Is the Right Honda SUV for You Actually a Sedan?
Finding the right vehicle, which you’ll love for many years to come, is all about looking at your options and highlighting what will work best to meet your needs. That might seem a bit obvious, but it’s easy to get so wrapped up in specific details and focusing on what’s the most popular option that you can miss something truly important. For example, SUVs and crossovers are all the rage these days, and they’ve come to dominate the market over the last couple of decades, but that doesn’t mean you should overlook the possibilities that a great sedan offers you.
If you need a big SUV with three rows of seating, that’s probably best for you; but if you’re looking at smaller crossovers, like the Honda HR-V, for example, then it’s a good idea to consider some of Honda’s fantastic sedans. There are amazing cars for sale these days that deliver remarkable power and performance while giving you style and luxury you might not realize is available. We love our Honda SUVs; there’s no doubt about that; we simply want to ensure that everyone finds the perfect vehicle. So let’s take a moment to look at what a sedan or hatchback has to offer that you might not have considered.
Fantastic Fuel Economy
Although manufacturers have been working hard to deliver SUVs and crossovers with far better fuel economy than what we saw 20 or 25 years ago, there’s still some room for improvement. This becomes even clearer when you look at just how incredibly efficient sedans can be, particularly Honda sedans designed for optimal efficiency. Honda has always been a leader in this regard, and though they might’ve first made a name for themselves by making exceptional motorcycles, their cars have always been highly regarded for incredible efficiency, reliability, and performance.
Moving a vehicle requires a lot of power—the larger and heavier the vehicle, the more power you generally need to get it going and keep it going. The design of a sedan typically makes it smaller and lighter than other vehicles like SUVs and trucks, which means they can utilize engines that are highly efficient while still making them fun to drive. Consider this: Honda’s most efficient crossover is the HR-V, which for the 2023 model year gets an estimated 26 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.[a] There’s also a CR-V Hybrid model that gets even better fuel economy, but we’ll talk about that in a moment.
By comparison, the Honda Accord gets an estimated 29 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway, while the Civic is slightly more efficient, with 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway.[b][c] That’s a significant difference compared to the HR-V that can impact your gas costs over years of driving, making owning and enjoying a sedan more budget-friendly. And while the CR-V Hybrid crossover gets an estimated 43 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway, there’s an Accord Hybrid that beats it with 46 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway.[d][e] So, even looking at a hybrid vs. a hybrid, sedans still come out on top.
Comfortable and Sophisticated Interiors
One of the things we love the most about a great car is that it truly feels like it was designed to be driven, not only in terms of performance but how it invites you inside. The interior of a fantastic sedan like the Honda Civic or Accord is incredibly welcoming and comfortable, creating a space that you simply want to be in. It’s fantastic to find that you want to get into your car and don’t dread your daily commute because you enjoy being in your space.
For example, the Honda Civic has room for five people, with adjustable head restraints up front and comfortable seating throughout. Looking at the Civic Touring, you’ll find heated front seats, with an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way front-passenger seat. The Touring comes with leather-trimmed seats, plus you get dual-zone automatic climate control, an automatic-dimming rearview mirror, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. You’ll find similar features and comfort in the Accord and Accord Hybrid models, ensuring you have a fantastic experience inside any car made by Honda.
Thrilling, Powerful Performance
We mentioned performance a moment ago, and this is something very important to us because Honda is well-known for vehicles that are incredibly fun to drive. It’s easy to assume that getting a sedan means you’re stuck with a stodgy experience that feels weak or tepid; sure, it’ll get you there, but you’re not exactly thrilled to get behind the wheel. With a Honda, that’s absolutely not the case, and they’ve proven repeatedly that you can have a lot of fun driving a car.
For example, the Civic has an available 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. That’s not a monster of an engine, but we’re talking about a compact car so that power makes it a lot of fun to drive. If you’re looking to get your heart pounding a bit, however, there’s the Civic Si, which comes with a 200-hp engine and a six-speed manual transmission, keeping you in control while enjoying everything it offers. That should be plenty of power for pretty much any driver.
Wait, that’s still not enough? Well, then you’re in luck because there’s the Honda Civic Type R, which is a hatchback designed with the spirit of a sports car. This beauty is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged VTEC engine that delivers 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque paired with a six-speed manual transmission with Rev-Match Control for unparalleled precision and control. This is an exceptional driving experience that still gives you two rows of seats and remarkable functionality for your daily routine.
The Sedan vs. Hatchback Debate
We’ve been talking a lot about sedans, but they’re not your only option if you’re interested in a great car that’s fun to drive. Honda also makes some fantastic hatchback models that give you the style and comfort of a sedan but with a larger rear hatch that makes it easy to utilize the space in your trunk. You can think of a hatchback as the middle-ground between a sedan and a small crossover, which makes them an amazing option if you’re torn between those two choices. There’s a hatchback version of the standard Honda Civic, along with the Civic Type R we just looked at, so you can get the right kind of performance and features along with a design that is incredibly convenient and easy to enjoy.
Could a Sedan Be Right for You?
When you look at how stylish, affordable, and comfortable great sedans are, it’s crazy to think about how many car companies have apparently left them behind. Domestic brands, in particular, are so busy chasing after every possible SUV and crossover driver that they’ve largely abandoned those of us who love the feel of driving a car. It’s a shame because there are still plenty of people who not only need something more affordable than many crossover models but simply prefer what sedans offer.
That’s why it’s so refreshing to see that Honda still brings amazing cars to the road, with numerous options, including sedans, hatchbacks, hybrids, and performance-focused models. If you’re ready to feel what a modern car has to offer, you should visit us at Honda of Newnan, and we’ll show you what you’ve been missing. Our friendly and knowledgeable team would be more than happy to show you our impressive selection of Honda sedans and help you find that ideal vehicle that will be sure to enhance your daily travels!
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