Wagons vs SUVs - Which Most Safely Babys?

"Das Shtig" (Shtig) 10/07/2013 at 14:39 • Filed to: None

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Are SUVs a reasonable choice as a family vehicle? Or do their high centers of gravity and therefore poor handling characteristics make them too unsafe? I would argue that in a high speed highway accident-avoidance situation, a wagon would be much more capable of a highway-speed, controlled "swerve" sort of maneuver, or a random tire-blowout situation, whereas a taller CUV/SUV would be much more prone to roll over, or understeer and hit whatever was trying to be avoided in the first place. A lower, lighter wagon would stop more quickly as well, which is nice for not slamming into the back of things. While I'm sure an SUV/CUV would take an impact well, it's increased likelihood of rolling (which can lead to leaving the road entirely) outweighs that in my brain. Am I wrong?

I bring this up because my wife and I are looking to replace her vehicle with something new and family friendly. We have a toddler and a baby to protect here. So, CUV/SUV or wagon? Also, she doesn't like the way wagons look, so please post sexy wagons along with your responses. GO!!! (thanks!)

AbigGRNboot > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 14:50

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I agree with the rollover assessment, but I most stability management systems nowadays counteract movements that can cause one.

I would have to guess that a front/rear/side impact with no rollover is far more common. Airbags and AWD are what I wanted for the wife. She got an Impreza.

And, for the love of Jalop, don't get a CUV.

Big Bubba Ray > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 14:52

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I have nothing to say, so I'll just leave this here.

Mikeado > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 14:52

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Don't forget how advanced stuff like suspension technology is these days, and how much more on-road-y those types of car are. A new one is far less rolly-polly than say a '90s one that might have gained the genre such a reputation.

Do you get the new Mazda6 estate in the US? That's a very handsome car.

Das Shtig > AbigGRNboot 10/07/2013 at 14:57

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Tell me about it. I suggested Subaru too but so far I'm getting the "they're too ugly" comment which, honestly, is fair. Plus she isn't a lesbian. (Oh, sorry I'm not Jeremy Clarkson so I can't say that.) But she is a hot girl and they like the cutesy cars and "sporty SUVs", so appearance is a factor here.

As far as stability management systems counteracting movements that could cause a roll, I would argue that an SUV/CUV is still more prone to making *those* sort of movements than a wagon. And plus, if the stability control kicks in and wont let you turn to miss the accident, because it thinks you'll roll, that isn't good either. I want something that can miss the accident while keeping all four wheels on the ground, you know, for "control" or whatever.

Brewman15 > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 14:58

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You basically covered my major argument. I have always argued that a low-slung and lighter weight wagon has a much better chance of avoiding an accident altogether due to better brakes, handling, responses, acceleration, etc...

An SUV may do better in an accident with another car simply because it weighs more and has physics on its side, but that comes at a cost of smashing the other little car to bits. However, hitting an immovable object like a tree or telephone pole, it will probably be a wash.

Here's my favorite wagon...

wilsel > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 14:59

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My wifes X5 handles better than most cars. With today's traction control its virtually impossible to roll most SUV's unless you leave the pavement, have an off center head-on, or get hit in the side by another car. I'd put it up against any wagon that's not awd.

What I would worry more about is 2-4 lane roads with a 45-55 mph speed limit, and here's why. On highways there's usually a median keeping traffic going the same direction. So if you get into a accident the other car is usually travelling the same direction. So even if you were stopped we're talking a 65 mph impact at most. Most fatal wrecks happen on roads where traffic goes both directions. If 2 cars are going opposite directions at 50 mph, that's a 100 mph impact. Now consider 50+% of vehicles on the road are SUVs and trucks. Do you really want your family cars crumble zone to be below 50% of the other vehicles on the road? If they don't line up, it won't do you much good. They'll go right over your front bumper.

NaturallyAspirated > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 15:01

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In the US, my understanding is that vehicles over a certain weight GWVR can be classified as "commercial" vehicles, and thus don't have to meet the same safety requirements as lighter vehicles. A larger vehicle can actually be less safe.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 15:06

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Not liking wagons must be a female thing, as my wife also does not like them.

And, it's really no use try to explain a wagon's superiority using logic. Women do not understand logic.

Aside from increased mass, there is really no definitive benefit to a CUV/SUV over a wagon.

Casper > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 15:09

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Roll overs are certainly worse in SUVs once initiated, but wagons aren't far behind. The real cause of most roll overs (not counting decreasing radius turns at too high of speed) is the weight transfer and random traction. A wagon is not as heavy as an SUV and has lower center of gravity, but it is still generally heavier and often higher center of gravity than a standard sedan. It is very possible to roll a standard sedan if the driver over corrects at speed back and fourth, and this snap is increased by wagon style vehicles with larger rear over hangs (just as it is with rear engine cars). The roll will generally be initiated by something grabbing... either tires getting traction as the car right angles or when something breaks (like a wheel or tires blowing out). Last year I saw a smart car roll over on a perfectly straight road simply because of a hail storm and poor driver skill.

That said, I don't like SUVs for the fundamental reason I don't understand where they fit. They aren't for off road, yet they don't work for hauling people and things as well as a van. This is actually the same issue I have with wagons in most configurations. Interestingly enough, Wikipedia even compares SUVs and wagons in the introductory sentence of the definition of SUV. My thought process is if you really need to haul a lot of stuff you need a hatchback. If the stuff is heavy or dirty, you need a pickup. If you need to haul more people than fit in a sedan/hatch, you need a van. If you need to haul a lot of people off road you need this:

davedave1111 > Das Shtig 10/07/2013 at 15:59

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Purely in safety terms, if you get into a collision, the best vehicle to be in has good safety features - but those being equal, the tallest, heaviest vehicle wins hands-down.

In terms of avoiding accidents, I don't think there's any evidence that modern crossovers/SUVs have a significantly higher chance of getting into a serious accident. When it comes down to it, how often is the vehicle the limiting factor in avoiding an accident, rather than the driver's reactions or preparedness?

If you're about to spend the money for a new car to keep your family safe, though, don't skimp on the cost of a few dozen hours of proper driving lessons from and advanced driving instructor - for both of you. Learning to drive really safely will do more for your family's overall safety than crash survivability ever can.

Das Shtig > davedave1111 10/07/2013 at 19:02

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Absolutely. Skip Barber is already on the schedule. Couldn't agree more with that.

DCCARGEEK > Das Shtig 10/08/2013 at 18:42

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If you want to really protect your family, do some serious research. Look over IIHS and NHTSA vehicle fatality data. From there start considering the times and days of the week when most people are killed in vehicle accidents.

I've done some of this research when I became a father and while I didn't come to a final conclusion I did decide that it's less about what you are driving and more about how well you drive, when you drive and if you've secured your kid in correctly.