Hatchback or sedan: Which one should I buy?

Buying a car involves a lot of decisions. From your loan’s length to the type of car that fits your needs and budget, there’s a lot to consider. If you happen to be stuck deciding between buying a hatchback or sedan, we got you covered!

For those unsure whether to invest in a crossover or SUV, check out our article on that!

Hatchback

The subcompact car, aka hatchback, can be seen on virtually every Malaysian road. They are characterised by their “two-box” design, the first box housing the engine and the second box being the combined cabin and boot. This design means the boot is not separated from the cabin, allowing the rear and the passenger seats to fold forward, increasing cargo space. Hatchbacks are also compact, allowing the car to squeeze into tight parking spots or make tight turns. Many hatchbacks also have great fuel economy, making them a favourite for new drivers.

When it comes to style, hatchbacks generally don’t look as good as sedans. However, this has begun to change as some car manufacturers have incorporated sleek curves into the hatchbacks’s rear, making them appear more stylish. Some have even gone so far as to make them resemble sedans with a pronounced boot, but in reality, they are still “two-boxed” hatchbacks.

Pros

• Versatile cargo spaces: Hatchbacks are characterised by the ability to fold seats down to increase the total cargo space
• Easy to drive: The compact size of the hatchback allows novice drivers to get used to driving on the road and experienced drivers to navigate tight spaces.
• Great fuel economy: Fuel efficient due to smaller size and mass. Can be more fuel-saving with fuel-efficient engines.

Cons

• Less passenger space – The Toyota Yaris bucks the trend with the same wheelbase and interior as the Vios.

Sedan

The Sedan is a basic, stable, and safe choice. Its “three-box” design distinguishes it from a hatchback by dividing the car into the engine, cabin and boot. The partition between the cabin and the boot ensures that any of your items are safe from prying eyes. Some sedan models have a fold-down rear seat to allow transportation of longer objects. Despite that, sedans usually have a longer wheelbase, which translates into a longer cabin and more legroom. Sedans also often have a larger boot, meaning more dedicated cargo space than a hatchback. That said,  sedans generally have a much longer turning radius and require more space to turn.

Pros

• Comfortable: Sedans generally prioritise comfort over cargo capacity, which means the rear seats are extra comfortable
• Stylish: Sedans are generally stylish with sleek lines and
• Extra safety: The sedan’s extra rear length means that there is more space between the end of the car and the rear passengers, which improves safety when rear-ended.
• More space on average: The sedan can carry more passengers and cargo simultaneously than a hatchback.

Cons

• Less maximum storage space: The separate “boxes” mean the cabin and the boot cannot be used to carry extra-long cargo.

Hatchback vs Sedan

Perodua Bezza vs Perodua Myvi

When comparing the 2 most popular cars against each other, fuel efficiency is not the deciding factor for most consumers. Not that there is much difference in fuel efficiency to talk about with the Bezza sipping 4.4l of fuel per 100km, bucking the trend of sedans being more fuel-hungry. The Myvi, however, is not far behind at 4.5l/100km. Those leaning towards the Bezza would favour it for its massive 508l boot space and sedan configuration. When it comes to performance, however, the high-spec Myvi’s larger and more powerful 1.5-litre engine would easily leave the Bezza behind.

Drive home a Perodua Bezza from RM306/mth

Our catalogue of Perodua Myvis from RM415/mth awaits!

Proton Saga vs Proton Iriz

The Proton Saga and Proton Iriz better exemplify the typical differences between a sedan and a hatchback. For one, the Saga guzzles fuel at 6.7l/100km while the Iriz consumes nearly a whole litre less at 5.8l/100km. The Saga also has a much larger 420-litre boot than the Iriz’s tiny 215-litre boot. When it comes to safety, however, the Saga has only 2 frontal airbags, while the Iriz has 6: 2 front; 2 side and 2 curtain airbags.

Check out our list of Proton Sagas from RM295/mth

Get yourself a Proton Iriz from RM343/mth

Honda City vs City Hatchback

The Honda City Hatchback is the replacement of the Honda Jazz. Even though the Hatchback variant shares the “City” name with the sedan, they are not the same vehicle and it’s not just because one is a sedan and the other is a hatchback. For example, the City hatchback has a slightly shorter wheelbase than the sedan which means the interior of the car is slightly smaller. That does not mean the hatchback is less spacious, as it has more legroom than the sedan! Both variants have 6 airbags, 2 in the front, 2 in the side and 2 curtain airbags.

Browse more Honda City Hatchbacks from RM920/mth.

Test drive a Honda City from RM678/mth.

Toyota Vios vs Toyota Yaris

Unlike the previous pair, the Toyota Vios and the Toyota Yaris share the same wheelbase, which means they have the same internal dimensions! You can expect the same level of space and comfort whether you choose a Toyota Vios or a Toyota Yaris. The main difference is the length of the vehicle due to the size of the boot. The Vios’ extra length gives it more room to carry cargo without reducing passenger capacity. The Yaris on the other hand has more flexible storage space at the cost of passenger capacity. The Yaris is also easier to park due to its shorter length compared to the Vios.

Drive home a Toyota Vios from RM536/mth

Browse our catalogue for the perfect Toyota Yaris from RM701/mth

Still can’t decide? Drop by Carro’s Retail Experience Centres and test drive our wide variety of sedans and hatchbacks to choose from. Do keep an eye out for selected cars that are RM5,000 off for a limited time only until 14th August!  If that is not enough, you can get an exclusive interest rate of 2.96% and 24-hour loan approval with Maybank. Don’t wait! Get yourself a Carro Certified car that is As Good As New today!