If the price and space are the same, what would you do?
The trends are clear. The sedan, a once standard choice of the people, has now been left far behind by the crossover. In 2007, sedans accounted for about 50% of all light vehicles sold. In 2017, their share dropped to under 30%. Today, that graph continues to plunge. Car manufacturers, therefore, have shifted their focus to the crossover. Customers seem much more interested in these, plus crossover sales also bring healthy profit margins for manufacturers. Each automaker is slowly doing away with the sedans that once made them household names.
So, should you buy a car or a crossover? Let’s compare a Honda Accord and a Honda CR-V, two popular representations of their segments to help you decide.
Highway Drives
The advantage here goes to the sedan. Its lower, longer body and longer wheelbase mean sedans are more stable on highways. They’re also more efficient, and cabins experience reduced wind noise as well. Drivers and passengers can also stretch out more comfortably in a sedan than in a crossover.
City Drives
The advantage here goes to the crossover. The shorter length makes crossovers more maneuverable in tight urban environments. The upright seating positions and the higher ground clearance give drivers a better view of cars and pedestrians, which can reduce driving stress. The taller and narrower doors of a crossover are also beneficial in small garages and tight parking spots.
For Passengers
The advantage here goes to the crossover again. While the Accord and the CR-V have the same cabin space and legroom, ingress and egress for passengers of all ages are far easier in a crossover than in a sedan.
For Cargo
The advantage here once more goes to the crossover. The crossover’s wagon-like profile allows for almost double the cargo space of a sedan even with the rear seats in place. Once the rear seats are dropped, the cargo space increases by nearly twice the amount of the original space.
Overall
Crossovers are far more useful than sedans. If you like them, you should seriously go for one. The cost of ownership is about the same as that of a sedan, and manufacturers tend to pack crossovers with their latest tech as well. Their resale value is also likely to be better. Of course, because sedans aren’t selling, you’re likely to get a great deal on one. So see what you like more.
