Are SUVs Safer Than Sedans?

There has always been a debate about which is safer—an SUV or a sedan. SUVs and sedans are broad categories of vehicles, and a new top-of-the-line sedan might be better equipped than a budget used SUV. So, while there cannot be a simple and straightforward answer to this question, some things can be considered when you are looking at the safety of a particular vehicle.

Safety Considerations for SUVs and Sedans

Weight of the Vehicle
Is a heavier vehicle safer? The weight of the vehicle becomes important in accidents because a heavier vehicle usually comes out with less damage. The occupants inside are usually affected less, too.

Broadly, this means that an SUV is better equipped to survive accidents. The heavier frame makes the vehicle sturdy and gives it a stronger cabin that protects passengers in the case of an accident.

Stopping Distance
Does it take longer to stop in an SUV than in a sedan?

Once the driver realizes the potential of an accident, pumping the brakes is the first thing that they do. A vehicle’s stopping distance is how far the vehicle will travel after the application of the brakes before it comes to rest.

The stopping distance varies based on the speed at which the vehicle is traveling, the surface of the road, the weather conditions, the braking technology used, and the weight of the vehicle, which is exactly why heavier vehicles are equipped with heavy-duty brakes.

However, in modern times, most tests have shown that stopping distances do not vary significantly between sedans and SUVs. Therefore, this is one factor where both the sedan and SUV are equally matched.

Year of Manufacture
This is a relatively easy parameter to consider because newer vehicles have better safety features compared to older ones. With the safety standards getting more and more rigid with every passing year, it is quite safe to assume that a newer vehicle will generally be a safer vehicle. Again, this applies to both SUVs and sedans.

However, it can get tricky when you want to compare a newer sedan with an older SUV or vice-versa. If you purchase a buy here pay here vehicle in Topeka, you’ll be able to get a higher trim level, with more features, for the same price as a base model. Buying a used car with on-the-lot financing can get you a vehicle with better safety features without costing you more upfront. It is best to look at the individual safety features of both the vehicles in such cases before you arrive at a decision, and be sure the one you choose suits your needs.

Center of Gravity
Center of gravity is where the heaviest part of the vehicle is concentrated in relation to the ground. Sedans have a much lower profile than SUVs. The center of gravity of sedans is generally much closer to the ground compared to SUVs, due to SUVs having much more ground clearance and a taller body.

How does this affect the safety of a vehicle? Center of gravity comes into play when a vehicle makes a turn. If a vehicle tries to make a turn while it is traveling too fast, it is going to roll over. The position of the center of gravity decides, largely, how fast a vehicle can make a turn without risking a rollover.

It needs to be understood that the weight of the vehicle also needs to be considered when evaluating the risk of rollover. Heavier vehicles with a higher center of gravity are more prone to roll over while lighter vehicles with a low center of gravity are less likely to roll over in similar conditions. Therefore, a sedan scores over an SUV on this parameter.

Traction Control and Handling
The traction that a vehicle can generate depends on the surface area of the tires that is in contact with the ground. SUVs generally have bigger and broader tires that give them better traction compared to sedans.

However, this excess traction can also mean that they are slightly more difficult to handle, especially in conditions that are better suited for smaller vehicles.

Most SUVs also come with four-wheel drive for additional traction control, which is good for inhospitable terrain, but doesn’t provide any significant advantage on a paved road.

So, while the SUV might offer better traction control, sedans allow for better handling, both of which could be crucial when trying to avoid an accident.

Safety Features
Safety features offered in a vehicle can vary based on whether the vehicle is an entry-level or budget vehicle, a mid-segment variant or a premium offering, with the pricier levels offering better technology and safety features. This is regardless of whether the vehicle is an SUV or a sedan.

While seatbelts and airbags are offered in all vehicles, additional airbags, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and other technologies like hill-hold, lane assist, and other innovations will keep making vehicles safer and more comfortable to drive.

This applies equally to both SUVs and sedans with the pricier models in each segment offering better safety. If you’re buying a used car in Topeka, you’ll usually be able to get a higher trim level on a sedan than on a used SUV for the same price, resulting in more included safety options.

Type of Accident
Another crucial parameter that needs to be considered when discussing vehicle safety is the type of accident. There are head-on accidents where two vehicles collide head-on, there are cases where a vehicle rear-ends another vehicle ahead of it, there are side-on collisions, usually at intersections, where a vehicle hits another one from the side at an angle, and there are rollover accidents.

In these accidents, the occupants are protected by the crumple zone ahead of them when the impact is to the front of the car, by reinforced sidebars along the sides of the vehicles in the case of side-on collisions, and by a reinforced shell or a roll cage that protects from rollover accidents.

All of these features are provided in varying degrees in both SUVs and modern sedans. So, you will have to check the individual model that you are considering for these features before making up your mind. You can refer to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) vehicle safety ratings for more information.

All said and done, safety ultimately depends on the driver of the vehicle. Ensure that you follow traffic rules at all times, don’t ever drink and drive, and don’t use your phone while you are driving, even if you are speaking hands-free. A lapse in concentration for a second is all it takes to cause a major accident.

The debate about whether an SUV or a sedan is safer is likely to go on forever, but in reality the differences between them have narrowed. In the meantime, get yourself a safe vehicle, and more importantly, drive safely!

Find your next vehicle at Auto Now. With our six locations near Topeka, Kansas, we can help you get into a newer vehicle, no matter your credit, with our on-the-lot financing options and a 24-month warranty. Visit us today.