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Are Cars Better Than SUVs?

Are Cars Better Than SUVs?

Plenty of people struggle to decide whether they’d prefer an SUV or a Car. Each of them has its own benefits. Cars tend to have better gas mileage, while SUVs offer more cargo space. Deciding which of them is the best for you depends on your circumstances.

If you’re looking for the most affordable option, cars tend to be the best. However, SUVs tend to offer more utility overall. Let’s compare the benefits of both. You should have an easier time deciding which of them is right for you that way.

5 Reasons Cars Are Better!

Cars have been around for a lot longer than SUVs. So, manufacturers understand how to make them great. Generally, there are a few benefits that make them better than SUVs.

Cars tend to cost less whenever you’re buying them. Of course, some cars can be rather expensive. Still, in general, you’ll spend less buying a sedan than an SUV.

Also, cars seem to offer better gas mileage. Filling up their tank won’t happen as often. And, you’ll spend less on each tank, thanks to their smaller capacity.

Even maintenance tends to be a little more affordable. A lot of cars have incredibly low-maintenance costs. Compared to an SUV, you could spend half of what you might have.

Driving a car feels a little easier for a lot of people. They’re smaller and more maneuverable. If you’re worried about parking in tight spaces, a car might feel better to drive.

Finally, a car’s acceleration tends to be a little better than an SUV’s. They’ll get up to speed a lot faster, and they’ll slow down faster as well. That’s mostly thanks to their lower weight.

One more reason would be their environmental impact. Driving a car emits a lot less carbon compared to an SUV. Environmentally-conscious people might prefer them for that reason.

5 Reasons SUVs Are Better!

Now, that’s not to say SUVs don’t have their advantages. Their larger size and roomier interiors offer plenty of benefits. They’re even safer to drive most of the time. Here are a few of the biggest reasons people like them.

Cargo space is one of their most obvious advantages. Storing things in an SUV is often much easier than in a car. That’s why they’re so popular among families.

Even fitting people in them is a lot simpler. Usually, SUVs have more seats in them. A lot of them even have a third row in the back.

Driving them off-road tends to be easier as well. If you’re a fan of off-road exploration, SUVs would perform better than cars.

Towing capacity is another area where SUVs are the clear winners. Most of the time, cars are built to tow anything at all. People who like bringing things along with them might prefer an SUV for that reason.

Also, they’re typically a little safer to drive. Compared to cars, they’re higher off the ground. As a result, you’ll experience less force if there’s a crash. They even have more safety features in most cases.

Finally, they’re better at holding their value. SUVs don’t depreciate nearly as fast as cars. So, if you’re looking for something with the best resale value, SUVs would be best.

Are SUVs Really Safer Than Cars?

SUVs are a lot safer than cars when it comes to direct impacts. Since they’ve got a higher lift, most of the force in a car gets directed down. They’re great for families with kids because of that.

Recent evidence indicates SUVs are about 50% safer than cars after a crash. You’ve got double the chance of getting a major injury if you’re driving a car.

However, that doesn’t mean SUVs are safer in every way. Cars are much less likely to experience a rollover. And, rollovers cause deaths rather frequently.

Thankfully, modern SUVs tend to have something called electronic stability control. That makes them much less prone to rollovers, making them a lot safer.

Do Cars Last Longer Than SUVs?

SUVs tend to be pretty sturdy, and they’ll last longer than cars most of the time. Recent studies looked at which vehicles were the most likely to stay on the road after 200,000 miles. 

Of all the cars studied, SUVs were the most common to make it that long!

Up to 5% of all Chevrolet Suburbans should still be driveable after driving that much. An equal amount of Ford Expeditions lasted for more than 200,000 miles.

However, some sedans were also on the list of longest-lasting vehicles. The Toyota Avalon was the longest-lasting sedan studied. A little more than 2% of them were still driving after 200,000 miles.

Compared to SUVs, cars seem to break down a little faster in general. Of course, a lot of that depends on how well you maintain them. Both SUVs and cars can last for more than 200,000 miles. 

But, you’re more likely to experience than behind the wheel of an SUV.

Is it Worth Getting an SUV?

Getting an SUV might be worthwhile depending on your preferences. Ask yourself how you plan on using your vehicle. Also, you need to consider how important maintenance costs are going to be.

For budget-minded people, SUVs might not be the best option. They’ll cost more when you buy them, and you’ll spend more on maintenance. Even filling up the tank will hit your wallet harder.

However, SUVs have a lot more utility than cars usually. You can tow more with them, and you can even take them off-road. Families like them because of their increased seating capacity. They also tend to have a lot more storage room in the trunk, too.

If you’ve got a large family, SUVs would make a lot of sense. You’ll be able to fit everyone in a single vehicle. And, you’ll have enough room for everyone’s stuff as well.

Deciding Between an SUV and a Car

Choosing between an SUV and a car might feel like it’s a tough decision. Most of the time, it’s going to come down to personal preferences. You’ll spend less if you get a car, but you won’t have as much room, either. 

SUVs are better at towing things, and they’re way roomier inside as well. They might cost more, but they’re more than worthwhile for a lot of people.

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Zach Reed

Hi, I'm the founder of VehicleAnswers.com! Having owned a wide variety of vehicles in my life, I was astounded at how hard it can be to find answers to common automotive questions. Rather than sit idly, I decided to create this website to help others!