Sedan VS Hatchback
If you’re shopping around for a compact second-hand vehicle, one of the first choices you’ll need to make is whether you’ll be looking at hatchbacks or sedans. Both these small car variants are popular with first-time buyers, families who require a second vehicle to streamline their transport needs, as well as third-party buyers who are shopping for cost-effective vehicle solutions for their children or elderly parents.
Whatever the case may be, it helps to know the one from the other, as well as which benefits they hold. As the proud purveyors of some of the most trusted used cars on South African roads, we’ve had to explain this to more than a few motorists over the years, so we thought we’d share it here as a helpful resource.
The Concise Guide to Sedans VS Hatchbacks
The main difference between the two is the location and accessibility of the boot space.
A sedan has a boot that is completely separate from the rest of the vehicle, i.e. you can only ever access it from the rear door, and no other part of the car at all. This is why a sedan is often referred to as a ‘four-door’, since you can only access the main cabin portion of the car via four of its doors.
The benefits of this type of car layout include:
- Increased security: Your boot cannot be accessed through a broken window.
- More boot volume: A sedan has a bigger boot, so it’s a good option if you are ferrying around sports equipment or will be using it to travel with the family.
- Less dirt transfer: Because the boot is completely separate, dirt will not transfer from the cabin to the boot and vice versa.
A hatchback’s boot, on the other hand, is a part of the main body of the car and could be accessed from the cabin. This is why it is called a ‘five-door’ or a ‘three-door’ vehicle (depending on the make and model in question), since all of its doors allow access to the main body.
The benefits of this type of car layout include:
- Flexibility: You can move around the seats to create more loading space or to transport oddly-shaped items.
- Affordability: Hatchbacks are normally less expensive than their sedan counterparts.
- A sportier stance: Hatchbacks are the car of choice for youngers buyers who prefer a less conservative look.
So, there you have it – the gist of the sedan VS hatchback quandary. If you’re currently in the market for a compact second-hand vehicle with good mileage and an attractive price tag, visit www.group1cars.co.za for an unbeatable selection of quality pre-loved vehicles, or get in touch directly with a representative at one of our dealerships nationwide.
