Ever since humans invented the wheel, they have debated whether to use it in cars or SUVs. The debate continues today, with both sides actively taking positions. I am here to act as a mediator between the parties.
What is the difference between a car and an SUV? The short answer? It depends – as an everyday driver, it really depends on what you’re looking for. People who value comfort, speed, and maneuverability should choose a car. If you want more space for people and groceries, better visibility, and a safer ride, you should go for an SUV.
I’ll give you a comparison of the pros and cons of a car vs an SUV and outline the pros and cons of both options. Finally, I’ll focus on which options are suitable for certain buyers.
Cars vs SUVs: Pros & Cons Comparison
Which is better car or SUV? For me, the best way to explain this match is to give you a list of the pros and cons of both vehicles. I’ll let you decide what affects you personally.
Advantages of the car
Let me start by talking a little bit about the benefits of cars.
Much faster
Have you ever wondered why Vin Diesel’s character in Fast & Furious didn’t drive a CR-V? When people need speed, they choose cars.
Since cars are lighter, they are much faster in a straight line. In addition, the supply of sports SUVs is not large, and at the same time, you can choose between sport, supercar, and supercar today.
In fact, if you look at the fastest consumer cars that hold records in terms of top speed and 0-60x, you won’t find any SUVs on the list.
Easier to operate
Since cars are smaller and have a smaller wheelbase, they are also easier to maneuver. This means it’s simpler to park around the corner and zip up.
Parallel parking in an SUV many times feels like a juror’s duty. In a car, it’s much easier.
The ride is more comfortable
Many cars have a more comfortable ride than SUVs. The luxury option has a strong focus on ride quality.
Since the suspension is lighter, the suspension can focus on keeping you comfortable on the go. The only problem is when you’re going over potholes or hitting uneven roads – then you’ll wish you had something stronger.
Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of cars and SUVs: more options for luxury or performance lovers
When it comes to luxury, when you look at cars instead of SUVs, you’ll find that there are more options for performance or luxury. That doesn’t mean SUVs can’t be more luxurious than cars. A fully loaded Cadillac Escalade or Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon could easily be considered luxurious, and at a high price.
Brands such as BMW are all-round sports cars, while Lexus produces a full range of luxury cars. There are only a handful of examples of SUVs doing this, and they still haven’t done it better than cars. After all, you can’t be sportier than a Porsche, and you can’t be more luxurious than a Bentley.
More environmentally friendly
What is the difference between a car and an SUV? Overall, cars have better fuel consumption than SUVs. This is mainly due to their smaller engines and lighter curb weight.
SUVs usually offer mpg in their teens to twenties. Cars start in their twenties and effortlessly move into their forties.
If you want to minimize your carbon footprint, then a car is the only option.
Lower owning and operating costs
When it comes to money, it’s not much better than a car. Not only are they much cheaper to buy, but they are also much cheaper to run and maintain over time.
On the one hand, you’re spending less money on gas. But in addition to that, routine maintenance is much cheaper and much faster to do.
Additionally, SUVs have larger parts and often come with a dollar sign provided by a larger mechanic.
Disadvantages of the car
Next, I’ll dive into some of the negative effects of owning and operating a car.
Bad weather conditions are even worse
Since most cars come standard with 2WD, you’ll have worse handling in bad weather. When ice, snow, or mud covers your road, you have a higher chance of getting stuck or slippery.
Of course, there are a lot of great AWD cars on the market, but there are also 4WD SUVs that beat them all. It’s always a good idea to install snow tires on your car, but there’s not much you can do about it other than that.
This idea also extends to the off-road of your vehicle. There are few reasons to deliberately drive your sedan off-road. SUVs, on the other hand, can handle themselves well.
Insecurity
Which is better car or SUV? The car’s field of view is much narrower. You can’t see your surroundings, which means more chances of getting hit or bumping into something.
Two doors are hard for friends or family
The two doors make it difficult to drag more than one person at any one time. Flipping the passenger seat so that people can climb to the back is always a problem, especially for older friends or family members.
The two-seater makes it even tougher. Say goodbye to carpooling or carpooling with others. I mean, you can always squeeze in the trunk of a 270Z.
Not a lot of space
Cars are just smaller than SUVs. This means less headroom and legroom for passengers. It also means that your vehicle can accommodate fewer people.
Don’t let me get started on how many things you can fit in a vehicle. Moving out of your apartment with a Honda Civic is like an expert game of Tetris. In the meantime, people driving RAV4s can throw their garbage in the back and drive into the sunset.
Not so popular
If buying a car is a race for popularity, then SUVs are always winners. Take a look at the top 20 most popular cars in the U.S. in 2020, 10 of which are SUVs and 4 are sedans.
I’m not sure what this says about the viability of cars vs. SUVs, but it seems like the market has the final say.
Advantages of SUVs
With cars out of the way, let’s dive into SUVs. The first is the advantages of SUVs.
Better visibility
In an SUV, you’re higher off the ground, have more window space, and have better visibility overall. Thanks to the gesture and visibility, you almost feel like the king of the highway.
In addition, rear visibility is several leagues better than that of standard cars. Since the trunk has a huge window, you can actually see what’s going on behind you instead of the small window you see on the Camaro.
SUV interior
More space
I can’t stop talking about the spatial differences here. An SUV can accommodate up to 8 people, and 5 people can barely squeeze into a sedan.
Grocery travel becomes easier when you can fold the seat and pop out a huge suitcase.
Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of cars and SUVs: better resale value
I mentioned that SUVs are more expensive. This is a great feature if you want to sell an SUV after a period of use. Resale value is always favorable, and SUVs tend to depreciate more slowly than cars.
A car is not an investment, but it feels good to be able to make up for a little loss when selling an SUV.
Much stronger
In a head-on collision, the SUV usually emerges victorious. The frame and body are much stronger than a car.
Many SUVs use a body-frame structure, which requires components to be bolted to a separate rigid frame. Most cars use a one-piece structure, in which the body is built directly into the frame, like a small shell around you.
Higher towing capacity
What is the difference between a car and an SUV? Want to tow a trailer in the back of your car? You’ll need a Fisher-Price truck. The only real way to tow any large item to the back of your car is to grab a pickup or SUV. In this case, the towing capacity of an SUV is up to 9 times that of a car.
The Ford Expedition can tow about 9,300 pounds comfortably.
An SUV with a U-Haul in tow
Better security ratings
Almost throughout the market, you will find SUVs with a higher level of safety compared to cars. Again, it’s related to the weight, size, and power of these SUVs. They can endure the beating and move on.
Consumer Reports cites a regrettable statistic that car drivers are almost eight times more likely to die in a head-on collision between a car and an SUV than an SUV driver.
Disadvantages of SUVs
Which is better car or SUV? Now, I’m going to discuss some of the disadvantages of having an SUV as an everyday driver.
More expensive to buy
When you want to buy an SUV, they don’t come cheap. Whether you’re looking for a new or used car, you’ll still see some big numbers after the dollar sign.
As I just reviewed, there are plenty of reasons to justify this price difference. On the one hand, it has more materials and more vehicles than cars. On top of that, you’ll find that the items in an SUV are larger than those in a car. When you’re sitting in the car, it seems like everything is hit by a constriction ray.
Worse fuel economy
If you want to steer clear of the fuel pump, you need to steer clear of SUVs. When it comes to fuel consumption, they are notoriously bad.
They’re heavier, the motors are bigger, and they have to work harder. Outcome? More gas is wasted.
It’s really rare to find an SUV in your twenties with an EPA-estimated mileage.
Which vehicle is right for you?
After reviewing some of the pros and cons of both options, I’d like to talk about the ideal customer base for both. In this section, I will recommend an SUV or a car for the detailed crowd.
For city drivers
If you’re in a city, you definitely need a car (if you have one). They are easier to squeeze into narrow parking spaces, and you can easily drive on narrow roads.
The ability to drive longer without filling up a tank is always positive.
For family people
If you have more than 4 people in your family, then an SUV is a smart move. You can comfortably fit all the kids and even let their friends keep up.
Family outings are always better when you don’t let the child in the back seat of the car cramp.
For families who often go to the grocery store for shopping, you’ll love the extra luggage space.
For thrill seekers
Do you like allegedly exceeding the speed limit and making a quick turn in theory? Then a car is the right choice for you.
If you’re thrill-seeking, then you won’t find a lot of people behind the wheel of an SUV. Unless you have a foosball table in the back.
The car runs faster, accelerates faster, and brakes harder.
Sport utility vehicle
Which is better car or SUV? When the sidewalk ends, the survivability of the car ends. For off-road vehicles, SUVs are for you. Ideally, you want to buy a car with a 4WD and some bad tires.
If you like off-roading, I suggest you read my article on comparing trucks to SUVs because pickups are the better option.
For cost-conscious buyers
What is the difference between a car and an SUV? Want to minimize upfront, operational, and maintenance costs? You should seriously consider buying a car. They cost less to buy, gas costs less, and it doesn’t cost much to maintain along the way. Check, check, check.
Safety enthusiasts
Anyone who puts safety first should grab an SUV. They are larger, heavier, and safer than sedans.
Toyota Highlander
Additionally, many SUVs are packed with safety features and additional benefits to keep you and your family safe and healthy.
Lovers of luxury
If you want to ride in the clouds and feel the leather around you is hot, I recommend you drive. There are plenty of brands and models to choose from, prioritizing luxury and a comfortable ride.
Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of cars and SUVs
Now you have a better idea of how cars and SUVs compare. I went through the list of pros and cons of several options and even explained which option is suitable for different people. If you have more to add to this comparison, please leave a comment below. Be sure to browse the rest of my blog and check out the best products for your car or SUV.
