Sedan Or Hatchback, Which One’s Ideal For You?

Are you confused between a Sedan and a Hatchback? You surely could be, considering there are hundreds of sedan and hatchback models available in Australia. But worry not, I have laid out the key differences between these two vehicle body styles, so you can pick the one that suits your lifestyle.

Body Dimensions:

A sedan typically features two rows of seats, four doors, and a 3-boxed body layout. For the past 70 years, Sedans have stuck to their 3-box body configuration. The front-end houses the engine, the larger middle area, is for passengers, and finally, the rear-end (the trunk) keeps the cargo safe. Considering the fact that Sedan’s cargo is located at the rear, it is longer, thus harder to park compared to Hatchbacks.

In contrast, Hatchbacks have a 2-boxed body layout with no trunk. They feature a one-piece flip-up tailgate to load up your luggage. You can fold down the rear passenger seats to increase the cargo space. Although modern hatchbacks provide you with lots of room for luggage, the cargo capacity is mostly lower than the Sedans. That said, if you fold down the rear seats, you cannot only improve the cargo space but can load tall, bulky objects that you can never fit in a sedan.

Moreover, the Hatchbacks’ swing-up package tray or a soft pull-out cargo-area cover is removable while the Sedan’s rear-deck opening and the height of the rear package tray are fixed, limiting the storage of certain tall items.

Driving Experience

Sedans are more liable to offer you a safe and pleasant driving experience because their centre of gravity is closer to the ground. However, you have to watch out for the speed bumps. If you love flooring the pedal occasionally, I recommend you opt for Sedans. They are made for highways and are much faster than Hatchbacks.

Alternatively, Hatchbacks have the advantage of better maneuverability on busy roads in urban areas due to their chopped trunks. Know that you will find Hatchbacks to be noisier on the way compared to Sedans. However, Hatchbacks are more suited to off-road driving than Sedans, which are best suited to serve as family cars.

Safety First

The cargo/boot of a Hatchback is perhaps more vulnerable to vandalism and theft since the luggage is directly exposed from the rear windshield (modern hatchbacks do have soft pull-out cargo-area covers to conceal the belongings). Any perpetrator may smash through the glass and get access to your luggage quickly. On the other hand, the rear windshield of Sedans doesn’t mainly expose your luggage. It is the reason most luxury cars tend to be sedans rather than hatchbacks. On the other hand, with a clear view of the straight trunk, Hatchbacks are less prone to accidents from behind. 

Fuel Efficiency

The mileage and fuel consumption are mostly dependent on the aerodynamics, engine, and transmission. However, Hatchbacks are considerably lightweight in comparison to Sedans. If you are regularly commuting, hatchbacks might be the more economical option for you. However, some Sedans are outstanding and beat most of the hatchbacks on the market. Find the most fuel-efficient gas-only cars in 2020.

Visibility

Hatchbacks are higher aboveground than Sedans; the height provides more visibility of the surrounding environment. They have a big rear windscreen, requiring the presence of a rear wind wiper as well. Your seating arrangement is also a little higher in Hatchbacks. It makes the car’s front end somewhat visible and reduces the chances of frontal accidents. Sedans are closer to the ground, so limits the frontend visibility. Often, driving a sedan is more based upon guesswork, due to its extended front and back.

Passenger Space

If you want to accommodate a large family or travel long distances, Hatchbacks provide you with a greater amount of space in the passenger compartment than the Sedans. Due to their higher cabin roof (mostly), there’s more area for passengers in Hatchbacks to sit comfortably and enjoy the ride than in sedans.

Popularity and Affordability

Without a doubt, Sedans are much more popular than Hatchbacks. However, Aussie’s do love Hatchbacks more. The new Hatchbacks are sportier than before, which is tipping the favour in their direction. It contributes to more people opting for Hatchbacks nowadays.  Moreover, Hatchbacks enjoy a higher resale value in most markets. However, they are more expensive compared to Sedans due to their higher utility. For example, the 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback is more costly than its Sedan counterpart.

There you have it, the main differences between the sedans and the hatchbacks! While both passenger cars come with their pros and cons, the final decision rests on you. Pick the one that suits your lifestyle, offering you the utility you need.