Over recent years sales of Sports Utility Vehicles have been rocketing in both the US and Europe. The sedan, favorite of both family and business drivers since the 1950s, has been lagging behind. Is it time to have another look at the trusty ‘dad’ car’ and ask whether you actually need an SUV?
How sporty are you really ?
Be honest. Is your trunk full of fishing rods, hunting rifles, surfboards, and camping gear? If it is, then maybe you do need an SUV, but if not, then why are you driving around pretending to be something that you aren’t? SUVs are great for camping weekends and off-road trips, but if you spend all your time driving carefully around city streets returning home at night to park on your suburban driveway, why would you need one? Maybe it’s time to be your authentic self and present yourself as the classy business professional you are rather than the backwoodsman so many SUV drivers pretend to be.
Think of the planet – and the bottom line
SUVs are more expensive than the average sedan, but the cost disadvantage doesn’t stop there. The bigger the car, the more gas they guzzle. It’s unavoidable. The most fuel-efficient SUV can only achieve 20 – 25 MPG, while the average sedan will easily do 30 to 40 MPG. That larger gas bill will affect your bottom line for sure. Maybe you should also think about the planet as all those extra emissions will only be polluting the atmosphere. The excess weight will have another cost impact, too, as SUV tires wear out much quicker than sedan tires due to all that extra weight.
SUVs are more stylish
Are they? Of course, the super-sized SUV certainly has a lot of chrome and glass on show, but sedans have moved on from the 1959 Edsel, you know. There are some seriously stylish cars out there now. Have a look at this 2022 Elantra N for sale. It’s a great example of a design with all the great features of a sedan plus alloy wheels and a very high spec interior.
SUVs are NOT always safer
Sure, SUVs look robust, and their height gives a good view of the road ahead, but sedans have specific safety advantages. Firstly many SUVs are top-heavy and clumsy handling around sharp corners brings a risk of rollover, which is not an issue with the sedan. Secondly, the sedan has an enclosed trunk meaning that if you need to stop suddenly or are involved in a collision, your laptop and any other stowed items will stay put rather than flying at top speed into the back of your head. Most SUVs have an open cab, and unless everything is strapped down, the trunk’s contents will fly around the cab in a collision. At high speeds, this could cause life-threatening injuries.
Buying a sedan makes perfect business sense, helping you protect the bottom line and give a great impression to your customers.