Kyle Hunt
All of the overlapping and completely separate terms and options for vehicles can be quite overwhelming, especially with so many car models. There is the Ford Fiesta, the Dodge Dart, the Chevrolet Malibu, so how do you keep all the models straight? Between crossovers, all of the sizing options to your standard vehicle, hybrids, and hatchbacks, comparing vehicles is confusing and incredibly research intensive. Here is some basic, need-to-know information about sedan passenger cars.
Minicompact and subcompact cars have under 85 feet, and 85 to 99 cubic feet of passenger and cargo volume, respectively. The globally best-selling subcompact vehicle is the Ford Fiesta, which is popular in the U.K. and Brazil. Base MSRPs for subcompacts tend to be under $16,000.
The second type of sedan passenger vehicle, the compact, is a very popular category of car in the U.S., heralded for good fuel economy, affordability, and the fact that you can park them anywhere. A compact is defined as possessing 100 to 109 cubic feet of passenger and cargo volume. Almost all compacts start under $20,000 base MSRP. As far as compact hybrids go, Ford Focus Electric gets the best fuel economy, hovering around 105 combined mpg. Meanwhile, other top brand compact cars also sold well in 2012.
This class of sedan passenger vehicles has between 110 to 119 cubic feet of passenger and cargo volume. Many consumers have a difficult time differentiating between compact and midsize sedans, but many experts predict that midsize options will be put on the backburner as consumer demands for fuel-efficient compacts grow. Ford C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid and Ford Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid both boast 58 combined miles per gallon fuel economy (the best of the midsize group). Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry are the most popular midsized sedans in the U.S.
The largest class of passenger vehicles in the sedan category, a full-sized model has 120 or more cubic feet of passenger and cargo volume. Aside from the fully electric, Tesla battery-powered Model S, Ford C-MAX Hybrid FWD's 47 combined mpg is the best fuel economy in the largest sedan class of vehicles sold in the U.S. Full size sedans typically cost between $26,000 and $47,000.
Fullsize, compact, semicompact , and midsize sedans all come in hatchback styles. A hatchback most basically differs from the typical sedan in that the cargo space on a hatchback is open to the backseat of the vehicle and features a lift gate. Conversely, a traditional passenger sedan utilizes a closed off trunk space with less cargo room. Automakers have also produced luxury and economy versions of the different types of passenger sedans. The sedan is getting a revamped image thanks to tech-packed models like the Ford Fiesta, with its tech-integrating hands-free system. It seems obvious that by the time the new vehicle fuel efficiency regulations come into effect in 2025, the sedan (in all its forms, will already be reigning supreme), no longer a boring choice for American consumers.
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