Two doors or four doors? A trusted and reliable family car with plenty of trunk space versus a fast ride that traded passenger comfort for its sleek looks? Getting to choose between a coupe and a sedan is surprisingly tough for some people. Both cars have their advantages and drawbacks. They differ in purpose. One is losing the popularity contest to SUVs. The other is going to stay parked near bachelor pads for as long as there are bachelors. Let’s take a close look and compare the two, shall we?
General differences between sedans and coupes
Even children can spot the difference between a coupe and a sedan half a mile away. Four doors and an extended trunk? It’s a sedan. Two doors, a sloping roof, and almost zero passenger space? Congratulations, it’s a coupe. A coupe with four doors? Mercedes Benz is trying its marketing tricks on you.
Sedans:
come with 4 doors;
have a longer wheelbase, more passenger space, and additional features;
are made for families or executives, emphasize either affordability or prestige;
are generally heavier and require more powerful engines,
handle well due to the weight distribution;
5 people can be seated there at the same time;
have lots of room for cargo in the trunk or on the roof.
Coupes:
2 longer doors with larger windows;
have a shorter wheelbase, less passenger space, streamlined features;
are made for single people; emphasize either speed or fuel economy;
are much lighter, have smaller engines except for sport coupes;
are quick and agile in traffic;
2 or 4 people can be seated there cramped up;
have little to no room for cargo, and a much smaller trunk.
Popularity
Sedans were the default American family cars for most of their history. Coupes are better suited for young urban office workers that want to up their “cool factor”. Sedans are preferred by older drivers, both men, and women. Coupes are mostly driven by young males.
Since 2014 sedans have been steadily losing their appeal among the general audience. Young families with children opt for SUVs due to their stylish looks, off-road capabilities, and higher safety levels in general.
Coupes are niche cars, and they have a devoted fan base. Sport coupes remain popular among city dwellers as they take up less parking space and provide better options when driving through heavy traffic.
Price
Generally, coupes are more expensive than sedans. However, it can be offset by fuel economy, if you decide against the sportier option. Most car manufacturers offer both body variants for their platforms. These sedans and coupes share a lot of characteristics and come with similar basic options.
New and used
Due to the sedan’s fading popularity, it is becoming more of a niche car alongside the coupe. However, there were a lot of such models produced by American and overseas manufacturers before 2014. It’s much easier to find and buy a preowned sedan than a used coupe. But well-stocked dealerships have a lot of coupes for sale if you are interested in getting one. Don’t forget to get a background check by ordering a Carfax report.
Safety
Safety often depends more on the manufacturer than on the car’s body. Generally, sedans have a slight advantage when it comes to safety. Longer, heavier, executive-class sedans come with additional options that ensure the well-being and comfort of drivers and passengers. Nonetheless, before you decide to buy a certain model, visit the IIHS website to check the car’s official safety rating.
Insurance
As a rule of thumb, you’ll be paying less for insuring a sedan than a coupe. Sedans are considered lower-risk vehicles due to several factors. In any case, you should understand what contributes to your auto insurance premium and try to find ways to lower it.
Sedans:
modern safety features and driver-assist tech lower risks;
mostly driven by older, experienced drivers;
have more room for airbags;
less expensive than coupes in general.
This results in a lower insurance premium.
Coupes:
generally pricier than sedans;
have modern safety features;
built for speed and more aggressive driving style;
less room for additional airbags;
lighter weight and shorter base decrease safety ratings;
driven by younger males, who are considered a higher-risk group.
This results in a higher insurance premium.
The biggest factor that contributes to insurance rates is the price of the car. Older coupes often depreciate faster and can have much lower premiums than brand new sedans.
Conclusion
Choosing between a sedan and a coupe has to do more with your goals than budget. You might lean towards a roomier, heavier car that handles with ease, or a smaller, sportier ride suited to a more active driving style. Modern cars also tend to cross-pollinate when it comes to their styles. You can buy yourself a 4-door coupe (which is, in fact, a sedan) or even get an SUV that has coupe-like exterior features.
