What is a sedan?

A sedan is a type of car with a trunk lid that is hinged under the rear window, and the trunk itself is separate from the passenger compartment. It's a fairly simple concept, but that's not all. Read on to find out.

What does the salon look like?

Sedans generally look different than hatchbacks or station wagons, with a more pronounced "three-box" shape, with separate "boxes" for the engine in the front, a passenger compartment in the middle, and a trunk in the back. 

Cars such as the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4 have a classic sedan look. Some sedans, such as the Jaguar XE, have a sleeker look and can be mistaken for hatchbacks. And some hatchbacks look more like sedans, like the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

Regardless of what they look like, the defining characteristic of a sedan is the trunk, which is separate from the car's main passenger space, whereas the hatchback has a full-height trunk lid that includes the rear window.

BMW 3 Series

What is the difference between a sedan and a hatchback?

The sedan has a trunk lid that folds out under the rear window, while the hatchback actually has an extra full-height door in the back. This is why the sedan is often referred to as a "four-door" model, while the hatchback is usually referred to as a "three-door" or "five-door". 

Alfa Romeo Julia

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What is the difference between a sedan and a coupe?

Many coupes are technically sedans in the sense that their trunk lid folds down under the rear window. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is one example. However, the fundamental difference is that sedans have two doors on each side for a total of four doors. Coupes have only one door on each side and tend to look sleeker and sportier than sedans.

Confusing, perhaps, but some automakers refer to their most elegant sedans as "four-door coupes." Examples include the Mercedes-Benz CLA coupe and the Mercedes-Benz CLS coupe.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe

How big are the salons?

Salons come in different sizes. The smallest sedans in the UK are the Audi A3, Fiat Tipo and Mercedes A-Class, all also available as hatchbacks around the same size as the Ford Focus. Incidentally, Fiat is also the most economical sedan available in the UK.

Up the size and you can choose from a variety of sedans, including the Jaguar XE and Volkswagen Passat. In addition to this size, the sedan is the "main" option for many cars, including the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes S-Class.

Jaguar XE

How practical are salons?

There are many cabins with large trunks, and some have rear seats that fold down to create more space. But the ultimate practicality of a sedan is always limited compared to a hatchback or station wagon.

That's because a sedan's trunk is about half the height of a car, so you can put a certain amount of stuff in there. Hatchbacks and station wagons have much more flexible trunks. Remove the trunk lid and you can pack on the roof if you want.

It can also be difficult to load bulky items into the trunk of a sedan because the opening is relatively small. However, in particular, in large salons there are boots large enough for the needs of most families. The relative lack of trunk space can only be a problem during those occasional runs and two-week vacations.

Volvo S90

What are the benefits of salons?

The trunk is separate from the passenger compartment, which means sedans are generally quieter than a hatchback or station wagon while driving. It also means that whatever is left in the trunk is more secure as it is locked under a metal trunk lid rather than a glass one. 

Most of the sedans available in the UK are built by premium brands, so they often feel more luxurious than other types of cars. Sedans made by non-premium brands also tend to be high-spec models.

BMW 5 Series

What are the disadvantages of salons?

The lack of choice is one of the downsides if you're looking for a sedan. Other than the Fiat Tipo, there are no small, low-cost sedans in the UK, while the range of new mid-size sedans on sale is smaller than it was a few years ago.

Their longer body and relatively low seating position mean some people find them harder to park than, say, a compact SUV, although most sedans have parking sensors or even cameras to help. 

Salon "Mercedes-Benz" A-Class

Why is it called a salon at all?

The word "saloon" comes from the French "salon", which means "large room". 

The term "sedan" was originally used to refer to luxury carriages on a train. It was adopted by British car manufacturers in the early 20th century to describe cars with a closed cabin. In other countries, a sedan is usually referred to as a sedan.

Alfa Romeo Julia

At Cazoo you will find a wide range of high quality sedans. Use our search tool to find the one that's right for you, buy it online and have it delivered to your door. Or pick it up at Cazoo Customer Service.

We are constantly updating and expanding our range. If you can't find a sedan within your budget today, check back soon to see what's available, or set up a stock alert to be the first to know when we have showrooms available to suit your needs.