Sedan Vs Hatchback: Which One Has The Upper Hand?

In the popularity contest between sedan vs hatchback, the first one is a clear winner, especially in the United States. Hatchbacks also have admirers outside the U.S. and they are slowly gaining the approval of the Americans too.

Sedan or hatchback – the dilemma gets people when they are looking to buy a compact car. Shall you go for the traditional sedan or settle for the less common hatchback? Let’s discuss the differences between them and which one you should choose.

Hatchback: Things To Know About This Car

The hatchback was introduced in the early 1930s. However, it was not until 1970 that the hatchback was classified as a separate car type. Hatchback consists of two words put together: hatch: meaning door and back: meaning at the back. Therefore, a hatchback can be understood as a car with a rear door.

Hatchbacks have a similar design to sedans, have 4-5 seats, low ground clearance, and compact size. This design was developed to serve convenient mobility in the city. The rear of the hatchback is not elongated, beveled straight, and perpendicular to the compact luggage compartment combined with a spacious and comfortable space design.

These features help drivers conveniently get in and out of the car, and carry luggage when necessary. Despite its compact design, hatchback cars are no less comfortable, which is why most taxi companies and transportation units prefer this model. However, besides the advantages, hatchbacks have some limitations:

Compared to other models at the same price, the hatchback has less equipment
The chassis of this model is quite low, making moving on bad roads with many potholes somewhat difficult.

Sedan

The sedan is one of the top choices of car buyers today and is becoming increasingly popular due to its compact and optimal design for many purposes.

The origin of name “Sedan” originates from a vehicle in Italy, which looked like a sedan-chair in Asian countries at the end of the 17th century then was first used to refer to a type of car in 1912.

A sedan is a type of car characterized by a body that is divided into three distinct compartments: the engine compartment, the passenger compartment, and the luggage compartment. Specifically, the engine compartment and luggage compartment are designed at a lower level, while the passenger compartment consists of two rows of seats. Sedans typically feature a 4-door structure that is evenly divided on both sides, accommodating 4-5 seats, and they have a relatively low ground clearance, not exceeding 200mm. Unlike SUVs, sedans have a unibody body structure rather than a body-on-frame structure.

With the design of 3 compartments and spacious interior space, sedans can give comfortable and pleasant experiences for drivers.

Difference Between Hatchback And Sedan

Most people mistake all small cars for hatchbacks. But, they have this name due to some specific features. The most striking differences between these models are:

Hatchbacks have a rear hatch door but the sedans do not.
You can divide the interior of sedans into three distinct sections – passenger cabin, luggage space, and engine. Hatchbacks have a more flexible arrangement where you can fold the seats to get more cargo space.

Some models have a hatch but are taller and have more storage space than a hatchback. These are called station wagons.

sedan or hatchback — *Hatchbacks are smaller but more stylish. (Photo Source: toyotavacaville)*

Sedan Vs Hatchback: What Should Be Your Pick?

In the sedan vs hatchback battle, most Americans will pick the first option. But, the hatchbacks have some serious arguments in their favor.

Points for styling

All sedans have uncanny similarity due to their 3-box structure. The hatchbacks will get a plus point in this aspect due to their distinct but stylish look. More detail, Sedans have 4 doors, and 3 compartments, in which the luggage compartment (trunk) is separate from the passenger compartment. Hatchbacks have 3 to 5 doors but only 2 compartments. Despite having the same hatch style, they don’t have the boring appearance of station wagons. They have a shorter rear and a sleeker structure.

The unmatched flexibility

Flexibility is the factor that keeps hatchbacks miles ahead of sedans. The split-folding rear seatbacks come standard in these small cars. The feature allows you to set the interior up according to your convenience. It can accommodate any mix of people and cargo. When the hatchbacks can transform into a cargo hauler at any time, sedans don’t have this privilege. They have a fixed cargo space that cannot be increased by rearranging the back seats.

For example, comparing Mazda 3 sedan vs hatchback for cargo space shows that the sedan version has only 11.8 cu ft of trunk space while its hatchback counterpart has 17 cu ft with back seats up and a whopping 43 cu ft with seats down.

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Interior

The interior layout of hatchbacks is smarter than sedans. They feature an expansive interior without having a larger footprint. The compact body is a relief in the city area where parking space is at a premium. They have a higher roofline and more glass area for better outdoor views.

Resale Value

Hatchbacks are again the winner when it comes to selling your used cars. Some of the popular hatchback models including the Toyota Prius C, MazdaSPeed3, Subaru Impreza, and a few more retain 58% of their original value even after three years of use.

While hatchbacks are the clear winner in this sedan vs hatchback debate, many drivers still prefer the sedans. The reasons for not choosing hatchbacks is their compact size and the window in the cargo area. Ultimately, it is down to a matter of personal choice.

Which car you should buy:

Final Thoughts

In summary, with their unique design, sedans are suitable for customers who like discreteness, elegance, and luxury, and vice versa, hatchbacks will be a superior choice for family couples. Young people or young individuals who like dynamism and comfort or car transportation businesses.

However, every car model has its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on your needs and your budget, drivers will have the choice of a suitable sedan or hatchback model.

This is general information to help drivers answer questions such as what is a hatchback sedan. Comparing sedan and hatchback, it is best to choose to buy a hatchback or sedan. Car From Japan hopes you will be satisfied with our updates