Sedan or SUV: Which is better for your family?

Updated Oct 18, 2022

If you are considering buying a car for your family, it is certain that you may struggle to decide between a sedan and an SUV.
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) now become “new King of the road” and top the chart in vehicle popularity with the flashy and stylish look, a potentially larger amount of storage space and off-road capability.

Even though a sedan isn’t as stylish or roomy as an SUV, it’s smaller, easier to park and maneuver as well as more economical.
 
Inforgraphic of a Sedan and an SUV

Sedan or SUV: Which is better for your family?

So, which is better for your family? The right answer depends on your purpose of using and can vary widely from one family to another. Before making the final decision, there are several questions you need to consider in advance:

>>> View more: SUVs - Inevitable development trend of auto industry
 

1. How many people are there in your family?

A sedan can comfortably seat 4 to 5 passengers while most SUVs have space for 5 to 9 people. Besides, SUV cars for sale provide more cargo space than most sedans, but sedans truly cost much less. 
 
7-seater SUV view from the top

Most SUVs have space for 5 to 9 people. 

>>> View more: Tips for buying a mini family car

Thus, if there are two adults and two kids in your family, a sedan is one of the most sensible suggestions. Conversely, an SUV is highly recommended if your own family is big with grandparents and many children.
 

2. What are you going to use the vehicle for?

If you just use your car for work every day or go for a picnic at weekend with your family, a sedan is a wiser choice as it’s easy to drive. Moreover, since sedans have low ground clearance, they’re easy to get in and out of, especially in case you have babies.
 
BMW sedan angular front view

If you just use your car for work every day or go for a picnic at weekend with your family, a sedan is a wiser choice

However, if off-roading on rough terrain is a regular part of your lifestyle then an SUV is a preferred option thanks to its higher ground clearance and powerful engines. Generally, SUVs appeal to families being fond of outdoor trips. Nevertheless, it’s the high ground clearance that makes them difficult to get in and out of car seats.

>>> Check out the list for 5 best sedans under Php 700,000 in the Philippines
 

3. Where do you live?

Larger vehicles are more helpful in mountainous, wooded, or rough terrain areas because of the off-road capability. Also, SUVs usually have standard or optional all wheel driving options, so they become easy and safe to handle in adverse weather conditions.
 
Off-road red SUV

Larger vehicles are more helpful in mountainous, wooded, or rough terrain areas
 
>>> View more: How to drive safely in heavy rain: 5 essential tips

A sedan doesn’t possess off-road capability like an SUV. Therefore, it’s suitable for families mostly travel around cities where we can take advantage of its small size to survive driving at peak hours and in congested areas. Plus, it’s easier to get by in cramped parking lots with a Honda Civic rather than a Toyota Fortuner.
 

4. Is fuel economy a deal breaker?

Due to fuel price increases, many families seriously consider fuel mileage before coming to car buying decision.

Apart from expensive buying price, the primary disadvantage of an SUV compared to a sedan is that it always gets worse fuel mileage. A lot of SUVs are now powered by smaller engines to cost less when operating, but the fuel efficiency hasn’t been improved yet. However, if you have a lot of money to spare on petrol or if you don’t drive often, this may not be an issue of concern.

>>> Click here to find out the 10 most fuel effiicient SUVs in the Philippines from as low as Php 790,000
 
Fill up the gas tank

The primary disadvantage of an SUV compared to a sedan is that it always gets worse fuel mileage. 

As consuming much more fuel, SUVs give out more CO2 emissions than sedans, which makes them not the choice of many environmental groups. In addition, maintenance costs of SUVs are more expensive because you may need to replace spare parts like tires and brakes more often.

In terms of this point, we can easily see that sedans will most certainly win with much higher fuel economy and lower maintenance costs.

To reiterate, both SUVs and sedans offer their own pros and cons. Consequently, selecting the best vehicle for your family is determined by your specific needs along with other factors such as budget, fuel efficiency, storage, insurance and maintenance costs. Think carefully about your needs and test drive several models of both sedans and SUVs before choosing a vehicle that’s ideal for your family.