Hatchback or Sedan: Which Is the Better Choice?

Hatchbacks are getting more and more popular every day. But does that mean they are right for you? We’ll help you evaluate your choices by examining the pros and cons of hatchbacks and sedans. What you should remember is that both offer space for five passengers, and both types in the same category will also offer about the same gas mileage. Now we’ll examine the differences.

A hatchback is a car with an engine compartment and another compartment for the passengers and cargo. It has no partition between the passenger and cargo area like a sedan. The cargo area door, or hatch, or lift-gate swings up vertically along with the rear window. A sedan has an engine compartment, a passenger cabin with four doors, and a third compartment for the cargo called the trunk. The trunk is an enclosed lockable space that’s separate from the passenger cabin.

Cargo Space

People that need more cargo space usually opt for a hatchback. The trunk and the passenger area being one compartment offer a huge amount of cargo space, especially with the rear seatbacks folded down. The large hatch also creates a big opening allowing cargo to be loaded and unloaded with ease. In a sedan, the trunk opening is large but nowhere as large or convenient as that of a hatchback. The cargo space available is also limited. Some sedans have folding rear seats that allow longer items to be carried, but that’s not a common feature. But items with height cannot be carried in a sedan like they can in a hatch.

Single Compartment

The single passenger-cargo compartment of a hatchback is beneficial for storage. But it also means that the cargo is loose and not contained in a closed place. This could cause increased noise levels, and in the case of hard braking or an accident, the item in the cargo space could fly into the passenger area. People can also see items stored in the cargo space through the rear window if the parcel tray has been removed. The single compartment of the hatchback also requires more energy to heat or cool the cabin. So, which one do you think suits your lifestyle?