Sedans are no doubt one of the most popular cars today. With their 4 doors for passengers and separate boot or trunk for luggage or cargo, they are known for being practical, comfortable and even stylish.
A Brief History
We can trace the term "sedan" all the way back to a 17th-century chair known as the sedan chair. It was basically a box-like structure carried by porters to transport someone. It was in the early 20th century that the name was first applied to cars, with models like Studebaker Four and Six making the term popular in 1912. Over the years, sedans have evolved into a symbol of middle class status and style.
Basic Features of Sedans
Let's take a look at the basic features of sedans.
Fixed Roof: They have a fixed roof. This protects people in the car from sun, rain and other weather elements. It also adds strength and stability to the vehicle.
Separate Trunk: They have a separate trunk space (boot) that is unconnected to the passenger side of the vehicle.
Doors: Sedans usually have four doors which provide easy access to the front and rear seats.
Comfort and Space: In sedans, comfort and space are top priorities, so there is usually generous legroom, headroom, and of course cargo space.
Types of Sedans
Compact Sedans - These are smaller sedans that are fuel-efficient and are usually affordable. Popular examples include Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
Mid-Size Sedans - These are usually bigger than compacts, so they are more spacious. They are also fuel efficient. Popular examples include Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
Full-Size Sedans - They are the largest type of sedans so they offer more interior space and are usually more comfortable for driver and passengers. [/Popular examples - Toyota Avalon and Ford Taurus.
Luxury Sedans - These are high-end sedans that prioritize luxury, and advance tech. They also offer refined performance. Examples of popular luxury sedans include Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7-Series.
Benefits of Sedans
Practicality - Sedans are very practical vehicles as they are known for always having great space for passengers and cargo. This is one reason why they are seen as the ideal car for daily commutes and family transportation.
Comfort - With sedans, a comfortable ride is guaranteed, since there is ample legroom and headroom. Some even come with advanced features like heated seats and climate control.
Style - Latest sedans are not just practical vehicles, they are stylishly designed to appeal to people of different lifestyles.
Sedan vs. Other Body Styles
Sedans vs. Hatchbacks
An obvious difference between sedans and hatchbacks is the separate trunk that sedans have. Hatchbacks don't have that. Hatchbacks have a rear door that swings upwards to provide you access to the cargo area which is not totally cut off from the passenger area. The sedan's cargo area (trunk) is not accessible from the passenger area.
Sedans vs. SUVs
Ground clearance and off road capability are features that separate SUVs from sedans. Sedans generally sit lower to the ground while SUVs are higher. SUVs often feature all-wheel drive (AWD) or 4-wheel drive (4WD) which enables them drive better on rough terrain.
Sedans vs. Coupes
Sedans usually have four doors while coupes only have two doors. Coupes also have a sportier look.
Advanced Technology
As stated earlier, sedans are not just practical vehicles. Car makers now go out of their way to make them more stylish and technologically advanced.
Recent sedan models now come equipped with advanced tech like:
Advanced Safety Features - These include blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning etc.
Advanced Infotainment Systems - These often come with touchscreen display and easy phone integration.
Driver Assistance Features - These include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and more.
Conclusion
Sedans are awesome vehicles that come with cool features and great benefits. There are so many options available in the market that finding one that suits your needs should not be a problem at all. Just consider your budget and lifestyle and you should be able to make a great choice!
