When it’s time for you to buy a new vehicle, you have an important choice ahead of you: sedan or SUV. SUVs and crossovers have become the most popular vehicles of the day, something you’ve probably noticed just driving around. However, sedans or cars still have their adherents, and they can make a lot more sense in your everyday life, depending on where you live.
If you haven’t made up your mind about buying a Sedan vs SUV, take a look at the pros and cons. Do you stick with the crowd and buy a bigger vehicle or drive the road less traveled and buy a sedan?
Vehicles Are Getting Bigger
There’s no question that the vehicles around you are getting bigger. SUVs and crossovers account for 56 percent of sales now, and full-size pick-up trucks add on another 19 percent. All told, 3 out of 4 non-commercial vehicles are now considerably bigger than sedans.
Driving a sedan can feel a bit uncomfortable on a highway loaded with bigger and taller vehicles. An SUV will give you more height and a better vantage point.
City Driving (and Parking)
A sedan can make more sense if you spend most of your time driving in a major urban center. They’re more compact, which is a huge benefit when you’re trying to squeeze into curbside parking. Your sedan will be able to fit in smaller spaces, which are much more common where parking is at a premium.
While much depends on the power of the vehicle, as a rule, sedans can also accelerate faster than SUVs, which is useful when you have to make much more frequent stops in busy traffic.
Fuel Efficiency
Sedans also tend to beat SUVs when it comes to fuel efficiency. Gas prices have skyrocketed, and even when they hit lows, prices are much higher than they were even a few years ago. You can never predict where gas prices will go, and making driving cheaper is always a smart idea.
Do You Find Driving Fun?
For some, driving from point A to point B is just an everyday task and more of a hassle than a pleasure. If you’re busy with the work commute and rushing the kids around, an SUV may be all you need.
However, there are plenty of drivers who appreciate the quality of the drive itself. Sedans might be the way to go because they offer better handling and more engaging driving.
Safety
Whether a sedan or an SUV is safer depends on the nature of the accident. There is evidence that SUVs are safer to be in when you’re in a collision. They’re bigger, heavier, and the bulk of an impact tends to hit the smaller vehicle.
That said, SUVs are more prone to rollovers than sedans because they have a higher clearance and center of gravity. That can be an issue on icy country roads. Sedans can be safer in poor weather conditions.
The right vehicle for you depends on a number of preferences and considerations, including cost, safety, where you live, and how much you enjoy driving.