I am eagerly awaiting the dying of the sedan

One of many highlights of the 2025 New York Worldwide Auto Present was the Kia EV4, at present as a consequence of attain the US in early 2026. It was notable for a couple of causes: uncommon styling, twin 12.3-inch touchscreens, and as much as 330 miles (531 kilometers) of vary for those who pay for the Wind trim. It even has a brand new voice assistant capable of refine its responses and command recognition, so hopefully, it will not by chance set off itself whenever you’re jamming out to

Spotify
. Thoughts you, Apple says the identical factor about

Siri
.

It ought to — by all rights — be a strong

electric car
for the individuals who need one, however it additionally made me notice one thing — I’ve completely zero curiosity in sedans anymore, irrespective of how well-built or futuristic they’re. Certainly, the format appears to be on its means out, and for as soon as I am really supportive of the best way the world goes, so long as reasonably priced choices stick round too.

Why sedans ought to disappear

A pattern already in progress

Honda

Once I was rising up in Canada (and visiting the US) in the course of the ’80s and ’90s, sedans had been in all places. On reflection, they had been the “default” automobile for North America — you solely purchased one thing else to accommodate area of interest calls for. Should you needed ample cargo house, you purchased a van, a truck, or a station wagon; for those who needed to save cash, you purchased a compact hatchback. Even loads of highschool children ended up getting used sedans as starter automobiles.

You may nonetheless purchase new sedans, however in North America they have been eclipsed in reputation by SUVs, vehicles, and crossovers. Whereas it is tough to trace down up-to-the-minute information, in 2019, SUVs accounted for 47.7% of US gross sales (per a New York Times report) versus simply 22.1% for sedans. Even some sports activities automobile manufacturers have added SUVs to their lineups. I see Porsche Cayennes on the highway on a regular basis — irrespective of that purchasing an SUV for efficiency is akin to purchasing a Bowie knife to cut up dinner greens.

A sedan is smart for those who’re a home-owner who’s largely touring backwards and forwards to work, sometimes shuttling children round, taking holidays, or having an evening out. However for those who’re repeatedly shifting from residence to residence — like many millennials and Gen Zers — a sedan cannot match that many bins, not to mention giant items of furnishings. And even as soon as you have settled right into a home, there is a good probability you may be happening weekend runs to shops like Dwelling Depot, Greatest Purchase, or IKEA. Few issues are extra irritating than carting a TV or stack of lumber out to your automobile solely to comprehend it will not match.

Kids exacerbate the scenario. My spouse and I solely have one baby, however like many individuals as of late, we do not have handy kinfolk or babysitters close by. Our son and his booster seat have to return together with us on many errands, shrinking the quantity of cargo house even additional. In that sense, I actually cannot blame mother and father for purchasing full-sized SUVs, even when most of them do not want a Nissan Armada or Chevy Tahoe to take their children to judo classes.

Associated

The Nissan Leaf is dead, long live the new Leaf

I will miss the Leaf’s earlier spirit, however it’s most likely for the very best.

The highway forward

Adapting type components for the 2020s

Chevrolet

When my spouse and I purchased a brand new automobile in 2022, we selected the Hyundai Venue, which is a compact crossover SUV. It is the best format for us — extra cargo house than a sedan, however nonetheless sufficiently small to be reasonably priced and slot in a single-car storage. We nonetheless run into house issues generally, however it’s normally nothing some inventive seat manipulation cannot repair. I am unable to think about making an attempt to do the identical issues with my outdated Buick Regal.

In that regard, I really feel that crossovers and different small SUVs are rightfully taking on, particularly since they permit sufficient house for bigger batteries on EV fashions. The Chevy Equinox EV (above) is spectacular to me as one thing beneath $34,000 with a 319-mile (513-kilometer) vary. I might like to see 300-mile ranges on compact hatchbacks, too, however the tech most likely will not be there till solid-state batteries arrive round 2030.

There are some facets of this trajectory I do not like. Many SUVs are nonetheless unnecessarily large, blocking lanes and sightlines in visitors, and naturally posing a extra critical risk in the event that they hit one thing. The identical will also be mentioned of many vehicles, which regularly do not even carry cargo. In locations like Alberta and Texas, it looks as if lots of people get one simply to slot in with the native cowboy tradition, and/or to really feel robust on the streets.

Will sedans disappear fully? I doubt it, at the very least till robotaxis and different totally self-driving automobiles are an omnipresent actuality. They do serve a function. However each the constructive and damaging traits in place appear to be urgent arduous, and I might quite issues skew within the route of practicality than faux we’re all well-off professionals who get all the pieces massive and heavy delivered by white-glove companies.

Associated

Why solid-state batteries will revolutionize EVs – and why we’re still waiting

They’re on the horizon, however there’s nonetheless a long way to go.

The affordability situation

One remaining thought

Honda

I do have one different concern, and that is pricing traits. Even compact crossovers are generally dearer than sedans, so there’s the danger that our procuring habits will inadvertently push some folks out of the auto market, notably if corporations cannot determine a technique to construct a worthwhile EV equal of sub-compacts just like the Honda Match. The business goes to go all-electric, in the end.

I am comparatively optimistic on that entrance, just because expertise retains evolving, and buyer demand is certain to maintain issues in verify. There’ll all the time be somebody contemporary out of faculty who wants an inexpensive trip — the business cannot faux that everybody is able to shell out $40,000 or extra for his or her supreme do-it-all-mobile.

Associated

The problem with self-driving cars isn’t safety

Merely getting the place you need to go appears to be a much bigger situation.