The Saloon - a relic from a bygone era?
Discussion
So my Audi Q5 Sportback had to go into the dealership for the MMI to be fixed. They gave me an Audi A3 saloon as a loan car.
I’ve never owned a saloon before. It was a lovely little car. Premium quality and excellent to drive. Modern Audi interior. More claustrophobic than I’m used to after years of premium SUVs. But there was something really unappealing about it which I couldn’t put my finger on.
Then I realised what it was. It was the saloon body shape. It had the effect of making the car seem really old fashioned in our modern world of SUVs, crossovers, and EVs. I didn’t use the boot, but it looked egregiously impractical for almost any lifestyle.
It was a relief to get back into my big, high up Q5.
So are saloons a relic of the past? Should manufacturers just stop bothering to make them at the point? Driving around in it felt like walking around in period clothing.
I’ve never owned a saloon before. It was a lovely little car. Premium quality and excellent to drive. Modern Audi interior. More claustrophobic than I’m used to after years of premium SUVs. But there was something really unappealing about it which I couldn’t put my finger on.
Then I realised what it was. It was the saloon body shape. It had the effect of making the car seem really old fashioned in our modern world of SUVs, crossovers, and EVs. I didn’t use the boot, but it looked egregiously impractical for almost any lifestyle.
It was a relief to get back into my big, high up Q5.
So are saloons a relic of the past? Should manufacturers just stop bothering to make them at the point? Driving around in it felt like walking around in period clothing.
Perhaps it's down to personal taste and what your practical requirements are. I have a 23 year old E36 BMW 3 Series coupé which, materially, is a 3 Series Saloon with two doors. The boot has as much space in it as I need and I like the snug feeling of the interior. SUVs and crossovers have no appeal to me at all - I like my cars like I like my women - slim and athletic, not morbidly obese - but then I have no need for the relative practicality of an SUV, so I can base my choice purely on aesthetics.
But yes, I do think saloons area relic of a bygone era, in so much as their popularity is dwindling because of the trend for SUVs and crossovers. Apparently Ford aren't even replacing the Mondeo!
But yes, I do think saloons area relic of a bygone era, in so much as their popularity is dwindling because of the trend for SUVs and crossovers. Apparently Ford aren't even replacing the Mondeo!
I hope saloons don’t disappear. I appreciate I’m in the minority and that they’re perhaps unfashionable but I still think most 4dr cars are classier than other bodystyles. I mean, name a classy SUV.. I can’t think of one, I’m not a fan of Audi but the A8 for example = classy. Q7? Q8..no. Mumsy is the word that comes to mind.
I understand there’s a fine line between boring and understated but a lot of saloons match the latter.
Small dumpy supermini saloons can go…but then again I could argue they class-up a shopping car.
Think of the Maserati Quattroporte, Alfa 156/159/Giulia way cooler than coupes and their SUV cousins.
I think (hope) saloons will stand the test of time whereas SUVs could easily fall out of favour especially in these climate aware times.
I understand there’s a fine line between boring and understated but a lot of saloons match the latter.
Small dumpy supermini saloons can go…but then again I could argue they class-up a shopping car.
Think of the Maserati Quattroporte, Alfa 156/159/Giulia way cooler than coupes and their SUV cousins.
I think (hope) saloons will stand the test of time whereas SUVs could easily fall out of favour especially in these climate aware times.
I love a sports saloon - stuff like the 2-dr E21/E30/E36/E46/Alfa 156/Cavalier GSI or V6/Sapphire/Merc 190 etc
Have had a few hatchbacks which are practical for some things ( like picking up a washing machine from Currys etc ) but most other stuff I’ve managed ok, especially as most of the saloons have had the option of folding rear seats ( old 328 saloon had them)
Never really been drawn to estates but then it wouldn’t do if we all liked the same thing
Have had a few hatchbacks which are practical for some things ( like picking up a washing machine from Currys etc ) but most other stuff I’ve managed ok, especially as most of the saloons have had the option of folding rear seats ( old 328 saloon had them)
Never really been drawn to estates but then it wouldn’t do if we all liked the same thing
Having scratched the SUV itch we now have a 330i saloon and it is a much more pleasing driving position and feels less of a compromise and the lower centre of gravity just feels more “car like” just in normal driving but each to their own. Sure it isn’t as practical but it doesn’t need to be and if I need to transport large objects my kids have suitable cars I can use.
Jon556 said:
I think (hope) saloons will stand the test of time whereas SUVs could easily fall out of favour especially in these climate aware times.
I love saloons. Lost count of how many I have owned...3 Jaguar XJ, Lexus GS, Toyota Corolla saloon, Toyota Camry to name a few.IMHO they usually look more elegant than hatchbacks and are usually quieter too.
The Mk10 Honda Civic saloon looked so much better than the hatchback version. I was going to buy one but by the time I got round to order one, they were discontinued in the UK (after a very short time on sale). Honda dealer said that Honda only did it to use up spare capacity in the Turkey factory and they would not be bringing any more over.
Sadly saloons do seem to be dying out. Many manufacturers do not offer a single saloon in their UK lineup any more.
I think that the Citroen C5X is a preview of what will be the next big shape post SUV.
Saloons also tend to be a little quieter and have a stiffer body shell, so ride a little better.
I did have an E46 saloon which was a delight to drive even at 18 years old. My only saloon at the moment is a 34 year old 7 series, which is not as quiet as I thought it would be, but I'm hopefully sorting out some of the squeaks, rattles and wind noise (windscreen surround is not sitting flush with the window).
As to preference, for me it would be saloon all the way, for the NVH benefits. I know some of the BMW saloons could be specified with folding rear seats, so best of both worlds if you can find one of them.
I did have an E46 saloon which was a delight to drive even at 18 years old. My only saloon at the moment is a 34 year old 7 series, which is not as quiet as I thought it would be, but I'm hopefully sorting out some of the squeaks, rattles and wind noise (windscreen surround is not sitting flush with the window).
As to preference, for me it would be saloon all the way, for the NVH benefits. I know some of the BMW saloons could be specified with folding rear seats, so best of both worlds if you can find one of them.
I have an F30 335d saloon. It has a substantial boot, and fold down rear seats. Plenty cavernous for my wants, and can easily take 2.4m length strips of wood.
I prefer the look of a saloon. Having said that, if a ‘touring’ had been at the same, 9-mile old, pre-reg’d discount price that I paid in 2017, I would not have said no.
I prefer the look of a saloon. Having said that, if a ‘touring’ had been at the same, 9-mile old, pre-reg’d discount price that I paid in 2017, I would not have said no.
I've always found Audis hugely over rated and cannot imagine any circumstances under which I'd willingly have one, perhaps an A8 aside. I'd never have either a Q5 or A3 frankly so am probably well out of tune with OP. That said, the A3 is a hatchback for aspirational sorts in it's best form. The A3 as a saloon is like the weird Vauxhall Belmont or absurd Ford Focus mk.1 saloon they made to sell in America. It's certainly one of the worst possible examples of a saloon to try that's on sale today. It would be like concluding a Defender or a Landcruiser served no purpose because you tried a Q5.
AudiMan9000 said:
So my Audi Q5 Sportback had to go into the dealership for the MMI to be fixed. They gave me an Audi A3 saloon as a loan car.
I’ve never owned a saloon before. It was a lovely little car. Premium quality and excellent to drive. Modern Audi interior. More claustrophobic than I’m used to after years of premium SUVs. But there was something really unappealing about it which I couldn’t put my finger on.
Then I realised what it was. It was the saloon body shape. It had the effect of making the car seem really old fashioned in our modern world of SUVs, crossovers, and EVs. I didn’t use the boot, but it looked egregiously impractical for almost any lifestyle.
It was a relief to get back into my big, high up Q5.
So are saloons a relic of the past? Should manufacturers just stop bothering to make them at the point? Driving around in it felt like walking around in period clothing.
A saloon body shape isn't old fashioned in a world of EVs. Look at the Tesla Model S or even the Lucid Air or the Xpeng P7. Wait a minute, isn't a Porsche Taycan, a saloon? I’ve never owned a saloon before. It was a lovely little car. Premium quality and excellent to drive. Modern Audi interior. More claustrophobic than I’m used to after years of premium SUVs. But there was something really unappealing about it which I couldn’t put my finger on.
Then I realised what it was. It was the saloon body shape. It had the effect of making the car seem really old fashioned in our modern world of SUVs, crossovers, and EVs. I didn’t use the boot, but it looked egregiously impractical for almost any lifestyle.
It was a relief to get back into my big, high up Q5.
So are saloons a relic of the past? Should manufacturers just stop bothering to make them at the point? Driving around in it felt like walking around in period clothing.
The other advantage of a saloon body shape vs SUV/crossover is the better aerodynamics (and lower fuel consumption) whether the fuel be electricity or fossil fuels.
AudiMan9000 said:
So my Audi Q5 Sportback had to go into the dealership for the MMI to be fixed. They gave me an Audi A3 saloon as a loan car.
I’ve never owned a saloon before. It was a lovely little car. Premium quality and excellent to drive. Modern Audi interior. More claustrophobic than I’m used to after years of premium SUVs. But there was something really unappealing about it which I couldn’t put my finger on.
Then I realised what it was. It was the saloon body shape. It had the effect of making the car seem really old fashioned in our modern world of SUVs, crossovers, and EVs. I didn’t use the boot, but it looked egregiously impractical for almost any lifestyle.
It was a relief to get back into my big, high up Q5.
So are saloons a relic of the past? Should manufacturers just stop bothering to make them at the point? Driving around in it felt like walking around in period clothing.
It is a humdrum Audi, an R8 or an RS version could be fun, but otherwise they just strike me a transport with no particular appeal. Having said that quite fancy trying a TTS as a replacement for the everyday/shopping car.I’ve never owned a saloon before. It was a lovely little car. Premium quality and excellent to drive. Modern Audi interior. More claustrophobic than I’m used to after years of premium SUVs. But there was something really unappealing about it which I couldn’t put my finger on.
Then I realised what it was. It was the saloon body shape. It had the effect of making the car seem really old fashioned in our modern world of SUVs, crossovers, and EVs. I didn’t use the boot, but it looked egregiously impractical for almost any lifestyle.
It was a relief to get back into my big, high up Q5.
So are saloons a relic of the past? Should manufacturers just stop bothering to make them at the point? Driving around in it felt like walking around in period clothing.
raspy said:
A saloon body shape isn't old fashioned in a world of EVs. Look at the Tesla Model S or even the Lucid Air or the Xpeng P7. Wait a minute, isn't a Porsche Taycan, a saloon?
The other advantage of a saloon body shape vs SUV/crossover is the better aerodynamics (and lower fuel consumption) whether the fuel be electricity or fossil fuels.
The clue to the better aerodynamics is the absence of a rear screen wiper.The other advantage of a saloon body shape vs SUV/crossover is the better aerodynamics (and lower fuel consumption) whether the fuel be electricity or fossil fuels.
I loved my S3 Saloon, perfect proportions IMO, and wider track than the hatch as well as a stiffer shell.
Of my last 5 cars, 4 were Saloons, add in the previous two and 5 of 7 were saloons. They just have a great shape, and without a dog in tow, the lack of hatch doesn’t bother me, even with two kids.
Of my last 5 cars, 4 were Saloons, add in the previous two and 5 of 7 were saloons. They just have a great shape, and without a dog in tow, the lack of hatch doesn’t bother me, even with two kids.
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