Overview

A sedan most commonly refers to a passenger automobile with a distinct three-box configuration: an engine compartment, a passenger cabin and a separate trunk. In everyday usage, especially in North America, the word denotes a closed vehicle with a fixed roof and seating for four or more people. In British and some Commonwealth English the equivalent term is "saloon." Historically, the term also refers to the sedan chair, an enclosed portable chair carried by bearers that was used to transport a single person before mechanized transport became widespread.

Design and characteristics

Sedans are characterized by design elements that influence interior space, utility and appearance. Common features include a continuous roofline with full-height doors and windows, a B-pillar between front and rear doors for structural support, and a separately enclosed trunk accessed by a hinged lid. Sedans typically seat four or five occupants and emphasize a balance of passenger comfort, luggage capacity and ride quality. Variations in roof slope and rear-deck shape produce subtypes often called notchback, fastback or liftback, though the latter may blur into hatchback designs.

History and etymology

The automotive usage of "sedan" emerged in the early 20th century as motor vehicles adopted closed bodies that resembled earlier carriage forms. The older meaning, the sedan chair, dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe; the word derives from roots meaning "to sit" and was applied to a portable seat enclosed for privacy and protection from the elements.

Sedans span sizes from subcompact to full-size and from basic economy to premium luxury. They have long been popular for family cars, taxis, fleet vehicles and executive transport because of their enclosed trunk and predictable handling. Since the 2010s many markets have seen a shift of buyer preference toward SUVs and crossovers, reducing sedan market share, though sedans remain common where fuel economy, lower roof height or trunk security are priorities.

Distinctions and notable points

  • Vs. hatchbacks and wagons: sedans have a separate trunk rather than a rear hatch that opens into the passenger area.
  • Vs. coupes: sedans generally provide easier rear-seat access and greater rear-headroom, though modern "four-door coupes" use coupe-like rooflines on sedan platforms.
  • Engineering: sedans can offer aerodynamic benefits and straightforward crash structures; trunk placement affects weight distribution and cargo security.

Definitions and marketing terminology vary by region and manufacturer, so the label "sedan" can encompass a range of slightly different shapes and features while retaining the core three-box identity.