Hola, folks!
If you're looking for a new set of wheels, you could do far worse than a saloon car.
But what is a saloon car, and why are they important?
Let's find out.
Why is it Called a Saloon?
So, you're super into your car history and eager to know why a saloon car is called what it is.
No?
Tough, cause we're dying to tell you anyway!
Chances are that when you hear the term 'saloon', you probably think of the rowdy place where drunken cowboys threaten piano players and revolver shots fly across the room at 100 miles an hour.
Well believe it or not, a saloon car means pretty much exactly the same thing.
Kind of . . .
You see, the word 'saloon' comes from the French term 'salon' which basically means a large room. It was also originally used to refer to the large luxury carriages on a train back when trains were a novelty.
A little later on in the early 1900s, the term quickly became adopted by British carmakers to describe cars with an enclosed passenger compartment . . . which is kind of similar to a large room when you think about it.
So essentially a saloon (whether on a train or in a rootin' tootin' watering hole out in the ole' Wild West) was a place for people to relax in good company.
Or threaten piano players and challenge one another to a gunfight!
Now, we know what you're thinking . . . a saloon car is VERY different from a cowboy-infested saloon or the passenger compartment on a train, is it not?
Well, yeah, it is, but the inside of a saloon car could be described as a spacious and comfortable interior space, which isn't in the end so different.
Saloon Car Essentials
Yet that's not the whole story, because a spacious interior isn't the only thing that defines a saloon car. Saloon cars tend also to have four doors and a long, sleek exterior body type, not to mention a sticky-out boot and bonnet.
Perhaps most importantly, a saloon car is also characterised by a smaller boot and a boot lid that's hinged below the back window. The boot sits separately from the passenger area rather than being joined to it.
Funny thing . . . in America they choose not to use the phrase 'saloon car' (perhaps because of bad memories of all those cowboy fights). Instead they use the term 'sedan', which you've probably heard on TV or on an episode of World's Scariest Police Chases.
You might also hear them referred to as 'passenger cars', which seems pretty vague given that practically any car could be a passenger car!
We think we'll stick with the British English version for now!
So I Can't Access the Boot of a Saloon from Inside the Car?
Not in the past, but nowadays you sometimes can, depending on the individual model.
Some contemporary saloon cars let you access the boot from inside the car via split-folding rear passenger seats or a ‘through-load’ hatch. This could also allow for the stowing of larger items.
In general, though, the boot can only be accessed from the external boot lid at the rear of the vehicle.
Saloons vs Hatchbacks
Hatchbacks are the main competitors to the saloon car class, and whilst they are great for city driving and fitting into those tight parking spots, saloons are generally regarded to be the superior models.
The key difference lies in the boot. A saloon has its trademark boot 'opening' which is separate from the passenger area of the car; a hatchback has a larger boot that's connected to the passenger area and which is technically classed as a 'door'.
That doesn't mean a door in the sense that some plonker is going to climb through it to get to the front seats, but it's still classed as one because it's so large as to encompass the rear window. Hence a saloon car is often referred to as a four-door model whilst a hatchback is often referred to as a three-door or five-door model.
Another difference is that the interior of a saloon is generally a lot more luxurious than that of a hatchback. There's just something inherently more classy about it, but also about the whole saloon shape and style as a whole. Hatchbacks look way more asymmetrical and uneven by comparison.
How Practical Are They?
Saloons do look really nice inside and out, but if we're being honest, there's other more practical types of cars out there.
Even though some saloons have rear seats that can be folded down to create more space, you don't have to do that with hatchbacks, SUVs or estate cars because they have a bit more space anyway by default. A saloon's boot is only half the height of the car itself, so there's only a certain amount of goodies you're going to be able to fit in there. And because the boot opening is that small, even fitting bulky items in is going to be a challenge in the first place.
In truth, most people use a saloon car for a mixture of casual, professional and commuting purposes, so if family, space and long-distance travel is a priority, you'll probably want to go for an SUV family car. Of course, some of the larger saloons can accommodate most families. Just don't expect to be able to pack in enough gear for a two-week trip to Cornwall.
One other disadvantage with saloon cars is that they are more difficult to park than, say, a smaller compact SUV or a hatchback. That's due to their longer body shape. On the plus side, most modern saloons do have parking sensors and/or cameras to help you out with the parking.
In terms of cost effectiveness, a saloon vehicle also tends to be a shade more expensive than your run-of-the-mill hatchbacks, and a large number of them are built by premium brands (so the likes of Audi and Mercedes-Benz), at least in the UK.
Advantages of Saloons
They look savvy! (and usually more so than hatchbacks)
Fitted with a comfortable, spacious and well-equipped interior
More secure boot space that's 'hidden' within a separate, self-contained compartment
Quieter on the roads than their hatchback and estate car counterparts, partly due to the separate boot space
Disadvantages of Saloons
More expensive than hatchbacks
Limited boot space
Less flexible for parking
Lower driving position compared to SUVs
Saloon Car Examples
Saloon cars are available in various shapes and sizes (well, not so much shapes, because that would defeat part of the point of a saloon car).
Some popular saloon cars for you:
'Super Saloons' Are Also a Thing!
Yep, same as a 'super' anything, a super saloon is just a more powerful type of saloon which follows the same definition of having a separate boot compartment, except now with a higher level of horsepower, performance and overall specs. Simply put, they're the best saloon cars which money can buy. That being the case, many of these could also fall under the prestige car category.
Some super saloons for you:
Good news is that you’ll find a range of some of the brightest and best saloons to lease here at LeaseLoco. Simply use the search function to find one you love and then tailor the leasing options to suit your needs, whether that be the initial rental fee or monthly payment amount.
Until next time, amigos!