Are SUVs Safer Than Sedans?
- Thread Starter AMG
- Start date
Incidentally, I came across this video upon chance browsing. The SUV hit a manhole on its front left side, and just flipped over!! and it wasnt too fast either. Now , it would be interesting if the same incident happened to a low slung sedan, how would it behave ???
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EznxbpvEt1k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EznxbpvEt1k
I had near death experience in two accidents before 15 & 16years. Since then using only SUV/MUV. Reasons from various sites as below:
* The researchers concluded that at least for head-on crashes, the vehicle type is more important than the crash-test rating in predicting survival. SUV is better survival chances.
* The weight of a passenger vehicle has a direct statistical contribution to its driver fatality rate according to Informed for LIFE, more weight being beneficial.
* Between cars and SUVs of the same weight, SUVs now statistically have a pretty significant safety advantage.
* It's a fact of physics: Larger vehicles are safer than smaller vehicles. SUV are overall safer than cars because of the greater protection their weight and size provides in frontal and side crashes.
* Large vehicles have longer hoods and bigger crush zones, which gives them an advantage in frontal crashes.
* SUVs benefit by being taller, and thus are less likely to slide under another vehicle in a crash (a situation called "underride").
* High ground clearance than sedans and hatchback, so it will go through bad road conditions easily.
* SUV usually have up-to-date safety equipment, such as antilock brakes, curtain air bags, and stability control. Now many premium sedan have them too.
* The rollover risk in SUVs due to higher GC used to outweigh their size/weight advantage, but that's no longer the case, thanks to ESC/TC.
* SUV have higher seating they have increased visibility.
* SUV usually have AWD/TOD options and this makes them easy and safe to handle in adverse weather conditions.
* SUV have longer wheelbase & wider tyres than sedan, so good for on-road stability.
Regardless of what you drive, all experts agree that how you drive is the most important safety factor. Human performance and behavior factors contribute to more than 90 percent of vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA.
It is up to the driver to buckle up, stay sober and alert, and maintain a safe speed. That's the best way to maximize your odds of survival, no matter what size car you drive.
Choosing an SUV for safety isn't an automatic win, as
* their higher center of gravity makes them more prone to rollover, an often fatal event. (ESC substantially reduces rollover risk).
* Also due to increased size & height, there is poor rearward visibility.
* Most SUVs weigh more than cars and need a greater distance to stop than a car traveling at the same speed. Allow extra distance for stopping when driving an SUV and be especially cautious on wet pavement.
* SUV safety concerns are affected by a perception among some consumers that SUVs are safer than standard cars, and that they need not take basic precautions, as if they were inside a "defensive capsule". Stick to basic driving skills at all time.
Safety consequences of vehicle size and weight
* The researchers concluded that at least for head-on crashes, the vehicle type is more important than the crash-test rating in predicting survival. SUV is better survival chances.
* The weight of a passenger vehicle has a direct statistical contribution to its driver fatality rate according to Informed for LIFE, more weight being beneficial.
* Between cars and SUVs of the same weight, SUVs now statistically have a pretty significant safety advantage.
* It's a fact of physics: Larger vehicles are safer than smaller vehicles. SUV are overall safer than cars because of the greater protection their weight and size provides in frontal and side crashes.
* Large vehicles have longer hoods and bigger crush zones, which gives them an advantage in frontal crashes.
* SUVs benefit by being taller, and thus are less likely to slide under another vehicle in a crash (a situation called "underride").
* High ground clearance than sedans and hatchback, so it will go through bad road conditions easily.
* SUV usually have up-to-date safety equipment, such as antilock brakes, curtain air bags, and stability control. Now many premium sedan have them too.
* The rollover risk in SUVs due to higher GC used to outweigh their size/weight advantage, but that's no longer the case, thanks to ESC/TC.
* SUV have higher seating they have increased visibility.
* SUV usually have AWD/TOD options and this makes them easy and safe to handle in adverse weather conditions.
* SUV have longer wheelbase & wider tyres than sedan, so good for on-road stability.
Regardless of what you drive, all experts agree that how you drive is the most important safety factor. Human performance and behavior factors contribute to more than 90 percent of vehicle crashes, according to NHTSA.
It is up to the driver to buckle up, stay sober and alert, and maintain a safe speed. That's the best way to maximize your odds of survival, no matter what size car you drive.
Choosing an SUV for safety isn't an automatic win, as
* their higher center of gravity makes them more prone to rollover, an often fatal event. (ESC substantially reduces rollover risk).
* Also due to increased size & height, there is poor rearward visibility.
* Most SUVs weigh more than cars and need a greater distance to stop than a car traveling at the same speed. Allow extra distance for stopping when driving an SUV and be especially cautious on wet pavement.
* SUV safety concerns are affected by a perception among some consumers that SUVs are safer than standard cars, and that they need not take basic precautions, as if they were inside a "defensive capsule". Stick to basic driving skills at all time.
Safety consequences of vehicle size and weight
Last edited: