Sedan vs. SUV: What's the Difference?

The difference between a sedan and an SUV comes down to how they're packaged. Generally speaking, if it rides relatively low and has four doors and a trunk that's separate from the passenger cabin, it's a sedan. An SUV, meanwhile, usually rides higher than a sedan, and its two-box shape incorporates the passenger cabin and cargo area into the same space. Although the distinction seems fairly obvious, there are some important things to keep in mind when deciding between a sedan and an SUV for your next car.

Have more questions about body styles? Read our Defining Vehicle Types guide to better understand how models are categorized.

What is a sedan?

Sedans are typically considered to have four doors, although in previous eras, automakers sold two-door sedans that had the same roofline and passenger space as their more family-friendly counterparts. A sedan usually has a three-box shape, where the hood, passenger cabin and trunk make up three distinct parts of the car when viewed in profile. Some automakers blur the lines with so-called four-door coupes, which tend to have swoopier rooflines, but we typically lump them in with their more conventionally styled sedan kin. Though there's less choice than there once was, sedans are offered in a variety of sizes, including subcompact, compact, midsize and full-size, giving car shoppers lots of options.

Subcompact sedans

Subcompact sedans are extinct nowadays, with the 2025 Nissan Versa as the final entry in the category. If you're in the market, however, there might be a few holdovers sitting in a forgotten corner of a dealer lot. And if that's the case, you'll probably get a very good deal — making an already inexpensive car even more affordable.

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Compact sedans

Compact sedans, such as the Toyota Corolla and the Mazda 3, are some of the most popular cars for first-time buyers thanks to their blend of practicality, affordability and fuel economy. Our favorite is the Edmunds Top Rated Honda Civic, which is a pleasant commuter in its base form and a spunky, efficient four-door in any of its hybrid trim levels. You'll pay a little more for the gas-electric Honda, but we think it's worth it.

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Midsize sedans

Midsize sedans used to be among the most common cars on the road, but their default position as basic family transportation has been supplanted by crossovers of various shapes and sizes. Still, options like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5 and Honda Accord remain popular choices for shoppers looking for decent efficiency and passenger room. The arguable king of the segment is the Toyota Camry, which has been America's best-selling car for years now. The lineup went all-hybrid for the 2025 model year, which means every new midsize Toyota has an efficient, responsive gas-electric powertrain under the hood. Athletic looks, a spacious rear seat and surprisingly zippy handling make it a favorite.

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Full-size sedans

If a midsize four-door just doesn't have enough room for your needs, you might want to consider a full-size sedan. Mainstream offerings are few and far between nowadays, with only the funky, lifted Toyota Crown occupying the space where the Chrysler 300 and Ford Taurus once lived. Luxury automakers, however, haven't abandoned the segment just yet. The BMW 7 Series is our favorite large four-door, with a sumptuous interior that seems to borrow a few tricks from the automaker's Rolls-Royce subsidiary. The big Bimmer also boasts impressive comfort and driving dynamics that belie its size. A new 7 Series is coming for 2027 with a vastly updated interior and tech suite, so if you want to be on the cutting edge, you'll want to wait for that.

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What is an SUV?

An SUV or crossover typically rides much higher than a sedan, with an elevated seating position that gives the driver a better view of traffic ahead. The stance of an SUV usually translates to more cargo and passenger space compared to a sedan of similar size because occupants sit more upright and have more headroom and knee room. SUVs typically have a two-box shape with a long roof and a rear cargo area instead of a trunk. SUVs also come in many forms, including rugged off-roaders and comfy crossovers in several size classes.

What is the difference between an SUV and a crossover?

The difference between a traditional SUV and a crossover is a bit nebulous. One simple distinction is whether the vehicle has body-on-frame or unibody construction — the former is typically associated with SUVs and the latter with crossovers. Still, some would argue there are exceptions, like the newest Land Rover Defender. Its robust unibody would suggest it's a crossover, but a low-range transfer case and extensive off-road capability say "SUV" loud and clear. 

Generally speaking, a truck-like ladder frame will give an SUV better towing and off-road characteristics, while a quiet and rigid unibody will make a crossover handle better on the road, with a quieter and smoother ride to boot. Some folks bypass the argument altogether and just refer to both categories under the catchall term "SUV," which is what we'll do here.

Subcompact SUVs

Subcompact SUVs have entirely replaced their similarly positioned sedan counterparts when it comes to entry-level models. Our favorite of the bunch is the Hyundai Kona, which bundles lots of cargo space and a very functional interior in a distinctively styled package. The Kona fends off a variety of tough competitors, including the handsome Mazda CX-30 and efficient Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. 

Those looking to save even more money can opt for one of the smallest subcompact crossovers out there, the Hyundai Venue. This front-wheel-drive SUV effectively replaced the Hyundai Accent sedan and hatchback as Hyundai's entry-level car, and it's the cheapest new vehicle on the market, with a starting price of $22,700, including destination.

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Read our 2026 Hyundai Kona review

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Read our 2026 Hyundai Venue review 

Compact SUVs

Although they're not as pint-sized as they once were, compact SUVs occupy one of the most popular segments in the marketplace. In fact, the Honda CR-V is currently one of the best-selling vehicles in America, only outdone by some very popular pickup trucks. We like the CR-V, but we love the Kia Sportage Hybrid. Its combination of a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and a transmission-mounted electric motor gives it great reflexes on the road and good fuel economy to boot. Both the Kia and its Hyundai Tucson Hybrid twin are our favorite sport-utes in the compact class.

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Small off-road SUVs

Those looking for a genuine off-road SUV should look no further than the original. The Jeep Wrangler is a direct descendant of the Willys MB, designed and built during World War II to give American troops a nimble, go-anywhere 4x4. We doubt the company expected so many GIs to come home asking for a Jeep of their own to go adventuring in, but that's just what happened, and 80 years later, the Wrangler continues that lineage. It's not a great handler due to its solid front and rear axles, and the vague steering can be spooky at freeway speeds. But the Jeep Wrangler remains one of the most popular models in the U.S., selling on charisma if nothing else.

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Midsize SUVs

Midsize SUVs run the gamut from the smallish three-row Kia Sorento to the spacious five-seat Mazda CX-70. But our favorite of the bunch is the recently redesigned Subaru Outback. What began as a high-riding station wagon has grown into a full-fledged crossover, with a high roofline and larger rear cargo opening making it even more friendly for both passengers and luggage. There's also a Wilderness trim with all-terrain tires and an off-road suspension and software tuning, and although it doesn't have a low-range transfer case, it's definitely up to most rugged tasks its owners will throw at it.

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Large SUVs

Full-size SUVs occupy the top of the market in terms of space and capability, and for large families with big hobbies, there's nothing better. The Ford Expedition is one of the best in the industry, with a massive towing capacity of up to 9,600 pounds and enough cargo room for a full week of road-tripping. The Expedition also offers an extended-length Max variant, which has about 15 cubic feet of additional cargo room and more space for third-row occupants. 

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Three-row SUVs

If you don't require the size or capability of a full-size SUV but you need three rows of seats, consider a large crossover instead. One of our favorites is the Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, which boasts more torque and better fuel economy than its non-electrified sibling. The Palisade is reasonably priced considering its very well-appointed interior — the materials are excellent across all three roomy rows. USB-C chargers and cupholders abound, ensuring each passenger has a way to stay hydrated and plugged in. Other options in this class include the well-priced Subaru Ascent and spacious Volkswagen Atlas.

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Should you buy a sedan or an SUV?

In the battle between sedans and SUVs, crossover-shaped vehicles have a decisive edge on four-doors when it comes to shopper preference and variety of choices. It's not hard to understand why — the practicality of a tall rear hatch and cargo area is difficult to overlook. But there are still good reasons to pick a sedan. Given their sleeker aerodynamics and lighter weight, sedans usually offer better fuel economy and driving dynamics than similarly sized and priced SUVs. 

Some shoppers also prefer the classic stance and styling of a good four-door sedan. That's especially true at the top of the market — luxury buyers are proving slower to give up their Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series sedans in favor of those manufacturers' GLS and X7 SUVs. Of course, those who really want to march to the beat of their own drum could consider one of the few station wagons still available in the U.S. since they offer SUV-like cargo space without sacrificing the driving dynamics of a car.