Buying a car is something which requires careful consideration, especially in Minnesota where our adverse weather conditions make it difficult to drive certain kinds of cars during the winter. Which type of vehicle you decide to purchase will come down to a number of deciding factors such as which brand built it, what you can comfortably afford, what you plan to use the vehicle for and how large your family is. Keep reading to learn more about the various styles of vehicles on the market and whether or not they’re a good fit for you.
Attributes of Common Vehicle Types
- Sedans – When you picture a conventional car, you’re thinking of a sedan. Most sedans have 4 doors, seat 4-5 people and have a trunk space that’s separated from the main cabin of the car. Most sedans are front-wheel drive (FWD) though luxury sedans are often rear-wheel drive (RWD), and some sedans may be all-wheel drive (AWD). Sedans tend to get good fuel efficiency so if you’re mainly going to be using your car to drive to and from work, they’re a reliable choice. However, sedans are not big enough to accomodate large families or transport large objects. They might also struggle to drive in Minnesota winters unless they’re AWD.
- Hatchbacks – Similar in size to sedans, the main difference with a hatchback is their namesake rear door, which opens to a large cargo space that can be accessed from the main cabin, unlike a sedan’s trunk. Like sedans, hatchbacks tend to be FWD and may have either 2 or 4 doors. If your lifestyle requires you to frequently transport a lot of cargo in your vehicle, a hatchback might be the perfect purchase for you. However, sedans tend to get better gas mileage and will probably be the better choice for Minnesota drivers without enhanced storage needs.
- SUVs – Sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are larger and roomier than the average car, and they’re designed to be able to perform well on rough terrain. SUVs vary in size but will typically seat 5-8 people comfortably. Most SUVs are either AWD or 4-wheel drive (4WD), which means they will have better traction on rough and slippery roads; a big benefit for winter driving in Minnesota. The trunk of a SUV is usually connected to the main cabin of the car, providing good storage space. If you have a bigger family or go on frequent road trips that require you to bring a lot of luggage or equipment, SUVs are a great option for you. However, they generally get poorer gas mileage than sedans and hatchbacks; consider getting a hybrid to offset your fuel costs.
- Pickup Trucks – The best working vehicle that the average car owner can buy, pickup trucks may be 2-door or 4-door, and they’re defined by their large storage bed and their powerful engines. Like SUVs, they’re able to handle rough terrain and go offroad. The majority of pickup trucks are RWD but 4WD is available as an upgrade on many models. The biggest benefit to owning a pickup truck is that they have unrivaled storage capacity. If you have a job or a hobby which requires you to transport large amounts of equipment, a pickup is the best choice for you. However, they’re not great for larger families and their high fuel costs make them impractical if you’re not going to be using that big bed very often.
- Minivans – The pinnacle of family transportation, minivans are specifically designed to comfortably seat as many passengers as possible, generally fitting 7-8 people. They’re similar to a large SUV but with a bigger emphasis on transporting people than transporting cargo, and more limited trunk space as a result. Most minivans are FWD and they don’t tend to handle very well in snowy weather, one downside for Minnesota drivers. They also don’t have the offroading capacity of a SUV. The bottom line is, if you have a lot of kids to drive around, get a minivan. If you don’t, buy something else.
Keep Your Vehicle Running With Regular Maintenance & Repairs
Whatever type of vehicle you decide to buy, it’s vital to bring it into a trusted auto repair shop for regular maintenance services. Contact Arvu Auto today if you’d like to schedule an appointment for vehicle maintenance or repairs in the West Minneapolis metro!
