Gearhead Guru Guide: Different Vehicle Body Styles and How To Choose the Right One For You

Apr 18, 2024

We’re bringing you even more educational car content today as part of our gearhead guru guide series! For today’s edition, we’re explaining the different types of vehicle bodies and the qualities and characteristics of each one. We want to help you be better equipped to make the right choice for your needs and driving style when buying or leasing a car from our dealership. We’ll break down the look and functionality of each basic type and category to help you better differentiate between them, and how it may fit your driving style. Let’s get started!

Convertible – This body style has a retractable roof that exposes the passenger cabin “to the elements”. Many convertibles have a retractable fabric roof that folds done, but some models offer an alternative “targa top” or “hard top” feature; modern vehicles generally have an electronic powered roof retraction, but some are manual. These cars are more of a sports car and niche market, rather than being an acceptable family-friendly vehicle. A majority of convertible vehicles are sports-car or coupe styled, or more suited to off-roading adventures. When the top is retracted, they’re fairly noisy vehicles due to road noises and wind, and are also far less fuel efficient than their aerodynamic roof-covered counterparts. However, the appeal lies in that unique feature of a retractable roof, unforgettable breezy feeling of the wind in your hair, and the head-turning look of this uncommon style.

Coupe – The general rule of thumb for a coupe is 2 doors, a trunk, and a solid roof. They’re a sportier cousin of the 4-door sedan, and can sometimes offer convertible options as well. While they generally offer more seating space and cargo room than the average sports car, they’re not not high on the list for family vehicles. Some vehicles that feature a lower or sleeker rooflines or a shorter crossover vehicle are referred to as “coupe styled”, but may not fit into the official definition as they have 4 doors.

Hatchback – Generally this refers to a compact or subcompact sedan with a rear flip-up hatch door cargo area and a squared-off roof design. They offer more cargo area than a conventional trunk, and a sleeker, sportier styling than the average sedan. In recent years the hatchback has grown in popularity, and some smaller SUV models have adopted a raked hatchback door o access the cargo area. Hatchbacks are a wonderful alternative to the previous generations station wagon, offering a more attractive design but with all of the convenience of a sedan’s external footprint for maneuverability and handling. They’re generally more fuel efficient than the typical station wagon, and perfect for people who travel with pets in tow. If you’re looking for something in between a sedan and an SUV, the hatchback is a great choice as it marries the best of both vehicle styles!

Minivan – This is a world class choice for families on the go thanks to their efficient ability to carry large passenger loads and a significant amount of cargo. Most minivans are built on a passenger car platform and have a lower body than a full-size van. They feature sliding or hinged rear doors, and 3 rows of seating to accommodate up to 8 or 9 passengers. They’re very practical, easy to get in and out of, and are an excellent value for the cost. Some of the drawbacks include lower fuel economy than a sedan, a large external footprint that can make them difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or on-street parking, and they’re less aesthetically pleasing than an SUV. However, they continue to remain a wise choice for a family car, and especially in single-car households, thanks to their fantastic comfort and roominess, cargo capacity, reputation for being a reliable workhorse, and stupendous standard safety features.

Pickup Truck – This vehicle style features a passenger cab in the front and an open cargo bed in the rear. Nearly all pick-up trucks offer all-wheel drive or an option to toggle into four-wheel drive for off-road use as desired. Pickup trucks are offered in two size categories: full-size and mid-size. Most pick-up trucks offer limited space in the cabin for seating, generally with 2 larger seats and an optional, minimum leg room 2nd row. Pickup trucks are the workhorse vehicle on this list, able to tow, haul, and carry very large loads. They’re sturdy, powerful, and great for those who do a lot of adventurous traveling or need to carry heavy items. However, the majority of models do not offer as efficient fuel mileage as an SUV or hatchback, which can be costly. Additionally, repetitive towing or hauling can put a lot of wear and tear on the transmission over time if you’re not mindful. They’re not a great choice for families due to their lack of seating options, but are often a popular option for people with large animals or livestock due to the tow capacity and rear truck bed space. They’re tough vehicles inside and out, and are prized due to their rugged appearance and styling, making them very popular with outdoor enthusiasts and tradespeople alike.

Sedan – This type of body style is a 4-door car with a separate trunk. It’s considered a “three-box” body: the front box is where the engine is, the middle box is the interior cabin and seats, and the third is the trunk area. Sedans are accessible by a wide variety of drivers as well as families. They’ve got a great reputation for being reasonably priced and affordable, offering ample performance + comfort, as well as great fuel efficiency, wonderful handling, and plenty of cargo capacity. Overall they’re easier to drive and park than a larger vehicle like a truck, van, or SUV. As for disadvantages, they do offer smaller cabins and less seating capabilities than the aforementioned.

Sports Car – In general these are the sleekest, fastest, and least practical of the coupe and convertible crowd. They’re generally quite low to the ground, offer low cargo space and seating capacity, and are often quite pricy; high-end exotic cars can look quite futuristic and more like a toy or concept car than a practical vehicle. Exceptions to this “rule” include vehicles like muscle cars, which are generally bigger, louder, and more impressive than a tiny roadster. Muscle cars are American made, built to appear tough and strong, and offer high-performance driving in a large 2-door sporty looking package. Cars of this category are impractical to use as daily drivers, and certainly not a great choice for those looking for spacious cargo capacity or family-friendly seating. However, if you’re looking for something that will catch the eye of everyone you pass by, offer supreme speed and power, and don’t have any qualms about spending big bucks? They’re the perfect car for you! Many sports cars also retain high value on the collectible market, making them a popular choice for vehicle enthusiasts around the world.

Station Wagon – This body style actually has a similar build to a sedan, but also features an extended roofline and a hatch style door instead of a trunk. Unlike a sedan’s smaller trunk, they offer significantly more cargo capacity, and many also offer an option for a removable third row of rear seating in the hatchback area. They have similar safety features and are just as spacious and practical as an SUV, but offer more fuel economy mileage and are lighter in weight. This design is significantly less popular now, as it has been replaced in popularity as a family vehicle by the SUV/crossover market. Stylistically, they’re generally considered “outdated” and less sleek than their SUV counterparts. For those who prefer a smaller vehicle than an SUV but still desire more room than the average sedan, many shoppers have instead swapped over to a small to midsized hatchback sedan. However, you can certainly find a fair amount of them on the collector’s market with quite an enthusiastic fanbase!

SUV – The sport utility vehicle, sometimes also known as a “Crossover”, is taller and boxier than the sedan, and has higher ground clearance than a car. They’re offered in sizes such as subcompact, mid-size, and full-size. This vehicle body type offers more than ample space for interior cabin room as well as cargo, many offer optional 3rd row or additional seating configurations, all-weather driving capabilities, impressive towing capacity, higher driving position for visibility, and generally more state of the art safety features. They are typically heavier, and have higher centers of gravity, are more expensive to purchase and operate, and may not be as easy to navigate through narrow spaces or busy cities. Many of them also offer all-wheel drive options. They’re very popular for active families as well as those who travel with pets in tow, and well-received by that demographic for their comfort, power, and room!

If you’re in the market to replace your current vehicle, but are undecided as to what style you’d like next? Let us help guide you to the vehicle of your dreams so you can get out there and explore the open road. Come on down to our Classic dealerships and we’ll get you behind the wheel so you can test drive your top choices and see for yourself!