Americans have almost endless options for choosing the right vehicle. There’s trucks, SUVs, and minivans, but when you’re looking for a vehicle that is affordable and practical, a sedan can’t be beat. Don’t let that fool you though: sedans aren’t boring. Today’s sedans come with sleek styling and modern technology that makes them fun to drive.
With seating for five people and decent trunk space, sedans have space enough for most drivers. Their smaller engines and lighter frame mean better fuel economy, making them popular among people who commute or drive long-distances regularly. There are upscale options, hybrids, and all-wheel drive sedans available, ensuring that all drivers can find a car that fits there needs.
Are you in the market for a used sedan? If so, it’s helpful to break the market into segments. This will help narrow down your choices. As you read through this buyers’ guide, consider what features are most important to you.
Affordable Sedans
One reason that sedans appeal to many buyers is because they are, generally speaking, the cheapest type of car to buy. Many sedans can be bought brand new for under $20,000, and they’re even more affordable on the used market. If you’re shopping on a budget, consider the following sedans:
- The Toyota Yaris: The 2019 Toyota Yaris has a starting price of $15,600. The Yaris comes with a 106-horsepower four-cylinder paired with manual transmission (although automatic is an available option). It has seating for five, and though the back seat is small, it has plenty of trunk space.
- The Kia Forte: The Forte, which was completely redesigned for 2019, has a starting price of $17,700. It’s a bit larger than the Yaris, and comes with a more powerful 147-horsepower four-cylinder engine.
- The Volkswagen Jetta: The Jetta was also redesigned for 2019. It has a starting price of about $18,700 and has more engine options, up to 228 horsepower.
Fuel-Efficient Sedans
If you’re hoping to minimize fuel costs, sedans can’t be beat. There are electric and hybrid options available, and even sedans with traditional combustion engines have decent fuel economy. Here are three sedans that stand out for their fuel-efficiency.
- Hyundai Ioniq: The Ioniq, which debuted in 2017, gets an impressive 55 mpg combined fuel economy. It’s also super safe, with a crash-test rating of six from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid: The Avalon hybrid gets 44 mpg combined fuel economy, despite the fact that it’s larger than most sedans. It’s roomy interior and upscale features add to its appeal.
- Chevrolet Cruze Diesel: Sedans aren’t typically associated with diesel engines, but the Chevy Cruze makes it work, with 37 mpg combined fuel economy. With standard features including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot, the Cruze is also great for tech lovers.
All-Wheel Drive Sedans
If you live in a colder climate, you might want an all-wheel drive sedan. Although you won’t be off-roading in a car, a sedan with a great all-wheel drive system can help keep you on the road in all weather. These sedans are recognized for their all-wheel drive systems:
- Subaru Impreza: The Impreza comes with standard all-wheel drive and still maintains great fuel economy. The Impreza also has great crash-test ratings, giving you even more peace of mind on dicey roads.
- Mazda3: The Mazda3 was redesigned for 2019 and comes with all-wheel drive as an available option. It’s a top-rated sedan because of its zippy acceleration and handling.
- Ford Fusion: The Fusion also offers all-wheel drive as an option. It’s a good sedan for people who need more space, both in the seats and in the trunk.
The Most Reliable Sedans
Reliability is important for many drivers, especially if you plan to use your sedan as your commuter car. Not only does choosing a reliable car ensure that you get where you need to go, but it also helps keep maintenance costs low. Here are three sedans to consider if you want a car that is super reliable.
- Toyota Corolla: If you want a car that will just keep going and going, the Corolla is the sedan for you. It’s not uncommon to see Corollas cruising around with 200,000 miles or more. The 2019 Corolla has a reliability rating of 5 out of 5 from J.D. Power and associates, which is essentially unheard of.
- Buick LaCrosse: If you’d like a bit more space in your sedan, the Buick LaCrosse is a good choice. It has an impressive 4.5 out of 5 reliability rating on the 2019 model. The LaCrosse comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, smartphone connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot.
- Chevrolet Impala: The 2019 Impala has a reliability rating of 4 out of 5. Although it is more expensive than compact sedans, it’s one of the most affordable large cars available. It comes standard with cloth or vinyl upholstery, smartphone connectivity, and an 8-inch touchscreen.
Luxury Sedans
If you’re going to spend a lot of time in your car, you might want to opt for a luxury sedan. Luxury sedans offer more features, like leather seats, sunroofs, and the most up-to-date technologies. If you’re in the market for a luxury sedan, consider these popular choices:
- Audi A7: The A7 comes standard with leather seats, all-wheel drive, and a turbocharged V6 engine. It has driver-assist features including front and rear sensors, a backup camera, emergency braking, optional blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and more.
- Kia K900: Kia isn’t typically thought of as a luxury manufacturer, which is why the K900 is available at a lower price than many other large luxury sedans (starting at under $60,000). The K900 comes standard with leather, heated and cooled seats, a sunroof, and all-wheel drive.
- BMW 5 Series: The BMW 5 Series is a sedan that is easy to customize. It comes in six trims, with engine options ranging from 248-617-horsepower. All 5 Series come standard with a moonroof, leatherette seats, and a 12-speaker audio system.
Most Powerful Sedans
Just because you’re driving a sedan doesn’t mean you can’t opt for a powerful engine. If you want a car with a powerful engine that is thrilling to drive, consider these all-powerful sedans.
- Dodge Charger: The Charger is a slightly toned down version of Dodge’s sports car, the Challenger. The Charger comes with up to 707 horsepower and available all-wheel drive. Even the base trim, which comes with a 292-horsepower V6, is exciting to drive.
- Kia Stinger: The Kia Stinger has up to 365 horsepower, which goes a long way for this small car. The Stinger’s design is meant to make you feel like you’re driving a sports car, and you’re sure to never get bored.
- Subaru WRX STI: The Subaru has standard all-wheel drive and up to 310 horsepower. It’s sleek but aggressive styling make it look cool, and interior features like smart-phone connectivity and available leather will keep you connected and comfortable.
Shopping for a sedan can be overwhelming, since there are so many options available. By asking yourself questions about what is most important for you, you can narrow down your options and find a sedan that you will love.
