4 Commonly Asked Questions about SUVs

When you are in the market for an SUV there are a variety of questions that may come to mind, ranging from questions about vehicle reliability to concerns about pricing and the best overall vehicle. Thanks to the range of information available on the Internet, services like CarsDirect can provide you with a lot of the information you require, particularly questions about pricing. CarsDirect can put you in touch with a local dealership with a specially-trained Internet sales manager who can provide no-obligation price quotes on multiple vehicles. You can also use CarsDirect to search for used vehicles available for sale by dealerships and private parties alike. This guide highlights some common questions about SUVs that you may encounter while researching your next purchase.

1. What is Invoice Price? The invoice price is the amount the dealership pays a manufacturer for an SUV to place it in their inventory. While invoice price once represented the dealership's net cost for a vehicle, amounts like holdback and dealer cash can lower a dealership's investment in a new vehicle. In any case, most dealerships are reluctant to go below invoice price while negotiating. By using a service like CarsDirect you can get competitive quotes on the SUVs of your choice.
2. What is the Difference Between All-Wheel and Four-Wheel Drive? If you are looking at a variety of SUV models, you will find that some offer an all-wheel drive system while others offer a four-wheel drive system. Although both systems help you put the most power down to the ground to keep you moving well, even in inclement conditions, the basic function of these systems is different. An all-wheel drive system keeps all four wheels engaged as drive wheels at all times. Although the amount of power sent to each wheel or axle can change on the fly, all wheels are used to drive the vehicle at all times. A four-wheel drive system normally functions as a rear-wheel drive vehicle until the four-wheel drive system is engaged by the driver. In this sense, a four-wheel drive vehicle only uses all four wheels to drive the vehicle when necessary. The four-wheel drive system may be engaged by the driver using a manual shifter or an electronic shifter, depending on the model. Some four-wheel drive vehicles have an automatic four-wheel drive system that engages the front wheels only when needed for traction.
3. What Are the Most Reliable SUVs? The most reliable SUVs are those with part-time four wheel-drive systems and those with the fewest power options. Reliability of an SUV can vary wildly from model year to model year, so it is important to use a service like TrueDelta for reliability information. TrueDelta tracks vehicle reliability and provides online reviews of reliability.
4. What is the Best Price on a New or Used SUV? The best target pricing that you should hunt for will vary. If you are in the market for a new SUV, pay a price as close to invoice as possible. CarsDirect can provide you this information and put you in touch with dealers who can provide quotes. On a used SUV, you will want to pay as close to the vehicle's wholesale or trade-in value as possible. You can get this information by using a service like Kelley Blue Book.