A sedan has four doors, a fixed roof, and a separate trunk. The engine sits up front, passengers in the middle, luggage in the back. It is the default car shape in many markets, though SUVs have eroded its dominance.

The word comes from the Italian sedere, to sit, and originally referred to a covered chair carried by porters. The automotive meaning settled in the early 1900s. For most of the twentieth century, the sedan was the family car. Ford Taurus, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class: the shape defined each brand.

Sedan variations

• Compact: small footprint, efficient, urban friendly.
• Mid-size: the sweet spot for families.
• Full-size: rear-seat space and long highway legs.
• Performance: rear-wheel drive, powerful engines, sport tuning.

The sedan's separate trunk keeps cargo hidden and reduces cabin noise compared to a hatchback. It also limits what you can carry. Buyers who need flexibility often choose an SUV instead. Still, the sedan remains the best-handling mainstream body style because of its low center of gravity and rigid structure. Automakers have not abandoned it, but they have narrowed their offerings.