A vehicle's size is a very important factor to any car buyer. It's not enough that a vehicle could take you from one place to another - a vehicle should take you there in comfort and safety with everything you need to bring in tow. Long vehicles are often valued for their increased storage and increased passenger capacity while width could mean better control, passenger comfort and overall safety on the road.
Sedan Cars vs SUV
Sedans and SUVs are two popular vehicle types often considered for their size, and width is not an exception.
Width Comparison
Here is the width comparison of the popular sedans vs SUVs in the US:
Sedans
- Honda Accord - 73.3 inches
- Toyota Camry - 72.4 inches
- Honda Civic - 70.9 inches
- Hyundai Elantra - 71.9 inches
SUVs
- Toyota RAV4 - 73.0 inches
- Honda CR-V - 73.0 inches
- Kia Telluride - 78.3 inches
- Jeep Grand Cherokee - 77.5 inches
In terms of width, the Honda Accord is the only vehicle that can match up to the top SUVs and it's still smaller in size compared to most popular wide SUVs.
Length Comparison
When talking about length, there is no clear winner since some sedans are actually longer compared to modern SUVs:
Sedans
- Honda Accord - 196.1 inches
- Toyota Camry - 192.1 inches
- Honda Civic - 184.0 inches
- Hyundai Elantra - 184.1 inches
SUVs
- Toyota RAV4 - 180.9 inches
- Honda CR-V - 182.1 inches
- Kia Telluride - 196.9 inches
- Jeep Grand Cherokee - 193.5 inches
The size differences, particularly in length, can be attributed to the intended purpose of each vehicle. SUVs are generally used for transporting multiple passengers and a wider body means additional space for comfort. A wider vehicle also improves stability and control, which is crucial for SUVs that often serve as family vehicles and off-road explorers.
For context, the Honda Civic has the highest clearance among sedans on the list at 6.7 inches, while the Kia Telluride has the lowest clearance among SUVs on the list at 8.0 inches.
Clearance
Clearance is a very important factor because it allows the vehicle to navigate more challenging roads without any fear of damage from vehicle parts scraping against the pavement. This is especially true when travelling through unpaved roads. Sedans may have a hard time on these roads due to low clearance.
Factoring Width With Length, Clearance & Purpose
Ultimately, a vehicle's width helps in giving car buyers an idea of the vehicle's capacity for various purposes. SUVs often feature wider bodies, which provide a more stable base and higher clearance for better control in diverse environments. Despite their narrower width, sedans still offer good handling and control. Their smaller size provides better speed and acceleration. Sedans also offer an advantage of easier parking and better maneuverability in tight spaces.
Conclusion
Though there are some exceptions, SUVs are generally wider than sedans offering more space and stability. Sedans are narrower providing better maneuverability and parking ease. The choice of what to go for is yours!
