Reports of the Death of the Sedan May Be Premature

Trucks, SUVs and now smaller format SUV style crossovers have been blamed as the eventual cause of death for the conventional mid and full-sized sedan.

And despite the long predicted extinction … carmakers are not letting the most traditional popular vehicle style go the way of the dinosaurs.

Recent sedan introductions — mostly more modest than the $190,000 Mercedes-Maybach S600 and $95,000 Jaguar XJ — underscore the sustained relevance of the four door experience in the 21st century.

A fully equipped $31,000 Mazda 6 i-Sport with a manual transmission has muscle car good looks and 184 horsepower kick from a highly efficient a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engine.

The new Nissan Altima 3.5 SR and Maxima flagship sedan make the most of bold fighter jet inspired design. The Altima 3.5 SR for $27,000 packs a 270 horsepower 3.5 liter V6 while the princely appointed Maxima for $39,000 sports a 300 horsepower 3.5 liter V6.

Cadillac is rolling out a new attitude with the $63,000 CT6 Premium Luxury edition sedan, while Hyundai launches its Genesis luxury brand with a stately G90 big sedan at a yet to be announced price.