Difference Between Car And SUV

Last Updated on January 31, 2023 by Leepu Da Maxim

There are some significant differences between cars and SUVs. For example, an SUV is larger and taller compared to a car. Moreover, SUVs have higher ground clearance but less fuel efficiency compared to cars.

Comparison between SUV and Car

TopicSUVCar
SizeLarge and tallSmall vehicle
Ground ClearanceHighLow
Fuel efficiencyLessHigh
HandlingProne to rollover accidentsLess prone to rollover accidents
PriceMore expensiveLess expensive

Crossover VS SUV – Main Differences

CrossoverSUV
Beyond the similar mechanics between both vehicles, crossovers offer a better utility purpose and a more practical design

The unibody construction and design is present in most of these vehicles


A car chassis platform is used to build the crossovers


The fuel efficiency level is excellent and the off-road driving capabilities are excellent
Many mid-size or full-size sport utility vehicles offer all-wheel drive


The frame design is used to manufacture the body of this vehicle

SUV manufacturing requires a truck chassis platform

Fuel efficiency level is not the best although off-road capabilities are at a higher level

Should I Get An SUV Or A Car?

To know exactly if a person needs a sport utility vehicle or a car, it is necessary to consider the main differences between these options. Each of these vehicles requires a certain budget for initial cost and maintenance. Also, the different advantages of each one are usually not the same.

Here, we can list some great advantages that sport utility vehicles offer over automobiles:

1. Increased Towing Capacity

2. Highest Driving Position

3. Greater Protection In General

There are some disadvantages that the criticizers of this type of vehicle always complain about:

1. The Cost Of Maintenance Is Higher Than Cars

2. It Is A Larger Vehicle That Takes Up More Space

3. It Offers More Space For Luggage And Passengers That Many People Do Not Need

Of course, an SUV is a considerable vehicle with a large presence in many cases. Beyond that, many single people or people who don’t have children usually don’t need so much space. Whether it’s a daily trip or a vacation trip, one or two passengers usually don’t need the space of an SUV.

Let’s look at the three main differences between these two types of vehicles in detail. This way, you will have the possibility to make the best decision if you want to buy one of them.

1. Gasoline Consumption

One of the most important aspects when choosing any vehicle is the consumption and efficiency of gasoline. Of course, as a vehicle spends more and more gasoline, a larger budget is required for each trip. In particular, vehicles that are getting bigger require more gasoline consumption for any situation.

Compared to sedans, sport utility vehicles require more gasoline consumption. In short, it is a much heavier vehicle that requires more combustion to move and accelerate. Beyond that, today there are a variety of options that can provide excellent levels of fuel efficiency.

However, compared to automobiles, the fuel consumption level of SUVs is always higher. That’s why these large vehicles are often considered to be in the light truck category. Compared to other vans or pickup trucks, SV vehicles have one of the best levels of fuel efficiency.

Although that comparison is not useful since it is a decision between a car and an SUV. For every gallon, fewer miles are driven in a sport utility vehicle compared to a sedan. Among the best choices for SUVs is a fuel efficiency between 20 and 25 miles per gallon.

On the other hand, some of the best-performing sedans can offer 30 to 40 miles per gallon. As you can see, this is an important difference. This doesn’t translate into a lot of money when you don’t use your vehicle very much. On the contrary, every vehicle’s budget is very different if you use your vehicle daily or must make a long-distance trip.

In these cases, you will need a good level of fuel budget that could require twice as much money if you use an SUV instead of a car. Along with this, it is obvious to mention that you also need a greater amount of time when making long-distance trips. Since fuel consumption is higher with an SUV, you need more time for more stops at gas stations.

So, if the time on a long-distance trip is important to you, you should consider this aspect. Higher fuel efficiency means less time due to fewer stops at gas stations. In conclusion, you will be able to get to your destination sooner with a car than with an SUV.

2. Pollution Emissions

Another important aspect that some users consider is the number of pollutant emissions from each vehicle. Of course, sport utility vehicles are larger vehicles than cars and need to consume more fuel. That is why the carbon footprint is greater when using most SUVs on the market.

Here, the basic driving functions require less fuel when using a car. Even each of these options can provide the same speed on the road. Simply put, the difference is that the car is a much lighter vehicle. This allows the engine to work with a smaller load and more efficiently.

Today, the market provides more and more hybrid car options. This means that some cars may include a gasoline engine that also works in conjunction with an electric motor. This combination further reduces the carbon footprint. Besides, gasoline consumption is lower because electricity is also used in the vehicle.

3. Passenger And Luggage Space

While there are some disadvantages to SUVs so far, it’s not all bad. In this case, the amount of space you will be able to operate for luggage and passengers is greater with these vehicles. This is the main reason why many large families choose large SUVs.

This is the most efficient way to make long-distance trips. The first SUVs manufactured were similar in design to pickup trucks. From these light trucks, the space in the truck bed was used to add more passenger space. This is even another reason why an SUV is considered within the pickup truck category.

However, some cars can also offer a generous amount of space for luggage and passengers. Regardless of how much space these cars may offer, the truth is that sport utility vehicles always can offer more. So, this is simply a very important aspect that you should consider if you have a large family.

4. Brakes And Tires

Another very important difference to be taken into account is the additional weight of the sport utility vehicles. It is especially easy to notice that the tires on this vehicle must carry a greater workload all the time. Also, tires of different qualities can offer a certain lifespan.

Here, more money is required for a higher budget for tire replacement. Simply, the tires used on sport utility vehicles wear out much faster compared to the wear of cars. Regardless of whether you buy cheap or high-quality tires, this accelerating effect happens just the same.

In many instances, tires can provide a life span of up to 30,000 miles in SUVs. If we compare these same tires used in a car the same life can be up to 50,000 miles. That’s a life span that extends 30% to 40% when a tire is used on an automobile.

Are SUVs Safer Than Cars?

The short answer is that sport-utility vehicles are safer than sedans in general. A body of research and scientific reports show that larger vehicles are safer when they collide with smaller vehicles. A good example of this is the collision between an SUV and a sedan.

Not only is the size of each of these vehicles important here. The key point is that sport-utility vehicles are heavier than cars. So, this feature is what keeps the passengers and driver safer inside the SUV. Even here the odds are at least 50% to survive a crash of this type inside an SUV.

Along with this, it is necessary to consider that the vast majority of options on the market include some additional safety aspects. Some of them are traction control systems, automatic brakes, and blind-spot cameras. So if the SUV is safe, these features increase the protection even more.

On the other hand, it is necessary to mention that this additional safety is lost when the crash is between two SUVs. It’s the same thing that happens when two sedans of the same size and weight crash into each other.

Additionally, SUVs have a higher probability of rollover than cars. So, this may be an aspect to consider within a safer vehicle. Either way, SUVs continue to be the safest option on most roads.

However, today some cars increase safety with seat belts, airbags, and significant crumple zones. Of course, in a head-on collision between an SUV and a car, the SUV driver will be better protected. So, if you have a family with children you will want to consider a sport utility vehicle instead of a car.

References:

https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1128042_mailbag-what-s-the-difference-between-car-crossover-and-suv-anyway

http://www.differencebetween.net/object/auto-object/difference-between-suv-and-sedan/