Is a saloon more refined than a hatch back??

[deanogtv]

I'm looking at the usual suspects for a company car but wondered if the saloon versions are a more refined example of the hatch backs??

Examples so far:
Merc A Class or the CLA
A3 Sportback or A3 Saloon
1 Series hatch or 2 series coupe

As a rule of thumb would the saloon offer a nicer cruiser when doing the longer mile trips around the country

I'm not after sportiness here

[Randomthoughts]

Not generally. You need a longer wheelbase and more space to fill with sound deadening and seat foam to get a better cruiser. Barring some model-specific quirks around relaxed geometry on similar platform cars (read the article from here recommending the GLA45 over the A45 as a point-to-point rocket cruising barge multifunction thing) of course.

[Conscript]

In general, yes. A saloon will usually have a longer wheelbase and the boot is usually better insulated from the passenger cabin, meaning road noise intrusion from the rear wheel recesses is lessened.

EDIT: Ignore, I misread. I was referring to saloons vs. hatchbacks, not the saloon versions of hatchbacks. It's early

[andburg]

refined?

it'll be nigh on identical, the only real difference you tend to get in refinement will noise. A saloon will be quieter as the noise over the rear suspension and boot is better insulated with metal panels than a flimsy cover.

[LeoSayer]

Randomthoughts said:

Not generally.

Conscript said:

In general, yes.

There's your answer.

[RobinBanks]

I think so, yes. In general the back axle and tyre noise is more insulated from the passenger space.

I find the Mercedes E-Class estate quite boomy whilst the saloon is much more refined. The same with the Rover 45 saloon versus hatchback (I really like the saloon version).

Those are just two examples that come off the top of my head.

[MrBarry123]

LeoSayer said:

Randomthoughts said:

Not generally.

Conscript said:

In general, yes.

There's your answer.

Nothing quite like a thread where everyone comes to the same conclusion.

[hornetrider]

Randomthoughts said:

Not generally.

Disagree. A saloon will have better sound insulation from noises coming from the rear. Thick seats, for example, rather than a thin parcel shelf. There's also more glass in a hatch generally, which passes more sound than bodywork.

[Conscript]

LeoSayer said:

Randomthoughts said:

Not generally.

Conscript said:

In general, yes.

There's your answer.

RandomThoughts wins though, he read the OP properly.

[RobM77]

Yes, of course, because the rear end is better sealed off from outside noise. I'd have thought that differences in cars and tyres (e.g. size) would have a bigger effect though. Autocar and a few other magazines check noise levels of cars at a steady 70mph cruise, so have a look on the web (google "db", as obviously if you search for noise you'll get hits for subjective mentions of the word). My daily driver is one of the quietest out there and it's really noticeable; we had an Audi A4 on loan for a few months a couple of years ago and the difference was immediately obvious - even cars in the same sector do vary quite a bit.