SUVs the Good, Bad, Ugly The are many cons and pros to owning a sport utility vehicle (SUV). The two articles in question are "Would You Buy a Car That Looked Like This?" by Andrew Simms (541-544) and "Why Consumers Have Been Choosing SUVs" by John Merline (545-548). A popular trend in society today is an increasing demand for SUV's by consumers, and there are two sides to every issue. Some groups, represented by Andrew Simms, complain that SUVs have a negative impact on society, conversely John Merline is a advocate of the SUVs. Anti-SUV groups complain that SUVs have a negative impact on the rest of society because they are hazardous to smaller vehicles on the roadways. They claim that when SUVs are in accidents with smaller vehicles, the passengers in the cars are more prone to injury, while a SUV protects its own occupants. Some of the anti-SUV groups are proposing to lower the bumpers on SUVs. The bumper of each car would meet, and this change would be safer for the occupants in small cars if they were in an accident together. Anti-SUV groups have evidence that SUV's have a higher risk of rollover than cars. The Pro-SUV groups want a minimum weight limit on smaller cars, by doing so this would increase passenger safety. Pro-SUV groups claim the small incidence of SUVs that rollover is because specific models have a narrow wheel base design. Anti-SUV groups are complaining that SUVs are having a negative impact on the rest of society by consuming more fuel than cars. The United States is dependent on foreign countries to supply some of its oil requirements. Anti-SUV groups would like to see all vehicles made smaller, this might decrease the United States dependence on foreign oil reserve. Anti-SUV groups make a valid argument that SUVs consume more gas than small cars, but the mid-size to large car might consume just as much gasoline. Pro-SUV groups claim that SUVs are becoming more fuel efficient, this will reduce the United States dependence on other countries for oil. Anti-SUV groups complain that SUVs are having a negative impact on the rest of society by increasing air pollution. These anti-SUV groups have made claim that SUVs are contributing to the demise of the planet. Anti-SUV groups make a valid point that less efficient SUVs are contributing more to global warming and smog compared to other types of vehicles on the roadways. SUVs are not as environmentally friendly when compared to smaller cars, the SUV's are adding more pollution to the atmosphere. The pro-SUV groups make a convincing argument that SUVs are becoming more efficient and that air pollution is on the decline.9 Anti-SUV groups are complaining that SUVs are having a negative impact on the rest of society by the automobile industry making false claims. Anti-SUV groups make claims that SUVs sales are on the decline, and the automobile industry is using smoke and mirrors in the way it advertises. The owners of SUVs are being lead to believe by the automobile industry the consumer can drive in any condition and anywhere. This is giving SUV owners a false sense of security when driving on snow, ice, wet conditions, and off road. The pro-SUV groups are claiming SUV sales are on the rise, and advertising is having a positive impact, and SUVs does satisfy families on the go. In conclusion, some anti-SUV groups complain that SUVs have a negative impact on the rest of society and some pro-SUV groups demonstrate the need for SUVs in today's society. A popular trend in society today is an increasing demand for SUV's by consumers, and there are cons and pros to owning an SUV. The industry needs to keep in mind the other cars on the roadways when a new design comes out. The industry also needs to keep improving fuel efficiency, again this will help reduce the United States dependence on foreign oil. The environment also needs to be kept in mind by the industry. What the industry and the critics both learn should be shared to make SUVs safe, for all who travel the highways, and the environment. The Earth only one of each person, one environment, and none to spare.

Works Cited
Simms, Andrew. "Would You Buy a Car That Looked Like This?" 4th. Kathleen Turner ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2010. 541-544. Print.
Merline, John. "Why Consumers Have Been Choosing SUVs." 4th. Kathleen Turner ed. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martins, 2010. 5445-548. Print.