Sedan or crossover: which is the better vehicle for driving in the snow?
When the snow falls and the roads cover with ice, you want to make sure that you’re safe as you drive. Obviously, all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive deliver that best. However, not everyone wants to drive a hulking SUV year-round in an area that only gets snowfall a couple months out of the year.
So, if you’re buying a new car or renting one for a week on vacation, you’ve probably wondered which is better in snow: a large sedan or a crossover SUV. Let’s consider both options to see which is better.
Initial Factors to Consider When Driving in Winter
Advantages of Driving a Crossover in the Snow
The main benefit of driving a crossover above a sedan is ground clearance. As crossovers’ bodies are higher above the road, they’re better at traversing deep snow and are less likely to get snow packed in the wheel wells. Plus, if you slide off the road, a taller vehicle has a better chance of crawling out of a snowdrift.
In the event of a collision with another vehicle, the passengers in the taller vehicle are far safer, as the shorter vehicle can slide under the taller vehicle. While it’s not the biggest vehicle class on the road, crossovers are taller than sedans.
Disadvantages of Driving a Crossover in the Snow
The rules of physics play a big part in what makes a sedan safer to drive in the snow than a crossover. Compact SUVs are heavier, taller (a higher center of gravity), more top-heavy, and have greater momentum (mass and velocity) when in motion; thus, if you lose control behind the wheel of a crossover, it’s harder to regain control. It might even result in a rollover. It’s not uncommon for drivers of crossovers or larger vehicles to be overconfident, overestimating their vehicle’s capabilities and winding up losing control.
If you get a larger sedan, it typically has a more powerful engine than a crossover (which are designed to be more efficient) would.
Ultimately, it depends on the location you’ll be driving in and what you’re most comfortable driving. If you practice careful, safe driving habits in winter, it shouldn’t matter which vehicle you drive.
Sources: Consumer Reports, Airliners.net, Avis Alaska
The News Wheel
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.
