Why Do SUVs Have Spoilers?

Is there a reason why many SUVs have spoilers and other cars don't? Are they useful and worth the price? Here's a simple guide.

You have probably seen spoilers before on countless cars, especially sports cars. But, if you’ve noticed them on SUVs, you might have been a little shocked. Why would an SUV have spoilers?

You might think putting a spoiler on an SUV is a bit extreme. After all, unlike a sports car, it will not go very quick. But spoilers are there to improve aerodynamics, not increase speed.

Rear spoilers on SUVs enhance fuel efficiency rather than provide downward force as they do for sports cars. A spoiler on an SUV makes the vehicle more streamlined, which results in less drag and improved fuel consumption.

In this guide, I will explain why SUVs have spoilers, but you may wonder what they are and how they improve fuel efficiency.

So, ask on to explore.

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What Are Spoilers?

DMC SUV With Spoilers

Spoilers are typically found on the rear of an SUV. They aid in improving your SUV’s fuel efficiency by reducing the drag.

These spoilers modify the airflow around the SUV allowing it to flow more smoothly in order to decrease the drag on the vehicle. The reduced drag will improve the SUV’s fuel mileage by making it simpler for the car to move forward.

Spoilers are a crucial feature for SUVs due to their ability to increase fuel mileage because many people use SUVs as family vehicles. Some people even choose to have one installed if their SUV doesn’t come with one.

What Materials Are Used To Make Spoilers?

Car Spoilers

Spoilers are made from ABS plastic combined with fillers to make them a bit more durable. ABS plastic is used frequently in SUVs and other vehicles because it is inexpensive and easy to make.

Fiberglass sets with epoxy are also used for spoilers, and the ones made with this material are more durable. However, this material is challenging to make, so it is not used as often.

There are also carbon fiber spoilers on many sports cars. These are significantly more durable than fiberglass spoilers.

How Did Spoilers Get Their Name?

The word spoiler might seem like an unusual selection for something that is advantageous. After all, without knowing what it is, a person would likely think it is something harmful.

Yet, the title of this tool arises from its purpose; a spoiler disrupts or reduces the undesirable wind flow over the SUV as it drives.

This decreases the resistance of the SUV and results in enhanced fuel efficiency.

Will A Spoiler Actually Improve My Fuel Mileage?

SUV With Spoilers

Spoilers reduce the aerodynamic drag on a vehicle, which means it will not need to use as much power to move.

However, the enhanced gas mileage will be more noticeable on highways where the SUV travels at greater speeds and uses more fuel to resist aerodynamic drag.

If you are traveling on local roads, you may not notice much of a difference. After all, at a reduced speed, there is less air resistance to overcome.

Do Spoilers Help Cars To Go Faster?

Sports Car SUV Spoiler

A spoiler can help your SUV to go faster. Although, it will not actually make your vehicle go any swifter. Spoilers reduce the drag on your car, which means the engine has less resistance to overcome.

The reduced resistance means the engine has less work to do in moving the car at higher speeds. So, even though the spoiler is not making the car go faster, it is helping.

Final Thoughts

Spoilers may not look particularly beneficial, and many people probably think they are there just to look appealing. But they actually have a function.

Spoilers not only enhance your fuel mileage, but they can also improve your SUV’s speed and performance by reducing its wind resistance.

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James Hall

After working as a certified automotive technician for more than 8 years, James decided to help a much wider audience than just his local customers in the city. After working for a few years as an independent automotive writer and editor, he now works as an editor at Auto Chimps and its social media channels.