In the past decade, sedan sales have taken a serious hit due to ever increasing popularity of crossovers. Most of the front wheel drive SUVs are actually crossover but in India they are widely being called as SUV. Sedan cars in India is still an option for Generation X but Generation Y definitely want a jazzy Crossover. Crossovers and sedans have a lot of things in common but buyers are picking up crossover more than sedan. Let’s investigate why Crossovers are getting popular over cosy sedans.
Manoeuvre and Drivability
In the past SUVs/Crossovers used to be criticized for being a bit tippy and likely to rollover during sharp corners but with the introduction of ESC (electronic stability control) in the year 2012 as optional safety fitment in top spec variants of crossovers like Ford Ecosports, Tata Nexon are safer than ever. Sedans have longer wheelbase than crossovers. Sedans are perfect for those who spend more time on highways. Sedans have longer wheelbase offers for a more stable and plush riding experience. Design of the Sedan will help it slip through the air and that helps you better fuel economy compared to crossover. Today’s advanced technology has made crossovers equally fuel efficient and powerful like sedans. Crossovers offer an upright driving position. It gives a slightly better view of the road. Crossovers feel really nimble with a smaller turning circle than most compact sedans. Crossover’s actually feature only front-wheel drive and no all-wheel drive options although some crossovers like Renault Duster used to offer all-wheel-drive option but for Indian terrain rear wheel drive is most suitable. Sedan cars feels sportier because it is low to the ground and it has that low centre of gravity. Sedans feel like the driver is more in control while cornering hence the ride is less tippy. Another advantage of that is that sedans get better aerodynamics. Drag coefficient of a sedan is really low compared to a crossover.
Style and Aesthetic
Style wise these crossovers end up looking more like a hiked-up hatchback than a Sports utility vehicle. They have a very marginal increase in ground clearance over a regular hatchback in reality. In fact, crossover just has about half an inch more ground clearance than sedan. Overall design of the sedan seems more driver focused like a cockpit rather than an open cabin feeling with a crossover. Sedan does feel more premium. Sleeker designs of sedan results in less wind noise.
Interior space
Sedan has a longer wheelbase and is wider too and it boasts more interior space. Sedan offers pretty good leg room. The obvious advantage of being a taller Crossover is more cargo space and more Headroom. Crossovers do feel like an open room with some chairs in it rather than a focused cockpit in a sedan that looks more elite.
Safety
Modern Crossovers are much more compatible with crashes. During collision Crossover structure override structure of sedan. Size and weight are important during collisions. Crossovers protect occupants better because they have larger front and large mass compared to Sedans. Having said that, the sedan offers better active safety like rollover mitigation, better cornering, improved braking. Crossover headlights cause a lot of glares when it comes to oncoming traffic. Cross vehicles feature a higher ground clearance and that means; they are still going help you get through some rough terrain and cross big unauthorized speed breakers of Indian town.
Technology
Almost all cars today have a lot of technology like touchscreen with Android auto and apple carplay support, automatic climate control, heated seats and handy safety features like forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, a rear-view camera and a 360-degree view when parking. Better quality material is offered in Sedan than crossover. Sedan interior looks more upmarket. Technology used in the sedan seems more impressive: larger touchscreen with Android auto and apple carplay tuck in dashboard as well as a big virtual cockpit. The car also features dual zone climate control.
Sedans are just not as versatile as crossovers. That’s the whole point that’s why people are buying more crossovers.