Car body type - which one will be better? Body types

What is a car body?

Simply put, the body is the "top" of the car. And more professionally and in accordance with the definition, motorization is one of the main components of the car, placed on the chassis. The elements of the hull are the supporting structure (structure) and the skin. It can be installed on the chassis frame or form an integral part with it.

The supporting structure of the body is its "skeleton". He is responsible for its appropriate rigidity and the way the other elements are attached. It includes, among other things:

• bars,
• reinforcement,
• bumper bar,
• engine spar,
• threshold beam: front and middle,
• floor,
• not subdued.

In turn, the skin (body) is responsible for building the interior of the car - the interior. It includes all the elements visible from the outside that are responsible for the aesthetics of the car, such as:

• Door,
• wings,
• bumpers,
• trunk lid
• engine cover (hood).

Hatchback, sedan, liftback or station wagon. What are the most popular car bodies?

Looking at several car models, it's hard not to notice the visual differences between them. These include not only the color of the body, but above all the shape. Determined by vehicle body type - or at least in general terms.

These types can be divided into several groups, for example, according to the number of solids: one-, two- or three-part. When the hood and trunk are clearly lowered, and the contours of the car give the impression of consisting of three different elements (bodies), we are talking about a three-volume car. When the contour is almost a rectangle (as in the case of vans), we are dealing with a monoblock car. On the other hand, cars in which the trunk is cut off and only the hood is clearly lowered are two-volume.

Returning to the types of car bodies themselves, the most popular include:

• hatchback,
• lift back
• Van,
• sedan,
• coupe,
• cabriolet,
• limousine,
• pick up,
• minivan,
• van,
• SUV,
• crossover.

Each of them has its own characteristics that affect both the appearance and usability of the car, and its intended use. It is worth briefly discussing each one in turn.

Hatchback

This body type is certainly one of the most common on our roads. It features a tailgate that functions as an additional door. It rises with the window, so that the car user has easy access to the luggage compartment and the passenger compartment. Moreover, the rear row of seats can be folded down, thereby increasing the volume of the trunk.

Hatchbacks come in three-door (front right, front left and rear door) and five-door (front right, front left, rear right, rear left and rear door) versions. They usually have a two-volume body and a streamlined shape (roof line slightly lowered, hood line strongly lowered). Popular hatchbacks include the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

Raise back

This car body is often confused with a hatchback. And no wonder, because their design is very similar. The liftback differs from its predecessor mainly only in the large slope of the rear door (trunk lid). A popular representative of this body type is the Seat Toledo I.

Combo

They are called family cars. Station wagons are vehicles that are distinguished by an extended rear part - most often a luggage compartment. Very characteristic in this body is an additional, third side window. It belongs to the group of two-body bodies.

An additional provision of the luggage compartment is the installation of a railing on modern cars with a body of this type. It allows you to equip the car with a roof rack for transporting bicycles or skis. Station wagons are usually five-door (Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo), but there are also three-door models (Trabant Universal, Opel Kadett E).

С

Type of three-body body of a two- or four-door car. At the same time, unlike the hatchback, the trunk lid does not open with the glass. And this feature is one of the most distinctive features of the sedan. As we already mentioned, this type of classic car body can be available in a two-door version, which, however, does not limit its passenger space (it still has 4-6 seats). A classic car of this kind is the Audi A8 or the BMW 7.

The sedan is available as an optional hardtop option, which features no pillars between the side windows and a hardtop (convertible) or fixed (convertible) roof. Sedans also include limousines. Often this whole body type is colloquially referred to as a limousine.

Coupe

A body whose name means (French) "to cut". It's also at first glance - it has a roofline that slopes towards the rear. Coupes are two-door cars with a seating capacity of 2 to 4. The appearance of the cars resembles sports models - and this often happens, as is the case with the Porsche 911. The body in question can also be available in a convertible version (with a convertible roof hidden in the trunk) and hardtop (hard top or fixed roof).

Cabriolet

A characteristic feature of convertibles (convertibles) is an open passenger compartment. These vehicles have a soft or hard folding roof that hides in the trunk, no vertical pillars and frames in the roof part (except for the area around the windshield). Most often they are in a two-door version. A popular convertible is, for example, the BMW 3 Convertible. The convertible group also includes roadsters, small sports cars with a long front and short rear (Tesla Roadster).

Take away

A classic of American cinema, an increasingly frequent guest on Polish roads. This type of body combines the features of a passenger car, off-road and delivery vehicle. It is distinguished by the presence of a permanently open cargo compartment located at the rear (just behind the passenger cabin). The box can be closed by special buildings. 

The cabin can be single (two or three seats, two doors), double (five or six seats, four doors) or extended (with a bench for an additional two or one person). A popular pickup truck is the Toyota Hilux.

Minivan and van (van)

We have grouped these car body types because of their similar characteristics. As the name suggests, a minivan is just a smaller version of a van. You can also say that visually it looks more like a passenger car; VAN resembles a van. 

Both types are one- or two-volume vehicles. Their characteristics include a raised spacious body, a large luggage compartment and an increased number of seats (5-9 for minivans, 1-4 rows of 2-4 seats for vans). A typical mini is a Renault Scenic and a van is a Ford Transit.

SUV i crossover

These body types can be easily combined with each other. Moreover, it is often difficult to determine which of them a given car belongs to. They are distinguished by a strongly raised body, visually reminiscent of off-road station wagon versions. 

In the case of SUVs, this is somewhat correct association. They are equipped with systems supporting off-road driving and 4×4 drive. Crossovers are most often front-wheel drive. A typical representative of this body type is the Nissan Qashqai, and the SUV is the Subaru Forester.

The choice of the type of car body depends primarily on the purpose of the car. If you are planning to drive on more difficult terrain, opt for an SUV or a pickup truck. Trucking companies or very large families will appreciate vans and minivans. Do you need a lot of luggage space? You will appreciate crossovers and station wagons. Are you a lover of elegance? You will like sedans and sports bodies. And those looking for a nice, easy-to-park car should opt for an elevator or a hatchback.