Are Sedans Making a Comeback?

Don't hold your breath. The answer is no. But you should read this article anyway.

Lots of headlines are touting the “return of the sedan” and big jumps in sales figures for sedans. But a closer look shows it’s not what some enthusiasts are hoping it is. The jump just happens to be for sedans, but is mostly for hybrids. Which is what most sedans left on the market are now. And the “jumps” are relative to all-time lows.

Those two things probably tell you everything you need to know. But I’ve got a lot more words to get through before this is a proper article. So lets break it down a little.

The big reason some consumers are looking at sedans right now? Cost and MPGs. Gas prices are up, so frugal buying is in. And the most fuel efficient cars on the road that don’t say “Prius” on them are usually hybrid sedans. Hence the uptick in sales for cars like the Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, etc. All of which are up in their hybrid models.

Want to know something that might make you surprised you aren’t surprised? Sales are up for hybrid non-sedans too. Market shares for all hybrids have basically doubled since last year. The gigantic Hyundai Palisade Hybrid has a less than two week turnover at dealerships right now. Meaning it arrives and sells within 14 days. It’s not alone. A lot of hybrids have a similar story.

Remember when I said that Trump was supporting electric cars? I really meant hybrids. No, seriously, I did. Remember I said “electrified vehicles.” Trust me, I was prescient.

Anyway, the current vehicle market isn’t growing thanks to the economy and lingering effects of inflation. But there are still probably about 15-16 million new car buyers ready to start making payments this year, if industry forecasts are right. And they’re usually pretty close. And of those, a lot more of them are buying hybrids. Some of them are buying sedans. That are also hybrids.

And when niche vehicles get any kind of notice from buyers, enthusiasts go nuts assuming their favorite vehicle is now going to be popular again. And they’re always disappointed. Otherwise, the market would be full of station wagons, sports sedans, and Mitsubishi Evos.