What are the advantages of SUVs over sedans?
1 Answers
Advantages of SUVs compared to sedans: When two passenger vehicles collide, the lighter vehicle tends to sustain greater damage. Therefore, since SUVs in the same class are heavier than sedans, they have a relative advantage in collisions with other vehicles—though not when colliding with fixed objects like walls or trees. Due to their higher ground clearance, SUV occupants sit in a more elevated position. If the colliding vehicle is a sedan of equal weight, the higher seating position of the SUV's driver and passengers offers an advantage, resulting in relatively less severe injuries to critical areas such as the head and chest. However, sedans are at a relative disadvantage when colliding with SUVs. Those familiar with racing culture understand the importance of cornering. To ensure maneuverability, race cars are designed with very low ground clearance, almost hugging the road. It can be said that the lower a vehicle's chassis, the better its stability and grip. With equivalent safety features, a car with superior handling is more likely to avoid collisions—an argument often used to counter claims about SUV safety. Additionally, within the same vehicle class, SUVs are heavier, and with similar tire and braking systems, they tend to have longer braking distances than sedans. This is another weakness of SUVs when it comes to accident avoidance.