Which is safer in a crash: a sedan or an SUV?

This question is more nuanced than the conventional wisdom suggests. SUVs have a higher center of gravity which increases rollover risk, while sedans sit lower and handle more predictably in emergency maneuvers. However, modern SUVs are much safer than earlier generations thanks to electronic stability control, and both body styles now regularly earn top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. The safety difference between two well-rated vehicles in different body styles is smaller than the difference between a well-rated and poorly-rated vehicle in the same body style. Check the NHTSA and IIHS scores for the specific models you are comparing.