From their more gorgeous styling to all-round better performance figures, the sports sedan will forever be superior to the now-commonplace SUV.
BY SAM MAIN
VIA HOTCARS
PUBLISHED MAY 9, 2023
It’s no secret that the SUV is a dominant force in the car market, especially in the United States. From everyday crossover commuters to serious mountain-climbing off-roaders, the Sports Utility Vehicle has gone from something purely utilitarian to a vehicle that can easily achieve most daily objectives for consumers. This might explain why manufacturers have flocked to produce the widest variety of SUVs possible; from Porsche’s every day Macan to Chevrolet’s go-everywhere Suburban.
However, though SUVs have been the predominant go-to consumer vehicle over recent years, recent statistical research published by Automotive News has produced a startling conclusion: sedans are making a surprising return in the consumer market within the United States. The sedan is the conventional everyday all-rounder, with manufacturers combining sleek looks with performance and practicality in a 4-door design. It seems the years of domination by the SUV are here to stay, but the good old sports sedans are making a comeback. But why is this the case?
Why Is The Sedan Making A Comeback Against The SUV?
As previously mentioned, research has discovered that 21.4 percent of the 3.6 million new vehicles delivered to the US car market in the first few months of 2023 were sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes. This is an increase over recent years and is a clear demonstration of the sedan making a triumphant return to the market. The era of the dominant SUV, it seems, appears to be dwindling.
The research put the reason for this down to a ‘statis point’ being reached in the market, where cars – such as the sedan – make up around 20 percent of the overall consumer market. They are winning back a share of the United States market after being dominated by the more-profitable trucks and SUVs, according to Automotive News. This could be down to the cheaper price-tag put onto sedans in the current market, or for the increased value-for-money that customers get. However, we have a few ideas as to why the sedan is making a comeback.
The Sedan Is Faster And More Powerful Than An SUV
There are a plethora of reasons as to why the sedan may be beginning to outsell the SUV. For starters, the sedan has a better reputation for being faster and having more performance capability than an SUV. Take the all-new Audi S8. Here is a car that is long, sleek, and elegant in design, and yet under the hood carries a monstrous 4.0 liter V8 engine that produces 571 bhp. It can crack nought to sixty in just 3.8 seconds, and has to be electronically limited to 155 mph.
And best of all? The S8 costs around $150,000. The comparable Range Rover SUV, on the other hand, costs $250,000; approximately $100,000 more for less power, less performance, and not-as-sleek looks. The S8 is just one example out of hundreds of sedans that offer mega performance for mega value for money. Compared to an SUV of the same class, the value for money is simply non-existent in comparison, making the sedan more attractive for consumers in this category.
A Sport Sedan Can Be More Comfortable Than An SUV
Many consumers choose to buy a Bentley Bentayga, a Range Rover Sport, or an Audi Q7 for luxury. However, manufacturers have made sedans that specialize in different categories: sports sedans, practical sedans, and luxury sedans, too. Truth be told, many fast four-doors on the market offer just as much luxury as many high-class SUVs do.
Not only are sedans faster and have more power, but they can also be filled with gadgets, gizmos, and comfortable upholstery to give a first-class experience. Mercedes’ 2023 Maybach S 580 e is, for instance, the most luxurious hybrid sedan for sale today: OLED displays and fashionable wood trim with Napa leather seats gives a 5-star hotel experience while on the move. Generations ago, this would primarily be an SUV or limousine specialty. Now, sedans are a more suitable alternative.
The Fuel Efficiency Of A Sedan Out-Performs An SUV
So, a sedan is more powerful, better value for money, and creates the most luxurious of cabin experiences. But in a world dominated by a cost-of-living crisis, rising inflation, and rocketing energy costs, fuel efficiency in vehicles is a priority concern for consumers. This is, arguably, where the sedan dominates over the SUV the most.
Not only are sedans generally safer to drive, but they achieve greater and more efficient fuel economy compared to the alternate SUV. A 2019 Chevrolet Impala, one of the most popular sedans in America, produces an average of 30 mph on a highway run. By comparison, a 2023 Cadillac Escalade achieves only 20 mpg when cruising on the highway. This is down to the less aerodynamic efficiency of the SUV, and also the significant weight increase thanks to the SUV’s larger chassis.
What’s clear is that there are significant reasons why the sedan is better value for money for consumers compared to the SUV. They are faster, sleeker, equally luxurious, kinder to the environment, and are less damaging to the bank account when filling up. These reasons and many more, may explain why American consumers are now returning to the sedan. The fast four door is seemingly making a triumphant return, and we couldn’t be happier with this fact.
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