Am I the only one who thinks the move away from sedans is premature and ill advised. Those who think an SUV is the the only choice might want to think about it unless the space and height are really important. My case for sedans, especially hatchbacks and small wagons: A sedan is nearly always lighter, lower profile, better MPG, better handling and more responsive that the sedan it is based on. And hatchbacks also have a lot of space if the rear seat will fold down flat. Same for small wagons. Oh, and I forgot- less money. Case in point is my Ford Focus hatch. I do admit that we are short. But while an SUV sets higher, one also has to step up. And, how long will gas be "cheap"? No one knows. The issue is also relevant for towing behind a MH because of weight.

IME sedans are always not so much more "fuel friendly" than a small SUV. Some smaller SUV's approach 30 mpg or over. And some sedans do good to get over 25 mpg. They aren't all the same. Bigger SUV's make about as much sense as bigger sedans, unless you need the carrying capacity. And a lower profile means it can be more awkward to get into and out of.Also as the population ages, the small SUV's are easier to get into, and more importantly, get out of than small sedans. The small SUV's are just sedans that have a different shape.There is no "one size fits all".

My wife hauls the kids around in a suburban. I like having them in a big ol protective cage with lots of airbags. I don’t care what kind of mileage it gets, fuel is cheap. I drive a sedan, for no other reason than that is what we have. Not sure if I chose my vehicle what I would get, but fuel economy wouldn’t even be a consideration. Maybe a F350 with the new 7.3 gas motor.

New crossover SUVs are decently efficient. A 2.0L turbo Ford Escape is only a 3 MPG penalty over a 2.0L turbo Focus. What's not sustainable are the higher transaction prices, and the corresponding 7 year loans and rolled over negative equity that people seem to jumping on, in order to afford the monthly payments on something they probably don't really need.

I have one "daily vehicle" and one motorhome. I don't want to have a third vehicle. So having an SUV gives me the ability to tow, carry more than one passenger and carry my two large dogs comfortably, and carry a lot of stuff - even all of those at the same time. With a sedan or hatchback, I may be able to do one or the other but not all at once. And my passengers would have to share space with the dogs.If I were to give up my SUV, it would be for a midsize pickup with crew cab. I'd lose some passenger space but would gain the ability to haul bigger items.I've had a sedan before. It was fine at the time, but I wouldn't go back.Of course my SUV is not a crossover. It's a body on frame midsize SUV. With a crossover, I would not feel such a difference between it and a sedan. The main reason I hear for folks going with a crossover is to get all wheel drive for winter driving.

Well I have a lil different take if you will. My Dad who use to be an exec with his company before retiring always told me to buy the biggest (well car at that time) that you can afford, because:1. More Room2. Rides better3. Safer4. Decent MPG'sIn the event of an accident w/ a large car, odds are in your favor of walking away from it more so than in an econo box. Small cars may be nice for mpg's, but you don't stand a chance against a 3/4-1 ton truck or semi trailer. I don't like to be scrunched up in a small car and when you stop, cannot move your joints. Nor do I like having to lift my legs up and over the rocker panels to get out. I don't care how many air bags a small car has, I want to have the odds in my favor. Most larger sedans will get very decent mpg's on trips. Shoot, we had a '95 Lincoln Town Car w/a 4.6 V8 that got 27-28 mpg while doing 70 w/ A/C on. Never felt cramped up, room to sleep, rode like on a cloud.So while a small sedan may net you good mpg's, IMO at the risk of a lot of factors. Problem is, cannot find a "body on frame" anymore (new wise), so you have no choice but to bump up to a SUV/truck. Add to that, most SUV's are unibody's and if you wanta true body on frame SUV, you'll have to go bigger yet. Thank you tree hugger's.

Sedans, hatchbacks and wagons. | Good Sam Community

44 Replies

toedtoes
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2019
I have one "daily vehicle" and one motorhome. I don't want to have a third vehicle. So having an SUV gives me the ability to tow, carry more than one passenger and carry my two large dogs comfortably, and carry a lot of stuff - even all of those at the same time. With a sedan or hatchback, I may be able to do one or the other but not all at once. And my passengers would have to share space with the dogs.

If I were to give up my SUV, it would be for a midsize pickup with crew cab. I'd lose some passenger space but would gain the ability to haul bigger items.

I've had a sedan before. It was fine at the time, but I wouldn't go back.

Of course my SUV is not a crossover. It's a body on frame midsize SUV. With a crossover, I would not feel such a difference between it and a sedan. The main reason I hear for folks going with a crossover is to get all wheel drive for winter driving.
carringb
Explorer
Apr 05, 2019
New crossover SUVs are decently efficient. A 2.0L turbo Ford Escape is only a 3 MPG penalty over a 2.0L turbo Focus. What's not sustainable are the higher transaction prices, and the corresponding 7 year loans and rolled over negative equity that people seem to jumping on, in order to afford the monthly payments on something they probably don't really need.
LanceRKeys
Explorer
Apr 05, 2019
My wife hauls the kids around in a suburban. I like having them in a big ol protective cage with lots of airbags. I don’t care what kind of mileage it gets, fuel is cheap. I drive a sedan, for no other reason than that is what we have. Not sure if I chose my vehicle what I would get, but fuel economy wouldn’t even be a consideration. Maybe a F350 with the new 7.3 gas motor.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Apr 05, 2019
IME sedans are always not so much more "fuel friendly" than a small SUV. Some smaller SUV's approach 30 mpg or over. And some sedans do good to get over 25 mpg. They aren't all the same. Bigger SUV's make about as much sense as bigger sedans, unless you need the carrying capacity. And a lower profile means it can be more awkward to get into and out of.

Also as the population ages, the small SUV's are easier to get into, and more importantly, get out of than small sedans. The small SUV's are just sedans that have a different shape.

There is no "one size fits all".

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Sedans, hatchbacks and wagons.

44 Replies

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