The derivation of the word ‘sedan’ from the town of Sedan in France, where it was said to have been made or first used, lacks historical evidence.
The word ‘sedan’ was later used to refer to a litter, or windowed box containing a passenger seat carried by two or more bearers.
Indeed, the word ‘sedan’ is possibly derived from a southern Italian dialect derivative of the Italian sedia ‘chair’ (the first sedan was said to have been introduced from Naples). However, Portuguese and Spanish navigators and colonists encountered litters of various sorts in India, Japan, Mexico and Peru.
They were imported into Spain in the late sixteenth century and soon the fashion spread into France and England.
All the names for these derived from the root ‘sed-‘, from the Latin ‘sella’ - the traditional name for a carried chair.
The first automobile to use that configuration was the 1899 Renault Voiturette Type B. The First closed car for at least four people using the word sedan was the 1911 Speedwell sedan, which was manufactured by the Speedwell Motor Co in Dayton, Ohio. But even before that time, completely closed cars were called saloons or limousines, like the 1905 Rational four-door limousine, the 1907 Renault four-door limousine and the 1910 Stella two-door saloon.

Source: www.wikipedia.org

The Audi A4 is the ideal family sedan, offering high-end comfort and safety together with excellent fuel economy. With ample driver and passenger head and leg room all round, load space is also generous, the boot providing 480 litres and increasing to 962 litres with the rear seats folded, while a substantial trailer load limit of 1500kg (740kg unbraked) makes holiday trips a pleasurable experience in the A4. In addition to the usual safety tricks on board, including airbags, ABS, EBD and traction control, the A4 also features Audi Drive Select (to adjust drive quality to suit driver), LED daytime running lights, Audi Side Assist (to help the driver change lanes) and adaptive cruise control. Driven by powerful, torquey diesel TDI and petrol FSI engines, the A4 renders excellent fuel consumption figures, the TDI varying from 4.6 – 6.9 litres/100km combined and the various FSI models using between 6.9 and 9.3l/100km.

If low cost of ownership is the main criterion when it comes to buying your family sedan, then the Chevrolet Aveo is the car you’ll want. The Aveo Sedan LS boasts superior quality with low fuel consumption and a spacious interior, all at an affordable price, while including a long list of features such as power steering, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), air conditioning, radio/CD player with four speakers and auxiliary input jack, power front windows and power door locks with central locking, plus driver and front passenger airbags. A five-star safety rating in frontal and side impact crash tests makes the Aveo a great option for the family, while the cost of replacement parts are kept low thanks to Chevrolet’s large parts distribution centre in South Africa, making most parts available within 48 hours.

Even the base model Toyota Corolla Impact 1.3 features a wide range of creature comforts for the whole family to enjoy, while the range-topping Exclusive 1.8 VVT-i and 2.0 D-4D offer everything from automatic on/off headlamp system, automatic aircon with climate control and Smart Entry system, to a full complement of airbags. The powerful yet economical VVT-i and D-4D engines provide a smooth drive, while the ample 450-litre boot capacity keeps all luggage off the rear window lip and away from the children’s feet. As far as safety is concerned, the high-mounted third brake light, Emergency Brake Assist System (BAS), ABS, EBD, driver, front passenger and side airbags (with head curtain shield side airbags and driver knee protection airbag in Exclusive and Advanced models), three rear 3-point ELR seat belts, Whiplash Injury Lessening (WIL) front seat design and ISO-FIX child restraint system with top tethers make the Corolla an excellent family sedan.

The Chevrolet Cruze offers meticulous quality, a range of sophisticated technology and a powerful, efficient powertrain – all in an uncompromising value package. The appealing dual cockpit design with high trim offerings instils a sense of distinction to match the bold, handsome exterior. Offering everything from aircon and cruise control to the radio/CD/MP3 audio system with 6-disc functionality (LS and LT models) plus steering controls (LT models), the Cruze does not leave owners wanting for more. A 450-litre boot capacity makes holiday trips comfortable, while powerful 1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol and 2.0 diesel engines render impressive fuel economy specs, the diesel powerplant using just 5.7 litres/100km combined. Safety specs include ABS and EBD, with driver, passenger and seat side airbags, plus curtain airbags in the LT model.

Comfort has not been sacrificed for beauty in the new Volkswagen Jetta. With greater length, height and width proportions, both your legs and luggage (the Jetta boasts a 527-litre boot!) get to travel in five-star luxury. Add to this, optional leather seating (standard on the 2.0 TSI) and you and your family will be travelling in first class comfort. Metallic chrome traces heighten the luxurious feel of the Jetta’s interior, while ergonomically designed buttons and controls set a new standard in intelligent design. With the choice of the petrol-powered 1.6, 2.0 and 2.0 TSI models and the diesel-powered 1.9 TDI and 2.0 TDI that give a new power dimension to diesel engines, with Trendline, Comfortline and Sportline spec options, there’s a model for everyone’s budget. And if that’s not enough to convince you, perhaps the fuel consumption figures will – the 2.0 TDI renders a remarkable 4.9 litres/100km over a combined cycle.

The affordable, new entry level Volkswagen Polo Vivo sets new benchmarks in its category for affordability, quality, safety, space and comfort. Available in hatch and sedan, the Polo Vivo is driven by the desire to make motoring accessible to more South Africans, while truly capturing the can-do spirit of the nation for which it was designed. It represents great value for money, while remaining spacious and uncompromising on safety and comfort features. With 70% local parts content, the Polo Vivo costs less to build while parts are more affordable and readily available, being produced to international quality standards with all the build integrity and quality of components you would expect from Volkswagen, allowing the Polo Vivo to retain a higher than industry average residual value.

Locally manufactured, the Nissan Tiida is designed for ease-of-use, openness and practicality. Designed to be affordable, not just at the point of sale, but in terms of ownership experience, the Nissan Tiida has won the fiercely contested C-segment award in the annual Kinsey Report on parts pricing for the third year running. In addition, the high-end 1.8-litre engine delivers excellent fuel economy and comes equipped with a 6-speed transmission, giving you all the power and acceleration you need. Equipped with all the active and passive safety features required to ensure complete peace of mind, the Tiida offers electric power steering across all models, while ABS, EBD and Brake Assist ensure maximum grip and control, with powerful halogen headlights providing a wide arc of strong illumination to cut through darkness and bad weather. Tiida Visia+ and Acenta models come standard with dual front airbags, and curtain airbags are available on Acenta models.

Roomy and full of nifty creature comforts like sub-ventilation air-conditioning, the Nissan Livina and sporty Livina X-Gear’s interior is warm and welcoming and equipped with an adjustable steering column and contoured seats tailored in high quality upholstery, giving the Livina one of the most ergonomic cabins in its class. With a class-leading luggage area, the rear seats can recline, slide and fold to accommodate bulky and longer items with ease, making long journeys comfortable, while the Acenta spec model’s radio/CD/6-speaker sound system makes family outings even more enjoyable. Peace of mind is achieved through ABS brakes coupled with EBD and Brake Assist, while powerful halogen lights cut through the thickest darkness and a high mounted stop lamp alerts drivers behind you of your intentions. Passenger airbags and retractor seatbelts are also there as a precaution in the Livina Acenta.