Should I Buy a Car or an SUV?

Cars offer speed and maneuverability, while SUVs have cargo space and safety ratings on their side. Read more about the pros and cons of buying a car or an SUV here.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
While cars offer speed, maneuverability, and more luxury options, SUVs have the benefit of more cargo space and family-friendly seating. Cars also tend to get better gas mileage, but if you're looking for off-roading, you'll probably want an SUV.
Choosing between a car and an SUV can be tough—they both have benefits and drawbacks depending on what you’re looking for in a vehicle. And while it’s easy to generalize—SUVs are better for families, for example—each body type offers a range of options that can make it even harder to pick.
Here with a breakdown of the pros and cons for each type of vehicle is
Jerry
, the insurance
super app
and car expert. Let’s take a look at which type will win you over in this battle of Car vs SUV.

Cars: The pros and cons

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of a car. Keep in mind that these are generalizations when comparing sedan-type vehicles to SUVs. For the most part, cars shine and fall short in these areas:
Pros
Cons
Faster
Not off-road capable
Lower price tag
Less seating
Better fuel economy
Can’t haul large loads
More luxury options
Can’t handle severe weather as well
Cheaper to insure
Depreciate more quickly
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Pros of buying a car

With a smaller and lighter body chassis, lower price tags, and speedier driving, cars have some obvious benefits for drivers who want to get somewhere fast. With more luxury options and better fuel efficiency, a car is a great choice for city driving.
Cars are generally cheaper to insure than SUVs. Since you’ll be sticking to paved roads and car parts are usually easier to replace and repair, insurance companies don’t see cars as being as risky as SUVs, which tend to see more wear and tear from camping trips and hauling heavy loads.

Cons of buying a car

However, cars and sedans have some limitations. They can’t haul as much as an SUV and off-roading usually isn't on the table. They’re also not as safe or as capable in bad weather as SUVs are.
It’s also worth considering that cars generally depreciate faster than SUVs. If you’re only planning on driving your new vehicle for a couple of years before selling it or trading it in for a new one, you’ll lose more of your vehicle’s value if you go for a sedan-type car.
Key Takeaway Cars are built for driving on paved roads and don’t have as much carrying capacity as an SUV. For drivers with smaller households who mostly stick to city driving, a car is a great choice.

SUVs: The pros and cons

Now that we’ve considered the car, let’s shift gears to take a look at how SUVs measure up. Again, these are generalizations about the pros and cons of SUVs. Let’s take a look at what makes an SUV a great (or not-so-great) vehicle option:
Pros
Cons
Can handle unpaved roads
Driving on the pavement is not as comfortable
Higher safety ratings
More expensive to insure
Higher towing capacity
Lower fuel economy
More seating and cargo
Harder to maneuver through traffic
Lower depreciation in value
Higher price tag

Pros of buying an SUV

Ample cargo and passenger space are usually the selling features of an SUV—and why they are seen as family-friendly vehicles. SUVs tend to have good safety ratings: they’re more visible than cars, as they are larger and more sturdy. SUVs also tend to depreciate slower than cars, meaning the resale value is a definite pro. 
For casual off-roaders, the towing, ground clearance, and general toughness of an SUV makes it the better option for going off the beaten trail.

Cons of buying an SUV

SUVs are more expensive to purchase. They’re often less comfortable to drive, as they have suspensions made to handle off-roading. They have worse fuel economy than cars, and generally cost more to repair and insure.
For drivers who prefer luxury vehicles, SUVs also fall a little short. Although there are luxury SUVs out there, they tend to cost more and not have that sleek sophistication that comes with a
luxury car
.
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Should I buy a car or an SUV?

Now that we’ve taken a look at the pros and cons of cars and SUVs, which one is better? It’s completely up to your preferences! Both vehicle types are made for specific driving needs—it all depends on what you use your vehicle for.
For city drivers with a preference for eco-friendly driving, comfort, and speed, a car is the better choice. Cars are easier to weave between traffic and are built with paved roadways in mind. As a daily driver, it costs less to fill up at the pump and can get you from A to B without a fuss.
For family drivers or those who like to go off the beaten path, an SUV is the better option. The extra seating and cargo space are essential when you have kids to drive to dance lessons or sports camp. Plus, an SUV is tuned for rough roads—whether you’re camping or driving down rural roads to get home, an SUV is ready, whatever the weather.

How to get affordable car insurance for your car or SUV

Even though SUVs are generally more expensive to insure, cars with added features or higher trims can also put you back quite a bit when it comes to
car insurance
.
With
Jerry
, you can choose the policy that works best for your driving lifestyle. Just download the app, answer a couple of questions, and let Jerry do all the work of comparison shopping for you! With over 50 top insurers nationwide to draw from, Jerry pulls affordable and personalized quotes for you.
All you have to do is tap your favorite! The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year on their car insurance!
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