Choices in Malaysia's car market: should you spring for a sedan or get a hatchback?

Whether it's in Malaysia or elsewhere, before the chin scratchers that are variants and colours come into play, there's a decision car buyers make - choosing a body style.

Which brings me neatly to hatchbacks versus sedans. Not dissimilar to The Matrix's red and blue pills, both have their pros and cons which we'll weigh for you to help you find your next perfect car.

Driving experience: Hatches aren't necessarily sportier

With a raking roofline and stout proportions, hatchbacks generally look much sportier than their sedan counterparts. Just compare the Yaris and Vios as above.

But somehow, such examples have brought upon a common misconception that road-going hatches are almost always tuned to be more aggressive. They're not, and most regular sedan/hatchback counterparts that people like you and me buy will feel pretty similar.

Also read: Review: 2019 Mazda 3 Sedan/Liftback – Mind says no, heart says otherwise

Except there’s one minor difference between them...

Manoeuvrability - One is easier to park

There’s a reason why most recent rally cars have been hatches - their tighter dimensions lend to slightly tautier handling. Sure, you're not buying a rally car (unless your geran says ‘Toyota GR Yaris’) but the same principle trickles to city driving.

A hatch's (commonly) shorter overhangs result in less guesswork while driving, because the rear stops where the glass ends. This is helpful in most situations, particularly when reversing into a parking spot.

Also read: Reverse parking vs forward parking: Which is better?

Sedans are the typically the opposite, and in some situations that might pose a challenge to newer drivers. However, this is also subjective because some models like the GM2 Honda City have a relatively long front overhang, even by B-segment sedan standards.

Also read: Even Japanese driving schools don’t use Kei cars, is our Perodua Axia even good enough?

Visibility - More glass, more to see

Look at the Honda City Hatchback and Toyota Yaris’ rear ends. They follow the traditional hatchback recipe and as such are more upright than their sedan counterparts, affording bigger rear windows that gives one a better view out of the rear view mirror.

While the rear wiper of a hatchback is seemingly more advantageous in wet weather, there's a reason why hatchbacks need them in the first place. Due to their 'squared-off' shape, air flow is more turbulent at the back, which leads to more water and debris sticking on the rear glass.

Also read: How not to crash while driving in the rain

Boot space - Hatchbacks offer more space than you think

The sedan claws back some points with outright boot space. There’s no two ways about it here as the three-box body will almost always come with a larger cargo space without folding the rear seats.

Also read: Ratings: Which is the most spacious? Vios, City, Almera, or Persona?

That said, a hatchback’s er, hatch typically offers a wider aperture, which makes it easier for one to fit in oddly-shaped objects in the boot.

Apart from the rakiest of them, most hatchbacks are taller than their sedan counterparts, offering marginally improved headroom for those at the back or more space for taller items. The City/City Hatchback duo are examples, with the latter being 21 mm taller than the former.

And don't forget, if there's niceties like split-folding or Honda's ULTRA seats, then all that space can be better utilised.

Also read: This is how useful the Honda Jazz’s Ultra Seats are! Myvi what?

Price - Slightly different between them

When it comes to prices, there will be differences between hatchbacks and sedans. However, it's on a model-to-model basis and not just because of individual bodystyles.

Specs-wise, most cars in the market these days are pretty much level-pegging when it comes to creature comforts and safety features.

Conclusion - Only you know best

Beyond minor differences and common grounds, both body styles are generally pretty similar, offering similar benefits. One could say the tiebreaker could be styling, but that's subjective and you know your own tastes best.

The decision ultimately lies with you - have a deep thought about why you're buying the car, weigh the benefits of both, make sure to test it out (when it's finally safe to do so) and try to avoid signing a 9-year loan.

Also read: If you need a 9-year loan, you can’t afford the car, and do understand Rule of 78

Bonus - What’s coming to Malaysia 2021?

But wait, there's more! Just when you thought you were spoilt for choice, there's more cars coming our way. The new car market will be further augmented as we welcome several all-new and facelifted models in the second half of this year.

Here's just a few hatchbacks and sedans we can look forward to:

• Proton Iriz and Proton Persona facelift
• Perodua Myvi facelift
• Toyota Camry facelift
• Honda City Hatchback
• Volkswagen Golf Mk8
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class facelift / CKD A-Class sedan

That's a non-exhaustive list. For the rest of them - including SUVs and all - click this little blue link.