Bigger is always better, isn’t it? When it comes to sport utility vehicle versus sedan, there isn’t a particularly clear answer.
The industry has significantly changed over the years. Once dominated by cars and trucks of all shapes and sizes, it now features numerous SUVs and crossovers. This has only further complicated the purchase process for consumers as they have faced even more options.
According to Edmunds, Sedans saw their sales numbers decrease to 19% in 2024 as SUVs took 58% of the market in 2024.
The Kia Sportage, Toyota Rav4, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Equinox, Hyundai Tucson, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Honda CR-V were some of the best-selling SUV models in 2024.
These numbers indicate that the sedan could be on the way out, but that is not necessarily the case. Automakers such as Kia, Toyota, and Honda have continued selling sedans while updating their bodies, transmissions, and cockpits.
The Kia K4, in particular, sold 33,728 units between August and December 2024. This model has already sold 23,285 units in the first two months of 2025, putting it on pace to set a new benchmark.
Does this set up a comeback for the sedans? Will they take back the market share from the SUVs? Not necessarily, according to Kia.
“I would say that it isn’t that the sedans are going to replace SUVs,” James Bell, Head of Corporate Communications, Kia America, told Odometer during a one-on-one sitdown.
“There’s still a huge part of the American car buying psyche that says, ‘I need the biggest machine that I can possibly get.’”
The reasons for buying something large can vary. Some consumers may want something with lots of cargo space and multiple seats so that they can pack up their friends and go camping for the weekend. Some may need to haul the majority of a soccer team around on the weekends.
This is not the case for every person trying to purchase a car. Some people need something smaller based on their respective lifestyles or the places they call home.
A person living alone or with their significant other may not need an SUV. A sedan could be a better choice for commuting to work, attending live events, or running errands.
Larger cities may not have ample street parking for larger SUVs or pickup trucks. Some vehicles could push the height limits of parking garage entries.
But more remote or mountainous areas may not be as friendly to sedans, especially those that see considerable amounts of snowfall throughout the year.
“I mean, in Kia’s lineup, we sell better than 70% of our vehicles are SUVs and crossovers,” Bell said. “So that’s not going to go away.
“It’s just offering choice, and especially as we’re getting into a little bit more uncertain economic times in the next couple of years. Maybe something that’s a little more efficient, a little more affordable, a little easier to drive.”
The Sedans vs. SUVs debate should include the cost of ownership
On paper, researching a new car can often boil down to a few line items. Horsepower, gas mileage, and technology often top the list. After all, those are the things you show off to friends and family members after the big purchase.
Yet, these are not the only considerations consumers should make when they set out to find a new daily driver or weekend transportation. The post-purchase costs must be considered even though they aren’t the sexiest topics of conversation.
SUVs with internal combustion engines are often cheaper to insure than ICE-powered sedans. Electric SUVs, however, are often more expensive.
Consumer Reports notes that this is due to the price of replacing a damaged or compromised battery after a crash. Insurance companies are more likely to write off the vehicle as a total loss instead of paying for a new battery.
The price of gas is also an important part of the discussion. Does a sedan or an SUV fit the respective budget better?
Take the 2025 Honda CR-V for an example. The ICE-powered SUV, with its 14-gallon tank, is rated at 26-28 mpg in the city and 31-34 mpg on the highway.
The 2025 Kia K5 has a 15.8-gallon gas tank. It is rated at 25 mph in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. These numbers are comparable, but they are only the start of the gas mileage conversation.
The CR-V has more cargo space, so will consumers fill it with heavy items that they do not necessarily need to lug around every day? If so, this could add unnecessary weight that impacts fuel mileage.
“I understand buying a car is a pretty romantic, fun thing to do,” Bell said. “It’s very emotional. It’s like putting on a new jacket or a new suit or something. It’s fun, but there’s a rational part to it that I think a lot of people forget about.
“And that’s why, again, I think sedans are probably a better choice for a lot of people. Maybe not the sole choice, but it is a better choice, especially when you think about safety, fuel efficiency, overall cost of ownership, things of that nature.”
This conversation about sedans vs. SUVs is not new, nor will it end anytime soon. There just isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution for every car shopper in America.
This conversation will only evolve along with the automotive industry. What works for one automaker in 2024 may not work in 2025 or 2026. They will continue to update technology and find ways to make cars safer and more efficient.
This is particularly true for Kia. The 2024 model year featured the Forte GT, a sedan boasting a turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual transmission. However, Kia replaced this car with the K4 and its eight-speed automatic after seeing the interest in manual transmissions dwindle.
Does this mean this version of the K4 is set to be the flagship for decades to come? Absolutely not. Kia will continue to tweak and update the lineup, starting with the upcoming reveal of an all-electric version of the K4 at the New York Auto Show.
The best path forward for consumers is to stay informed about current and upcoming models of SUVs and sedans.
This will only help them be better prepared for a major financial investment. This way, they can focus on the fun of owning a new car instead of stressing about the choice they made.
“When you’re spending that kind of money, when you’re making that kind of investment — which you’re going to be probably making payments on it for four or five, maybe even six years — make sure you’re doing your homework and getting that good, rational advice,” Bell said.