Sedans and crossovers are the most popular body styles on sale today in the U.S. In fact, crossovers have grown so popular that they’re displacing sedans as consumers’ preferred vehicle type, even more so now that the subcompact crossover segment has emerged. Does that mean you should follow the trend? Or should you buck it? Here are four reasons you may want to go against the grain and stick with a sedan and five more to join the subcompact crossover craze.
Four Reasons to Buy the Sedan
Better Fuel Economy
No raised suspension and a lighter weight means that sedans are bound to have better fuel economy than small crossovers. The lighter weight also means you’ll likely have a smaller fuel tank, easing the pain on each trip to the pump.
Affordability
All that body cladding and the raised ride height usually means there’s a premium to pay, so that small crossover you’re looking at will likely be more expensive. The equivalent sedan, on the other hand, is less expensive for the manufacturer to build, so you can get more bang for your buck if you put that extra money into some tech and safety features instead of the premium for the baby crossover.
Superior Handling
Many sedans are turned into performance vehicles, as they start off with better handling compared to small crossovers. The superior agility also eases stress in case you have to make an emergency maneuver, and you’ll have plenty of confidence doing so.
Improved Aerodynamics
Thanks to their wedgelike design, sedans are inherently more aerodynamic than small crossovers, and that means better high-speed stability. Being able to cheat the wind also pays dividends in fuel economy, which, along with the weight, should help keep money in your pocket in the long run.
Five Reasons to Buy the Small Crossover
Better Utility
One of the biggest selling points of a crossover is the utility it brings, and the smallest of the crop are no different. You can get an interior space that can rival that of a larger vehicle without having to deal with a cumbersome behemoth every single day.
Extra Ground Clearance
Many consumers buy a crossover because they offer additional ground clearance, which sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks usually don’t have. That means you’ll be able to clear tougher trails should you go out into the wilderness and, in the case of some small crossovers, do some mild rock crawling.
A More Commanding View of the Road
The raised suspension on crossovers gives the driver a more commanding of view of the road—you sit higher up, so you have better visibility. For some consumers, being higher up gives them more confidence and helps them be more alert than they would driving a vehicle that’s lower to the ground.
Available All-Wheel Drive (on Most Small Crossovers)
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of a small crossover over most sedans is the availability of all-wheel drive. This expands the accessibility of subcompact utility vehicles because it gives them capability in weather where most traditional cars would falter.
Parking Ease
Because they’re essentially hatchbacks and wagons with a lift kit, small crossovers will fit anywhere and everywhere, making them ideal for those who live in crowded cities but still need utility beyond what a sedan offers—or for anyone else who needs a vehicle that’s space-efficient inside and out.
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