What type of car is right for you?

Sedans, coupes, convertibles, minivans, crossovers, hatchbacks, station wagons, SUVs and pickup trucks. Let us help you decide what to choose.

With hundreds of vehicle options available, it can be tricky to decide which one is right for you. Rest assured that whether you are buying a new or used car, economy or luxury, there is something for everyone. Here we have compiled some of the most common car body types, a brief description of each and what might make them attractive to someone.

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Today, sedans are the most common type of car on the road. The most obvious difference between a sedan and a coupe is that a sedan has four doors while a coupe has two doors. Some vehicles, such as the BMW 3 Series, were previously available in both coupe and sedan body styles; others are available exclusively as one or the other. While coupes have traditionally been seen as sportier than sedans, newer and more powerful models have completely blurred that line. There is an ever-increasing number of very powerful four-door cars that can knock out the doors of just about anything near them. On the other hand, sedans make up the majority of both very expensive luxury cars and extremely economical or electric vehicles, and everything in between.

• Ideal for you if: You want a four-door car with enough room for four or five passengers and ample cargo space. You have an almost limitless selection of sedans, and whether you're looking for luxury, performance, or economy, you're sure to find a sedan that fits your needs.

Cut out

Coupes were generally considered the sportier siblings of the sedan; a little lighter, and a little faster. While there are plenty of tire-melting sedans on the market today, all of the fastest cars are still two-door designs—just look at the Corvettes or the Koenigsegg. Having just two doors not only saves weight, it also makes them bigger. structurally strong and resistant to bodyflex. Although some coupes have rear seats, they are usually "fun sized" and more difficult to access than the government website. Cargo space ranges from the same as a similarly sized sedan to none or somewhere in between.

• Ideal for you if: You want a slightly more stylish and sporty variant of the sedan, with room for one more passenger or three other passengers, two of which you don't really like, plus a decent amount of cargo space. Also perfect for you if you're looking for a supercar as most, if not all, supercars are coupes.

Convertible

Convertibles are usually coupes or sedans with the roof cut off and fabric replaced over a metal frame. While it sounds like a recipe for disaster in the event of an accident, advances have been made in protecting occupants in the event of a rollover. Either the car will have a permanent solid roll bar or electronically controlled roll bars. When a rollover situation is detected, the vehicle automatically deploys a set of locking bars that protect occupants.

• Ideal for you if: You like the size and shape of the coupe, but you prefer the wind blowing your hair and the sunlight flooding you. There's plenty of room for at least one more passenger, and some models even offer a full-size rear seat that can actually fit. an adult of average height. Storage space varies, but is usually minimal due to the convertible roof being stored in the trunk. Don't worry because there's plenty of room to store your beach blanket and picnic lunch, and that's all you'll ever need when driving a convertible. Hopefully you live somewhere sunny and warm so you can drop your top more than twice a year.

Minivan

Minivans had a serious image problem when they first hit the market, mostly because they were ugly and drove terribly. They appealed to large families and anyone who wants to comfortably transport 5-7 people with enough space for both passengers and storage. While they are still not the most attractive vehicles on the road, they have come a long way. Modern minivans are usually equipped with engines over 200 horsepower and modern suspension systems that allow them to outperform their predecessors, which were handled like sailboats. What's more, many premium examples also feature a luxurious, comfortable interior, a fantastic stereo system, multiple entertainment screens, power tailgate and power sliding doors.

• Ideal for you if: You gave up trying to look cool a long time ago and now you just want to get the kids to football practice on time - or if you regularly transport large numbers of people who want to travel in comfort. These are great family cars with plenty of room for both passengers and storage. On the other hand, minivans have been considered anti-cool for so long that they are now really cool. Mostly unnoticed, they are very comfortable and easy to drive, making them a surprisingly popular choice for some young people who are looking for a vehicle to travel.

Crossover/wagon/hatchback

The station wagon and hatchback were born out of a desire to have a car the size of a coupe or sedan with ample extra storage space. Most station wagons and hatchbacks are based on popular sedans and coupes, but feature more versatile body designs and increased cargo capacity. Crossovers appeared a few years ago to fill a void that no one knew existed, but which, apparently, was highly desired. Bridging the gap between SUV and station wagon, they were a huge success, especially in the United States. In this article, they are combined with station wagons because, at their core, they usually resemble sedans and station wagons more than SUVs. They are essentially tall station wagons, usually with smaller, more fuel-efficient engines and sedan-like handling characteristics.

• Ideal for you if: Station wagons and hatchbacks are perfect if you like the size and ride quality of a similarly sized sedan or coupe but want more storage space. Crossovers are perfect if you love station wagons but want a little more room without sacrificing too much fuel economy or handling. Crossovers usually have all-wheel drive as an option, making them more attractive to those looking for an all-season vehicle.

SUV

The sport utility vehicle (SUV for short) was born from the desire for a vehicle that was as rugged and off-road capable as most pickup trucks, with high ground clearance, room for 4 or more people, and cargo space for gear or equipment. Factory-installed roof racks are almost universally used on SUVs, further expanding their cargo capacity. Often equipped with 4WD (four-wheel drive) or AWD (four-wheel drive) systems, they are well suited to driving in a variety of conditions, the only major sacrifice being reduced fuel consumption. Modern SUVs are also available in a wide range of prices, from simple examples to fully loaded luxury versions.

• Ideal for you if: You love the outdoors and want a car that can cover a lot more surfaces than a normal car, while still comfortably carrying more than 4 people and having ample storage space. It is also very popular with city dwellers, whose everyday roads are more damaged and bumpy than a typical country dirt road.

Pickup

Pickup trucks have been around for a long time and have always been very reliable yet versatile vehicles and most of them can go almost anywhere. The open-deck design is ideal for hauling loads, and a variety of engine types and frame sizes are available to give you a truck tailored to your needs. 4WD is also a very common option for most pickups, adding to their versatility. Fierce competition in the market, coupled with consumers' desire for luxury SUVs, has prompted manufacturers to introduce a level of luxury and sophistication never before seen in a pickup truck, without losing any of the brute force or ruggedness they were known for.

• Ideal for you if: A heavy pickup truck with a powerful diesel or gasoline engine is great if you need to tow a heavy trailer or haul heavy loads on a regular basis. A compact pickup truck is great if you need a vehicle for light work in retail and often city work. The standard full-size pickup is great for any heavy duty job with moderate towing capabilities. Compact XNUMXWD pickups are very popular with outdoor enthusiasts because they have plenty of ground clearance and will get you almost anywhere, including many places other vehicles can't reach.

After all, there is no perfect car for every person. Usually finding the right vehicle means making a compromise; decide what is important to you and what you are willing to sacrifice. It's important to consider what the primary use of the vehicle will be, as well as what your ideal use is, and whether you're willing to lose one power to gain another. Ultimately, whatever you decide to buy, you can avoid buying a lemon by doing a pre-purchase inspection from a qualified professional you trust.