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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Sedan sales are rising for several popular nameplates, but the evidence does not show a broad reversal of the SUV trend. Through the first three quarters of 2026, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic sales all increased year over year. At the same time, sedan and wagon production remained below one-quarter of U.S. vehicle output in the 2024 model year, while truck SUVs approached half of production.
The clearest practical reason to consider a sedan is efficiency. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s estimated real-world averages for model-year 2024 vehicles were 39.2 mpg for sedan/wagons versus 25.7 mpg for truck SUVs. That is a class-level average, not a promise for every model. A sedan can also suit drivers who value a lower driving position, a conventional trunk and a smaller, more road-focused footprint, while an SUV remains more useful for tall cargo, elevated seating and frequent utility work.
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What the 2026 sales numbers actually show
Car and Driver reported on October 5, 2026, that four high-volume sedans posted gains through the first three quarters of the calendar year:
| Sedan | Units sold | Year-over-year change | Reporting period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | 260,684 | Up 11.2% | First three quarters of 2026 |
| Honda Accord | 145,520 | Up 32.7% | First three quarters of 2026 |
| Toyota Corolla | 195,141 | Up 8.4% | First three quarters of 2026 |
| Honda Civic | 195,135 | Up 5.4% | First three quarters of 2026 |
The Accord has the largest percentage increase among these four models, while the Camry has the highest reported volume. These are model-specific results, not proof that every sedan is gaining buyers. Car and Driver also found that Honda’s broader car grouping—sedans, hatchbacks and sports cars—grew 15.6% year over year, compared with 0.3% growth for its SUVs and trucks. That comparison cannot be relabeled as sedan-only sales, and the same caution applies to comparisons of Toyota’s and Honda’s overall car and truck/SUV lineups.
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Why this is not yet a market-wide sedan comeback
Production data put the sales increases in perspective. The EPA’s 2025 Automotive Trends Report, published in February 2026, tracks vehicles produced for sale in the United States by model year. It shows how sharply the market has changed:
| Vehicle category and model year | Share of U.S. production | What the figure means |
|---|---|---|
| Sedan/wagon, 1975 | More than 80% | The historical starting point cited by EPA |
| Sedan/wagon, 2024 | Less than 25% | Current production share remains a minority |
| Truck SUVs, 2024 | Approaching 50% | Truck SUVs alone made up nearly half of production |
EPA summarizes the direction plainly: “The overall new vehicle market continues to move away from the sedan/wagon vehicle type towards a combination of truck SUVs, car SUVs, and pickups.” A few successful nameplates can therefore be gaining sales inside a category that is still much smaller than it was decades ago.
Do not combine the sales table and the EPA percentages into one market-share calculation. The first set covers calendar-year sales through three quarters of 2026; the second describes U.S. production by model year. They measure different things and use different periods. The EPA also identifies its model-year 2025 figures as preliminary.
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The strongest practical benefit: fuel economy
Fuel economy is the most directly supported category-level advantage. For model-year 2024, EPA estimated real-world averages of 39.2 mpg for sedan/wagons and 25.7 mpg for truck SUVs. The difference is 13.5 mpg. Because these are fleet averages, they describe the mix of vehicles and powertrains in each class rather than guaranteeing that any particular sedan will beat any particular SUV.
The averages include electrified vehicles. EPA notes that 7% of the sedan/wagon category consisted of battery-electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids, which contributed to the category’s result. A gasoline sedan, hybrid sedan, battery-electric sedan and plug-in hybrid sedan have different energy costs, refueling patterns and purchase considerations. Compare the exact EPA label for the powertrain you would buy instead of applying the class average to every trim.
There is also an important classification detail: “truck SUV” is not the same category as every vehicle marketed as an SUV. Car-based SUVs can have different weight, aerodynamics and powertrain mixes. A fair shopping comparison should therefore put a specific sedan against a specific SUV with similar model year, engine or electric system and equipment, not against an undifferentiated SUV average.
What higher mpg changes in daily use
- For a driver covering the same distance, a higher-mpg gasoline vehicle generally needs fewer gallons. The actual dollar saving depends on fuel prices, mileage and the vehicle’s real-world results.
- Lower fuel consumption can make a long commute or high-mileage job less sensitive to fuel-price changes.
- Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric sedans require different calculations. Include charging access, electricity rates, gasoline use and battery warranty terms where applicable.
Other practical sedan advantages—and the trade-offs
The sales and EPA data establish the efficiency comparison, not a universal ranking of ride comfort, cargo volume or safety. Those characteristics vary by model. Still, the sedan form creates recurring design trade-offs that are useful when deciding what to test-drive.
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Conventional trunk and passenger compartment
A sedan’s separate trunk keeps luggage below a fixed deck and outside the passenger compartment. That can be useful when you want a defined cargo area or do not want loose items visible through a large rear window. The same structure limits flexibility: a tall box, bicycle or bulky appliance may require folding seats, a roof carrier or a different vehicle.
Lower step-in height and driving position
Most sedans place occupants closer to the road than a typical truck SUV. Some drivers prefer the lower step-in, lower hip point and car-like seating position; others find an elevated SUV seat easier to enter and exit. The right choice depends on your mobility, preferred visibility and the specific seat height. Sit in both vehicles rather than assuming every sedan or SUV feels the same.
Footprint, maneuvering and road feel
Many sedans have a lower roof and narrower body than similarly equipped SUVs, which can simplify garage fit and tight parking. A lower body also tends to support a car-like center of gravity and steering feel, but wheelbase, suspension tuning, tire choice and weight matter more than the body label alone. Check turning circle, exterior dimensions and sightlines on the exact models.
Weather, clearance and carrying needs
An SUV’s additional ground clearance and available cargo height can be valuable on rough roads, deep snow, frequent trail access or regular hauling. A sedan is usually the better fit when your priority is paved-road commuting and efficient passenger transport. Neither format automatically supplies all-wheel drive, superior traction or a particular safety result; verify the equipment and ratings for the vehicle and model year you are considering.
Why might these sedans be selling more?
The available sales report shows that certain models grew, but it does not establish why buyers chose them. Price discounts, financing terms, inventory, fleet deliveries, redesign timing, availability of hybrid or other powertrains and changing household preferences are all possible explanations. They remain hypotheses unless supported by model-level evidence.
It is also possible for a model to gain sales because its own supply or product cycle improved while the overall sedan category continued to shrink. A year-over-year increase from one quarter or one model line should not be treated as proof that consumers have broadly abandoned SUVs. To claim a category shift, analysts would need consistent results across more nameplates, a longer period and a common sales or registration measure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare a sedan with an SUV without being misled by averages
- Define the job first. Write down passenger count, annual mileage, typical cargo, towing or roof-load needs, winter conditions, parking limits and whether you can charge at home. This prevents a body style from becoming the decision before the use case is clear.
- Match model years and powertrains. Compare current vehicles with current vehicles, and gasoline with gasoline, hybrid with hybrid or electric with electric. Do not compare an older base sedan with a newer, heavier SUV and draw a class-wide conclusion.
- Read the EPA label for each candidate. Record combined, city and highway ratings, electric range where applicable, estimated annual fuel cost and the assumptions behind that estimate. Treat 39.2 and 25.7 mpg as class averages, not substitutes for these labels.
- Calculate your own energy use. Divide your expected annual miles by the vehicle’s combined mpg for a gasoline model, then multiply by a current local fuel price. For a plug-in or electric model, include electricity use, charging losses and any gasoline miles. Use the same mileage and price assumptions for every candidate.
- Check space with real objects. Measure the trunk opening and floor, test rear-seat legroom with the intended passengers and bring a child seat, stroller, work equipment or sports gear if those items matter. A published cargo number cannot show whether the opening accommodates your particular load.
- Evaluate access and visibility. Adjust the driver’s seat, inspect blind spots, try the rear doors and judge whether the seating height works for every regular driver. Camera systems help, but they do not eliminate the importance of mirrors and direct sightlines.
- Verify safety and ownership costs. Look up safety ratings for the exact model year, then compare insurance quotes, tires, service intervals, warranty coverage and financing. The category averages supplied here do not establish a safety, price or maintenance winner.
- Drive both on your normal roads. Include highway merging, tight parking, rough pavement and the weather you regularly encounter. Note noise, ride, braking, steering, seat comfort and ease of loading rather than relying on the badge or body style.
Who is most likely to benefit from a sedan?
- High-mileage commuters: The EPA’s class-level fuel-economy gap makes efficient sedan powertrains worth close attention when most travel is paved-road commuting.
- Drivers who carry people more often than tall cargo: A trunk and rear seat can be sufficient for daily passengers, groceries and luggage without the height and mass of a truck SUV.
- Urban and suburban households: A lower, car-sized footprint may be easier to place in a garage or crowded parking space, subject to the actual dimensions.
- Buyers who prefer a lower driving position: Seating preference is personal, so a test drive matters more than a general body-style claim.
An SUV is usually the more practical starting point for frequent bulky cargo, a high seating position, substantial ground clearance, towing or repeated use of a tall rear load area. A sedan can still meet those needs in some configurations, but you should verify them with the exact vehicle rather than assuming the class will cope.
How to read the EPA evidence
EPA’s methodology page explains that the database covers production delivered for sale in the United States by model year. Production share is therefore not the same as registrations, retail sales or the number of vehicles currently on the road. Model-year timing can also differ from the calendar year in which a vehicle is sold.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe fuel-economy figures are estimated real-world averages assembled from the vehicles included in each type. They reflect vehicle size, weight, technology and the mix of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models. EPA’s report highlights and the full report are useful for understanding those definitions before making a vehicle-to-vehicle comparison.
Bottom line: rising sales, selective recovery
Several major sedans are clearly selling better in 2026, led by the Honda Accord’s 32.7% increase among the four nameplates reported. That is a meaningful signal that sedans still solve real transportation problems, not evidence that they have retaken the market. Production remains dominated by SUVs and pickups, and the EPA’s class averages show a substantial fuel-economy advantage for sedan/wagons over truck SUVs. Choose the body style by matching your mileage, cargo, access and road needs to a specific model and powertrain; let the sales headlines prompt a test drive, not make the decision for you.
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