Over the last few years, the much-loved sedan has fallen by the wayside; flying under the radar. Once the default car of choice for families, it is now SUVs, Bakkies and hatchbacks that have moved in to claim the limelight. The thinking among those looking to sell a car and buy a new one is the belief that these rides offer more flexibility to suit their 21st-century lifestyles than a sedan. But we believe the ‘S-word’ deserves a moment and should no longer be relegated to a C-segment background character in the car-selling and car-buying industries.
It is also worth noting that the visionary and pioneering car engineer, Elon Musk, chose a sedan as Tesla’s electric car prototype in 2009. He clearly saw the merits of a sedan as a worthy choice to catapult the electric vehicle revolution and take us into the future. (Who are we to argue?).
And when you add practicality, versatility, comfort, performance and value into the mix, sedans are proudly on the podium alongside their SUV and hatchback counterparts.
A (really) smooth ride
Let’s start with the ride. If you are prepared to forego sitting higher, then a sedan is going to come out tops when it comes to handling. With softer-tuned suspensions, you are less likely to have a bumpy ride and with a lower centre of gravity, you are less likely to roll. They can handle corners at high speed and generally have a smaller turning radius compared to larger SUVs, Bakkies and 4x4s. (These excellent handling features – related to speed and control – are what make sedans the obvious choice for the performance vehicle category).
From a technical perspective, a sedan’s lower drive height and sleek contoured design aesthetic give you the best aerodynamics. Lower drag also means saving on fuel (more on that later) which is also better for the environment. (Sedans just keep on giving).
A spacious ride
Let’s talk about space. From stretching out in the front seat to the back seats offering extra leg room (at no extra charge), plus an easy fit for baby car seats, a sedan ticks the space and comfort boxes for all passengers. But it doesn’t stop there. Sedans have a surprisingly versatile boot space that can accommodate golf clubs, prams, luggage, shopping and so much more. It’s no wonder we are harping on about them.
This may be just a preference, but it is with mentioning that a sedan’s boot loading lip is much lower than that of SUVs and Bakkies which makes it so much easier to lift and load stuff into the boot. (No wonder it is the car category of choice for public transport carrier, Uber).
A savvy ride
Sedans offer a number of ‘hidden’ benefits.
- One of the most obvious is fuel economy. (A serious consideration for anyone wanting to sell a car and buy a new one). The reason is simple: sedans are lighter than most SUVs or Bakkies. (This also makes them the obvious choice for spearheading the shift to electric and hybrid vehicles). Many sedan models also have powertrains that are tuned for optimal efficiency.
- Another benefit – depending on the manufacturer, make and model – is affordability. The reason for this is in the manufacturing process; sedans do not require as much body cladding material, which makes them less expensive to build.
When it comes to selling your car for an alternative, the categories and choices are endless. Your preference and priorities are just diverse. So, here is the question: “Should a sedan feature on your wishlist when buying a car?” Absolutely!
Do what you have to do; just think about doing it in a sedan.