What Type of Vehicle is Right for You?

Deciding on the right vehicle to buy can be difficult. The buyer needs to consider a number of things when deciding between a car, van or truck. These tips will help you determine which vehicle best suits your needs.

Over 60 million cars were produced in 2012. This means that over 165,000 vehicles rolled off assembly lines every day of the year and headed towards car dealerships. This number is expected to increase annually into the foreseeable future. Choosing the right type of vehicle is not always an easy decision. Auto manufacturers have recently started to blur the lines between the different types of cars, vans and trucks that are now available. Anyone looking for a new vehicle will need to think about how it will be used. There are several areas to look at when deciding between a car, van or truck.

Fuel Efficiency

One of the first considerations should be the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. This is especially important for families that will be driving long distances each week. Cars currently have the best fuel efficiency of any vehicle. Trucks tend to sacrifice efficiency for performance. New injection technologies, fuel mixtures and computerized optimizations are increasing the mileage of nearly all but the heaviest vehicles. Smaller vans can achieve close to the same mileage as a sedan when not loaded to full capacity.

Cargo Capacity

Some thought must be given to the cargo space available. A car has the least amount of space. Vans have a large amount of interior cargo space that can often be reconfigured by repositioning or removing the passenger seats. Trucks have the largest cargo capacity although the open bed of most models will require some protection when hauling groceries or other light items. Drivers who need to move long, bulky or very heavy items on a weekly or monthly basis will want to consider a van or truck.

Passenger Seating

Standard sedans are one of the most popular types of cars sold in the world today because they provide a balance between passenger space and cargo space. Families who need to transport many people every day will want to purchase a van. Vans can hold anywhere from two to six more people than a standard car. Cars are good for smaller families who do not car pool. Trucks can normally hold only between two and four people depending on the design of the cab and provide the least amount of passenger space.

Parking Space

The physical size of the vehicle that is chosen might be an issue for some people. Cars have no problems on the roads or even in indoor storage spaces. A large truck might exceed the clearance of a smaller garage or certain bridges in rural areas. They can also be difficult to park comfortably in a crowded parking lot. Vans vary greatly in size. Some are nearly the same size as cars and will have no problems parking or driving into a garage. Others are much longer than a car and could present problems in tight spaces.

Towing

Families who have a recreational vehicle, a trailer or a rack for a boat or bicycles will want to look at the towing capacity of the vehicle. Trucks have the highest towing capacity and can even be outfitted with different hitches such as a ball mount to pull very heavy loads. Vans sometimes have hitches attached and can tow moderate loads. The towing capacity of a car varies greatly between manufacturers and models. Drivers who will need to tow a trailer or other item should check with the car dealership to determine whether the vehicle can handle the weight.

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