What you should consider when buying a sedan

A good majority of car buyers may opt for high-riding crossovers, SUVs, MPVs, and even pickups, leaving sedans with a small amount of spotlight to spare. They were overshadowed by other family-friendly and more versatile options in the market, yet sedans remain to be one of the easiest cars to drive, be it around town or out on the open highway, and that is perhaps one of the many reasons why some buyers are on the lookout for this particular body style.

If you’re considering a sedan, then there are actually a few for you to browse through. That’s why we’ve managed to come up with a list of things you must look out for before purchasing a sedan. So without further ado, let’s proceed, shall we?

Sedans are classified by their size, namely small, subcompact, compact, midsize, and full-size. Your choice would usually depend on your needs, budget, and personal taste. 

Starting off with the small sedans, these small wonders may be short on dimensions but some of its selections pack some good surprises. This is actually the starting point of the sedan territory, with prices usually starting at the P550,000 mark. Known examples in its segment include the Suzuki Dzire, Kia Soluto, and the Hyundai Reina.

Now if you want something that’s a little bit bigger, then you can opt for a subcompact sedan. Locally, the segment is flooded with several options, from the renowned seniors like the Toyota Vios and Honda City to those youngsters like the MG 5 and the Volkswagen Santana. As expected, you’ll be getting more space compared with those pint-sized models, plus, more convenience and safety features are made available for the following models. Prices usually range from P650,000 and up.

The compact sedan segment is probably the most well-balanced category in the sedan territory, given its range of models that combine the right dimensions with performance, space, and high-tech features. Locally, its entries include the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla Altis, and the Honda Civic. It is not as affordable as the first two classes, with compact sedans starting at around the P1,000,000 mark. 

In the Philippines, executive and senior professionals often lean towards this segment, as midsize sedans do not only offer greater amounts of space. It also gives them the refinement and other creature comforts that would elevate their driving experience. Currently, the Mazda6, Honda Accord, and the Toyota Camry happen to be some of the more accessible options available in the market. Prices usually start at about P1,800,000 and go up to more than P2,000,000.

In other countries such as the US, there’s a range of full-size sedans to choose from, even economy car brands have options for buyers like the Nissan Maxima and the Toyota Avalon. Unfortunately, for the Philippine market, full-size sedans are only limited to luxury brands, examples include the BMW 7-Series and the Lexus LS. This is where you get the ultimate in terms of space—plus, some models are even available with a 4-seater layout, leaving the second-row with only two occupants given its captain chairs. Of course, pricing isn’t a joke for these full-size entries, with some models costing over P5,000,000.

Interior space does vary depending on the sedan of your choice. Likewise, the majority of sedans are able to accommodate 5 passengers. Bigger doesn’t always necessarily mean better, and in terms of space, there are some subcompact models that outrank compact sedans in terms of rear-seat space. There are also some instances when the middle rear seat is only usable for petite passengers once both the left and right side are occupied. Drivetrain layout also matters, and most small to compact cars are front-wheel drive to help eliminate the center tunnel to provide more center passenger space. Rear-wheel drive sedans, or larger sedans, have enough space to accommodate a rear-wheel drive system and enough cabin space most of the time. 

With that said, it’s still best to bring your family along with you to the showroom in order to properly test the car’s interior space, especially if you’re a family of five. Once you’ve done that and your family finds the back seat a comfortable place to be in, then it’s yet another aspect that helps close the deal. 

The trunk area is a space for your cargo. While a sedan doesn’t have the stronger practicality points and versatility of an SUV or crossover, there are still some options that have a generous amount of trunk space. Notably, cars like the Honda Civic have folding second-row seats in order to maximize its cargo figures.

One of the things you’ll be asking yourself is would I like a sedan with a gasoline engine, diesel, or perhaps a more advanced hybrid powertrain? Majority of the sedans being offered for the Philippine market are powered by a 3-cylinder, 4-cylinder, or 6-cylinder gasoline mill, one of the few models to carry a diesel mill is the Hyundai Accent while a Hybrid engine is available on the Toyota Corolla Altis. 

Many car manufacturers nowadays are downsizing their engines combined with a turbocharger in order to allow the car to register good fuel-economy numbers and heaping amounts of power. Plus, brands like Toyota are already rolling out their hybrid options in order to give the mass market a glimpse of the electrified driving experience. Still, your car’s fuel efficiency will highly depend on your driving style and environment which involves proper throttle application. 

Of course, what matters most is the safety of both the driver and its passengers. Every car manufacturer provides its vehicles with safety and security features. While some only get the standard ABS, EBD, and airbags, other models, on the other hand, benefit from a suite of advanced driver-assist features like an autonomous braking system, lane-keeping assist, blindspot monitoring, and many more. 

Admittedly, buying a sedan can be quite a task. Once you’ve gone through the following things above, you’re sure to come up with the right car buying decision. If you happen to be interested in a sedan or any vehicle, you can visit the AutoDeal Car Guide, find the model you want, and don’t hesitate to click on the ‘Get Quote’ button—it’s absolutely free. You could even request to test drive the cars so you would know what you’ll like about them, first hand.