Difference Between Sedan and Hatchback (With Table)

The automobile industry of India is developing continuously to manufacture different designs and types of vehicles with exclusive features which suit the most for the Indian consumers. In today’s car market of India, there are so many different models of cars available as per the size, shape, looks, and design. There are a lot of factors that one should consider before buying any four-wheeler car.

Sedans and Hatchbacks are the two categories of passenger cars that are in demand in today’s market. But before buying any of the two, the user must know the purpose of buying the car and what kind of user he is. The global demand for sedans and hatchbacks increases day by day. This is because these two cars provide great specifications and features in their price range.

Sedan vs Hatchback

The main difference between a Sedan and a Hatchback is that a Sedan is a passenger car that has a separate trunk built on a three-box body design. On the other hand, Hatchback is a compact size passenger car built on a two-box body with a flip-up tailgate.

The Sedan is a four-door passenger vehicle with a separate trunk built. Most of the sedans are built on a three-box layout design. The first box stores the engine part, the second box is the space for passengers, and the third or rear box is called the truck, which provides the luggage storing space. These cars come with a packed boot system such that anything inside the car cannot be seen from the outside which makes them more protective.

The Hatchback is a vehicle having a two-box design. These two boxes have their role in the formation of the car. The engine of the car occupies the first box itself, whereas the second box provides the space for the passengers and luggage material. This car model is a better option for beginner-level drivers due to its short bonnet.

Comparison Table Between Sedan and Hatchback

Parameters of Comparison

Sedan

Hatchback

Definition

A sedan is a four-door passenger car built on a three-box body.

A hatchback is a four-door passenger car built on a two-box body.

Boot Space

A sedan has less boot space in the cabin.

The hatchback has a bigger boot space due to its foldable rear seats.

Fuel Efficiency

Sedan consumes more fuel due to their luxury.

Hatchbacks consume less fuel due to their lightweight.

Rear Visibility

The rear visibility of the sedan is less due to the extra luggage compartment.

The rear visibility of hatchbacks is good enough to reverse them on roads.

Trim Options

More trim options are available for sedans due to their more demands.

Hatchbacks have fewer trim options due to their less popularity in the market.

What is Sedan?

A sedan or saloon is a passenger car in a three-box configuration with A, B, and C-pillars and principal volumes articulated in separate compartments for the engine, passenger, and cargo. The passenger compartment features two rows of seats and adequate passenger space in the rear seat for adult passengers. The cargo compartment is typically in the rear, except for some rear-engine models. Sedan cars maintain more stability at high speeds on the highways.

Sedan cars are a little longer, due to which it is quite difficult to park them in a compact parking area. The main feature of a sedan is that it is designed with separate passenger space and boot space. Due to the bigger size and less rear visibility, sedans are difficult to be a park in tight and compact spaces.

What is Hatchback?

A hatchback is a passenger family car where 2-5 persons can easily sit in it. Hatchbacks may feature a two or three-box design and these cars provide more space to store cargo. Hatchbacks are some of the most recognizable cars of the modern age. The styling of the hatchback is very sleek and sloping in the back. The rear seat of hatchbacks can be foldable in case of increasing luggage space if needed.

Hatchback cars are best for those who drive them regularly on a busy road. These cars can smoothly run and be a park in any place as per the user’s need. Hatchbacks have a lighter curb weight, due to which it shows a better mileage and consumes fewer fuels. Hatchbacks are more affordable for any person, and the maintenance cost is also less. The absence of cargo cover in the hatchbacks makes the luggage inside the car visible from outside.

Main Differences Between Sedan and Hatchback

  1. A sedan is always larger in dimension, whereas the hatchbacks are more compact.
  2. Sedans are built on three-box bodies, whereas hatchbacks are built-in two-box bodies.
  3. The Sedan offers more cabin space compared to a hatchback offers a small cabin space for the owner.
  4. Sedans do not provide an aesthetic look compared to hatchbacks, which are more aesthetic in design and look.
  5. Sedans consume more fuel due to their greater curb weight as compared to the more fuel-efficient hatchbacks.
  6. Sedans are costly due to their features compared to hatchbacks, which come in an affordable price range.

Conclusion

The Sedan and hatchback cars both provide value for money for the features which they provide at their price range. But before buying any car, we must have to what’s our purpose is and what are some of the basic and must-needed features in it. The elegant design, looks, and style of a sedan car show a better social status as compared to the hatchback. But the hatchback puts less load on the budget and pocket of the owner due to its fewer maintenance costs.

In today’s economic life, buying a car is not an easy task. It requires a lot of information about the model which anyone going to buy according to his purpose. The above mention points will surely help anyone to choose the right choice, especially between a sedan and a hatchback as per their requirements.

References

  1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749116306650
  2. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/4338720/