Light truck features

MANY LIGHT TRUCKS offer features and capabilities not found in most passenger cars, such as:

• Greater seating capacity (vans & mini-vans), for larger families, carpools, and group activities;
• More cargo space (SUV's, pickups and vans), for transporting luggage, bulky recreation or business equipment;
• More hauling and towing power (pickups and SUV's), for heavy loads and trailers;
• Higher ground clearance (pickups and SUV's), for driving in snow and ice, on rough roads or off-road;
• Four-wheel-drive (many models), for bad weather and rough terrain;
• Greater size and weight, for safety and durability,

For more information on the light-truck features that appeal to consumers, read CVC's 1994 comments to DOT's fuel economy proposal, and check out our introductory guides to pickup trucks, utility vehicles and vans and mini-vans.

Large cars and station wagons used to provide some of those capabilities, including ample cargo space and towing power. But automakers were forced to downsize those vehicles and reduce their hauling powers, because of strict Federal fuel-economy requirements for cars. Some motorists accepted smaller cars, but many others were pushed into the light-truck market to find the vehicle features they needed.

Some critics complain that light trucks are larger and heavier than many downsized cars. But a recent news analysis showed that size-weight gap between today's cars and light trucks is no greater than the differences between large and small cars back in the 1970's.

Today's light trucks are clean, safe and quite fuel-efficient for the work that they do. They may cost more to purchase and operate than passenger cars, and the vehicle gas mileage ratings are somewhat lower. But consumers recognize the trade-offs involved, and many decide on trucks as the right vehicles for their needs.

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This page last updated: 10/19/98