20 Types of Cars and Body Styles Explained

Just like any other subject, the closer you look at the automotive industry, the more complex it seems.

Despite several car body styles having fallen out of favor in the 21st century, there remain twenty major types of cars, each with its own lineup of sizes and subclasses.

Historically the designations of these categories have come from both their uses and characteristics, and manufacturers are always looking to describe vehicles in a way that make them seem as cool and desirable as possible—sometimes using terms in ways that don’t fit their original meaning.

Types Of Cars

Here are the top 20 cars on the market, sorted by body style.

Sedan	Coupe	Sportscars	Station wagon
Hatchback	Convertible	Sport-utility vehicle (SUV)	Minivan
Pickup truck	Jeep	Electric car	CUV/Crossover
Spyder	Hot hatch	Limousine	UTE
Pony car	Sports sedan	Military vehicle	Dragster

#1. SEDAN.

A sedan is a conventional example of a four-door passenger car. More often than not, sedans have a 3-box design with separate areas for the engine, passenger, and cargo, which allows for stable driving thanks to better weight distribution.

Also, its unibody construction curtails a substantial amount of weight out of the car, resulting in better fuel economy.

Although there are fewer and fewer sedans on the market, they continue to populate subcompact, compact, midsize, and full-size categories.

Subcompact sedans are represented by the Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent. Compact sedans include the Honda Civic, Kia Forte, and Subaru WRX.

The midsize sedan arena overflows with models, including the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, and more.

Shrinking at an alarming rate, the roster of full-size sedans still has the Dodge Charger, Volkswagen Arteon, and Nissan Maxima. One area where sedans are still plentiful is the full-size luxury segment.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Genesis G90, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS, and more are still selling sufficiently to keep them off the cancellation list.

#2. COUPE.

The term “coupe” evokes the images of a compact sedan: a two-door car with a trunk and a fixed roof. But the exciting appeal of the vehicle is its sloping roofline which gives it a more sleek, sporty look.

As much as its appearance would suggest, a coupe is typically loaded with extra bells and whistles, from sharp handling to hundreds of horsepower.

For example, the Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Infiniti Q60, and Audi A5 fit into this mold. Of course, some models from the sports car group spill over into the coupe segment, including cars like the Nissan Z and Toyota GR86.

Then there is a group of larger 4-door hardtops with sloping rooflines that their makers call coupes. This is where things get a little weird.

The Merdedes-Benz CLA and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe fall into this group. Weirder still, Mercedes-Benz also markets the GLC Coupe, which is a crossover.

#3. SPORTS CAR.

By definition, sports cars are two-seater convertibles that allow for open-air driving and have a sporty appearance.

Automakers have incorporated remarkable features such as nimble maneuverability, excellent acceleration, and great handling into their sports cars, contributing significantly their huge amount of power and thrilling ride.

Once upon a time, you only referred to a two-seat convertible — like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and the BMW Z4 — as a sports car. They had to be small, sporty-looking, and fun to drive. Not so much anymore.

Today, the term casts a wider net to cars like the Chevy Corvette. Moreover, it can even include vehicles with a small backseat, such as the Ford Mustang and Porsche 911.

Although out of the reach of most of us mortals, we’ll also include the “Exotics” in this grouping. These are high-priced, high-performance sports cars like the Ferrari Roma, McLaren GT, and Aston Martin DBS.

#4. STATION WAGON.

Most notably, station wagons, also called estate cars, have a shape of an elongated version of a sedan, offering extra cargo space. The easier way to think about it is it’s a combination of a sedan and a hatchback.

Station wagons are considered to be perfect for large families requiring a reliable hauler. Aside from extra space, station wagons provide better fuel economy in comparison to their SUV equivalents, too.

Some, like the Subaru Outback or Audi A4 Allroad, have elevated ground clearance and some rugged body cladding to make them more like a sport-utility vehicle (SUV), but they are nonetheless closely related to sedans.

Wagons have fallen from favor during the past few decades and there are relatively few available for sale in the United States.

#5. HATCHBACK.

The most noticeable part of a hatchback is its hatch or a rear door that swings upward. This types of car usually come with two or four doors, excluding the trunk’s door. Hatchbacks are very similar to sedans, with both categorized as passenger cars.

The biggest difference between them is their cargo capacity. Hatchbacks typically haul more pieces of cargo compared to their sedan counterparts.

Moreover, you can remove bulky shopping bags or other heavy pieces more easily. If you prioritize increased cargo capacity and better fuel economy, then a hatchback can be a good fit for you.

We’d lump the Nissan Versa, Subaru Impreza 5-Door, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Volkswagen Golf GTI into this group.

However, sometimes they have three doors like the subcompact Chevy Spark. Evolving, though, the hatchback now has a few bigger, flashier entries like the midsize Kia Stinger and the Audi e-tron S Sportback, which don’t look much like traditional hatchbacks.

#6. CONVERTIBLE.

A convertible or a cabriolet is a vehicle that has a roof that can be removed or folded down. When it comes to the roof, it comes in two types: hard-top and soft-top. A hard-top uses steel or plastic and operates automatically.

While a soft-top utilizes a textile material such as vinyl or canvas, allowing the roof to be pulled up or left down smoothly. A convertible is often considered a luxury car due to its elegant appearance and feeling of freedom.

Today’s convertibles have two doors (Ford Mustang, Chevy Camaro, and Mazda MX-5 Miata), but 4-door convertibles aren’t unheard of.

There have been a few in the past, and modern-day examples include the GMC Hummer EV, Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and Ford Bronco. Again, there is some overlap between sports cars and convertibles.

#7. SUV.

A Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) is defined by its off-road capabilities and roominess. These types of cars are built with a long journey in mind. It boasts a comfortable ride in rough, rugged cross-country terrain. It offers a relatively high seating position which allows a better view of the road.

These functionalities have been made possible by its sturdy body-on-frame construction that is borrowed from trucks.

Hence, if you are one of those who enjoy outdoor adventure and expect to tow dirt bikes, an SUV might be best suited to you.

They include a station wagon-like cargo space accessed through a flip-up hatchback door, and many offer all-wheel drive.

The larger ones have three rows of seats. Sizes start at small cars (Hyundai Kona, Nissan Kicks), ranging from medium to full size (Ford Expedition, Chevrolet Tahoe). Luxury brands offer many SUV models in most of the same size classes.

#8. MINIVAN.

When designing minivans, the focus is usually on the size of the cabin space rather than the size of the storage space. These types of cars are often associated with station wagons and family cars.

It was made with the specific idea of accommodating a whole family in it. It has a lot of cargo space, but not much compared to the hatchback.

Minivans are the workhorses of the world of family cars, the best way to move people and cargo in one efficient package.

They are called minivans, but they are far from “mini”. That’s because they’re tall boxes on wheels with sliding side doors for easy access and a tailgate that opens up to large cargo space.

Most minivans have reclining second and third-row seats that can often be removed or even folded into the floor to create huge open cargo space. The Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Pacifica are great examples of this breed.

#9. PICKUP TRUCK.

A pickup is one of the most recognizable types of cars in the world. It is distinguishable from other automobiles due to its distinct design.

Its cargo space is completely divided from its cabin space and it usually seats no more than 3 or 4 individuals at a time.

A pickup truck has a passenger cab and an open cargo bed in the rear. Virtually all pickups offer some form of all-wheel drive or part-time four-wheel drive the latter for off-road use only. With one exception the mid-sized Honda Ridgeline pickup bodies are cabs mounted to a separate steel frame.

The Ridgeline is more like a crossover with the rear section of the roof lopped off to expose a cargo bed. Currently, pickup trucks come in two size categories: full-size and mid-size.

#10. JEEP.

Jeep is like Kleenex. It’s a product model that’s become synonymous with an entire product line. Jeep, as a model, is designed and built by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. The Jeep hit the scene in November 1940, just before the USA entered WWII.

They were widely used throughout the war and subsequent wars due to their ability to travel on all kinds of terrain.

In 1987 Chrysler bought the Jeep brand and has expanded the models ever since. While the traditional design is still popular, Chrysler also developed the SUV model Cherokee.

#11. ELECTRIC CAR.

For now we treat fully electric cars as their own category, but all indications point to just about every type of car going electric at some point in the next few decades.

Electric vehicles, or EVs, take full advantage of the dramatic efficiency advantages of electric motors.

EVs have already begun to make every car type better: They are quicker yet more efficient, much cheaper to “fuel” yet capable of charging at home, and allow for inventive packaging solutions that enhance interior space, safety, and handling.

Lingering challenges include the high cost and weight of batteries and the lack of common reliable charging infrastructure, though these are all in the process of being addressed by the industry as a whole.

#12. CROSSOVER.

If we had to summarize crossovers in a single phrase, it would be “a combination of an SUV and a hatchback”. Crossovers have the practicality of an SUV but also come with superb fuel efficiency like hatchbacks do, as they are built on a unibody construction that is lighter and consumes less fuel.

#13. SPYDER.

The Spyder is a type of car that has two seats and the appearance of a sports car. It has many variants, one of which is the popular Lamborghini Spyder. Its use has spread all over the world and is recognized as a luxury car.

There was a time when it was used as a racing car in the United States Auto Club during the 50s and 60s. The Spyder is also often called the Roadster, which was originally used to describe a horse that is suitable for traveling on open roads.

Originally the Spyder was only fit for one person to ride, but it has gradually adapted to the two-seater model that is internationally known.

#14. HOT HATCH.

The hot hatch car is a high-performance car that takes its design from the hatchback. It has the same door that swings open in the back and a similar shape.

Though not as spacious or large as the hatchback, it can still fit up to 5 passengers and quite a bit of cargo. It began being manufactured in the late 1980s and is a favorite among consumers in Europe and Asia.

#15. LIMOUSINE.

A limousine is considered one of the most luxurious cars in the world. These types of cars are noted for its large length and the partition between the back and the front.

The limousine is driven by a chauffeur in most cases and is pre-booked for formal affairs. Limousines are usually owned or used by movie stars, businessmen, dignitaries, or politicians.

#16. UTE.

A UTE, an abbreviation of utility, is a term for a car typically purchased in Australia and New Zealand for cars standing behind the passenger cabin.

It can be driven with a regular driver’s license. It was originally used to refer to cars built on passenger car chassis with the bed attached to the passenger body.

Any vehicle with an open cargo area at the rear is now referred to as a UTE in the New Zealand-Australia region.

#17. PONY CAR.

The Pony car has its roots in the Ford Mustangs of the 1940s and 50s. These types of cars were wildly popular in the 1960s and even broke sales records in the US. It created the pony car craze and was designed as an affordable, compact, and highly stylized alternative for Americans.

It was a direct consequence of customers’ interest in small cars that had sporty and luxurious designs.

#18. SPORTS SEDAN.

The Sports Sedan or the Sports Saloon is a very subjective term for a car. It is designed for great performance and impeccable handling features. The term goes back to the 1930s and includes the Rover 14 and 16 cars.

Sports Sedan was a term that began being applied to sports versions of cars for different manufacturers in the 1960s.

The originals used manual transmissions and rear-wheel drives. However, as time passed, a number of other transmission types and layouts became common.

Some important cars that fall into the category are the BMW M5, the Jaguar XJR, the Maserati Quattroporte, and the Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

#19. MILITARY VEHICLE.

Military vehicles are designed for combat and endurance on the battlefield. They are designed to withstand bullets and blasts and are equipped with extensive armor and protection. Capable of transporting soldiers, ammunition, and lots of cargo, they run at top speed while transporting cargo.

#20. DRAGSTER.

Dragsters are modified racecars. With modified engines, they are specially built for drag racing. They were first built during the 1960s and fitted with front-engine rails, and slingshots. Dragsters can be supercharged or turbocharged based on their designs.

They can run on alcohol, natural gas, or a mixture of nitromethane and gasoline. Rear engine dragsters have now become the standard dragster design because of their durability and performance benefits.

#21. SHOOTING BRAKE.

The Shooting Brake is a term for a vehicle with a specific body shape. It was once used for horse-drawn wagons used to transport rifle squads to their hunting grounds. The first with automotive capabilities were developed in the early 1900s.

They are known for their elongated sterns and large cabin spaces. They take several clues from the tailgate. One of the most commonly manufactured Shooting Brake cars is the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

What’s the Most Common Car Type?

SUVs and their crossover subtypes sport the most categories of any car type, though trucks sell best. There are over a dozen subtypes of SUVs, while pickup trucks simply come in compact, midsize, full-size, and heavy-duty varieties.

SUVs and trucks make up the vast majority of the types of cars seen on American roads.

Every Type of Car

• SUV
• Sedan
• Truck
• Coupe
• Van
• Hybrid
• Electric Car
• Hatchback
• Luxury SUV
• Luxury Car
• Sports Car
• Convertible

FAQs.