Hatchback vs Sedan
Young working adults, college graduates, and empty nesters in Pueblo County need a commuter car that’s affordable, efficient, and reliable. For many shoppers at Southwest Motors, a sedan or hatchback fits the bill. Which vehicle type would be best for you: a hatchback or a sedan? Here are the differences to consider.
Cargo space
Most sedans and hatchbacks are built on the same platforms with the same underpinnings. The primary difference comes from the form and dimensions of the rear end.
The Honda Civic Sedan versus Civic Hatchback body shapes provide a great example. Both models have the same wheelbase, width, and peak height. However, the hatchback has 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear row instead of only 15 like the sedan. That’s because of the roofline extends further to give the rear end a boxier shape on the hatchback.
Trunk accessibility
In addition to the extra cargo room, hatchbacks also can accommodate wider items. Their fifth-door hatch has an opening that’s wider and taller than the narrow trunk on the sedan. The hatchback’s lift-up door is twice as big as the sedan’s decklid because it incorporates the rear window glass.
Impact on passenger space
In a hatchback, the cargo area is technically part of the passenger compartment instead of being fully enclosed and separated from the passenger space. Engineers consider the trunk a separate compartment on a sedan but not the hatchback.
Passenger space is typically unaffected between hatchback and sedan bodies, providing comparable seating space for passengers. Sometimes hatchbacks offer more headroom for rear-seat passengers because of the square, horizontal roofline, whereas the sedan’s roofline slopes down gradually for longer.
Driving comfort and performance
Sedans are longer and have an extended rear overhang that imitates the shape of the front end. This form and weight distribution typically make sedans more balanced and have greater stability around turns. Sedans also tend to have less road noise because the rear axle is below the segregated trunk rather than the open hatchback area that reaches passengers’ ears.
The Civic sedan and hatchback have the same engine and transmission with equal power output, but the sedan averages higher mpg on combined city/highway driving (35 vs. 33).[1]
Availability and price
By far, sedans are produced in higher quantity and wider variety than hatchbacks here in the U.S. Here in America, sedans far outsell hatchbacks, so you’ll find 10 times as many sedan models on the market as hatchbacks. This abundance means sedans are more widely available, are abundant on the used car market, and have lower prices than hatchbacks. Hatchbacks have niche appeal and can hold a steady resale value but only if you can find an interested buyer.
Whether you prefer a hatchback or a sedan, we sell both vehicle types here at Southwest Motors. Visit our used car dealership in Pueblo to buy one that suits your needs.
[1] 2023 Honda Civic Sedan: 31 city/40 highway/35 combined mpg rating for LX. 30 city/37 highway/33 combined mpg rating for Sport. 33 city/42 highway/36 combined mpg rating for EX. 31 city/38 highway/34 combined mpg rating for Touring. 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback: 30 city/38 highway/33 combined mpg rating for LX. 26 city/36 highway/29 combined mpg rating for Sport 6MT. 29 city/37 highway/32 combined mpg rating for Sport CVT. 31 city/39 highway/35 combined mpg rating for EX-L. 28 city/37 highway/31 combined mpg rating for Sport Touring 6MT. 30 city/37 highway/33 combined mpg rating for Sport Touring CVT. Based on 2023 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.