The death of the Sedan body style is something that has been pitched by many as a market-influenced inevitability. With U.S. consumers lapping up SUVs and crossovers, long-standing three-box models such as the Chevrolet Cruze and Impala, Ford Focus and Fusion, and Mazda6 — to name but a few — have all been axed.
But, according to the Automotive News Research & Data Center, the sedan may be poised for a comeback. Since 2002 light trucks (crossovers, pickups, and SUVs) have been outselling “cars” (sedans, coupes, convertibles, hatchbacks, sports cars, and performance car styles). But in the first quarter of 2023, sales of cars have picked up, rising to a 21.4 percent share versus its lowest 19.6 percent quarter recorded in 2021.
These are evidently small gains that could possibly be pinned on a market anomaly — after all, light trucks still make up around 60 percent of new vehicle sales. But there may be other reasons as to why cars are seeing a resurgence in 2023.
Coolness And The EV Influence
One is down to the generational “cool” factor. With two decades of crossover and SUV supremacy, young buyers looking for their first car don’t want to be seen driving the same thing their parents had. There’s also the fact that cars make more sense in light of the EV revolution. Sedans are more aerodynamic and will get better range than their crossover counterparts.
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Tyson Jominy, vice president of data and analytics at J.D. Power, suggests that we may be at a stasis point for the next few years and that in the long term, sedans will continue to feature in manufacturer’s lineup, even if there won’t be as many models to choose from as there once was. “It may get worse for the car for the time being, but for the long term, every automaker is going to have one. I still think you’ll be able to find [a car]. It’s just not going to be like we saw before, where you had a Fiesta, a Focus, a Fusion and a Taurus”
Pricier Crossovers But Cheaper Sedans
Another reason why sedans may be getting a bit more traction is thanks to the soaring price of new cars. A number of factors have contributed to the inflated prices, including the global chip shortage. But with popular crossovers rising in price, many have taken another look at the four-door alternatives. When Volkswagen was forced to cut Jetta production numbers in favor of the more profitable crossovers, many who would have preferred a sedan were left looking elsewhere.
The manufacturers who have chosen to stick by their sedan nameplates, such as Hyundai’s Elantra and Sonata, have seen sales rise in the first quarter by 47 percent and 87 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, Toyota says they will remain committed to serving those who prefer sedans, while Honda has also seen some customers head back to the Civic and Accord thanks to lower inventories of other crossovers.
