Originally Posted by Ckcrigger' date='Feb 8 2005, 06:58 AM

It's not so much the real SUV niche that the element is going for.
The small SUVs aren't really designed to tow, haul, or go off-road.

Element, CRV, RAV-4....

They are more an alternative to a station wagon and fill that niche.
If I had a baby or two... the strollers and diaper bags, and a dog... that would be perfect.

Easy to clean, easy to park, decent gas mileage, throw the stroller in the back, put a blanket down for the dog, strap the child seat in the back, wife and I in the front... perfect!

The compact SUV is more a station wagon niche.
The mid-size SUV has large sports sedan niche (X5, FX35/45, MDX) and truck niche (Pathfinder/4runner).

Of course there are other niches as well (person hauler and luxury person hauler).

But c'mon, to say "people don't need an SUV at all...."

Once again, don't you think the compact SUV is the station wagon of yesteryear?