March 2007
What to look for in a sedan
There is a wide range of sedans from which to choose. CR divides sedans into several categories: small, family, upscale, large, and luxury. Even within those categories, you can
find models with very different driving characteristics, each balancing sportiness, comfort, and practicality in different
ways. (See our complete test results and Ratings for reliability, owner satisfaction, safety, and more, available to subscribers.)
Why buy a sedan? Sedans provide the best all-around balance of handling, performance, comfort, fuel economy, safety, and access. They are good choices for most types of driving situations, unless you need a lot of cargo space or room for more than five people, or have the need to tow heavy loads.
Engines and transmissions. Most small and midsized sedans come with a four-cylinder engine, which typically provides the best fuel economy. For more power, choose a six-cylinder or turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Some modern V6s provide fuel economy that is almost as good as or better than a four-cylinder's. Upscale sedans usually come with a six-cylinder, although some offer an optional V8 for more power. Luxury and large sedans are typically powered by V8s. Look for an engine that operates smoothly and quietly. While idling, there should be minimal noise or vibration. Even under hard acceleration, the engine should never be intrusive. Many sedans are available only with an automatic transmission. Manual transmissions are often available for small and sports sedans. Manuals provide better performance and fuel economy than automatics, and many drivers find them more fun to drive. Many automatics now provide a manual-shift mode that works similar to a manual transmission, but without a clutch.
Front-, rear- or all-wheel drive? Most sedans use front-wheel drive, which usually provides better traction than rear-wheel drive in slippery conditions. Increasingly, luxury and sports sedans are using rear-wheel drive, which typically provides better handling and steering. All-wheel-drive (AWD) sedans are increasingly popular; they provide significantly better traction in slippery conditions. Traction control, available on many sedans, also helps provide extra traction in slippery conditions, but it isn’t as effective as all-wheel drive. For more information about drive systems, see our traction-debate report.
Fuel economy. Even within the same categories, the fuel-economy of different models can vary significantly. (See our comparison of real-world fuel-economy results for all tested models, available to subscribers.)
Access. When comparing sedans, try entering and exiting from all four doors. A well-designed sedan should provide wide doors and enough head room so that both front and rear passengers can enter and exit easily without bumping their heads.
Seating. Most sedans provide seating for five--two front and three rear passengers. But the middle rear position is often tight and uncomfortable for adults. Sit in each seat to gauge its comfort. Look for a center rear seat with a three-point safety belt rather than a lap belt. Some large sedans have a front bench seat, with three seating positions. But the center position is cramped and unsafe because it has only a lap belt. If your primary rear-seat passengers are children, rear leg room may not be a priority. If you intend to seat adults in back, they should be able to sit comfortably with the front seats pushed a good way back. You can check this by adjusting the driver’s seat so that it's comfortable for you, then sitting in the seat behind it, checking for adequate leg room.
Cargo space. When comparing trunks, don’t look at just the overall size, but also at the dimensions of the trunk opening, the method of trunk release, and how high you have to lift objects to place them in the trunk. If you have any large items such as golf clubs or luggage that you’ll often need to carry, you may want to bring them with you when you shop. Many sedans are available with a lockable fold-down rear seatback that allows cargo in the trunk to extend into the cabin. A split-back design is the most versatile because one side can be folded down while a person occupies the other rear seat. Some cars include only a small central pass-through that lets you carry skis or other long, narrow objects but lacks the overall versatility of a folding seatback. Compare the size of the opening to gauge the overall usability.
Towing. Many sedans are not rated for towing. Those that are typically rated up to only 1,000 pounds. A few sedans can tow more than 3,000 pounds. Look at the tow capacity rating and be sure you get a vehicle that can handle any load you may tow. Tow packages are typically available as a factory option or can be purchased as an aftermarket product.
Safety features. All new sedans have standard dual front air bags, three-point safety belts in the outboard seating positions, and top-tether and LATCH child-seat attachments in the rear seats. Some sedans offer side air bags and/or head-protection bags, typically a side-curtain design that is designed to protect people in both the front and rear seats. Antilock brakes are standard or optional on most models.
Also look for safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, tire-pressure monitors, safety-belt pretensioners, occupant-sensing air-bag systems, and daytime running lights.
Why buy a sedan? Sedans provide the best all-around balance of handling, performance, comfort, fuel economy, safety, and access. They are good choices for most types of driving situations, unless you need a lot of cargo space or room for more than five people, or have the need to tow heavy loads.
Engines and transmissions. Most small and midsized sedans come with a four-cylinder engine, which typically provides the best fuel economy. For more power, choose a six-cylinder or turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Some modern V6s provide fuel economy that is almost as good as or better than a four-cylinder's. Upscale sedans usually come with a six-cylinder, although some offer an optional V8 for more power. Luxury and large sedans are typically powered by V8s. Look for an engine that operates smoothly and quietly. While idling, there should be minimal noise or vibration. Even under hard acceleration, the engine should never be intrusive. Many sedans are available only with an automatic transmission. Manual transmissions are often available for small and sports sedans. Manuals provide better performance and fuel economy than automatics, and many drivers find them more fun to drive. Many automatics now provide a manual-shift mode that works similar to a manual transmission, but without a clutch.
Front-, rear- or all-wheel drive? Most sedans use front-wheel drive, which usually provides better traction than rear-wheel drive in slippery conditions. Increasingly, luxury and sports sedans are using rear-wheel drive, which typically provides better handling and steering. All-wheel-drive (AWD) sedans are increasingly popular; they provide significantly better traction in slippery conditions. Traction control, available on many sedans, also helps provide extra traction in slippery conditions, but it isn’t as effective as all-wheel drive. For more information about drive systems, see our traction-debate report.
Fuel economy. Even within the same categories, the fuel-economy of different models can vary significantly. (See our comparison of real-world fuel-economy results for all tested models, available to subscribers.)
Access. When comparing sedans, try entering and exiting from all four doors. A well-designed sedan should provide wide doors and enough head room so that both front and rear passengers can enter and exit easily without bumping their heads.
Seating. Most sedans provide seating for five--two front and three rear passengers. But the middle rear position is often tight and uncomfortable for adults. Sit in each seat to gauge its comfort. Look for a center rear seat with a three-point safety belt rather than a lap belt. Some large sedans have a front bench seat, with three seating positions. But the center position is cramped and unsafe because it has only a lap belt. If your primary rear-seat passengers are children, rear leg room may not be a priority. If you intend to seat adults in back, they should be able to sit comfortably with the front seats pushed a good way back. You can check this by adjusting the driver’s seat so that it's comfortable for you, then sitting in the seat behind it, checking for adequate leg room.
Cargo space. When comparing trunks, don’t look at just the overall size, but also at the dimensions of the trunk opening, the method of trunk release, and how high you have to lift objects to place them in the trunk. If you have any large items such as golf clubs or luggage that you’ll often need to carry, you may want to bring them with you when you shop. Many sedans are available with a lockable fold-down rear seatback that allows cargo in the trunk to extend into the cabin. A split-back design is the most versatile because one side can be folded down while a person occupies the other rear seat. Some cars include only a small central pass-through that lets you carry skis or other long, narrow objects but lacks the overall versatility of a folding seatback. Compare the size of the opening to gauge the overall usability.
Towing. Many sedans are not rated for towing. Those that are typically rated up to only 1,000 pounds. A few sedans can tow more than 3,000 pounds. Look at the tow capacity rating and be sure you get a vehicle that can handle any load you may tow. Tow packages are typically available as a factory option or can be purchased as an aftermarket product.
Safety features. All new sedans have standard dual front air bags, three-point safety belts in the outboard seating positions, and top-tether and LATCH child-seat attachments in the rear seats. Some sedans offer side air bags and/or head-protection bags, typically a side-curtain design that is designed to protect people in both the front and rear seats. Antilock brakes are standard or optional on most models.
Also look for safety features such as electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, tire-pressure monitors, safety-belt pretensioners, occupant-sensing air-bag systems, and daytime running lights.
