this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2024
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I know a few ute owners, I've never heard any of them mention safety as a reason for buying one. In the days of ANCAP safety ratings, it's very easy to know exactly how safe a vehicle is.
The reasons people typically buy utes and SUVs is as a lifestyle vehicle, something that can carry sporting equipment, camping gear etc, go anywhere they want to go, and tow.
It's also worth noting that some of the heaviest vehicles on the road are EVs, the difference in weight between a Leaf and a Ranger isn't actually much.
I honestly think you're barking up the wrong tree here.
Let's look at some other weight specs, shall we?
https://www.drive.com.au/showrooms/ford/ranger/12db7674afb33e6a/ Baseline Ranger, less than 1.8 tonnes
https://www.dimensions.com/element/tesla-model-s Tesla model s, 2.2 tonnes
https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/vehicle-profiles/byd-atto-3/ BYD atto, 1.8 tonnes.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivian_R1S Rivian SUV, 3.5 tonnes, more than the GVM of some utes.
EVs are far heavier than an equivalent ICE vehicle.
The massive front blind spots of these large cars are a major factor in increased pedestrian deaths.
I drive an SUV, a mazda CX-5. Because you sit so high in the vehicle, the forward visibility is very good, better even than some cars I've driven.
The blind spot argument is pretty weak, in my view.
Pretty weak? There are many studies showing bigger cars are killing more pedestrians, particularly because of the front blind spot.
I drive a Ute and without the front camera, the blindspot would be terrible.
True, but how many Escalades have you seen on the road in NZ?
Probably 0
Half those vehicles don't even exist on NZ roads, the only one I've seen in person is the 150, and they're rare as hen's teeth.
Out utes are much smaller.