Car vs SUV: What Are Their Pros & Cons?
SUVs, or sports utility vehicles, are immensely popular as tough, rugged vehicles that can go almost anywhere and have plenty of space and comfort. This makes them one of the most sought-after vehicles for both adventurers and families. An SUV fills the void between a car and truck, giving the luxury of a sedan with the power and utility of a truck. Large families have ample leg room and comfort in a vehicle that can do what a sedan is just not capable of.
A sedan gives you speed, luxury, and comfort. They are perfect for daily commuters and city-dwellers who experience consistent traffic. If you are torn between a car and an SUV, there are two main considerations to weigh:
- What will you be primarily using the car for? Are you an astute outdoorsman who likes to drive the roads less traveled? Do you enjoy outdoor activities like fishing or boating? Do you have a large family or need extra space for outdoor gear? Are comfort and the latest technology a requirement for your driving experience?
- Where do you live? Are you are a daily commuter who spends most of your time in traffic? Do you live in the country or travel to places with dirt roads?
Even taking all these preferences into consideration, the choice between a Sedan or SUV can still be a difficult one. Most people, on average, spend a great deal of time inside their cars, so it’s an important decision.
Let’s take a deep dive into the pros and cons of each vehicle to help you decide which is best for you.
Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV)
Sometimes called crossover vehicles, SUVs sit between a sedan and truck, making them a class all on their own. They are characterized by their big wheels, high ground clearance, and rugged yet sporty look. They are designed with adventure in mind, as they can go almost anywhere. Their high clearance makes for effortless traveling on road conditions of all types, with bad roads only adding to the fun.
The Pros
Because of their height, SUVs have great visibility on the road. You are above almost everyone else, enabling a good field of vision. This enhanced visibility makes for a safer drive.
Adding to this is their strength: SUVs are made to be tested. Their rugged construction makes them far more likely to be on the better side of a road accident with another car.
A bigger car equals more space. Not only can you stretch out your legs and have more seating room, but SUVs also have loads of space for storage. Usually, SUVs are also equipped with roof racks to further increase carrying capacity. This makes it the ideal car for people who enjoy outdoor activities like boating or fishing or any activities that need additional gear. This also makes them perfect family vehicles, providing the space for myriad add-ons that come along with having children.
If space is still a problem, SUVs have great towing capabilities. With their powerful engines and 4×4 wheels, towing a trailer or boat is simple. This makes them ideal for long camping or road trips. You can essentially bring the entire house with you wherever you go!
Due to their newfound and ever-increasing popularity among motorists, SUVs also have great resale value. An SUV’s market value tends to remain fairly stable compared to a sedan.
The Cons
With all the great features of SUVs, there are downsides worth considering. Unless you are looking at buying a high-end sedan, SUVs can be much more expensive. With extra features like 4×4 capabilities, roof racks, and tow hitches, the price can quickly escalate.
Adding to this expense factor is fuel economy. Due to their large engines, 4×4 capabilities, and heavy weight, SUVs can be quite thirsty. This is a big consideration if you are an environmentally-conscious person. However, there are certain SUVs out there with fairly impressive fuel consumption and even hybrid options. Even so, they cannot compete with the economy of the smaller sedan.
While SUVs can handle rugged terrain, this capability can also make them less comfortable. The suspension is made to handle bad roads, which can lead to a bumpy ride, with passengers being tossed around in the seats.
With all this tough technology comes high-maintenance costs, especially if your SUV is a 4×4. Parts and services on these vehicles tend to add up quickly, leading to a general maintenance cost that far outweighs a sedan. This will inevitably lead to higher insurance costs too. Having to worry about damaging your SUV almost defeats the option of having one: You want to be able to go anywhere in it. But shocks, tires, and brakes will all take a higher hammering in an SUV.
Sedans
A sedan is the perfect car for the city commuter. They are generally a more comfortable and smoother ride. A sedan is light, making it fast on the road, and its smaller size makes it easier to navigate through traffic and parking spaces. This also makes them more powerful on the open road, overtaking a bulky SUV with no effort at all.
- Fuel economy
- Environmentally friendly
- Low cost
- Low maintenance
- Comfort
- Speed and maneuverability
Top 10 Differences between SEDAN and SUV
Cars are known for the comfort they provide to travelers regarding seating, air condition, protection from environmental conditions like rain, heat, dust, etc. Cars are divided into various models based on the body characteristics like the height of the car, model of the car, the capacity of the engine, etc. Out of all the models, the most familiar models are Sedan and SUV. we can see the Differences between SEDAN and SUV here.
SEDAN
The sedan is the most common body design of cars. Sedan cars are affordable, user-friendly. Sedans usually have better comfort, legroom, and interiors.
In India, the Most popular Sedan cars are
- Maruti Dzire.
- Honda City 4th Generation.
- Hyundai Verna.
- Honda City. Price.
- Hyundai Aura.
- Honda Amaze.
- Tata Tigor.
- Skoda Octavia.
SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE (SUV)
The Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is a vehicle that is designed like a station wagon but with the chassis of a light truck. SUVs are utility vehicles they are tougher, bigger, and more powerful than a sedan.
In India, Some of the famous SUV models are
- Hyundai Venue.
- KIA Seltos.
- Hyundai Creta.
- Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza.
- Mahindra XUV300.
- Tata Harrier.
- Mahindra XUV500.
- Tata Nexon.
Differences between SEDAN and SUV
Let us see some of the differences between SEDAN and SUV in the table given below.
| SEDAN | SUV |
|---|---|
| Sedans are typically 4 or 5 seaters and are called as family cars. | SUV — Sports Utility Vehicle is normally 7 or more seater. |
| Compartments | |
| Sedans features three separate compartments for the passenger, cargo, and engine. | SUVs have an engine compartment and a combined passenger and cargo compartment with three rows of seats. |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Sedans have low ground clearance and usually has four doors, but there are also models with two doors. | SUVs have four wheels and four doors but have high ground clearance. and high centre of gravity. |
| Fuel Consumption | |
| A sedan is smaller and is more fuel efficient | SUV is bigger and consumes more fuel. |
| Suspension | |
| Sedans have relatively softer suspension compared to SUVs. Sedans are designed for comfort. | SUVs are designed to be able to handle rugged terrain and heavy loads and therefore have stiff suspension setup.SUVs designed for off-road capability. |
| Ride Quality | |
| Sedans might offer better ride on the highways | SUVs offer better quality ride over the bad roads. |
| Maintenance | |
| Sedans have lower wear and tear and low maintenance costs when compared to SUVs. | SUVs have higher wear and tear and relatively higher maintenance costs. |
| Suitable Roads | |
| Sedan cars are perfect for the Indian highways, expressways or even the local city roads. | SUVs are more convenient for those who love rough driving and are adventure enthusiasts. |
| Parking | |
| A Sedan would be easily parked anywhere because of its compact size and shape. | The giant size of SUV will make it difficult for you to park the vehicle. |