Australia’s love affair with sedans has thrived for decades and with good reason. Family outings have typically involved Saturday sports, BBQs, beach days, and summer road trips, most likely in a Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore, Toyota Camry, or Mitsubishi Lancer.
Nostalgia aside, with their spacious four-seater interior, sedans make excellent family cars as well as great first cars, while also offering that extra touch of power, sophistication and luxury for refined motoring enthusiasts.
We love sedans for their versatility, affordability, safety and sheer practicality. (Right now, in the used-car market, there are plentiful choices for the savvy buyer. But more on that later.)
What is a sedan?
The first sedan-style vehicle was reputedly the Hudson Model 20 launched in January 1913. Early models had two doors and a unique “three-box design”: separate engine bay, passenger cabin and rear end or boot compartments, the style of which we’re so familiar.
Sedans have evolved significantly over the years. Manufacturers such as BMW, Tesla, Toyota, Kia, and Mazda continue to launch new evolutions with enhanced engine options, advanced safety technologies, and improved passenger comfort, not to mention diesel, hybrid and full EV variations. Overall, their distinctive architecture remains unchanged; a testament to the sedan’s longevity.
Great first cars
Lower to the ground and with better weight distribution, the stability of sedans offers control without sacrificing engine power. There are many amazingly affordable, quality sedans available in the used car market, making them an excellent choice for young drivers.
The sleeker aerodynamic profile (in most cases) translates to better fuel efficiency than SUVs or utes, and traditional favourites like the Toyota Camry have a good resale value.
Great family cars
For families, sedans continue to shine due to their high safety rating and stylish, passenger comfort. The Toyota Camry Ascent, (below) for example, has a powerful 2.5L engine, 8-speed transmission, plus a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, advanced safety technologies and transitions smoothly from work week to weekend adventures.
Premium sedans such as the BMW 2 Series might not have the towering height of an SUV, but more than make up for it with top-notch technology, safety features and ample room for kids’ boosters seats, moody teenagers and their paraphernalia, plus the occasional pet.
Boot space is all-important for families (or anyone with a side hustle in ride share). This feature is surprisingly generous in many sedans, easily swallowing prams, groceries, sports kits and luggage for getaways.
Power with a touch of luxury
At the top end of the sedan spectrum, extremely well-equipped luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz C200 (below) or Audi A4 blend motoring sophistication with sleek design and class, to form the complete package.
So, are sedans too humble for modern drivers? You be the judge! Search for your next sedan online or drop into an easyauto123 superstore and chat with our friendly team members.
