Buying a Car: SUV or Sedan?

Scenario 1: OK. You got loads of money and you're in the market to buy a brand new car! Congratulations!

Scenario 2: Ok. You still have to earn that money to buy your car. But it won't hurt if you start dreaming about it now, right?

So, what are you buying? The power an SUV provides? Or would you go for the sleek sporty personality of a sedan? We have met a lot of buyers who have been mulling about this dilemma even right at the point of purchase. Here are some considerations that may help you decide:

SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE

Originally designed for off-roads and difficult terrains, a Sport Utility Vehicle is designed with a body-on-frame chassis, high clearance, and packed with superior brute force.

Sports Utility Vehicles are the popular choice of vehicles for African safari, Australian outbacks, wilderness in Alaska, and the rough terrains of Asia. It is naturally not difficult then to associate this vehicle to someone who leads a life of adventure, an outdoorsman, or someone who is strong and dependable.

With this background of a Sports Utility Vehicle, there is now an emerging popularity among the rich and the famous to prefer SUVs to the usual sedans and sportscars. SUVs prove to be a convenient type of vehicle even in an urban setting. While rarely using its inherent superior engine power, an SUV can come in handy in deep snow and in pulling caravans, and trailers boats.

As more city dwellers drive SUVs, more have expressed displeasure with its truck-like rigid driving and gas-guzzling engines. Manufacturers appropriately respond with new models that are way much improved as they drive like cars, more luxurious cab features and accessories, and are more fuel efficient.

Here are some of the more popular SUVs: Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Discovery, Ford Explorer.

Furthermore, as an answer to some allegations that an SUVs high center of gravity means increased probability of turning turtle, the manufacturers came up with cross over SUVs with lower center of gravity, more car-like features and design, but with the same brute power and much improved traction control and suspension.

Here are some of the more popular cross over SUVs: Mitsubishi Airtrek, Toyota Rav4, Volvo XC90

SEDANS

Sedans are hands-down winners when it comes to handling and maneuverability. They are more fuel efficient, and the new models now have luxurious features that are otherwise not standard in most SUVs (except the real high-end ones.)

Sedans are sleek and sexier; they won't dwarf you down when you stand beside it. They are more practical for everyday use, easier to park, can do faster acceleration and are easier to wash.

TYPES OF SEDANS

Sedans are the most basic types of automobiles. They are passenger cars, usually with four doors and two rows of seat with lots of space for adults at the rear compartment. It usually has a separate compartment that serves as storage trunk for loads at the rear.

The different types of sedans are: notchback sedans, fastback sedans, two-door sedans, hard top sedans, hatchback sedans and chauffeured sedans.

OK. Back to the question, which would you prefer? Perhaps re-phrasing the question as, 'what are your priorities? Functionality? Dependability? Form or function?' would help you decide. Happy hunting!