sedan

A sedan is a passenger car designed with a three-box arrangement that places the engine, occupant compartment, and cargo area in distinct, fixed sections. It typically has four doors, seats four or five people, and a separate cargo trunk or boot that is not integrated with the passenger space. The body is usually closed and features a fixed roof, with the rear opening in the form of a conventional trunk lid.

In many regions the term sedan is used to describe this specific layout, while in the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth countries the same body style is commonly called a saloon. The concept contrasts with hatchbacks and liftbacks, which combine passenger and cargo spaces through a shared rear opening, and with wagons or estates, which extend the cargo area into the passenger zone.

Sedans are categorized by size and market orientation, including compact, mid-size, and full-size variants, as well as luxury and performance subtypes. They can be front-, rear-, or all-wheel drive, and are built on various platforms shared with other body styles. Modern sedans often feature safety and driver-assistance systems, advanced infotainment, and a range of powertrain options, from conventional internal combustion engines to hybrids and, in some markets, plug-in hybrids or fully electric models.

Market trends have shown shifting consumer preferences toward sport utility vehicles and crossovers in several regions, which has affected sedan sales in many markets. Nevertheless, sedans remain a core segment for many manufacturers, particularly in segments focused on comfort, efficiency, and refinement.