What is a sedan, and why are they called “sedans,” anyhow?

These days, a sedan is any car with four doors, a fixed roof, and a separate trunk area. They come in a wide variety of sizes, from subcompacts like the Kia Rio to ultra-luxury four-doors like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In the earliest days of the automobile, “sedan” began to be used in the United States to describe a hard-top four-door car as early as 1912, when Studebaker used it to market the Studebaker Four and Studebaker Six. Overseas, the same type of vehicle has different names, for example, in England they’re known as a “saloon.”

What are examples of sedans?

One reason sedans have remained popular is because they run the gamut, and are available at nearly every size and price point. On a budget? A variety of compact and subcompact sedans are available, such as the Honda Civic , Toyota Corolla , and Hyundai Accent . If you’re looking for something bigger, midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry remain wildly popular, and full-size sedans like the Toyota Avalon and Dodge Charger are also still commonplace. If you’re interested in luxury, most brands still offer a variety of sizes there, too, such as the Lexus IS, BMW 3 Series, and Audi A3, ranging all the way up to the Cadillac CT6, Lexus LS, and BMW 7 Series.

What’s the difference between a sedan and SUV?

The biggest difference is body shape. A proper sedan has a distinct trunk, separate from the passenger compartment. SUVs by contrast are more similar to wagons, with a large cargo area that shares space with the rest of the passenger compartment. The big cargo area of an SUV means it can carry more stuff, but generally speaking a sedan will be quieter on the road thanks to its fully enclosed passenger compartment.

What are the best midsize sedans?

In the mainstream midsize sedan market, there are two clear leaders: the Honda Accor d and Toyota Camry . Both offer a compelling mix of features and modern technology, and the higher trim levels have enough luxury touches to give them a class-above driving experience. But they’re not the only games in town. The Nissan Altima is a strong contender, and the Mazda 6 is an alternative that trades a bit of rear seat room for a more dynamic driving experience. The Kia Optima and K5 are equally impressive, and the most recent Hyundai Sonata brings eye-catching styling to the mix. Other options include the Subaru Legacy , with its standard all-wheel drive, and the Chevy Malibu .

What sedans offer all wheel drive?

More and more sedans offer all-wheel drive, either as an option or as standard equipment. The Subaru Legacy is well known for its all-wheel drive system, and more recently the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry have begun offering all-wheel drive. Compact sedans offering all-wheel drive aren’t quite as common, with Subaru again being the most popular with its Impreza line. If you’re shopping for luxury brands, Audi has built its reputation on its Quattro all-wheel drive system, and it’s available or standard on nearly everything it makes, including the A3 , A4 , A6 and A8 sedans. However, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus also offer all-wheel drive variants of most of their sedans.

Three men standing in front of silver toyota sedan discussing the vehicles details

Top-rated used sedans

Best sedans overall

Check out CarMax's 20 top-rated used sedans, including how we determine this list.

See the top 20

1. Toyota Avalon

CarMax owner rating

4.6

Price range*

$13,599—$37,998

Estimated combined MPG

25 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

Lots of standard advanced driver aids
Comfortable ride
Quiet, roomy cabin

Cons

Limited headroom
AWD is no longer available

Shop Avalon models See more details

2. Honda Accord

CarMax owner rating

4.6

Price range*

$13,599—$31,998

Estimated combined MPG

32 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

Fuel economy with hybrid engine
Steering agility
Cabin space

Cons

Higher base price than many competitors
Hybrid variants are even more expensive
No available all-wheel drive

Shop Accord models See more details

3. Hyundai Elantra

CarMax owner rating

4.4

Price range*

$9,998—$32,998

Estimated combined MPG

23 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4 out of 5

Pros

User-friendly tech features
Performance with Elantra N
Eye-catching design

Cons

Modest performance with base engine
A few cheap-looking interior trim pieces
Limited second-row headroom

Shop Elantra models See more details

See the top 20

Compact sedans

Explore CarMax's 10 top-rated compact sedans and our approach to rating this list.

Top compact sedans

1. Hyundai Elantra

CarMax owner rating

4.4

Price range*

$9,998—$32,998

Estimated combined MPG

23 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4 out of 5

Pros

User-friendly tech features
Performance with Elantra N
Eye-catching design

Cons

Modest performance with base engine
A few cheap-looking interior trim pieces
Limited second-row headroom

Shop Elantra models See more details

2. Toyota Corolla

CarMax owner rating

4.5

Price range*

$11,998—$27,998

Estimated combined MPG

34 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

Great trim and feature options
Plenty of standard driver aids
Pleasant ride experience
User-friendly infotainment interface

Cons

Intrusive exterior noise
Underwhelming acceleration

Shop Corolla models See more details

3. Honda Civic

CarMax owner rating

4.5

Price range*

$11,998—$49,998

Estimated combined MPG

24 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

Above-average fuel economy
Better storage capacity than rivals
Tech features are easy to use

Cons

Lots of road noise on the highway
Seats can be uncomfortable on long drives

Shop Civic models See more details

Top compact sedans

Midsize sedans

Check out the 10 top-rated midsize sedans from CarMax and how we rate them.

Top midsize sedans

1. Honda Accord

CarMax owner rating

4.6

Price range*

$13,599—$31,998

Estimated combined MPG

32 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

Fuel economy with hybrid engine
Steering agility
Cabin space

Cons

Higher base price than many competitors
Hybrid variants are even more expensive
No available all-wheel drive

Shop Accord models See more details

2. Toyota Camry

CarMax owner rating

4.6

Price range*

$12,998—$38,998

Estimated combined MPG

25 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

Good fuel economy
Easy to drive
Lots of driver aids come standard

Cons

So-so cargo space
Road and engine noise can be irritating

Shop Camry models See more details

3. Hyundai Sonata

CarMax owner rating

4.5

Price range*

$10,599—$28,998

Estimated combined MPG

27 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4 out of 5

Pros

Roomy interior
Many standard features
Available all-wheel drive

Cons

Uncomfortable driving position
Stiff ride on sports trim
Lackluster handling

Shop Sonata models See more details

Top midsize sedans

Full-size sedans

Explore CarMax's 8 top-rated full-size sedans, and see how we determine their rank.

Top full-size sedans

1. Toyota Avalon

CarMax owner rating

4.6

Price range*

$13,599—$37,998

Estimated combined MPG

25 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4.5 out of 5

Pros

Lots of standard advanced driver aids
Comfortable ride
Quiet, roomy cabin

Cons

Limited headroom
AWD is no longer available

Shop Avalon models See more details

2. Hyundai Azera

CarMax owner rating

4.6

Price range*

$12,599—$17,998

Estimated combined MPG

22 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4 out of 5

Pros

Smooth, refined ride 
Upscale interior
Equipped with convenience and technology features

Cons

Limited engine options
No all-wheel drive option
Exterior is not as stylish as other vehicles in its class

Shop Azera models See more details

3. Kia Cadenza

CarMax owner rating

4.5

Price range*

$14,998—$19,998

Estimated combined MPG

23 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

4 out of 5

Pros

Generously equipped 
Copious legroom 
Plenty of available driver aids

Cons

Ride lacks composure
Small trunk compared to class rivals
Uninspiring driver experience

Shop Cadenza models See more details

Top full-size sedans

Hybrid sedans

See the CarMax's 10 top-rated hybrid sedans and our approach to rating them.

Top hybrid sedans

1. Toyota Corolla Hybrid

CarMax owner rating

4.4

Price range*

$20,998—$27,998

Estimated combined MPG

44 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

Available all-wheel drive
Generous roster of standard driver aids
Aesthetically pleasing Nightshade trim

Cons

Cramped interior dimensions
Irritating and intrusive highway driving noise

Shop Corolla Hybrid models See more details

2. Toyota Camry Hybrid

CarMax owner rating

4.6

Price range*

$15,998—$36,998

Estimated combined MPG

46 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

Good fuel economy on the base trim
Comfortable around town or on the highway
Lots of driver aids come standard

Cons

Below-average cargo space
Some competitors are more fun to drive

Shop Camry Hybrid models See more details

3. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

CarMax owner rating

4.5

Price range*

$11,998—$27,998

Estimated combined MPG

47 MPG

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

Spacious interior
Available all-wheel drive
Lots of standard features

Cons

Lackluster performance
Can be uncomfortable
Basic interior design

Shop Sonata Hybrid models See more details

Top hybrid sedans

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FAQs about sedans

: These days, a sedan is any car with four doors, a fixed roof, and a separate trunk area. They come in a wide variety of sizes, from subcompacts like the Kia Rio to ultra-luxury four-doors like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In the earliest days of the automobile, “sedan” began to be used in the United States to describe a hard-top four-door car as early as 1912, when Studebaker used it to market the Studebaker Four and Studebaker Six. Overseas, the same type of vehicle has different names, for example, in England they’re known as a “saloon.”

How we rated these vehicles

CarMax creates our ‘top-rated’ used car lists based upon make-models' rating in five criteria:

RepairPal Reliability Rating
Relative pricing against competitors
CarMax owner rating
EPA-estimated fuel economy (for 2021 or last available year sold)
NHTSA Overall safety rating (for 2021 or last available year sold)

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2006-2020 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features. RepairPal Reliability Ratings are provided by RepairPal and CarMax is not responsible for their accuracy. Learn more about RepairPal reliability ratings.

Pricing details are based on available CarMax retail inventory as of October 16, 2024.

Fuel economy figures are based on EPA estimates for when vehicle sold as new. Fuel economy may vary for reasons like driving conditions and vehicle history. Unless specified, figures are for vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission. See fueleconomy.gov.

Learn more about the NHTSA Overall Safety score and how NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program evaluates the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles. Keep in mind that certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Click here to look up a specific vehicle.

Learn more about sedans

Video

Best Used Midsize Sedans: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Hyundai Sonata & Kia Stinger

The midsize sedan has taken a back seat to SUVs for people looking for their next family hauler. But the current lineup of midsize family sedans is as strong as ever. In this video, Travis Langness offers up four of the most popular used midsize sedans, plus a new sporty competitor, that you should keep in mind when shopping for your next car. You'd be hard-pressed to find a list of midsize sedans that does not include the Honda Accord. Fun to drive, comfortable, and affordable, the Honda Accord has set the standard for what it means to be a midsize sedan. The Accord's interior offers an easy-to-use infotainment system and plenty of space across the entire cabin. With the Accord Sport, you can expect great handling and enough power to get you going on a freeway on-ramp. The 2020 Honda Accord Sport is a class leader and everything a midsize sedan should be. If style were the only factor you should consider, the Mazda6 would outpace the competition by a lot. The 2020 Mazda6 pulls off near-luxury quality, thanks to its impressive ride comfort and smart attention to detail. We are fond of the infotainment system and its easy-to-use interface. With excellent handling and strong acceleration, the Mazda6 sedan is a joy to drive, and it should appeal if you're looking for a more exciting driving experience in your midsize sedan. The redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata is easy on the eyes and full of the latest technology features. In addition to its segment-leading screen size, the Sonata's voice controls understand most natural language commands for the stereo, navigation, and phone. The highlight of these tech features is the optional remote parking assist, which lets the driver control and park the car using the key fob. The steering, handling, and ride quality are all acceptable, and whatever the Sonata might lack in the driving experience, it makes up for with tech features and driver aids. The Toyota Camry is not just one of the most popular sedans right now—it's one of the most popular cars of all time. The 2020 Camry, with its aggressive styling, strong fuel economy, and a roomy cabin, is a midsize sedan that doesn't disappoint. The Camry offers a number of driver aids such as a 360-degree parking camera and an automatic emergency braking system. Driving the Camry is fun thanks to a slightly sportier suspension, and it handles corners with confidence. At the end of the day, the Toyota Camry is a strong choice for anyone looking for a roomy family car that gets good fuel economy estimates. Lastly, the Kia Stinger might seem like an odd choice for this list. Besides having an infinitely cool name, the Stinger has all the style and performance of a modern muscle car and rivals the Mazda6 in the fun department. The Stinger's sloping roof offers enough headroom up front, but taller passengers might feel a little squished in the back. On the tech side, Kia has pumped the Stinger full of useful and straightforward features. If you're looking for something a little more fun and aggressive on the road, the Kia Stinger is a great option. Five sedans: They're all similar yet very different. There is a used sedan out there for everyone—from the long-standing appeal of the Accord and Camry, to the fun and sporty Mazda6 and Kia Stinger, to the technologically advanced Sonata. So if you're having trouble finding an SUV that meets your needs, take a look at one of these popular midsize sedans. You won't be disappointed.

Reviews And Comparisons

Honda Civic Major Redesigns Since 2015

Shopping for a used Honda Civic sedan and trying to figure out which model year is right for you? Edmunds expert Will Kaufman has you covered. He compares the last 10 years of Honda Civic models and lays out changes to design, technology, practicality, performance, and mpg.

Trends

How to Start Car Shopping

Ready to shop for a car but don’t know where to start? Learn the right questions to ask yourself. Get a primer on car types. Before you know it, you’ll be car shopping with purpose, focus, and confidence.

Want to view more trending articles?

* Price excludes taxes, title, registration, and fees. Applicable transfer fees are due in advance of vehicle delivery and are separate from sales transactions.

We hope you found this information helpful. This content is intended to inform and is not meant to provide legal, financial or investment advice. We make every effort to provide accurate information, but please verify before transacting and consider talking to a qualified professional about your unique circumstances.

Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.

Unless otherwise noted, information related to featured vehicles comes from third-party sources, including manufacturer information. Product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of third-party entities. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these entities.