Kelly is happy with the decision she made to trade in her BMW for these big wheels. She has found new freedom. (Photo: Michael Gordon)

The petite elderly lady calls it her "Beast". She said that she sold her respectable Volvo sedan and purchased a 4x4 pickup with cab because she wanted to be "higher up off the road". Her daughter says that it is a "power thing".

That was a few years ago in a bygone era where it was expected that women who steered anything with an engine larger than 1.5 litres were either farmers or higglers. The Sports Utility Vehicles and mini vans have changed all of that. Urban dwelling women are now joining men and switching from sedans to something a little, or a lot bigger.

As a senior sales representative, Abbey Hill does a lot of travelling. Her Rav 4 is perfect for business trips as well as those rugged days in the country. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Take the case of Administrative Assistant Marcialyn; after a nine-year relationship with a "beautiful 650-litre Suzuki Alto", she switched to an 1800-litre Toyota Super Lite Ace Van last year.

"The most important thing for me was the space," she says. It is also "extremely comfortable ... sits like a baby on the road. Men and women drive me down to ask me about the performance of the vehicle as they are thinking of changing and would want to get one like mine."

Petrol for the Alto ran Marcialyn $500 per week; the Town Ace drinks $1,200 per week. Insurance was not much difference as she benefits by being an ICWI Road Angel.

Without a doubt, SUV's it seems have replaced many a luxury car in the auto world. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

For other women, however, it is height and not size that matters.

Rural St Andrew resident, Kelly, has been driving a Honda CRV, for four months since parting with her BMW.

"I got it because of where I live. I need something a little more rugged and that gave a degree of comfort."

She works in the city, so did not want anything challenging to park such as a Prado or a truck. The cost of running the CRV, she says, is the same as the BMW as they both carry a two-litre engine. Insurance and tyres on the SUV costs more but in her opinion, the trade-off has been well worth it.

"The BMW gave a fabulous ride that cannot compare to any CRV. However, ground clearance is important for me. Based on realities of Jamaican road conditions it gives me comfort to know that I can manage these things. Jamaica is so beautiful to travel around that I believe that every family here should have some 4WD facility.

Rosalind certainly considered that, when she set aside the Toyota Corolla for a Ssang Yong Musso last year. Her vehicle has a 195mm clearance, five mm less than the CRV. However, she said that she was, "Tired of being squeezed out in all those little cars. I take my parents around and wanted something that they would sit in comfortably. It is ultimately easier on the knees to step into a SUV rather than go down in a car."

As a senior civil servant with islandwide responsibilities her job also played a role in her choice of motor vehicle. "SUVs are not built for driver comfort but I wanted something that can manage the road. I went to St Thomas in the heavy rains and did not shudder and ask the Lord for mercy, as I would have in the car. I am more at ease."

She notes that the large vehicle, however, did not give her an edge with other motorists. "Gone are the days when people were afraid of big vehicles. These people drive down on you anyway -- it's no big thing. These road hogs fear nothing; man, vehicle or beast."

Rosalind's costs of running her diesel Ssang Yong so far have been comparable to her previous car, a Toyota Corolla.

Susan wanted to keep the one advantage that her Lada had over other cars -- height on the road. After 18 years of owning Ladas, she took on a 1600-litre Rav 4.

"Where others would struggle, the Lada would make it. I was accustomed to mounting embankments to park or going through water. The Rav 4's compact body was the clincher for this education administrator. She notes that the petrol costs and mileage compares well with the Lada. Tyres and parts are more expensive says Susan, "but I do not have to buy them as often. SUVs are more reliable, but that might be true of any car and a Lada."

SUV distributors have not been keeping a tab on the rising number of female customers, but according to a sales rep of one Kingston company people buy them because they are "bigger, higher and a fad". Men and women she notes rank 50/50 in SUV purchases.

Deputy general manager of Motor Sales, dealers for the popular Pajero line, Kenry Jackson, says that women are showing a "strong interest" in SUVs. This, he notes, flows from the "greater perceived security" from roadside harassment as well as road conditions. Explaining reduced driver and passenger comfort for SUVs versus sedans in general, he says that SUVs are 4WD vehicles built for rough terrain but that they are being used as road cars. He notes that "those that have a truck-based chassis are more comfortable" but reassures that the comfort level of SUVs are improving overall. This writer does rank the Pajeros tops for SUV driver comfort and sees this as good news for female drivers who are traditionally expected to prefer cars for their quality driving experience over raw speed.

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