The closest thing I've owned to a CUV was a Mazda CX-3. I'm not even sure what to call it. It seemed just a few inches larger in every dimension than my current Focus, which is straight-up hatchback. They're similar in every way, with just a couple of inches more ground clearance on the Mazda, and AWD. Nicely appointed car that sat up a bit higher than a traditional 'car', but was severely underpowered. CUVs and SUVs have their advantages in ingress/egress (my elderly parents LOVE their Hyundai Santa Fe) and cargo capacity, but I just don't like the driving experience. At the first sign of any spirited driving, the engine gets overwhelmed and the tires and suspension throw their hands up, unless you're driving a Macan or Cayenne. I've watched some pretty scary videos of Toyota Highlanders on a test track, attempting the same high-speed lane change maneuver that most other non-SUV vehicles pull off with ease, and I want no part of a vehicle that behaves that way. I just have no real use for all the space that people seem to relish in, driving around in their Tahoes and Expeditions. I don't care what people drive, until it becomes clear that their purchases didn't match an appropriate vehicle to the driving skill of the owner. I've seen a LOT of outmatched people attempting to negotiate traffic and tight parking lots in vehicles that are clearly too big for them. This situation, I wish would stop. Bigger is not better if you can't judge distance, and where your four corners are at all times. The ability to see over the dashboard is essential, too. These are the folks that convinced me to stop riding my motorcycle before I became just another piece of road debris wedged in their fender wells.
