The hourglass figure of the automotive world, perfect for new drivers

The first car is always special. Whether it’s a worn-out second-hand one or a hard-earned brand new one. But today, with so many body styles on offer, which body styles would make perfect sense to a new driver? Despite being the most popular of them all, SUVs are not the best choice for a new driver who wants it all. It certainly adds a lot more functionality than the rest, but SUVs rob you of agile driving dynamics and fuel economy. Then there are hatchbacks, the most compact of the bunch, but that’s also their flaw, as they lack cabin and luggage space, especially on four-door models.

And that leaves sedans, which are currently the most underrated body styles. It’s quite ironic because sedans once ruled the roads until the Swiss knife style SUVs came along and people started emphasizing practicality over driving pleasure. But thanks to a few enthusiastic brands like Come on, Hyundaiand Japanese destiny, the sedan class is still alive and thriving today. From economical and spirited city runabouts to sporty models that don’t mind stretching their legs on the track, here’s why sedans are the best choice for first-time buyers.

The driving dynamics are more stable and fun than those of SUVs

The most affordable sedan is eons more fun to drive than the most affordable SUV

Sedans predominantly offer much better driving dynamics, mainly due to their design. Sure, SUVs are long and sturdy and help glide over a variety of terrains, but they lack the nimble driving appeal and sharp cornering skills that are a standard feature on even the most basic sedans. The low-slung body design is the main contributor to this. Sedans are typically longer than SUVs in the same size category, which, combined with their lower stance, offer a much lower center of gravity. This translates into a more stable ride on both straights and corners.

In addition, the weight is distributed much better than that of an SUV, thanks to the radical design language of a sedan. In addition, the driver sits low and stretched out, an ergonomic position mainly associated with driving sports cars. That’s why even today’s most affordable sedan, the $17,390 Nissan Versa, has an inherent sportiness compared to today’s most affordable SUV, the $20,200 Hyundai Venue, despite the Nissan being a 122-hp city-friendly runabout. We recommend that you drive these two cars back to back to experience the differences.

Key reasons why a sedan is more fun to drive than an SUV

• Relatively lower curb weight

• Lower center of gravity

• Superior aerodynamics

• Driving feel and ergonomics of the driver’s seat

There is much more space than hatchbacks

In particular the well-closed loading space

While SUVs don’t stand a chance against sedans in terms of driving appeal, hatchbacks certainly do. There are many examples where certain sedans are elongated versions of hatchbacks. Well-known examples are the Subaru Impreza, Mazda3, Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. These types of sedans share the same wheelbase as their hatchback twins, differing only in a longer overhang, which translates into more cargo space.

But if you ignore this lot, sedans generally offer more cabin space, especially in the second row. This is because the seats have been pushed further back, thanks to the three-compartment design with a distinctive, separate trunk. Sedans are generally the better choice for families and professionals with a lot of equipment.

Dedicated cargo space adds a sense of security and even luxury

This is the main USP of a sedan when compared to a hatchback. The nominal bump in dimensions translates into a dedicated cargo area that’s closed off from the seating area. This adds a sense of privacy, security and even luxury. This enclosed space also provides a quieter, more stable ride with more legroom for the second row. The enclosed cargo area also provides owners with a more secure trunk than a hatch and is better suited for transporting personal or valuable items out of public view.

Some practical sedans can even offer sports car fun

Some affordable sporty versions blur the line, offering up to 200 horsepower

Perfect for novice drivers, entry-level sedans are barebones when it comes to performance appeal. These usually include punchy four-cylinder mills under 2.0 liters that deliver linear power. Sure, the increased driving dynamics and seat placement add a ‘racy’ touch, but it never feels like a true sports car. However, it offers many more practical features than entry-level sports cars, which generally emphasize better driving dynamics, a lightweight appearance and a sportier character.

Special coupe sports cars are therefore more of a leisure car that can give you the thrill of a race track. However, a certain number of sporty sedan trim levels of regular sedans blur the line between bread-and-butter and sports cars. This includes the sporty equipment levels of the Honda Civic Sedan, the Hyundai Elantra and the Kia K4, with the most powerful of the bunch delivering 200 hp.

Notable sporty trim levels from entry-level regular sedans

Better efficiency ratings due to smooth design

The most fuel-efficient entry-level sedan today returns a combined rating of 36 MPG

Sedans offer better efficiency ratings than SUVs because of their inherently slippery design. While we have some sharp-looking SUVs on the market, the benefit of combining a low-slung and sharp design cannot be overstated. This, combined with fuel-efficient mechanical choices like a standard front-wheel drive and efficiency-oriented four-cylinder engines, contributes to easily combined 30+ MPG ratings.

Most economical and affordable sedans of the moment

(Data for base gas only trim levels is shown here)

Unparalleled tip-over safety

The advantage of a lower center of gravity plays a role here. The lowered position makes it much less sensitive to tipping than those larger SUVs. Rollover safety is a crucial parameter to judge these cars based on their safety quotient. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has a strict system for evaluating this. The more “Good” scores a vehicle receives, the more likely it is to be a “Top safety choice.” The elite club here, however, is the “Top Safety Pick+” which performs exceptionally on most crash test parameters.

‘Top Safety Pick+’ entry-level sedans today (according to the NHTSA)

• 2025 Honda Civic

• 2025 Kia K4

• 2025 Mazda3

• 2025 Hyundai Elantra

Lots of seasoned options

There’s one for all types of drivers

Despite the supposed decline in sedan popularity, there are plenty of options to choose from. Do you want a no-nonsense daily driver that excels in fuel efficiency. There’s the sub-$25,000 Honda Civic Sedan, with a combined rating of 36 MPG. Do you want sporty performance without making many concessions to functionality and responsibilities? There’s the exciting Hyundai Elantra N Line with 201 horsepower and a starting price of $29,400.

If you’re willing to stretch that budget a bit, Acura offers an affordable yet luxurious experience with the 2025 Integra, which starts at $33,000. Do you want a sedan that can do everything? The Honda Civic Si is a solid option, with a 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 31 MPG combined fuel economy, and one of the most comprehensive safety and driver assistance features in the segment, with a starting price of $30,995.