It is no surprise that bigger cars need to have great handling and stability because of their large size. Throughout the years, many manufacturers have improved their SUV models for easier maneuverability and ease of driving.
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This justifies why people prefer heavily built shapes of SUVs to a more simplified sedan design. There are several features of an SUV that make it the go-to car for people who want convenience on the road.
In this article, we’re discussing some reasons sport utility vehicles are easier to drive.
Let’s jump straight in.
1. They Offer Better Road Visibility
The higher a car is, the better visibility you have of the road ahead. SUVs are higher than other cars and offer higher seats for a driver, allowing him to see the road better.
New drivers are often worried about being tall enough to see the road in front of them so that they don’t bump into other cars. That being said, you’ll agree that a higher seating position puts drivers’ minds at ease as it allows them to see what’s ahead of their car better.
This is what drivers of big SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade enjoy.
In another perspective, having a higher ride helps when parking the vehicle. It gives enough visibility to see all around the car and judge the distance from other cars. With wider visibility, you can maneuver the vehicle comfortably into a parking space without worrying about other cars.
Also, because of the size of an SUV, it allows a driver to maintain a lane as he can constantly check if the car is not centered. The lane markings are clearer and you can also easily see other cars next to you.
Owners of big SUVs also take delights in having more visibility of their surroundings. Driving in the country, for example, drivers and passengers can enjoy the view outside of the car better.
These large rides do not come without a downside, however. You will struggle to see small animals or children when in a high-level SUV. Many owners even advise checking the perimeter of the car before getting in and driving. This is in a bid to prevent driving over kids’ toys or, even worse, small animals and children.
Anyway, visibilities of these large rides have greatly improved by cameras covering the rear and other blind spots. Features such as blind spot monitoring and rear pedestrian detection alerts help a lot in this regard.
With that in mind, you may want to check some mid-size SUVs with the best visibility.
2. SUVs Have Great Off-Roading Capability
The higher ground clearance SUVs boast of means they are better suited for off-road terrains. A higher ground clearance avoids uneven roads, potholes, and off-road conditions.
Certain SUVs like the Jeep Cherokee are built for off-road conditions, and they fare excellently well on rough terrains. Besides, you can switch over to normal road conditions without much of a hassle.
As for lower cars, they will struggle on rough roads because of their lower ground clearance. The lower body of sedans will likely rub against obstructions on rough terrains. This could be a costly experience, as it can damage important vehicle components at the bottom of the car.
The Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler are very good examples of SUVs with great off-roading capabilities. Their ground clearance is high enough to allow for smooth driving on uneven terrain and so-so roads.
SUVs like these offer great comfort to outdoor enthusiasts because they can use them both on normal roads and for off-roading getaways. Of course, not everyone is an outdoor enthusiast; so the off-road capabilities might be under-utilized if such a car is used for city driving only.
With that in mind, there are other SUVs that aren’t marketed for the outdoor lifestyle.
SUV models such as the Toyota 4Runner or Ford Expedition are not advertised as solely off-road cars. Notwithstanding, you can still take them off-road and enjoy the same capability as an all-round 4×4 vehicle.
Due to the higher ground clearance of SUVs, you can easily drive them over snowy conditions without dragging the snow underneath the car. This further makes SUVs a great buy if you live in snowy areas of the country.
3. They Are Heavier And Best For Towing
SUVs offer easier experience for towing heavy objects, such as trailers and cargo. In fact, the Jeep Wagoneer and Ford Expedition have towing capacities up to 10,000 pounds.
It is almost always easier to drive an SUV than a sedan when you have to tow heavy objects. This is because they also have more pulling power that you would otherwise not find in sedans or smaller vehicles.
Mind you, some SUVs will need to be upgraded in order to increase their towing capacity. For example, an SUV that can tow 8,000 pounds can be upgraded to a towing capacity of 10,000 pounds.
A big towing capacity coupled with high ground clearance means that you don’t have to be a professional driver to haul huge loads. More remarkably is the fact that the car can also have passengers, even if it is pulling a heavy trailer.
Another great benefit of an SUV is the increased traction control on slippery roads and surfaces. This is available in models with four-wheel drive and ATV tires for improved traction on the road surface.
If you’re in doubt, you’ll find the towing capacities of many SUVs listed on the vehicle itself. It is best not to go above the rated towing weight for safety reasons.
It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on fuel efficiency because SUVs will use more fuel because of the weight they have to pull.
Their bigger size and engine power also mean that fuel efficiency will be significantly decreased compared to a sedan.
Check out our article about the best mid-size SUVs for all-round use.
4. They Are Safer And Last Longer
SUVs are built sturdier and tougher than the regular sedans, and so this helps them last longer. They have stronger body frames which help them absorb the impacts of the road, even in a collision.
Some of the longest-lasting SUVs are the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Toyota Sequoia, which have both been recorded to last well over 200,000 miles. Sounds impressive, right?
This is, however, not the norm for all SUVs in the industry. The general idea remains that sport utility vehicles typically last longer.
Also, SUVs are relatively heavy, and their engine area is quite large. This combination helps to mitigate the effect of a crash.
While all cars have crumple zones to minimize the impact of a crash on passengers, a bigger engine area and the heavy weight of a vehicle will also likely help in this regard.
On top of all this, you still have the safety features and driver-assist technologies available on many modern SUVs. SUVs are large and so will need a lot more cameras and sensors to cover areas of the car that are not visible.
So, multiple cameras and technologies such as Rear Pedestrian Alert and lane-keep assist features that come with these large cars help to maximize safety in the vehicle.
Most of these driver-assist features are also available on sedans but are usually limited to premium trims.
Make sure to also check why SUVs last longer than sedans.
5. SUVs Offer Easier Access In And Out
Some of the easiest SUVs to get out of this year are the Land Rover Range Rover and Hyundai Santa Fe. While some SUVs are great for taller people, several other ones can easily accommodate people with limited mobility and small children.
Compact SUVs, for instance, are easier to get in and out of for seniors and small children. The height of the body of these rides is strategically designed to allow easy entry and exit.
Several other SUVs are just the most suitable for tall people who’d have to almost crouch down to get into smaller cars. A taller body means the door will accommodate both tall and short people. Because of the size of larger SUVs, they have a rather wide and tall doorway, resulting in easier wiggle room when getting in and out of the car.
Larger SUVs also have a step before the door to accommodate better access in and out of the vehicle. These come in handy for kids and seniors who can’t reach up to the handlebars for support.
Some of the best SUVs for this purpose are the Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester. These are subcompact SUVs that have also been found to be among the easiest to drive.