power than smaller cars, are comfortable for long road trips, and provide a lot of cargo space for hauling stuff when needed. In other words, they are designed as utilitarian type vehicles.

However, an accurate definition of a vehicle being utilitarian is one where functional practicality greatly exceeds or completely supplants aesthetics. And that is not necessarily what you will see in most SUVs where attractive features are an important part of the vehicle to catch the SUV shoppers’ eye. Which arguably might be a failing in many of today’s SUVs.

A True Utility SUV

One of the cruxes of owning a nice SUV is that most owners will limit its functionality because they do not want to get the interior damaged or dirty when hauling stuff. In cases where SUV needs are more utilitarian, a “true utility SUV” just might be what that SUV owner really needed rather than an SUV family car that is babied.

That was the message in a recent Car Wizard YouTube channel episode where the host extols the virtues of an SUV meant to get dirty that is not made any longer today. The good news is that one make can still he found and makes a great beater SUV for car owners looking for an affordable used SUV that is nearly as dependable and cheap to maintain as a Toyota—The Honda Element from 2003-2011.

Related article: Are Toyota Cars Better than Honda? This Mechanic Who Owns Both Answers the Question

In the video posted below you will learn what makes the Honda Element a good choice as a utility vehicle not so much because it has a long lasting, dependable motor, but because it can handle one job other SUVS cannot—being hosed out for cleaning without damaging the interior.

That said, watch the video and learn how this ugly SUV is an unsung hero of our SUV society.

A True Utility Vehicle! CAR WIZARD shows Nothing compares to the Honda Element today.

And finally…

For additional articles about dependable vehicles that aren’t just another pretty face on the road, here are a few for your consideration:

• The Working Man’s Gas Guzzler Truck That Can Be a Great Deal Today

• The Best Used Affordable Economical Commuter Car Recommended by This Mechanic

• Consumer Reports Analysts Rate These Used Cars as The Best for Uber and Lyft Drivers

Timothy Boyer is a Torque News automotive reporter based in Cincinnati. Experienced with early car restorations, he regularly restores older vehicles with engine modifications for improved performance. Follow Tim on Twitter at @TimBoyerWrites for daily new and used vehicle news.

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