People often get confused between buying a car or a SUV. In today’s marketing terms the crossovers, which were cars that were stretched are also termed as SUVs. If you’re unsure of the differences between a car and a SUV, read on to learn more. 

The interiors and exteriors of these two vehicles are virtually the same. The main differences between them are price and size. In addition, their powertrains are the same. If you’re unsure of what a car is, a SUV is a crossover. This crossover is a perfect fit for you if you need to carry people or equipment.

Interior and exterior appearance are nearly identical

While the interior space available in a SUV and a crossover will differ, the exterior appearance of an SUV or crossover will be nearly the same. On the outside, the differences are more noticeable in larger SUVs and smaller crossovers.

While the two vehicles are nearly the same, they do differ a bit in some aspects. For example, the height at which you need to climb up the steps into the cabin is the primary difference between a crossover and a SUV.

Size

The size difference between a car and a SUV is enormous. The former is compact and easy to park, while the latter is a behemoth, in the true SUV sense. But how do you choose a vehicle that will meet your needs?

You may be surprised to learn that SUVs can seat up to eight people. The midsize variety may have fewer seats than the full-size model, but its third row space is often large enough to accommodate a small child.

While there are differences between a car and a SUV, they share a common platform. For example, a car’s size is a major factor in determining whether it’s a crossover.

However, while most SUVs are larger and offer more cargo space, a car’s platform makes it a more versatile option. And while the difference in size is obvious, there are many more important factors that you should consider.

Powertrain

You may have heard of the powertrain and drivetrain differences in a car or SUV, but do you know what those terms mean? They refer to the moving parts of a car or SUV that work together to move the vehicle from point A to point B.

The powertrain in a car or SUV is the system that converts energy into propulsion motion. If one part of the powertrain fails, the car or SUV may shake and rattle, resulting in abnormal noises.

When buying a car or SUV, it’s important to choose the right powertrain for your needs. Both types of engines have advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, determining which one is right for you depends on your driving needs, budget, and lifestyle.

Understanding how each powertrain works will help you decide which vehicle is best for you. For example, some cars have front-wheel drive while others have all-wheel drive like a 4×4.

Price

If you’re considering purchasing a new car, you may be wondering how to compare the price between a car and a SUV. SUVs have higher transaction prices than cars, and these higher prices help car companies boost their profit margins.

Ford Motor Co. recently stopped selling all cars except for the Mustang in North America because of this trend. And with fuel prices still low, you might be wondering how SUVs can be more expensive than cars.

Why Do SUVs Have Higher Maintenance Costs?

Considering the average annual repair and maintenance costs of a car and midsize SUV, you may be wondering why SUVs have higher costs. The differences between the two models are not as drastic as you may think.

Average annual repair cost for a midsize SUV

The average annual repair cost of a midsize SUV is $573. While the cost of ownership is largely dependent on the type of vehicle, reliability is an important factor. Vehicles with fewer major problems have lower repair costs than more reliable ones.

The cost of midsize SUV maintenance is highly dependent on the reliability of the vehicle. The more reliable a vehicle is, the lower the cost of ownership. However, more reliable vehicles can require more frequent repair visits.

The Toyota Highlander is among the most reliable midsize SUVs. The Subaru Forester is the company’s flagship compact crossover SUV, with good off-road ability and robustness.

The Toyota RAV4 is more affordable than the Subaru Forester, though the former comes standard with AWD. The Toyota RAV4 also offers better base fuel economy and reliability ratings. However, the Highlander has more cargo space and lower MSRP.

Average annual maintenance cost for a car

The first comparison between the average annual maintenance cost of a car and a SUV shows that an entry-level car costs the least to maintain over 5,000 miles.

Among high-end brands, Mercedes-Benz and BMW are the most expensive to maintain. As miles pile up, Subaru and Toyota move up in the rankings. Toyota and Scion also make the list. In general, lower-priced cars cost less to maintain over time.

A car’s annual maintenance costs are dependent on its make and model, but they can also be lowered by choosing a cheaper vehicle. For example, a smaller car can offset the cost of maintenance due to depreciation.

Finance costs are also different from car to car. It’s best to shop around for the best rates and make sure to follow manufacturer-recommended maintenance. However, don’t overdo it: you’ll end up spending more on your car’s upkeep than you’d expected!

Reasons for higher maintenance costs

One common misconception is that SUVs and small cars have the same maintenance costs. While this is not true, some SUVs actually have higher maintenance costs than cars. The difference in maintenance costs is largely due to the extra cargo space.

This also means that tires, brakes, and other parts may be more expensive in a SUV. While these factors do not directly cause a car’s higher maintenance costs, they can add up over time.

One popular car brand that is known for offering luxurious vehicles is Cadillac. Their SUVs are comfortable to ride in, have spacious cargo areas, and elegant interiors.

In the case of a Cadillac Escalade, maintenance costs for the 2020 model were $341 and the same for the 2021 model. But as the SUV platform changed to the 2021 model, service and warranty costs increased by $1115. And if you bought the ESV trim, those costs would be at least $1030.

Budgeting for unexpected repairs

A large number of people spend between fifteen and eighteen percent of their income on vehicle expenses, which makes budgeting for unexpected repairs of a car or SUV even more important.

While car repair expenses are comparable, SUVs have more costly components and larger engines. If you regularly take your SUV off-road, you might want to budget for more repair expenses since parts like tires, air filters, and suspension components can become worn out faster.

Unexpected repairs are a necessary part of car ownership, and a good way to prepare for them is to budget ahead of time for these costs. Whether your car has a small spill, or it’s a major fender-bender, there will always be an unexpected expense.

By knowing how much to budget for these expenses ahead of time, you can prevent stress and worry about a car breakdown in the future.