Have you ever wanted to get away with your whole family for a weekend, but didn’t have enough room in your little car for everyone and their stuff? Have you ever got stuck in a flood during rainy season? These and other problems are easy to solve when you choose an SUV as your personal transportation.

And an increasing number of customers in Southeast Asia are doing just that: choosing SUVs as their family vehicle. Across the region, SUV sales are up more than 7 percent since 2011 compared to a 4 percent drop in passenger car sales during the same period.

So, what’s driving the trend? For one thing, the selection of SUVs is expanding faster than regular cars.

According to recent market research conducted by Chevrolet, buyers are flocking to the SUV segment for several reasons ranging from interior spaciousness to rugged exterior styling. Here are the top 10 reasons why customers are shifting to SUVs and will likely stay in the segment for years to come:

#1. SUVs carry more people, more comfortably. 

Most sedans only carry four to five people, which makes it difficult for an extended family to go anywhere together. Meanwhile, a three-row SUV comfortably accommodates up to seven, enabled by, fold-flat seating that provide easy access to the third row. SUVs are all about flexibility.

#2. SUVs carry more cargo, more efficiently. 

When not carrying so many people, an SUV’s fold-flat rear seating offers double or triple cargo-carrying capacity than sedans or small hatchbacks. An SUV’s roominess makes it easier to haul larger items like boxes, luggage, sports gear, and even bicycles and furniture. With so much capacity, you may discover new ways to use the cargo area, such as hauling merchandise to or from weekend markets, or using it as a mobile wardrobe when you need a change of clothes on the go.

#3. SUVs are more fuel efficient than ever before. 

Automakers are doing a number of things to make SUVs more fuel efficient, such as implementing more aerodynamic designs and fuel-saving technologies such as smaller displacement engines, and advanced structural materials to reduce weight – all of which can contribute to improved fuel economy.

#4. SUVs are safer than ever before. 

According to industry analysts, SUVs are generally the safest category of passenger vehicle. It’s simply a matter of physics. If a large SUV hits a small car, the SUV will probably sustain less damage, because it is much heavier, and therefore transfers more energy in a crash. Furthermore, driver aids such as electronic stability control helps mitigate roll-over accidents that used to be the segment’s biggest safety issue. Experts also say that SUVs are effective at protecting occupants, provided everyone is buckled up, with infants and small children properly restrained in rear safety seats.

#5. SUVs are better off-road. 

Let’s face it: most SUV owners never go off-road. However, unlike a regular car, SUVs can enable drivers to go (almost) anywhere to enjoy outdoor adventures like camping, fishing and hiking, if they so wish.

#6. SUVs are kid- and pet-friendly. 

SUVs offer more room in rear seats for child-safety seats and plenty of legroom for big kids. Also, the third row or cargo area offers ample room for the family pet and/or pet carrier crate. For example, traveling with a pet in the front or rear seat of a regular sedan can be a nuisance and distraction to the driver. In an SUV, it is easier to restrain pets in the third row or cargo area for their safety and yours. Consider getting the optional cargo tray to protect the carpeting in case they make a mess. Plus, SUVs usually have many storage compartments to keep toys and snacks.

#7. SUVs are better in flood conditions.

High-stance vehicles like SUVs can operate in deeper water than sedans, but before you “dive in”, find out the fording depth of your vehicle. That being said, driving through flood waters requires great caution and familiarity with the roadway as well as flood-driving techniques. Learn more before taking unnecessary risks.

#8. SUVs have command seating and easier ingress/egress. 

An SUV’s command seating position often offers a clearer view of surroundings than a regular car. This adds parking lots, debris in the roadway or other hazards like potholes. Also, getting into and out of a low car (ingress and egress) can be hard for a lot of people, especially older people or those with limited mobility, according to a 2016 study done in the United Kingdom.

#9. SUVs can tow and haul “big boy toys”. 

If you have an outdoor hobby that requires a lot of “gear”, or something you couldn’t easily haul with a regular car, such as a racing or mountain bicycle, motocross dirt bike, big bike, all-terrain vehicle, kayak/canoe, then you will probably need an SUV or pickup truck. This is especially true if you need to tow on a trailer. And, if you don’t already have such a hobby, owning an SUV may inspire you to try, it’s all part of the adventurous lifestyle that SUVs promote.

#10. SUVs are cool. 

Although some people buy an SUV because they need a bigger vehicle, or want to go off-road, most people buy an SUV because it’s the most popular vehicle style on the planet these days. According to the latest data from an automotive research firm Jato Dynamics, the global demand for SUVs hit a new record in 2017, totaling 34 percent of global car sales for the year, and the segment is expected to continuing growing. It’s no surprise. For one thing, it’s a sensible choice for all the reasons already mentioned.It’s also an emotional choice. People love the styling, because it shows the world the person they are or aspire to be: Confident, capable, and successful.