Today, the automobile market is flooded with choices. There are more than 400 different models and car body styles. Identifying these accurately can be difficult. A car means a vehicle that carries passengers. People recognise vehicles by their shapes. And, that’s what we call body style.
To make it easier for you to identify different car body styles, we are going to discuss the major body styles in this article — from sedan and SUVs to coupes and minivans.
SEDAN
Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry are some examples of sedans. These are the most common types of body styles out there on road. Coming with four doors and a long traditional trunk, sedans come in various sizes, from compact to large-sized cars.
Coupe
A solid door, a trunk and two doors is what makes a coupe. Audi A5 and Ford Mustang are some popular examples of Coupe. However, automobile manufacturers have started to introduce four-door coupes. Mercedez Benz Cls is a good example of these types of vehicles.
Sports car
These are the hottest looking cars out there. State-of-the-art, sleek, low to ground and expensive. Sports car usually have two seats. However, sometimes you can find small back seats too. Porsche 911 and Mazda Miata are good examples of these types of vehicles.
Station Wagon
Station Wagon comes with a hatch door and an extended roofline. Subaru Outback and Audi A4 all road are some examples of Station Wagons. However, these vehicles are not closer to the ground and have a rugged appearance which makes them similar to SUVs. These cars have now become old-fashioned and automobile manufacture these in fewer quantities.
Hatchbacks
Typically, these were the compact cars similar to sedans with a hatch door at the rear. However, recently, larger hatchbacks have found their way to the market such as Audi A7 and Kia Stinger. Hatchbacks provide easier access to the cargo area and have more capacity than a typical sedan.
SUVs
SUVs, often known as crossovers, feature a boxier appearance. These come with powerful suspensions, elevated height and a hatch door at the rear. The cargo area is accessed through the rear hatch and the seats behind the first row are foldable. Many SUVs come with 4WD drivetrain system, while a few of these come with all-wheel drive.
Different sizes in SUVs:
- Subcompact SUVs: These are the smallest size SUVs. They are fuel-efficient, affordable and accommodate five people. Hyundai Kona and Honda HR-V are good examples
- Compact SUVs: These are bigger than subcompact SUVs. They have more cargo area, seating capacity and features. Honda CR. V is a good example.
- Mid-size SUV: These are bigger in size with a seating capacity of 7-8 people. mid-size SUVs are usually 3 rows and come with a lot of cargo space. These also come in 4 four-wheel drive train system. Honda Pilot is a good example
- Large SUVs: These are huge with a seating capacity of 9-10 people. Coming with 4WD and AWD, large SUVs come with a lot of features, have powerful suspensions and are higher to the ground.
SUV tyres are also different from other passenger vehicles. You can find the best light truck tyres for your SUV easily online. But make sure you know what type of terrain you usually drive on.
MINIVAN
Minivans compete with SUVs. The only difference is that SUVs can be taken to rough trails, while minivans are only driven on highways and roads. Minivans are popular for being family-oriented and providing a lot of space for passengers. They have sliding entrance doors and come with roomy cargo area which is easily accessible through the hatch door at the rear. Honda Odyssey is a good example.
Pickup truck
Pickup trucks fall under light trucks. These have a passenger seating area along with open cargo bed at the rear. Typically, these come either in 2WD or AWD. Ford Ranger and Nissan Titan are good examples of Pickup trucks.
Conclusion
These were the major body styles for cars. If you are thinking of buying a new car, we will suggest you assess your driving needs and then research each vehicle type comprehensively to decide which one is best for you.
