Crossovers are more popular now than they have ever been. Statistics reveal that in 2021 and 2022, SUV sales accounted for 45% of all vehicle sales in the U.S. Crossovers and SUVs are loved for their robust nature, ample interior space, utility, practicality, and ability to handle off-road conditions. However, what the average American motorist needs in an everyday vehicle is practicality, low fuel consumption, ample interior space, good ride quality, convincing handling capabilities, and low maintenance costs. Sedans deliver all of these attributes at a cheaper price. Here are fourteen sedans that make more sense to buy on paper than crossovers or SUVs.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord midsize sedan offers a spacious cabin with a total passenger volume of 105.7 cubic feet. This translates to over 37 inches of headroom and over 40 inches of legroom in both rows, so even tall passengers are guaranteed comfortable seating in this car. It’s just as roomy, if not roomier, as the interiors of 2-row midsize SUVs. The package comes complete with a 16.7 cubic-foot trunk for luggage, which is sufficient for most families.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry offers a roomy interior and large trunk and does well in the reliability department. In a recent survey, Consumer Reports determined that the Toyota Camry can reach beyond 200,000 miles without demanding high maintenance costs. J.D. Power also gave the Camry a high-reliability score.
Mazda6
While still in production, the Mazda6 was the brand’s flagship sedan. It embodied Mazda’s ‘Zoom-Zoom’ philosophy, which was all about engaging driving dynamics. The Mazda 6 offers communicative steering, precise handling, and confidence-inspiring composure at high speeds, so it is a pleasure to drive. In addition, it provides a roomy, plush interior with excellent fit and finish and a long list of amenities. So, if interior comfort and driving dynamics are vital to you, it makes sense to go with a Mazda 6 over a crossover.
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata’s total passenger volume is just shy of the Accord’s, at 104.4 cubic feet, so comfort is guaranteed. This midsize sedan is also fuel efficient, especially its hybrid models that feature a 2.0L engine paired with an electric motor. These models return a fuel economy of 44 mpg city/ 51 mpg hwy. The average fuel economy of a midsize SUV is 20 mpg city/27 mpg hwy, so from a fuel economy standpoint, the Sonata Hybrid makes more sense.
Kia K5
One of the most significant selling points for crossovers and SUVs is that they offer all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive drivetrains. However, you can also get sedans with all-wheel drive, like the Kia K5 midsize sedan. The K5’s optional all-wheel drive system is unique because it is a torque-vectoring AWD system. This means it intelligently distributes torque between the front and rear axles to maximize traction on slippery roads or in bad weather.
Nissan Altima
Available in all-wheel drive, another thing you’ll like about this sedan is its cargo-carrying capacity. At the rear, it has a 15.4-cubic-foot trunk that can swallow up a considerable amount of luggage, but even better is its 60/40-split rear seats that fold down, extending the trunk’s space into the cabin. This allows up to 58.1 cubic feet of space to carry wide, long, and tall cargo, making the Altima just as practical as a crossover.
Chevrolet Malibu
From an affordability standpoint, the Chevrolet Malibu makes more sense than a crossover. Its price starts at $25,700 for the base trim and ranges to $31,500 for the top trim. By comparison, a 2-row midsize SUV like the Ford Edge starts at $38,465 for the base model. Its top-of-the-range ST model starts at $47,205.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic compact sedan makes more sense than a crossover due to its meager maintenance costs. According to CarEdge, maintaining and servicing a Civic will cost you approximately $5,620 within the first ten years of ownership. A Ford Edge SUV, by comparison, will cost you $9,193 over the first ten years.
Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy offers full-time AWD. Its proven symmetrical all-wheel drive is one of the best AWD systems in the industry, ensuring it delivers traction on slippery roads. Also worth noting is that the all-wheel drive does not negatively affect the car’s fuel economy. Its lower trims return a fuel economy of 27 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan offers one of the best-appointed interiors in its segment, with rich leather/leatherette materials, polished wood trim, and brushed metallic inlays. This car also provides a long list of standard and available interior features, like heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 64-color ambient color lighting, a power tilt/sliding tinted glass sunroof, an illuminated entry system with logo projectors, and more.
Hyundai Elantra
Another sedan worth noting is the Hyundai Elantra. It’s perfect for daily driving, thanks to its advanced 147-hp 2.0L 4-cylinder engine with ‘Idle, Stop & Go’ technology that stops and starts the engine when the car is in stop-and-go traffic. As a result, this engine delivers a fuel economy of up to 32 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.
Nissan Sentra
The Nissan Sentra compact sedan is the Altima’s smaller sibling. With a starting price of just $21,590, the Sentra is perfect if you’re on a limited budget. The Sentra comes packed with the latest driver-assist technology that enhances safety in and out of the city. This includes a forward collision mitigation system with pedestrian detection, a rear collision mitigation system, automatic high beam headlights, a blind spot warning system, a lane departure alert system, and more.
Mazda3
The Mazda3 compact sedan is positioned below the Mazda6 in the brand’s sedan hierarchy. Like the Mazda6, it is fun to drive thanks to its impressive handling capabilities. In addition, it’s available with an optional 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that delivers up to 250 hp with premium fuel, making the Mazda3 fast and thrilling to drive.
Audi A3
The Audi A3 luxury subcompact sedan is an ideal alternative for people in the market for small luxury crossovers. The A3 has sharp, sleek styling on the outside and a luxurious, compact interior that seats five passengers. Sporty handling and peppy performance are also among its strengths. The base model is driven by a 201-hp 2024 Audi A3, while its performance-oriented S and RS counterparts come with more powerful engines.
Sedan or Crossover?
It’s true that a high ride height does improve road vision while giving the driver the feeling of being dominant on the road. However, it comes at the expense of the vehicle’s driving dynamics, as crossovers and SUVs are taller than the average car. This results in higher centers of gravity, which increases body roll and the risk of tipping when cornering. Sedans are also typically cheaper. In short, you might be better off with a sedan!
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Mark Muhoro is a car enthusiast and writer who loves everything about automobiles. With over 11 years of experience in the automotive industry, Mark has become an expert in how cars work and what makes them special. He writes clear and interesting articles about cars for magazines and websites, making valuable contributions to renowned platforms like Vroom Magazine, Internet Brands, and Contentmotive.
