Should you cross-shop between an SUV and a sedan?

Cross-segment shopping is now becoming the norm in our current car market. How did something that is close to unheard of 20 years ago become so common and what has happened that allowed us to expand our horizons when it comes to shopping for a new car?

That is because in this era of car shopping we are given so many options rather just sedans, hatches and SUVs, and it has also started more competition between the car companies. Car brands are also increasing the cost of building a car and this has also pushed the price of a car up. 

The biggest factor is probably the price of new cars. Back then, there is a larger price gap between smaller and bigger cars, a sedan and an SUV, so it is not a surprise that car buyers with a set budget can only shop within a segment’s price range.

Now, it is evident that new car prices are overlapping each other. Like the A-segment Perodua Bezza, the recently introduced facelift puts the tiny but spacious sedan firmly in the B-segment Proton Persona’s price range.

Meanwhile, the top spec Perodua Myvi priced at RM 54,090 will easily give you the benefits of advanced safety features like Perodua’s A.S.A, VSC and even 4 airbags. You also get much more tech in the car along with Bluetooth and Smartlink connectivity. While the bare basic Honda Jazz priced at RM 75,300 only has 2 airbags, no traction control to boast and a basic radio for entertainment. If you are not a brand conscious consumer, it is a tough choice between the two.

Another example is the Proton X70 and the Honda HR-V. The X70 is a C-segment SUV but yet it has a starting price of RM 94,800 which is priced lower than the B-segment HR-V’s lowest variant at RM 108,800. In fact, even the mid-spec X70’s RM 106,800 price tag is set below the HR-V’s starting price.

When the Proton X50 finally makes its debut in our shores, the B-segment SUV will only further melt the boundaries on cross shopping as the price is most certainly going to overlap B-segment cars like the Toyota Vios, Honda City, Toyota Yaris, and Honda Jazz.

Furthermore, brand new D-segment Japanese sedans like the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord carry price tags that now overlaps with low mileage certified pre-owned BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

You might be thinking that you would go for the continentals, bare in mind that a brand new Camry or Accord will save you much more money on reliability and these cars has advanced to the point where you get the same amount of class and driving pleasure as you get on a continental car.

And, there is a whole different body type that overlaps all these hatches, sedans and SUVs and that is the pick-up truck segment. Take the Isuzu D-Max for example, the pick-up truck’s double cab with automatic transmission price ranges from RM 100,049 to RM 120,838 which easily overlaps, not only the B-segment sedans, but the C-segment sedans and SUVs on offer.

The Toyota Hilux, meanwhile, tops off at RM 139,888. For that price, you get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with a spacious and comfortable interior. You get both qualities in the range topping Honda Civic (priced RM 139,600) but the Hilux also has a higher ground clearance and water wading talent to combat the flash floods in KL that the sedan cannot give.

Of course, many would argue that a pick-up truck will be too bumpy to be a comfortable everyday car, but the driving character of different body types are now very different from 20 years ago. Pick-ups now have a refinement that many cars cannot promise, just like how the Mitsubishi Triton has agility and cabin quietness that rival a Yaris.

Another factor is fuel efficiency, 20 years ago it is common knowledge that an SUV would consume more fuel because of its bigger engines, heavier weight, and the need to power all 4 wheels.

Many SUVs now are front-wheel drive like a regular car for better fuel consumption as is seen in the Honda CR-V’s 2WD option. In fact, the X70 is an SUV that only comes with front-wheel-drive option.

SUVs are now smaller too, the most popular SUVs like the Honda HR-V rides on B-segment platforms shared with a Honda City and Jazz, this is to give car buyers a choice to own a car with higher ground clearance, but enjoy the benefits of fuel efficiency and size convenience.

All this have brought down the boundaries between segments, promoting cross-segment shopping and broadening the choices for consumers. It can get overwhelming but consumers will need to first understand what they are looking for in a car as not one car is perfect and there will always be pros and cons.

SUVs might be all the trend now and they can give you the benefit of a taller seating position but you have to compromise on handling. Despite improvements made in recent years, an SUV’s handling is still not comparable to a sedan.

Another factor you have to compromise is the convenience of boot accessibility. An SUV’s boot is harder to open in a tight car park compared to a top-opening sedan’s boot lid. Meanwhile, you are required to pay extra for a trunk lid for the pick-up truck bed to ensure that your precious cargo is not exposed and easily stolen.

Maintenance cost is also another factor to consider. Example are tyres, as SUVs and pick-ups often require larger tyres, they also come at a cost.