If you’re deciding between a sedan and an SUV for your next car rental in Etobicoke, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each. While SUVs are currently more popular, sedans still have their advantages. To avoid feeling overwhelmed by the many model options available, start by considering the type of vehicle that best fits your needs.
For those who mainly drive to work and back, sedans and SUVs are the top choices. Sedans have a three-box configuration with three primary compartments: engine, cargo, and passenger. SUVs are designed with rider height in mind to provide a better view of the road ahead and can handle rough terrain better.
Both types of vehicles have their benefits, so it’s important to consider your specific needs before making a decision. Let’s take a look at these factors:
1. Space
If you’re someone who frequently carries a lot of items, and enjoys weekend trips with camping or skiing gear, then you may want to consider renting an SUV. With an SUV, you’ll have ample space in the back to store your belongings, and the available storage area is typically larger than what you would find in a sedan’s trunk due to the extra height. The footprint is often the same, but the height is great for stacking, so a sedan may be just as efficient at carrying your golf bag, but the SUV will be better at stacking your tent and sleeping bags on top of your cooler. Additionally, it’s simple to create even more storage space by adding cargo carriers, roof racks, or bike racks to your SUV.
2. Seating Capacity
If you have a big family or group to transport, a sedan may not be able to accommodate all the passengers and cargo. SUVs tend to have more passenger-seating capacity. For example, the Intermediate SUV Toyota RAV 4 can seat up to six people, while the Full Size SUV like the Dodge Durango can seat between 6 to 8 people depending on the seat configuration and variant. Having a third-row option can be very beneficial. But, if you only need to transport four or five people, a sedan might be a better choice for you.
3. Fuel Efficiency
Another thing to consider at the point of renting an SUV is fuel-efficiency. Despite the perception that SUVs are not fuel-efficient, newer models now offer reasonable fuel economy. If you rent an SUV, you can save more gas per trip. For example, some SUVs have a city fuel efficiency rating of 14 miles per gallon to a highway rating of 23 miles per gallon. While sedans are generally more fuel-efficient due to their smaller and lighter design, some SUVs are designed to be more fuel-efficient. Ultimately, the fuel efficiency of a car depends on its specific make and model, as well as your driving habits. And, depending on the amount of miles you will be driving, this may or may not be much of a consideration.
4. Off-Roading Capability
If you enjoy spending your weekends in the great outdoors, you may need to rent a vehicle that can handle rough terrain. Sedans are not typically designed for off-roading, but most SUVs are capable of handling any trail with ease. This is because many SUV models come in a four-wheel-drive variant, which provides the necessary power to tackle steep inclines and declines. Additionally, modern SUVs are equipped with advanced traction control systems that provide extra assistance when navigating off-road terrain.
SUVs have higher ground clearance than sedans, which means they can better handle obstacles like rocks and fallen branches. They also have more robust suspensions and stronger axles, which can handle the stress of off-road driving. In contrast, sedans have lower ground clearance and less robust suspensions, which can make them more susceptible to damage when driving on rough terrain.
If you plan on doing any off-roading, an SUV is a better choice than a sedan due to its four-wheel-drive capability, higher ground clearance, and stronger suspension.
5. Reliability
Experienced car owners often consider sedans to be the most reliable vehicles on the road due to their superior aerodynamics. Aerodynamics refers to the way air moves around objects, and when it comes to cars, the focus is on drag and lift. Sedans are designed to be closer to the ground, which provides better stability at high speeds compared to SUVs. The measure of drag is known as a drag coefficient, and sedans generally have a lower drag coefficient than SUVs. This lower drag coefficient helps improve fuel efficiency on highways and freeways. If you only intend to drive on paved roads, a sedan can be a great choice.
6. Affordability
When choosing between a sedan and an SUV, it is important to consider your budget and how much you can afford to spend on a car. If you’re on a tight budget for your new vehicle, a sedan is a great option. Many sedan models are available at an affordable rental price. For instance, you can get a Compact Car Rental or Economy Car at the rate less than $60 per day. The larger the SUV the higher the rental price. Sedans tend to be smaller and more fuel-efficient than SUVs, which means you will spend less money on gas over time making sedans more affordable. The fuel-economy of sedans over SUVs often means you get more mileage included in your daily rental fee too. Something to consider if you are on a budget.
7. Towing Capacity
If you need to tow equipment, an SUV may be the better option, as it typically has a higher towing capacity than a sedan. For example, this Specialty SUV Jeep Rental has the ability to tow something behind them. Although the weight of the tow is usually limited since the car itself does not weigh too much, 4-wheel drive SUVs are designed to tow just about anything with ease. This is especially true for the large SUVs that are available for rentals today. Depending on your needs, you can also look into pick-up truck rentals with towing options. Contact your rental agency to ask about towing options, including hitch or towing package availability. Or, consider cube vans to carry your loads without the need for towing.
8. Upper-Class Appeal
Although SUVs have a height advantage over sedans, some argue that sedans offer a better seating position, especially for taller individuals. Driving an SUV can be uncomfortable for taller people due to the lack of legoom as some car owners have realized. They claim that being tall inside an SUV has a disadvantage over sedans that tend to provide better legroom. Yes, SUVs often have more headroom, but the legroom is often sacrified to fit in more rows of seats. Due to the longer wheelbase, Sedans often provide more legroom and space between rows. Many luxury cars for the elite are still sedans and sometimes armored versions of them.
9. Focus On Safety
Nowadays, safety is a top priority when driving, and luckily, most sedans and lots of SUVs are equipped with numerous advanced safety features. These include airbags, electronic traction control, and an anti-lock braking system, as well as driving assistance features like front pedestrian braking, forward automatic braking, rear vision camera, lane keep assist with lane departure warning, lane change assist, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, rear park assist, and more. All of these features work together to ensure that your ride is as smooth and safe as possible. Although sedan drivers tend to get into less accidents due to improved control due to being lower to the ground, SUVs tend to protect the passengers more in an actual collision. Choosing the vehicle with the best safety features should bring you the safest vehicle whether it is a sedan or an SUV.
Sedans still have the advantage of closed trunks. Storing your valuables in a closed trunk is better than storing them in the back of an SUV’s cargo space due to visibility.
When it comes to choosing a rental car, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether to go for a sedan or an SUV. Choosing between a sedan and SUV rental car requires careful consideration of your needs and preferences. Keep these 9 factors in mind when making your decision, and you’ll be sure to choose the right vehicle for your next rental.
