Okay, so we are going to give you fair warning for today’s blog topic: it is subject that could cause quite a stir. Folks across the country have made their choice, proclaimed their camp, and have planted their flag firmly on the side of their preference. The debate at hand, is, of course: SUV versus Sedan.
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Yes, we know. Never the twain shall meet. But on the off chance you’re balancing somewhere on the fence between the two vehicles and have been wondering which side has greener grass, this article is for you. Here we will explore both faces of this figurative coin, and hopefully by the time we’re through you will have a better idea of which vehicle most suits your tastes and needs.
Let’s start with the pros of owning a Sport Utility Vehicle.
To begin with, one of the more obvious reasons for choosing an SUV is size. Sport Utility Vehicles are naturally bigger, both on the exterior and interior. Their size allows for passenger capacity, luggage stowage, grocery hauling, and a place to stash all the things that don’t fit in your home. A large SUV model can hold up to eight humans, (yes, eight!) and we lost track of how many suitcases could ostensibly get stacked throughout these bigger vehicles. So whether your size initiative is fueled by ferrying half the soccer team or carrying cargo, SUV’s provide the space in which to do both.
Next, there’s the rugged driving capabilities of an SUV. Known for their all-wheel drive, heavier weight, and the ability to navigate through many kinds of inclement weather conditions, SUV’s shine in the durability department. The prowess of a large, sturdy jeep with big all-terrain tires as compared to a regular sedan is barely comparable. So, if you’re the type of person who’s prone to climbing mountains, trudging (with your vehicle) through snow, or trekking across sand dunes, chances are an SUV is the way to go.
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the safety aspects of a bigger vehicle. Before any of the bells and whistles that many cars, trucks, and SUV’s come with these days, there is the sheer fact that SUV’s tend to be larger than sedans. Size means visibility. And visibility can play a huge factor when it comes to safety.
Generally speaking, SUV’s sit higher up than sedans, and height gives the advantages of perspective and awareness of your surroundings.
Big vehicles also afford larger windows around the whole circumference of the body, allowing for more range of sight. And of course, in the event of an accident, the larger the vehicle, the more protected its cargo, and the less likely it is for passengers to suffer injury.
So, yes, there certainly exist a significant number of advantages to owning and driving a Sport Utility Vehicle. If size, driving durability, and visibility are high on your list of priorities, then you know your obvious choice.
Now, on the other hand, there are sedans and the benefits they offer prospective drivers and passengers.
The most apparent perk in choosing a sedan is fuel economy. Sedans are smaller, lighter, zippier, and burn far less gas than SUV’s. Additionally, many sedans now are available as hybrids or as fully electric vehicles, which makes fuel efficiency even higher…or even a moot point. And the better the fuel economy, the higher the gas mileage, the more cash you get to keep in your wallet.
As far as safety is concerned, while SUV’s offer visibility and the protection of bulk and size, sedans tend to rate safer on the whole. Most sedans these days come straight from factory floors with a full set of built-in safety features. They are also quick to respond to driver’s maneuvers and steering wheel adjustments in the case of emergencies or defensive driving tactics. Also, because sedans have trunks, leaving valuables – or even a spare tire and tools – where thieves cannot see them offers the advantage of privacy and added security.
With regard to drivability in general, because of their lower weight and more compact size, sedans are easier to park than SUV’s, simpler to navigate into tight spaces, and capable of zipping around sharp corners.
Chances are, if you’re considering a Fiat, you may not have room to house a Hummer, right?
And continuing the theme of things on a smaller scale, it’s not only the size, weight, and fuel that come pint-sized with sedans: the price on a smaller vehicles tends to be significantly lower than on SUV’s. Not only is the sticker price lower on sedans, but insurance rates tend to be more affordable with smaller cars than on SUV’s. And if price is not a factor in the deliberation of sedan versus SUV, know that any money you save by purchasing a more compact vehicle, you can opt to include all the bells and whistles on a sedan.
Also, if you’re the sort of person who’s somewhat ecologically or environmentally conscious, then it’s good to note that as a whole, sedans tend to be a bit more friendly to the planet. Smaller vehicles consume less and create fewer emissions. Of course there are plenty of compact and hybrid SUV’s on the market, which could just end up being your happy medium. But that’s a topic for a whole other article…
The key aspects to consider when deliberating between these two forms of personal transportation, are:
- Comfort
- Safety
- Size
- Cargo Capacity
- Cost
- Convenience
- Ease
- Drivability
- Fuel Efficiency
While there absolutely are distinct differences between sedans and SUV’s, the ultimate decision must be a result of personal needs, wants, and preferences. Here at eTags, we love all rides equally. And we offer tag and title services for nearly any sort of vehicles on four wheels. Or two, for that matter. (Yep. We can help with motorcycles too.)
Regardless of what you choose for your next (or very first) purchase, if you’ve got a transfer that needs done or a registration that needs issuance, we’re your choice. Because as always, here at eTags, we’re here to help!
