Your Full Information to Shopping for a Sedan

Sedans usually come to thoughts once we envision a passenger automotive, however not all passenger vehicles are sedans. The normal definition of a sedan is a automobile that has three separate compartments for the engine, passengers and cargo — or a three-box configuration — in addition to 4 doorways.

The earliest U.S. sedans got here into existence within the early 1900s, and for many years they dominated automobile gross sales. However previously decade sedans have declined in reputation, primarily on account of extra drivers selecting car-like crossover SUVs. Nonetheless, for sure varieties of drivers — households wanting reliability, first-time automotive consumers, commuters wanting gas effectivity — sedans proceed to be a sensible and common alternative.

Should you’re contemplating shopping for a sedan, this information will help you navigate all you could know, from the kinds accessible to key concerns when selecting one.

Sedans are available a spread of sizes and costs, from budget-friendly to costlier luxurious fashions. You could find some sedans with an MSRP beneath $25,000, and one 2025 mannequin — the subcompact Nissan Versa — is priced beneath $20,000. On the very best finish of the vary are luxurious sedans, with sticker costs nicely above $100,000. In 2025, the most costly luxurious sedan would be the Rolls Royce Phantom, with an anticipated value of merely $510,000.

Sometimes, sedans are damaged into 4 classes by measurement: subcompact, compact, midsize and full-size. These classes will help you slender your selections to seek out the sedan greatest suited in your wants.

You’ll discover completely different approaches to figuring out which sedans fall into every class, with some of the frequent being classifications outlined by the Environmental Safety Company for its gas economic system reporting. The EPA categorizes a sedan based mostly on its mixed passenger and cargo inside quantity, which we clarify on this breakdown of sedan varieties.

The EPA defines subcompact sedans as having 85 to 99.9 cubic-feet of inside area, however you received’t discover a lot of them. As drivers flip to bigger vehicles and SUVs, subcompact sedans are disappearing from the market. The Mitsubishi Mirage G4, recognized for its gas effectivity and low beginning value, is being discontinued after the 2024 mannequin 12 months. The one remaining alternative for a real subcompact sedan that’s fairly priced is the Nissan Versa, with a beginning MSRP of $17,190.

The compact class consists of sedans which have 100 to 109.9 cubic-feet of inside area. They’re additionally known as small vehicles. Lately, compact sedans have seen a slight resurgence in reputation, as automotive consumers search economical choices amid excessive automobile costs and auto mortgage charges. In line with the 2024 AAA Your Driving Prices examine, small sedans even have the bottom possession prices of all automobile classes at $5,786 a 12 months. (Their examine takes under consideration bills for gas, upkeep, insurance coverage, license, registration, taxes and depreciation for a brand new automobile pushed 15,000 miles yearly over 5 years.)

• Execs: Decrease buy value than bigger sedans, higher gas effectivity, straightforward to navigate in site visitors and tight areas, high fashions maintain resale worth nicely.

• Cons: Smaller cargo area, restricted rear legroom and headroom, much less protected in collisions on account of measurement, low floor clearance.

• Finest for: Metropolis drivers, budget-conscious consumers, first-time automotive consumers, {couples}, small households.

• Typical value vary: Low $20,000s to low $30,000s. Luxurious fashions begin at round $35,000.

• Gas effectivity: Common 33 mpg metropolis/freeway mixed for non-hybrid/electrical, with some at about 36 mpg. Hybrid fashions can acquire greater than 45 mpg.

• Fashionable fashions: Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, Kia Forte.

• Drivetrain: Normally front-wheel drive (FWD), with all-wheel drive (AWD) as an possibility for some fashions, particularly higher-level trims. A couple of luxurious fashions have rear-wheel drive (RWD).

Sedans with 110 to 119.9 cubic-feet of area fall into the midsize section. Whereas carmakers are additionally turning their consideration from this section to extra common SUVs, some midsize sedan fashions keep their reputation 12 months after 12 months. They provide a mixture of effectivity, affordability, area and luxury. In line with AAA, medium sedan possession prices are round $7,042 yearly, putting them behind the price of subcompact SUVs and barely higher than compact SUVs.

• Execs: Passenger room for as much as 5, extra trunk area than compact sedans, decrease buy value and higher gas effectivity than bigger automobiles.

• Cons: Dearer than compact vehicles, much less passenger and space for storing than SUVs, low floor clearance, no or restricted towing capability.

• Finest for: Small to medium-sized households, every day commuters, budget-conscious consumers, long-distance drivers.

• Typical value vary: Higher $20,000s. Luxurious fashions begin at round $40,000.

• Gas effectivity: Common 30 mpg metropolis/freeway mixed for non-hybrid/electrical. Some 2025 midsize hybrid sedans have a mixed mpg of fifty or extra.

• Fashionable fashions: Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry (hybrid solely).

• Drivetrain: Generally FWD, with AWD as an possibility. Some are customary AWD, and some luxurious fashions are RWD.

Sedans with greater than 120 cubic-feet of area fall into the full-size class, additionally known as massive vehicles. You received’t discover a lengthy listing of full-size sedans, as automotive producers are additionally changing their manufacturing with extra common SUVs. Full-size sedans nonetheless available on the market are primarily costly luxurious fashions, with most lower-cost fashions discontinued.

• Execs: Most trunk and passenger area in comparison with different sedans, smoother trip, sturdy security efficiency, fashionable with superior expertise and options.

• Cons: Excessive price ticket in comparison with compact and midsize, decrease gas effectivity, much less agile on account of measurement and weight.

• Finest for: Households, long-distance drivers and professionals who prioritize area, consolation and class.

• Typical value vary: Low $80,000s to mid $150,000s. Some high-end fashions can attain half one million {dollars}. A notable exception is the hybrid Toyota Crown with an MSRP of $41,440.

• Gas effectivity: Common 24 mpg metropolis/freeway mixed for non-hybrid/electrical. The Toyota Crown can acquire as much as 41 mpg, whereas the highest-end fashions might be as little as 14 mpg.

• Fashionable fashions: Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Genesis G90, BMW 7 Sequence, Audi A8, Lexus LS. A few of these are gentle hybrids, that means they mix a standard inside combustion engine with an electrical motor and a small battery, however they will’t function solely on electrical energy.

• Drivetrain: Primarily FWD or RWD, with AWD as an possibility.

Right now’s sedans incorporate superior security options, improved gas effectivity and modern expertise. Proudly owning and driving a sedan consists of these advantages:

Affordability: Sedans can be found with decrease beginning costs and possession prices when in comparison with SUVs or vans. This makes them particularly engaging to first-time automotive consumers or anybody on a good funds.

Gas effectivity: Their lighter weight and smooth design make many sedans extra fuel-efficient than different automobile physique types. Hybrid and electrical fashions are additionally accessible.

Easy trip: Due to their decrease middle of gravity, sedans present a secure and comfy trip. They’re additionally sometimes simpler to deal with when driving.

Expertise: Many fashionable sedans come geared up with superior infotainment techniques and driver-assistance options.

Security: Whereas sedans do have some disadvantages — like smaller measurement — with regards to a collision, in addition they have benefits. Their decrease middle of gravity makes them much less more likely to roll over than an SUV. Additionally, their ease of dealing with might be useful when making an attempt to keep away from a crash.

Though sedans have declined in reputation, there may be nonetheless an array to select from. You’ll discover a variety of costs, sizes, types and options, with choices for practically each sort of driver. To resolve on the sedan make and mannequin that’s best for you, listed here are some issues to contemplate:

Dimension: When deciding between a compact, midsize or full-size sedan, weigh your desire for maneuverability versus spaciousness. A compact sedan goes to be simpler to drive in site visitors or manuever by way of tight areas, nevertheless it will not be the best choice you probably have a household of 5.

House: Take into consideration passenger and cargo area. Should you’ll repeatedly have grownup passengers using within the again, a midsize or bigger mannequin can be your best option. Additionally, take note of trunk capability should you plan to hold baggage, groceries or sports activities gear repeatedly. It’s additionally value noting that due to their longer physique, sedans are likely to have extra passenger area than a hatchback or coupe — two different passenger-car types. Nevertheless, hatchbacks normally have essentially the most cargo area of the three.

Consolation and inside: Take into consideration what consolation options are necessary to you — reminiscent of sure seat supplies, heated or ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, dual-zone local weather management or reminiscence seats and mirrors. If attainable, take a look at drive any sedans you’re contemplating.

Gas sort and economic system: Examine the gas economic system ranking — mpg for fuel and MPGe for electrical automobiles — of the vehicles you’re fascinated with. The EPA determines and stories gas economic system for 3 varieties of driving: metropolis, freeway and mixed (a median of metropolis and freeway). You could find this data at fueleconomy.gov, on new automobile window stickers, producer web sites and on-line automotive retailer websites. Taking a look at these scores may also allow you to resolve between a fuel, hybrid or absolutely electrical sedan.

Use: Take into consideration the principle methods you’ll be driving your sedan. For every day commuting and street journeys, gas effectivity and luxury may very well be the largest precedence. For professionals, an upscale inside or reliable connectivity may very well be a figuring out issue. For drivers dwelling in an space with harsh climate, AWD or the next floor clearance is perhaps necessary.

Engine and energy: Sedans supply a wide range of engine varieties, from four-cylinder to turbocharged. Compact sedans with four- or six- cylinder engines are typically extra fuel-efficient, however ship much less horsepower. Midsize or full-size sedans with six- or eight-cylinder engines present extra horsepower at the price of gas effectivity. Turbochargers give an engine additional energy with out sacrificing gas effectivity.

Expertise and leisure: Practically all of at the moment’s sedans include some sort of touchscreen system, from easy to elaborate, so decide which shall be best so that you can use. Think about the supply of options like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, built-in navigation, wi-fi charging and voice controls. Do they arrive customary or at a further price?

Reliability: Analysis the reliability and model popularity of the sedans you’re contemplating. Have they’d quite a lot of recollects? What do on-line proprietor opinions point out? You can too discover reliability scores for varied makes and fashions by way of Client Experiences and J.D. Energy. Additionally, examine guarantee coverages and analysis resale worth. Particular makes and fashions — such because the Honda Accord, Honda Civic and Toyota Camry —are recognized for sustaining a robust resale worth.

New vs. used: Whether or not you purchase a brand new or used sedan, you’ll discover professionals and cons for every. A brand new sedan is more likely to have the most recent security and tech options, and it supplies peace of thoughts with full guarantee protection. You might also scale back your price with producer incentives. The draw back is the next upfront value and quicker depreciation. Should you go for a used sedan, the worth tag will possible be decrease, and chances are you’ll pay much less for taxes, registration and insurance coverage. Nevertheless, you received’t have a full guarantee, so getting knowledgeable inspection both before you purchase or inside a return window is necessary.

With sedan fashions ranging in value from lower than $20,000 to greater than $500,000, the month-to-month cost for a 60-month, 7% APR mortgage for a sedan may very well be from about $400 to $9,900. Whereas it isn’t possible that many individuals shall be flocking to that highest cost, you’ll nonetheless wish to decide the place on this vary your funds falls. It’s greatest to do that earlier than you begin purchasing, so you possibly can goal the automobiles which can be a match and don’t overspend.

An auto mortgage calculator can present you an estimated cost quantity and complete mortgage price for various automobile costs, mortgage phrases and rates of interest.

To get an thought of the speed you’ll qualify for, apply for auto mortgage pre-qualification or preapproval. Pre-qualification with a mushy credit score test received’t have an effect on your credit score scores, nevertheless it isn’t a agency supply of credit score and the speed you are given is extra more likely to change through the mortgage course of. Nonetheless, you should utilize pre-qualified charges for planning.

A preapproved charge carries extra weight and is much less more likely to change, nevertheless it sometimes requires a tough credit score inquiry which can quickly decrease your credit score scores. You’ll be able to current a preapproved charge to a automotive supplier to see if it could actually beat the speed, however should you’re shopping for and financing by way of a web based retailer most don’t negotiate charges.

Along with the MSRP or sticker value, your sedan prices will embody ongoing bills like gas, insurance coverage and upkeep. A complete price of possession calculator will help with planning and budgeting for the long-term.

Automotive group AAA conducts an annual Your Driving Prices examine that breaks down automobiles by class and supplies the common prices for 5 top-selling fashions in every class. The abstract beneath is for the sedan class in 2024 and never a particular make and mannequin.

SUVs have surpassed sedans in reputation, and lately automakers have discontinued the manufacturing of many sedan fashions. Nevertheless, sedans stay a dependable and reasonably priced alternative for many individuals, and you may nonetheless discover many makes and fashions to select from, with extra EVs and hybrids within the combine.

Should you’re nonetheless torn between a sedan versus an SUV or a gas-powered sedan versus an electrical one, our SUV shopping for information and EV shopping for information will help you resolve. However should you already know a sedan is the fitting alternative for you, listed here are some steps to take:

• After figuring out your wants and preferences in a automotive, decide which sedans are a match. A lot of your analysis might be achieved on-line utilizing automotive websites and car-buying apps, the place you possibly can filter by funds, desired options and extra. 

• While you’ve selected a particular make and mannequin, use pricing guides like Kelley Blue E-book and Edmunds to find out a good value and keep away from overpaying for the automotive you need. Additionally, look into any accessible rebates or incentives, which you’ll be able to normally discover on producer web sites.

• You could discover the automotive you need at a neighborhood supplier, however with a particular automobile in thoughts you may need to make use of different avenues — like ordering immediately from the producer or utilizing web sites that listing supplier stock from throughout the nation.