This article is about the type of car. For other uses of Sedan, see Sedan (disambiguation)

A sedan car, American English terminology, is one of the most common configurations of the modern automobile, having a usually four-door passenger compartment between the lower hood – covering the engine in the front, and the lower trunk at the rear.

In British English the configuration is called a saloon and has its engine under the bonnet at the front, and a boot for luggage at the rear.

In Australia and New Zealand, the American term is now used, albeit with the British terms of boot and bonnet being retained. In other languages sedans are known as Limousine (German), Berline (French), Berlina (Italian). These terms, besides sedan, derive from types of horse-drawn carriages.

Saloon bodystyles on smaller cars are now less popular after the revolution of the hatchback during the 1970's, although many hatchbacks also form the basis of saloons. The first major European manufacturer to phase out saloons in favour of hatchbacks was Renault, who invented the hatchback (16) in 1965. Citroen has not made any saloons since the 2CV ceased production in 1990. But saloon bodystyles are still used on almost all large cars.

See also: Car body styles

External links

• Honda Civic Sedan (picture of an example sedan)