Most modern small and mid-sized SUVs are superbly practical, great looking, and thanks to modern platforms and powertrains – offer an almost sedan-like driving experience.

Also, given many SUVs also share the same powertrains that may feature in sedans, maintenance costs are largely similar too.

However, one crucial difference in maintenance costs between SUVs and sedans are tyres. Replacing SUV tyres can cost up to 30-50 percent more than a sedan car, and this can catch many first time SUV owners by surprise.

Why are SUV tyres more expensive than sedan tyres?

Well, the simplest explanation for this is their size. SUV tyres are typically larger because they have to fit wheel rims with larger diameters and wider cross-sections.

Besides that, SUV tyres also have to be tougher structurally to take on rough roads/surfaces, which means thicker and stronger sidewalls as well as more internal reinforcement.

However, whilst they must be strong and sturdy, SUV tyres also need to be compliant and quiet (to achieve good comfort levels) and offer good traction, hence they also require unique rubber compounds that are designed to offer these contrasting features.

These are some of the reasons why SUV tyres are substantially more expensive than sedan tyres. 

Also read: Looking for best value-for-money tyres? Here are our picks

How expensive are SUV tyres when compared to sedan tyres?

Let us compare similarly sized SUV and sedan/hatchback models across different brands, segments and price categories, starting with the sedans:

Now for SUVs of the same corresponding brand:

In all cases, the larger sized SUV tyres are priced between 40 to 100 percent more than the tyres of their sedan counterparts. 

Here are a few other examples:

Price range is given based on manufacturer supplied tyres or other brands of similar quality.

From the table, we can see that changing the tyres of a Proton X50 is as expensive as changing the tyres of a BMW X1, despite the X1 costing double the sticker price of the X50.

Also note, unlike a sedan which may have up to 10 brands catering to one tyres size. 

An SUV owner may have half those options, and would typically have to choose between tyres from notable manufacturers such as Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Toyo and Continental.

Notwithstanding, there are cheaper tyres but we recommend properly researching these tyres before installing them on your car. If in doubt, always replace the same model tyres that came with your vehicle. 

Also read: Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, Goodyear? Which are the most preferred tyre brands in Malaysia?

How can I stretch the lifespan of my car's tyres?

These simple steps will greatly improve how long your SUV tyres last and ensure your SUV keeps driving and performing safely and smoothly.

• Regularly check your tyre pressures, at least once every 2 weeks. Low or irregular pressure increases tyre wear and tear. 
• Rotate your tyres and get an alignment service done at least once every 6 months. This will reduce wear and tear and ensure better drivability. 
• After a few years, inspect and replace worn suspension components as this too can cause increased tyre wear and damage.

Perhaps most importantly, if you're looking into buying an SUV, consider if you can comfortably afford to change your tyres.

Tyres are a major safety component of your vehicle and not something you want to skimp on. 

Also read: Here's the top tyre choices for 13- to 17-inches in 2020!