Size Matters When You’re Buying an SUV

Folks always ask us, “Should you buy a midsize or full-size SUV?” The answer to this question is, “It depends.” It depends on a number of different factors that are specific to each driver. One thing you should know is that when you stop by Dan Cummins CDJR, your used SUV Dealer in KY, you are going to get an excellent selection of used midsize and full-size SUVs to choose from with a great assortment of different makes and models.

Some drivers are looking to buy a used SUV to use as a family vehicle. They need space to fit themselves and the kids, as well as the family dog, school bags, sporting gear, and maybe a friend or two. Other drivers want to use their used SUV for their daily commute and want something that will be affordable both at the time of purchase and every time they fill up at the gas pump. Still, others are looking for a used SUV for recreational purposes, wanting one to hit the off-road trails, tow a fishing boat, or go camping.

Whether midsize or full-size, the SUV you ultimately choose will depend upon your personal wants and needs. At Dan Cummins Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Paris, we offer excellent deals on used SUVs to drivers in Kentucky, with an expertise in these vehicles, so we will have no problem helping you find the used SUV that is ideal for you.

Does Size Really Matter?

The first thing you are going to notice when comparing used midsize and full-size SUVs is the relative size of the vehicles. At the risk of stating the obvious, full-size SUVs are larger than midsize ones. While that seems like a simple statement, it actually translates into a number of different areas that will affect which size of used SUV you ultimately choose.

Choosing a larger SUV will usually give you more passenger space, as most full-size SUVs offer three rows of seats, while midsize ones either come with two or three rows. On the other hand, most people will find that handling a midsize SUV is easier than a full-size model. Finally, most full-size SUVs offer more trunk space than midsize models, although this is not always the case. Let’s take a look at each of these factors separately while comparing a few different models that you may find for sale on the used SUV market.

Who’s Calling Shotgun?

For purposes of this comparison, let’s take a look at the full-size Dodge Durango, as well as the midsize Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Journey. All of these models we are looking at are from the 2019 model year.

When it comes to passenger space, you will get more room in a full-size SUV than a midsize one. First, full-size SUVs like the Dodge Durango come with three rows of seats, with room for 6 or more passengers. For example, the Durango Plus has an amazing 141 cubic feet of space for passengers, perfect for someone with a large family or who needs a vehicle with extra seating.

Some midsize SUVs also offer three rows of seats. The 2019 Dodge Journey is a three-row midsize SUV with seating for up to 7 passengers. However, this SUV offers 99.6 cubic feet of interior space, making the third row of seats slightly less roomy than the one on the Durango. This may lead to your passengers fighting over who gets to ride shotgun.

The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee has two rows of seats for five passengers in 105.4 cubic feet of interior space. This is fine if you are looking to use your used SUV for your daily commute, but it may present a problem if you need room for six or more passengers. However, if you don’t need the extra space, midsize SUVs can be perfect.

How Does It Handle?

If your primary interest is in buying a used SUV that handles easily, then you may want to stick with a midsize model. The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a 114.7-inch wheelbase, while the 2019 Dodge Journey is 113.8-inches, making it slightly longer than a midsize sedan. In comparison, the 2019 Durango has a 119.8-inch wheelbase, about the same as a full-size pickup truck. Therefore, if you are making the move from a sedan to an SUV, you will find it easier to drive a midsize SUV than a full-size one.

This also carries over to the turning diameter, which will affect things like cornering and parallel parking. As expected, the Dodge Journey has a 38.5-foot turning diameter, while the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s is an even tighter 37.1-foot turning diameter. The 2019 Durango needs 41-feet to make a turn. As a result, you will find it harder to park a full-size SUV than a midsize one. So, if you are worried about the challenges of driving a larger vehicle, you should probably go with a midsize model instead of a full-size one.

Will It Fit?

Some drivers like the added cargo space provided by SUVs. Let’s face it; if you drive a coupe or sedan, you are often limited to the space provided in your car’s trunk. This is not the case with SUVs which allow you to fold down the rear seats to free up additional space for your stuff. Because of their larger size, full-size SUVs will often provide more overall trunk space than midsize models.

If you fold down the rear two rows of seats in the 2019 Durango, you will get a full 85.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The 2019 Grand Cherokee has up to 68.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the back seat folded down, and the 2019 Journey will give you 67.6 cubic feet of cargo space when you fold down the rear two seats. In addition, the Durango has the power to haul up to 1,460 pounds of stuff in its trunk. So, if you need to make it fit, you might be best served with a used full-size SUV.

Will It Get You Where You Are Going?

Whether you choose to go with a midsize or full-size SUV, you know you will be getting a vehicle with the ability to get you where you want to go. The 2019 Durango, Journey, and Grand Cherokee are all equipped with excellent engines designed to give them sufficient power to get the job done. However, in general, you are going to get a larger engine on a full-size SUV than on a midsize model. Let’s compare the engine options on these three models.

The 2019 Durango comes with a standard 3.6-liter V6 but also has the options of larger 8-cylinder engines like a 5.7-liter V8 and a 6.4-liter HEMI V8. As you might imagine, the 8-cylinder engine will give the Durango more horsepower and torque, resulting in better acceleration and speed. The 6-cylinder engine sacrifices performance in exchange for improved fuel economy.

The engine choices on the 2019 Dodge Journey are fairly indicative of most midsize SUVs. The standard engine is a 2.4-liter I-4 with an available 3.6-liter V6. The 4-cylinder engine gives better fuel economy, while the optional 6-cylinder engine provides better overall performance.
The 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a bit of an outlier for midsize SUVs as it offers optional V8 and diesel powertrains not found in most other models in its vehicle class. However, the standard engine on the Cherokee is a V6 engine which offers both exceptional fuel economy and solid pickup. This is indicative of most midsize SUVs that feature 6-cylinder gas engines.

So, if your goal is power and performance, then a full-size SUV with a V8 engine or a midsize model with a V6 engine will be ideal for you. But if you are concerned about gas prices that are spiraling upward, you might want to stick with a midsize SUV with a 4-cylinder gas engine as this will give you the best fuel economy.

What’s Best for You?

The decision to buy a midsize or full-size SUV rests with whatever you are looking for. If you have a large family or socialize with a large circle of friends, then a used three-row full-size SUV will be best for you. If you are someone who is constantly using your vehicle for transporting things, then you should also probably go for a full-size SUV. On the other hand, if you are a commuter, you should consider a used midsize SUV as this will probably cost you less to buy and will give you a better overall fuel economy. In addition, if you are new to driving SUVs, then you might want to start with a used midsize SUV as this will be easier to handle with tighter overall cornering. No matter which size you choose, stop by Dan Cummins CDJR in Paris today for your next used SUV.

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