In modern days cars are the most popular and chosen mode of transportation. They are the most preferred because of their convenient features and the comfort that they provide.
Different types of cars have been manufactured to cater to the needs of the people. Two such types of cars are SUV and sedan.
All the cars have different manufacturer, design, body type, price range, and other features under which cars are classified.
SUV vs Sedan
The difference between SUV and sedan is that SUVs have a separate engine compartment and a combined passenger and cargo compartment whereas sedans have three separate compartments for the engine, passenger, and cargo. SUVs are usually bigger and tougher hence they consume more fuel whereas sedans are comparatively smaller hence consume less fuel.
SUV is a sports utility vehicle or suburban utility vehicle. It has been designed like a station wagon with the chassis of light trucks. SUVs are bigger, tougher and more powerful than the usual vehicles.
The sedan is also known as saloons. It is the most common design of cars.
It is an affordable and comfortable car and has a lot of legroom.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | SUV | Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Specification | They are sports utility vehicle. It is typically 7 seater or more | They are the most common type of cars. They are family cars usually 4-5 seater. |
| Compartments | They have a separate compartment for the engine and they have a combined passenger and cargo space. | There are usually three separate compartments for the engine, passenger and cargo |
| Ground Clearance | SUVs have high ground clearance | Low ground clearance |
| Fuel Efficiency | They are bigger hence consume for fuel | They are smaller hence more fuel-efficient |
| Specialty | They are designed to handle heavy load and rough terrains | They are made to suit one’s comfort |
| Maintenance | They require high maintenance | They do not need high maintenance |
| Parking | SUVs are huge car hence they need more parking space | Sedans are usually compact hence they can adjust in regular parking space |
| Suitable Road | They are built for driving in tough condition | They are built for flat terrains and comfortable ride |
What is SUV?
SUV is also known as a sports utility vehicle or suburban utility vehicle, it is a type of car classification. SUV is a vehicle that has been designed like a station wagon with the chassis of a light truck.
SUVs are tougher, bigger, and more powerful than most cars. The vehicle can be ridden both off-roads and also on roads.
It is built for driving through tough conditions. It has the combined feature of a lot of vehicles in it such as pickup trucks, minivans, and large sedans.
The car also has high ground clearance, regardless of it having a huge body and weight in comparison to other cars. As SUVs have a huge body they tend to consume a lot more fuel than required.
Most SUVs that are produced these days have a uni-body construction, they have a separate body-on-frame method. SUVs are usually a two-box design a lot like a station wagon, where there is an engine compartment in the front, followed by a combined passenger and cargo space.
Until 2010 many SUV models were available in 2-door body styles. But later manufacturers discontinued the two-door model as the uprising 4-door model was gaining more popularity.
What is Sedan?
The sedan is also known as saloons. It is a passenger car.
The sedan typically has two-row seating. It has a three-box configuration with separate compartments for engine, passenger, and cargo.
Among all the cars out there in the market, it is claimed that sedan has the least storage capacity. It is said that sedans prioritize passenger seating over storage.
A sedan has a b-pillar structure that supports the roof. It is a three-box design, with the engine in the front, passenger seating in the center, and engine in the bottom end. It is usually suggested for sedans to have 4-doors.
In the 20th century there were different variations of sedan such as close-coupled sedans ( it was produced in the US during the 1920s and 1930),coach sedans ( it has two-door and usually for 4-5 passengers ), closed-couple saloons ( it was originated as a four-door through bred sporting horse-drawn carriages), club sedan ( it was a highly appointed model using the sedan chassis), sedanets ( they are a smaller version of sedans). Sedans can also be further classified into several types such as notchback, two-door, hardtop, hatchback, and chauffeured.
Main Differences Between SUV and Sedan
- SUVs are sports utility vehicles. They are typically 7 seaters or more. Sedans are the most common types of cars. They are family cars, usually 4-5 seater.
- SUVs have a separate compartment for engines but the cargo and passenger compartments are combined. The passenger seats in SUVs are 3 rows whereas in sedans there are always 3 separate compartments for the engine, passenger and cargo.
- SUVs being a heavy weight car still have high ground clearance whereas sedans being comparatively lighter have low ground clearance.
- As sedans are huge and are very heavily weighed they consume more fuel whereas sedan being lightweight cars comparatively consume less fuel.
- SUVs are designed for rough terrain and uneasy roads whereas sedans are made more comfortable and spacious for the passengers.
- SUVs require high maintenance while sedans do not need high maintenance.
- SUVs being the more bulky vehicle requires more parking space where sedans being smaller cars can adjust in compact spaces.
- SUVs are built for rough terrains and to go through steep slopes, it is an adventure car whereas sedan is best driven in plain terrain for a comfortable ride.
References
- https://www.ajronline.org/doi/abs/10.2214/AJR.10.4923
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ana.23546
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379711208000908
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My name is Piyush Yadav, and I am a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. You can read more about me on my bio page.
