Compact Sedan vs Midsize Sedan: What's the difference?

The main differences between compact and midsize sedans are size, interior and cargo space, price, maneuverability, and fuel costs.

Whether you should purchase a midsize or compact sedan ultimately comes down to your individual needs and wants. Both styles of vehicle come with their own advantages and, depending on what you’re looking for in a vehicle, can provide you with exciting handling, excellent fuel economy and great practicality.

For example, compact cars deliver better fuel economy than larger vehicles while midsize sedans expand on that while providing extra space inside for passengers and cargo. In this article, we'll discuss the differences between the two vehicle sizes to help you make an informed decision about which one's the right fit for your needs.

Midsize vs. compact sedan

Both midsize and compact sedans provide seating for five passengers with more engaging handling than a crossover or SUV thanks to their lower weight and centre of gravity. The main area that they differ in is, unsurprisingly, length and interior volume.

Compact sedans have anywhere from 100 to 109 cubic feet of space for passengers and cargo and measure up at 161 to 187 inches long. The Honda Civic and the Hyundai Elantra both qualify as compact sedans based on these measurements.

Midsize sedans on the other hand bring 110 to 120 cubic feet of interior space with a vehicle length that tops out at 196.8 inches. Midsize sedans include the Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, and the Volkswagen Passat; all of which enjoy strong sales and their share of loyal fans.

Benefits of a compact sedan over a midsize sedan

Compact sedans provide a few important advantages that their midsize counterparts just can't match. Anyone who lives in a large city will know the advantages of a small vehicle footprint and the maneuverability that comes with it.

Compact sedans give drivers the ability to zip into gaps or park in places that larger vehicles can only dream of fitting. Smaller cars are also less expensive than larger ones, though they often come equipped with the same levels of technology and creature comforts as midsize vehicles.

Compact sedans are easier on your wallet at the pump because it takes less fuel to get their lighter mass moving from a standstill. Finally, compact sedans are easier to find a buyer for once you're ready to sell because their lower price makes them appealing to a wider range of buyers than their pricier midsized rivals. On top of this, smaller vehicles are generally cheaper to insure than larger ones.

Benefits of a midsize sedan over a compact sedan

Midsize sedans make use of their larger size to provide some advantages that aren't found in smaller vehicles. Ride quality is one area in which midsize sedans excel compared to compacts, as their heavier weight gives them more presence on the road leading to a more stable ride.

Midsize sedans provide more room for passengers and cargo while maintaining their ability to park in smaller spots with height restrictions that would prevent SUV or pickup truck drivers from fitting.

Midsize sedans often feature large, practical trunks with room for more luggage than their compact counterparts and thanks to their low, aerodynamic bodies, can still provide comparable fuel economy.

Extra head and legroom inside make midsize sedans suitable for the everyday transport needs of families. Midsize sedans also offer slightly better protection to their occupants in a crash, as their heavier weight makes them less likely to be knocked around on the road.

Different flavours of compact and midsize sedans

Part of the charm of compact and midsize sedans is the sheer range of price points, abilities and characters that they cover. Compact sedans can take the form of simple, inexpensive transportation like the Kia Forte, bulletproof-dependable icons like the Toyota Corolla, or supercar-baiting rockets like the 453 horsepower BMW M2, which shoehorns a twin-turbo six cylinder engine into a small, lightweight and rear-wheel drive package to provide wildly engaging driving dynamics and thrills.

Likewise, midsize sedans feature a wide range of choices to suit every driver, with the Mazda 6 providing enjoyable handling, plenty of space and excellent fuel economy for a relatively low price. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class brings lashings of luxury and comfort to the midsize sedan segment, while the Audi S6 provides plenty of power combined with quattro all-wheel drive to make sure you’re always safe when the weather takes a turn for the worse. No matter what you’re looking for in your next car, there’s a good chance that you’ll find it in the compact sedan or midsize sedan segments.

Should you drive a compact sedan or a midsize sedan?

Whether you should drive a compact or midsize sedan ultimately comes down to what you need and want from your vehicle. If you mostly drive alone or live in a large city then a compact sedan may be ideal for your needs.

If you have a family to move around or you often drive with colleagues and friends then you might make use of the extra room afforded by a midsize sedan. Both kinds of vehicles provide a good amount of fuel economy and practicality, but the major differences are the quality of their rides and the amount of space inside for passengers and cargo. Making the right choice on the issue of compact vs midsize sedans will provide you with a dependable and enjoyable vehicle without breaking the bank.

We hope this article has helped inform you on the major differences between compact and midsize sedans. Kijiji Autos has a huge range of these vehicles for sale in markets across the country as well as an extensive suite of search filters to help you find exactly what you're looking for quickly and easily.

Start your search for a compact or midsize sedan with Kijiji Autos today.