Why Do Hatchbacks Get Rear Window Wipers But Sedan Don't?

It’s pretty weird that hatchbacks do have a rear window wiper but sedans don’t. Have you ever wondered why automobile manufacturers put the rear wipers on many kinds of vehicles, except for sedans? Just like you, many people could have the same question in their mind. IndianAuto has figured out the main reasons attributed to this difference. Let’s find out.

What stops the sedans from having rear window wipers?

Although there are a handful of explanations for this question, we would go straight into the two most common ones.

1. The Aerodynamics and Car Design

First thing is, rear window wipers are essentially meant for hatchbacks since these cars are usually designed with an upright rear window which often collects more dirt, dust, etc. than sedan cars (as well as coupe or wagon), thereby giving poor visibility to drivers.

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In fact, it is primarily caused by the aerodynamics that works relying on the body styles of each vehicle. The aerodynamics, essentially known as the way of the air flowing over the right angle where the rear window meets the roof - creates a low-pressure area that collects much nasty dust in then deposits it into the windshield surface.

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Due to the designing of sedans and hatchbacks, sedan cars hardly need a wiper. The sedans get a sloped roofline and a long trunk keeping the air flowing in a way that doesn’t allow water or dust to settle, which is as opposed to that of the hatchbacks, crossovers and SUVs. Therefore, to keep a good visibility for drivers and ensure a safe drive in the bad weathers, carmakers feel an excessive need to put rear window wipers on the hatches.

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In the past, actually, the older versions of sedan still got rear window wipers since they were once designed with vertical windshields. Over times, the carmakers’ mindset has changed drastically, from the C-Pillars, the car gets a slopping treatment that translates into more advantageous aerodynamics at the same time. Further, the removal of rear wipers also helps avoid spoiling the look of the car, or in other words, gives the new-age modern-styled sedans a prettier look, in effect.

2. Fuel Consumption and Equipment

For the uninitiated, the addition of wipers on the sliding rear window would bring in more aerodynamic drag that creates more fuel consumption all in all. On the other hands, it operates upon an electric motor with a relatively convoluted mechanism to make the long arm wipe from side to side across the glass. The hatchbacks enable sufficient space for all these fitments while sedans actually don’t.

Sedans come with separated rear glass and tailgate hence the auto engineers/ designers have to put more effort to put this equipment in the most aesthetic way. You can easily notice the method in which a sedan cargo space is opened up. Evidently, having a rear wiper in the sedans could be troublesome indeed. That’s not the case of hatchbacks, though.

To your surprise, there are a few carmakers manufacture sedans with a rear window wipers sometimes, just to make it more feature-rich and gain a competitive edge over its rivals in the competition.