THINK THE SEDAN IS DEAD? THESE 5 CARS ARE QUIETLY CRUSHING SUVS IN SALES

For years, we've been told that SUVs have made the traditional sedan obsolete. Automakers have cut four-door lineups, buyers have flocked to crossovers, and it seemed like the writing was on the wall. Yet the latest sales figures tell a far more interesting story.

Despite the industry's obsession with taller vehicles, several sedans are quietly outperforming many of the SUVs that were supposed to replace them. These cars prove there's still strong demand for practical, efficient, and enjoyable four-doors—and the numbers back it up.

2026 Hyundai Elantra

79,839 units sold in 2026 so far

The Elantra has quickly established itself as one of the best options if you're shopping for a car on a budget. Hyundai has set its price low, but kept features high. It is also more spacious than a lot of its compact car rivals, and comes with plenty of modern tech features. The Korean automaker has also diversified the nameplate quite a lot, with a number of different variants aiming at a range of different buyers.

ICE comuters, hybrids, and sports sedans

Really, there are a ton of different Elantras, and they all have surprisingly unique identities. The base model features a gas-only setup that's good for 147 horses, or for a little more money, you could have a 139 horsepower hybrid that sips fuel. Those after a sportier experience can opt for the 201-horsepower N-Line or the fully-fledged, 276-horsepower N. Regardless of which model you opt for, this little sedan always seems to exceed expectations.

Pros

• A different model for every buyer
• Hybrid model is one of the most efficient out there
• N-Line and N models are seriously fun to drive

Cons

• Base gas-only engine is a little gutless
• Sharp styling can be somewhat polarizing
• Models with the DCT feature some clunkiness at low speeds

2026 Honda Accord

90,068 units sold in 2026 so far

In our eyes, the Accord deserves all the popularity it has and more. It is easily one of the most refined mainstream cars on the road, and it balances all the most important factors in a sedan pretty perfectly. It is practical and comfortable, and its cabin feels more upscale than you might expect. It also offers a balance of ride and comfort that you would expect from the likes of BMW or Alfa Romeo, making your commute that much more entertaining.

Refinement befitting a much higher price

The base powertrain in the Honda Accord, which is available on the lower trims in the lineup, is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that has proved itself in a number of Honda products over the years. It is plenty solid and puts down a reasonable 192 horsepower. A hybrid model is also available that makes 204 horsepower. Either way, you'll find that the Accord is one of the best driving cars out there to wear a mainstream badge.

Pros

• Luxury sports sedan mix of ride and handling
• Exceptionally spacious
• Great curb appeal

Cons

• Front-wheel drive only
• Hybrid models require you to opt for expensive trims
• The Camry is still more efficient than the Accord Hybrid

2026 Toyota Corolla

131,403 units sold so far in 2026

The Toyota Corolla has and always will be all about simple transportation. Toyota has built their reputation on strong reliability and simple setups, and the Corolla embodies that better than most other cars on the market. We know that including it here is a bit of a cheat, as there is a hatchback model also on offer, but we think the fact that such a utilitarian little car is outselling so many large SUVs proves our point that crossovers aren't always the answer.

Dull but dependable

Every non-hybrid Corolla features a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine under the hood. The setup here is pretty stock standard for the segment, and it isn't going to inspire any kind of emotion in you. It will get you where you're going without fail, though. Sedan models can also be had with a hybrid setup, though it is quite lethargic. Also included in the sales figures is the 300-horsepower, all-wheel-drive GR Corolla hatchback, which is a completely different beast altogether.

Pros

• Fuel efficient regardless of powertrain
• Incredibly comprehensive safety suite
• Very easy to use

Cons

• Lots of gruff noises coming from the powertrains
• Dull to drive
• Space in the back is quite limited

2026 Honda Civic

132,440 units sold in 2026 so far

Like the Corolla, the Civic can also be had as either a sedan or a hatchback. In any case, it remains one of the most popular new cars on the market, outselling a bevy of crossovers. A large part of its success is that it feels like a more expensive car. While there are still some hard plastics and cheap components, it always feels refined and well put together. It also has a number of different variants to cater to all kinds of buyers.

Fun in a number of different forms

Most Civics come with either a 150 horsepower four-cylinder or a hybrid setup with 200 horsepower and two electric motors. The non-hybrid feels comfortable and lithe, but the hybrid feels like it flirts with being sporty. You can step things up and get the Civic Si if you're after more fun, which comes with a standard six-speed manual and 200 horsepower. Or you can shoot for the Type R, which is a track focused machine that makes 315 horses.

Pros

• Looks fantastic, inside and out
• Hybrid and Si models offer performance on a budget
• Surprisingly refined ride

Cons

• Base engine is a little underwhelming
• No optional all-wheel drive
• Base models aren't available with the hybrid setup

2026 Toyota Camry

179,044 units sold in 2026 so far

There is no other model that better proves the demand for sedans better than the Camry. It has always been a strong player, but since its redesign for the 2025 model year, its popularity has only skyrocketed. Currently, it sits as the best-selling model in Toyota's lineup, even outselling the ever popular RAV4. If it carries on its current growth trajectory, it could even end up outselling every SUV on the market by the end of the year.

Comfortable, efficient, and reliable

Toyota has made the Camry a hybrid-only affair, meaning that there is only one setup to choose from. Front-wheel drive models feature a four-cylinder engine which pairs with two electric motors to make 225 horses. All-wheel drive models add a third electric motor, boosting output up to 232 horsepower. The Camry has more driving character nowadays than it used to, but it still prioritizes comfort over everything else.

Pros

• Smooth and efficient powertrain
• Modern cabin packed with standard tech
• Striking exterior styling

Cons

• Steering is numb and vague
• Not all that fun to drive
• Higher starting price than its closest rivals

Buyers still want sedans, and the sales figures prove it

We have been told for a long time that crossovers are the future and that sedans just don't make sense. However, paying more for a vehicle that has a worse ride and isn't all that much more practical doesn't make sense to everyone. All the models listed above have shown really strong sales numbers and continuous growth so far this year, meaning that their popularity is only growing. While the number of options for sedan buyers has dwindled, there are still plenty of models that sell well, even outselling a ton of SUVs.

2026-07-11T07:50:24Z