Sedan versus hatchback – unity and struggle of opposites

At first glance, it may seem that the difference is not that big. Well, the sedan is a little longer than the hatchback, so what? However, if we look at the details, it turns out that the difference in the designs of these two bodies is quite noticeable and it is this that affects some of the parameters of the car, as well as the comfort inside.


And if we look at the statistics, it turns out that on the Russian secondary market, sedans are bought approximately twice as often as hatchbacks. But here, apparently, one of the reasons lies in the “Soviet legacy”. Back then, a car with a long body was more common.


Yes, apart from sedans and station wagons, Sovavtoprom initially did not produce anything - until the appearance of the VAZ-2109 and 2108 (unless, of course, you count experimental models). So what's the difference?

Sedans

The first plus is a more solid appearance. It’s somehow difficult to imagine that any big boss drove a hatch: such models gravitate towards youth style. Therefore, it is not surprising: almost all executive cars are made in a sedan body.


Such cars, due to their smaller interior volume, warm up in the cold season and cool down faster in hot weather than hatchbacks. The next plus is the physical separation of the luggage compartment from the passenger compartment. This means that foreign odors (for example, from a fuel canister) and sounds will not bother passengers and the driver. And you can open the trunk door calmly, without fear that cold air or heat will penetrate into the cabin. The geometry of the sedan is such that the rear window gets dirty much less often than that of a hatchback. Therefore, in bad weather it is safer to drive a sedan.

Although it is worth making a reservation here. If you drive on “good” dirt, then it won’t matter what design the body is. The rear window will still get dirty. And, if the driver of a hatch has the opportunity to “wave” a brush and clean the transparent part of the “stern”, then the driver of a sedan does not have such an “option”.


There is one more point: remember the design of the Moskvich-2141. The body is made so well that the rear window does not get splashed with dirt and there are no windshield wipers at the rear.

Hatchbacks

Another interesting and controversial minus of the sedan is its trunk. It seems to be larger than that of the hatch - a fact. But if the need arises, the owner of the latter can fold the back row and, thanks to the huge luggage opening, can easily squeeze inside, for example, a washing machine. But this won’t work on a sedan - the shelf under the rear window will get in the way, even if you transform the seat backs (not every “long-tailed” car has such a function).


Now about the technical aspects. The hatchback has a short rear overhang, which allows for better maneuvering at speed. In addition, less weight guarantees efficiency in terms of fuel consumption. And it takes a lot of hardware to equip the trunk of a sedan: in the end, such a car costs more. But there is another side to this – security. In a rear impact, the occupants of the hatch are at a disadvantage. In any sedan, the luggage compartment is a structure reinforced with beams and spars. This means that the rear (and the front along with the driver) passengers are better protected in the event of an accident.


Another “unfortunate” disadvantage of the hatchback is the susceptibility of the fifth door to corrosion: probably many owners of “eights”, “nines”, “fourteenths” and “thirteenths”, etc. know about this problem firsthand.

With the result that

The “short-backed” car has more disadvantages than its competitor. However, a car with a compact body design is suitable, for example, for beginners (it’s easier to park) or for those who like an aggressive driving style. However, if you want to save fuel or often carry large loads, a hatchback is also your car.