Fashion Weekly

If you're in the market for a new SUV with all of the bells and whistles, this guide will make it easier for you to find the perfect make and model.

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40 percent of all luxury autos are sold to women, and female buyers are known to have a penchant for high-end sport utility vehicles. If you're in the market for a new SUV with all of the bells and whistles, this guide will make it easier for you to find the perfect make and model. How you shop for a luxury sport utility vehicle will play an important role in how happy you are with your purchase. The homework that you do before you sign on the dotted line will really pay off.

Compare a few popular models

To find out which posh SUV is the right fit, you'll need to do some careful comparison-shopping. You should compare at least three similar and popular models before moving onto the test drive phase. Whether you want a Porsche Cayenne, an Audi Q7, a Lincoln Navigator or any other coveted model, you should take your time. Look at that model's available trims, and consider pricing for your preferred trim. Then see what other comparable models have to offer, with a mind to getting the most for your money. There are online services that aggregate data to make the comparison-shopping process easier. Use them to streamline the research process and find your dream ride. While you're shopping around, consider the things that are most important to the majority of female car buyers: value, comfort, practicality and safety, according to Road and Travel.

Understand your power as a consumer

Did you know that women influence roughly 80 percent of all car-buying choices? SUV manufacturers care about female clientele, and they are offering designs that suit most female tastes. Luxury automakers, such as Aston Martin, create female customer avatars and then design high-end vehicles that are meant to appeal to those avatars. Women are into feeling protected and safe while they're on the road, so auto makers are going the extra mile to provide that sense of premium comfort and safety. They also know that female customers care about the little details, from design elements like leather-wrapped steering wheels, to infotainment systems, to cup holders. As a female buyer, you have power, so don't settle. Look for a luxury sport utility vehicle that ticks every box. Also, don't be intimidated during the negotiation process, as you are part of an important market segment.

Negotiate like an expert

Not many women love haggling, but a little haggling is the key to getting a better price on an upscale SUV, so learning some negotiation secrets will be helpful when it's time to make a deal. Before you get into negotiation, look at the current market value of the model that you want. Then tell the salesperson the price you think is fair. When you know facts about pricing, you'll be able to negotiate from a power position. You should also know that it may be possible to haggle remotely by contacting a dealership's internet department and letting their reps know what you want.

Don't look too eager while you're checking out an SUV that you want to buy. Keep it cool, so the salesperson isn't certain that you're a sure thing. The salesperson's uncertainty may work out in your favour when it's time to haggle.

These tips should make it easier for you to find an upscale SUV that makes you feel like a million bucks. There are great options out there for female buyers who know what to look for, how to leverage their power as consumers, and how to master the art of the deal. Take your time and compare your options, and you'll be sure to get the best deal possible.

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