When it comes to buying a car, there is just a lot that you can choose from today. To avoid becoming overwhelmed with various model options, you need to decide on one crucial thing first. That is, the type of vehicle that you are going to get. If you happen to have a big family with lots of kids, you may be more inclined to own a minivan. On the other hand, if you tend to haul a lot of bulky stuff regularly, a pickup truck might be your best pick.
Updated February 2022: With the arrival of electric SUVs like the Mustang Mach-E and advancements made by Tesla, as well as the evolving SUV landscape in general, there are more factors to consider when deciding between buying an SUV or a sedan. So, to help you make the right call, we've updated this list to provide all the benefits of choosing either of these two segments in 2022.
Meanwhile, if you happen to be someone who just drives around to and from work every day, two vehicle types clearly stand out for you. These are the sedan and the SUV. Also known as a saloon, a sedan refers to “a sedan is a type of passenger car that usually has a three-box configuration with pillars simply identified as A, B, and C,” according to Global Car Brands. A sedan is also made up of three primary compartments, which include the engine, cargo, and passenger. The passenger compartment typically has two rows of seating. A driver and passenger are easily accommodated in the front while three passengers can be accommodated in the second row.
On the other hand, the term SUV is short for "sports utility vehicle." This particular type of vehicle entered the market during the seventies and eighties, spearheaded by the arrival of the Jeep Cherokee XJ. Unlike the sedan, SUVs are designed with ride height in mind. The idea is to be able to give its driver a much more complete view of the road ahead. At the same time, the height of an SUV also allows it to easily traverse various jagged rocks without scraping its bottom. As you can see, both types of vehicles can be ideal cars for anyone. However, there are a lot of reasons why you should choose one or the other. Let’s take a closer look at some of these points.
19 SUV: More Space
Are you the type who tends to transport a lot of stuff on a regular basis? Do you like to go on weekend road trips and carry gear with you such as camping equipment or skis? If your answer to both these questions is yes, then you should absolutely consider getting an SUV. Onboard an SUV, you will find that you have more than enough space in the back to carry all your stuff. Even better, the available storage area is far bigger than what is typically available in the trunk of a sedan. What’s more, it’s also easy for you to create additional storage space should you need some. After all, you can easily fit cargo carriers, roof racks, and even bike racks to any SUV. This way, you are always ready and equipped for your next great adventure.
18 SUV: Better Ride Height
If you are the type of driver who prefers to see a full view of the road ahead, then an SUV is definitely the perfect vehicle. Onboard an SUV, you will be able to easily spot any potholes or cracks on the road and avoid them just in time. This would also help ensure that your car stays in good condition for as long as possible. Meanwhile, having greater driving height also comes with another unique advantage. That is, it allows you to spot an available parking space much more easily. That means you no longer have to struggle in locating the perfect spot for your car, which helps you avoid stress and a whole lot of wasted time.
17 SUV: Larger Seating Capacity
If you happen to have a big family or group, the passenger capacity of a sedan just won’t do. This is especially true if you still have more cargo to carry aside from the passengers. Luckily for you, SUVs come with a pretty big passenger capacity. Just to give you a better idea, the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse mid-size SUV has a passenger capacity of around six people. Meanwhile, the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban large size SUV has a passenger capacity of six to nine people depending on the seat configuration and variant you choose. Having a third-row option can be a massive advantage. On the other hand, the 2018 Cadillac Escalade has a passenger capacity of up to eight passengers.
16 SUV: More Fuel Efficient Than Before
While it can be argued that SUVs were not exactly fuel-efficient in the past, today you’d be glad to know that they now offer reasonable fuel economy. That means you get to save more per trip on an SUV so long as you maintain your unit well over the years. Just so you have a better idea, the 2018 Cadillac Escalade enjoys an efficiency rating of 14 miles per gallon in the city. Meanwhile, its two-wheel-drive variant has an efficiency rating of 23 miles per gallon on the highway while the four-wheel-drive variant has a rating of 21 miles per gallon. On the other hand, the 2019 Buick Encore has an estimated rating of 27 miles per gallon in the city and 33 miles per gallon on the highway.
15 SUV: Off-Roading
Especially when you enjoy heading to the great wild outdoors during the weekend, you need a vehicle that can be just as adventurous as you are. A sedan is typically anything but adventurous. On the other hand, an SUV is capable of going through any trail just fine. That’s because a lot of these SUV models come in a four-wheel-drive variant. These models typically have more than enough power to take on the steepest of roads so that you remain confident whether you are making your way up or down. What’s more, SUVs today are also equipped with a traction control system to help further assist you when conquering the off-roads.
14 SUV: Better Towing Capacity
Sure, some car models do have the ability to tow something behind them. But the weight of the tow is usually limited since the car itself does not weigh too much. In contrast, SUVs are designed to tow just about anything with ease. This is especially true for the mid-size and large SUVs that are being offered in the market today. Just to give you a better idea, the 2018 Chevrolet Traverse mid-size SUV has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. On the other hand, a large SUV like the 2018 Lincoln Navigator has an even bigger towing capacity of 8,700 pounds. That means you can readily tow a couple of ATVs, a trailer, or even a boat.
13 SUV: More Pet-Friendly
Especially today, pets have become an important member of your typical American household. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that as many as 68 percent of U.S. households own a pet, according to the National Pet Owners Survey conducted from 2017 to 2018. That amounts to as many as 85 million families and we’re pretty sure that nearly all of them are keen to go out more with their pets. Luckily, SUVs allow for a much easier and smoother pet transportation experience. That’s because SUV models are designed to have large cargo areas where your pet can sit or even lie down comfortably throughout the ride. And in case your pet needs even more room, all you have to do is fold down the third-row or second-row seating.
12 SUV: Cool New Colors And Designs
Let's face it; there has been a massive injection of "cool" SUVs hitting the market, with companies stretching the limits with horsepower and high-end companies offering SUVs such as the Lamborghini Urus and the Jeep Trackhawk. Compared to a sedan, the ability to do all of the above AND kill it at a drag race really gives one a feeling of freedom. When once the SUV was reserved for soccer moms and people who insisted on 32" chrome rims, now a cool SUV is a very logical and equally impressive vehicle choice to any sedan or coupe counterpart!
11 SUV: Different Sizes And Sub-Segments
Today, SUVs come in several sizes so that there a perfect model for just about any type of car buyer. If you like staying in the city and have a small family, then a crossover SUV would be perfect for you. These SUV models can comfortably accommodate five people so it doesn’t feel too big if you have a small group. On the other hand, if you need just a bit more room, there are mid-size SUVs that are typically capable of carrying as many as six people. Aside from that, mid-size SUVs also tend to have significantly more room in the back, which is perfect for groceries or even outdoor gear. Meanwhile, if you have a large family or group of friends, then a large SUV is the perfect choice for you. These models tend to have a passenger capacity of eight to nine people.
10 SUV: More Car For The Money
If you are in the market for a new car today, it is definitely worth considering an SUV. For starters, these vehicles can be more affordable. And because they give you a height advantage and more cargo space, they can certainly give you more bang for the buck. If you are looking for an affordable SUV, some of the most affordable choices include the 2018 Nissan Kicks which has a starting price of $17,990, the 2018 Jeep Renegade with a starting price of $18,445, the 2018 Ford EcoSport with a starting price of $19,995 and the 2018 Chevrolet Trax with a starting price of $21,000.
9 SEDAN: More Style
For decades, sedans have become a common part of daily auto life. Even today, it seems that there is a perfect sedan for just about any type of person. If you had a family, a sedan readily offered room for five people and plenty of space in the trunk for groceries and other items. Even better, today’s sedans are now designed with 60/40 split rear seats. This means that if you needed more space, the rear seats would fold down to allow you to bring in more cargo. Meanwhile, if you wanted something more opulent, there are also plenty of luxury sedans around. Some of the most notable ones today include the 2018 Rolls-Royce Phantom and the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.
8 SEDAN: Better Performance
In some ways, when you think of a sedan, you also think of its speed capabilities. Let’s face it, certain sedan models are better equipped to from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds than your typical SUV. Perhaps, it’s because sedans are relatively lighter than any SUV you would find. At the same time, a lot of sedans are also designed with peak performance in mind. For instance, the 2018 Porsche Panamera Turbo sports a twin-turbo V8 engine that effortlessly revs up from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3.8 seconds. Moreover, it enjoys a top speed of 306 kilometers per hour, according to Porsche. With the new Platinum Edition Panamera, there is even more improvement.
7 SEDAN: Upper-Class Appeal
Sure, an SUV has a significant height advantage, especially when it is compared to a sedan. However, one can still argue that a sedan still offers a better seating position. This is especially true if you happen to be relatively taller than the average driver or passenger. As some car buyers have realized, being tall inside an SUV has a particular disadvantage. That is, there is not much headroom above your head so that driving it does not feel quite comfortable. In contrast, a sedan tends to offer a better headroom for taller individuals. Hence, you don’t end up feeling like your head is practically touching the ceiling at any point during your drive. Volvo has taken full advantage of the sedan layout with perhaps the most luxurious backseat experience ever, able to recline a significant amount and even lay down on the passenger side, as there is no front passenger seat! This is all in the Volvo S90 Excellence. Most luxury cars for the elite, we find, are still sedans, or very long and even sometimes armored versions of them.
6 SEDAN: Often More Convenience Features
If convenience is your main concern in a vehicle, a sedan offers a lot of it. In fact, today’s sedans come with several convenience features that you never thought you needed, whether you have a family or living on your own. For instance, it’s now possible for you to start a sedan’s engine remotely using a smartwatch. In fact, Toyota is has been employing its Toyota Remote Connect technology to allow car owners to control the Avalon using their Apple Watch or Android smartwatch for a few years now. Meanwhile, several sedan models also come with cruise control technology which can readily maintain the speed of the vehicle for the driver.
5 SEDAN: A Focus On Safety
Today, safety is everything while you are on the road. And fortunately for you, sedan models typically come with a lot of advanced safety features. These include a complete set of airbags along with technology features like electronic traction control and an anti-lock braking system. Aside from these, there are also various helpful driving assistance features such as front pedestrian braking, forward automatic braking, rear vision camera, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, lane change assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, rear park assist, and more. All of these work together to ensure that your drives would be as smooth and as safe as possible. Another advantage is the unibody. Not in all SUVs, a unibody design allows for the car to rely on both a "frame" (of sorts) that is one with the body, making for a sturdy outer shell for an advantage in individual crashes.
4 SEDAN: Better Aerodynamics
Ask an experienced car owner and he or she would probably tell you that a sedan is most reliable on the road due to its aerodynamics. Aerodynamics refers to the way air would move around objects, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration or NASA. When you talk about aerodynamics in a car, you are most concerned about its drag and lift. Perhaps because sedans are designed to be closer to the ground, they offer relatively more stability than SUVs especially when you are traveling at high speeds. The measure of drag is known as a drag coefficient, and it's a percentage representing resistance as a car goes through the air, always lower in sedans than their SUV counterparts. The drag coefficient helps significantly with gas millage on the highways and freeways.
3 SEDAN: Better Fuel Economy
Typically, SUVs are not known for their impressive fuel economy. These vehicles have a greater tank capacity and weigh significantly more than a sedan, so they can hold a lot more gas, but they'll also drink more gas as well. In contrast, sedans achieve better fuel economy ratings. This is especially true when you are cruising along the highway. Just to give you an idea, the 2019 Toyota Corolla LE Eco has an estimated rating of 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Meanwhile, a variant of the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu has an estimated rating of 27 miles per gallon in the city and 36 miles per gallon on the highway. This also allows for a much larger range if you have to travel a lot and don't want to top off, the longest range being a Jaguar XF 20d with a 42 highway mpg rating and a 17.4-gallon tank, and yes that's a sedan. Of course, we must mention electric cars. While two major electric SUVs exist and more are on their way, like the new electric RAV4-replacement, the Toyota bZ4X, none have come close to the range of a good old Model-S.
2 SEDAN: Classic Value
When it comes to sedans, you are investing in a vehicle that has the potential to achieve classic status. Why exactly should this matter to you? It’s because as the years go by, your sedan can go up in value. Typically, vehicles are subjected to a lot of depreciation especially during their first few years. In fact, according to Trusted Choice, a vehicle would lose as much as 11 percent of its value the moment it is driven off the dealership lot. Meanwhile, it would go on to lose as much as 25 percent during its first year and depreciate by as much as 63 percent during its first five years. Ouch! Whereas if you owned a sedan that would eventually become a classic car, you have a vehicle that would only keep going up in value over time. That means you can possibly sell it for more than what you paid for. As the market jumps around in 2022, sedan sports cars are the ones benefiting (or hurting) the most from the inflated prices.
1 SEDAN: Often More Affordable
Especially when you are faced with a tight budget for your new vehicle, a sedan is absolutely a good option. For starters, there are a lot of sedan models that sell at quite an affordable price. Just to give you an idea, the 2018 Chevrolet Cruze has a relatively low starting price of $16,975. Meanwhile, the 2018 Ford Fiesta even has a lower starting price of $14,205. As you can see, it is possible to own a brand-new sedan that would not give you hefty monthly bills. Just figure out your budget range and shop around for sedan models that have the right price for you.