When choosing a vehicle, safety is often a top concern. Yet, making assumptions about safety without doing fact-based research can leave some drivers less safe than they’d prefer to be.
For example, many drivers assume that larger vehicles like SUVs are automatically safer than sedans. While size and weight do play a role in crash protection, the reality is more complex. Whether you’re ultimately likely to be safer in an SUV or a sedan depends on several factors, including vehicle design, technology, driving conditions and the type of collision risk you’re facing.
Safer… when and for whom?
Statistically, SUVs tend to perform better in multi-vehicle crashes, especially in head-on or side-impact collisions. Their larger size and greater weight often give them an advantage in absorbing crash energy and protecting occupants. In a collision between an SUV and a smaller car, the occupants of the SUV are generally more likely to walk away with fewer injuries. This has led many families and safety-conscious drivers to prefer SUVs over sedans.
However, SUVs are not safer in every situation. Their higher center of gravity makes them more prone to rollovers, particularly in sharp turns or during evasive maneuvers. Rollover crashes are among the most dangerous types of accidents and often result in serious injury. Modern SUVs have improved in this area, thanks to electronic stability control systems and better suspension design, but the risk remains higher than in most sedans.
Sedans, with their lower center of gravity, are less likely to roll over and often provide better handling and braking in emergency situations. This can reduce the risk of a crash in the first place. Additionally, many sedans now come equipped with advanced driver-assist technologies, such as lane-keeping systems, automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, which can help prevent accidents before they happen.
At the end of the day, no matter what you drive, staying informed and driving safely is the best protection you can afford yourself, your loved ones and everyone with whom you share the road.