Which Is Better: a Sedan or a Hatchback?

So, you're planning a long road trip but confused about which type of car is best for long drives — a sedan or a hatchback? It is a common dilemma that arises quite often as both have their own set of pros and cons. There are many different things one should account for when making this decision, such as budget, storage space needed, and comfort level. But in the end, it all boils down to what combination of features makes up the best car for you as an individual.

This article will help you understand the difference between a sedan and a hatchback so keep reading.

A sedan car, also called a saloon car or sedan, is a passenger car in a three-box configuration with separate compartments for the engine, passenger and cargo. Sedan cars are usually fitted with four doors and are typically designed to accommodate four to five passengers. Sedans have evolved from the earliest horseless carriage designs, and early examples featured only two doors and were known as coupes.

Over time, a third box was added to the design, creating the additional trunk space that became a hallmark of sedan cars. Sedan cars are characterised by their low rooflines, long hoods and trunks. They are often longer than other passenger cars, including hatchbacks and station wagons, but they tend to be less spacious than minivans or sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

Advantages of a Sedan

The advantages of owning a Sedan are as follows –

• Spacious Cabin – They are designed with separate cabins and trunks that provide more legroom and spaciousness for the passengers.
• Boot Space – These cars come with a greater storage space without discomforting the space for rear passengers.
• Powerful Engine – Most sedans come with powerful engines delivering a smoother and more comfortable drive.
• Low NVH levels – These cars carry a better level of insulation that simultaneously lowers the noise, vibrations and harshness when driving.
• Stability at Higher Speed – The sedans provide greater stability when riding at high speed on highways.
• Social Status – Sedan cars are rather seen as a symbol of reputed social image due to their elegance and stylish appearance.

Disadvantages of a Sedan

Following are the disadvantages of a Sedan car –

• Heavier on Pocket – These cars are a bit costlier than hatchbacks.
• Fuel Consumption– Due to their higher kerb weight, they consume more fuel than hatchbacks.
• Difficult to Manoeuvre – In cities with high traffic, these cars are difficult to drive through small spaces and require more parking space than hatchbacks.
• Low Rear Visibility – It is difficult for the driver to keep a check on the tail-end while parking the car in reverse gear.
• Low Resale Value – The sedans have a low resale value compared to their hatchback counterparts for the same particulars.

A hatchback is a car having a rear door which opens upwards, and the bodywork typically extends to the car's rear bumper. The term "hatchback" comes from the vehicle being a smaller version of a regular passenger wagon or sedan/saloon with the cargo area accessed from behind by lifting a full-height door. Hatchbacks are often designed to be more practical and comfortable than other small cars due to their larger size.

Hatchbacks may be described as three-door (two entry doors and the hatchback) or five-door (four entry doors and the hatchback) cars. The defining feature of these cars is the rear door which opens upwards, allowing easy access for loading and unloading items into the back seats or trunk/boot space. They also typically feature second-row fold-down seating, giving them a high load capacity in relation to their size.

Advantages of a Hatchback

The advantages of a hatchback are as follows –

• Practical for City Use – They are easy to manoeuvre through busy city traffic due to a compact hatch design with chopped boots and require less parking space compared to sedans.
• Beginner-friendly – These cars are an excellent choice for entry-level riders as they can easily check the endpoints while riding, thus reducing the chances of a collision.
• Better Fuel Efficiency – With lower kerb weight, these cars provide an overall better distance to fuel consumption ratio.
• Good Resale Value – Compared to a Sedan or SUVs, hatchbacks have a better resale value, though running for the same period and distance.
• Budget-friendly – The hatchbacks have lower buying and maintenance costs than the sedans, which makes them highly pocket-friendly.
• Clear Rear Visibility – It is easy to reverse a hatchback because there is no compartment behind the windscreen at the rear.

Disadvantages of a Hatchback

Following are the disadvantages of a hatchback –

• Low Engine Power – Hatchbacks generally lack the engine power otherwise delivered by a sedan.
• Low Boot Space – Owing to its compact design, increasing the storage space subsequently affects the legroom.