Which is more comfortable to drive, a sedan or an SUV?
4 Answers
The comfort of a sedan is better than that of an SUV. Here are the differences between sedans and SUVs: 1. Safety performance: SUVs have lower safety, while sedans have higher safety. SUVs are generally taller with higher ground clearance and a higher center of gravity. If there is an emergency situation ahead while driving on the highway and sudden braking is required, the SUV is more likely to roll over. Sedans have lower ground clearance and a lower center of gravity, making them less prone to rollovers during sudden braking compared to SUVs. 2. Riding comfort: Sedans are more comfortable than SUVs. SUVs are generally taller, resulting in greater wind resistance during driving, which requires more effort to overcome. To achieve the same driving effect, SUVs consume more fuel. In contrast, sedans are designed with a curved shape and lower height, resulting in less wind resistance and lower fuel consumption during driving. 3. Fuel consumption: SUVs consume more fuel, while sedans consume less. The seat backrest of a sedan is designed in a "semi-reclined" position, providing a more comfortable seating posture during driving. On the other hand, the backrest of an SUV is generally designed to be upright, which may reduce comfort during long drives.
I commute 60 kilometers daily by car, and sedans are indeed more comfortable. The low center of gravity makes lane changes and overtaking exceptionally stable, with no nervousness when taking curves. Especially on highways, the sedan's streamlined design significantly reduces wind noise, allowing comfortable two-hour drives without ear discomfort. The seats offer strong lateral support with well-adjusted lumbar support, minimizing fatigue during long drives. The steering is precise, making urban navigation far more agile than SUVs. However, extra caution is needed on rough roads—last time, my undercarriage got scraped in a construction zone, which was heartbreaking. Remember to maintain tire pressure between 2.3-2.5 bar, or speed bumps will jolt you into questioning your life choices.
Last weekend, I took my family camping, and the advantages of a seven-seat SUV were fully demonstrated. The two kids could move freely in the back row, and the trunk had plenty of space for the tent and grill. The high seating position provided excellent visibility, allowing me to keep track of the traffic two or three cars ahead. The body-on-frame construction handled gravel roads with no issues, and the four-wheel-drive system remained stable in muddy conditions after the rain. However, the urban fuel consumption is indeed high, with the 2.0T model showing up to 15L in traffic jams, and extra attention is needed for blind spots when parking. The rear independent air conditioning kept the elderly and children comfortable, but the third-row seat cushions are slightly firm, causing fatigue after more than an hour.
After driving my friend's S-Class sedan and then switching back to my SUV, the difference in handling is striking. The sedan's throttle response is quicker, and its steering is more precise when taking corners. When navigating hairpin turns on mountain roads, the sedan can maintain 60 mph with stability, while a comparable SUV needs to slow down to 45 mph. At high speeds over undulating roads, the sedan feels like it's gliding close to the ground, whereas the SUV sways like a boat. However, I still prefer the SUV in rainy or snowy conditions. Last week during a heavy downpour, I saw a sedan stall while trying to cross a waterlogged area, while my SUV safely passed through thanks to its 30 cm wading depth. That said, the SUV's body roll is more pronounced during aggressive driving, and it often feels like it might tip over during emergency lane changes.
