In case you’re debating whether or not to purchase a sedan or a hatchback, place to start out is with realizing what distinguishes one from the opposite. Chances are you’ll hear hatchback vehicles known as sedans, however the construction of every car sort is, in truth, very totally different.
Sedans are outlined as a four-door passenger automobile that has a trunk separate from the passenger space. It’s what’s known as a three-box configuration, with separate compartments for the engine, passengers and cargo.
Hatchbacks are two-door or four-door vehicles, with their passenger and cargo areas related. What actually units them aside is a liftgate (or hatch) that raises up for simple entry to the cargo space. The hatch is typically known as a 3rd or fifth door, and the hatchback is named a two-box configuration.
Due to their variations, hatchbacks and sedans every have benefits and drawbacks, which will help you resolve which is the higher possibility for you.
This Toyota Corolla is an instance of a sedan …
… whereas Honda’s Civic vary contains this hatchback fashion.
How do hatchbacks and sedans evaluate?
Listed below are some variations and similarities to consider when deciding between a hatchback and sedan.
Cupboard space and cargo: Hatchbacks are the clear winner for cupboard space and flexibility when transporting cargo. The rear hatch door opens to create a big space for loading and unloading gadgets simply. Additionally, hatchbacks have rear seats that fold down, creating extra cargo area than you’ll discover in a sedan. Even sedans with rear seats that fold down can have a extra restricted, less-accessible cargo area than a hatchback.
Passenger area: Hatchbacks and sedans can every seat 4 and probably as much as 5 individuals. The consolation of these passengers is the place it’s possible you’ll discover variations. Of the 2, sedans are inclined to have extra legroom, whereas hatchbacks have extra headroom for rear passengers because of the increased roofline within the again.
Measurement: Whereas there isn’t a giant distinction in car dimension, hatchbacks generally is a bit shorter than sedans. That offers them a slight edge with regards to manueverig in tight areas or parallel parking.
Gas effectivity: A hatchback’s design will be much less aerodynamic than the identical mannequin as a sedan, leading to marginally decrease gas effectivity. For instance, the 2025 Honda Civic Sport sedan has an EPA-estimated mpg of 31 within the metropolis, 39 on the freeway and 34 for metropolis and freeway mixed. The identical car as a hatchback has an estimated mpg of 30 metropolis, 38 freeway and 34 mixed.
Price and resale worth: The upfront worth for a hatchback is often barely greater than the identical mannequin as a sedan, however the distinction isn’t usually an enormous one. For instance, the 2025 Toyota Corolla sedan has a beginning MSRP of $22,175, whereas the hatchback is $23,630. Resale worth generally is a toss-up, relying on make, mannequin and demand.
Visibility: For the reason that rear window has a bigger glass space, and the car’s again is often extra vertical, drivers are inclined to have higher visibility in a hatchback.
Street noise: Sedans are often quieter on the street than hatchbacks. Due to the related cargo and passenger space in a hatchback, street noises will be louder.
Safety: In case you recurrently haul worthwhile gadgets, a sedan could also be a preferable alternative. A sedan’s trunk is totally enclosed and out of sight, whereas a hatchback’s rear window offers visibility into the cargo space. Until you will have a canopy, what’s within the cargo space is extra uncovered and probably much less safe.
Figuring out sedans vs hatchbacks will be tough
Once you see a hatchback or sedan, it isn’t at all times simple to inform the distinction between the 2. At one time, all hatchbacks had a particular boxy look, with the liftgate simple to differentiate. Now, extra trendy hatchbacks — particularly sportier and luxurious ones — can have decrease, sloping rooflines that look like the small trunk of a sedan. But when a passenger automobile’s rear door lifts as much as reveal a big storage space main into the passenger space, you’re viewing a hatchback.
Must you select a sedan or hatchback?
Whether or not to resolve on a hatchback or sedan depends upon your wants. If you need a car with extra cargo room and visibility, and also you don’t thoughts a barely noisier journey, a hatchback may be extra appropriate for you. Then again, if you need extra legroom, much less noise and the flexibility to cover what you’re transporting, a sedan may be a greater match. Many automobile fashions — just like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic — can be found in both a sedan or a hatchback model, so you possibly can take a look at drive each to see which you like.
