Car body types

In this article, we have tried to collect a complete list that characterizes the types of car body. Perhaps you have never even heard of some of them.

Sedan

Used by manufacturers more often than others, it is available in two-door and four-door versions. The fifth door is the trunk, it is rarely used.

• Separate luggage space.
• Differs in the possibility of a comfortable fit for 4-5 adults. Toyota is often used.
• The two-door sedan also allows several people to sit in two rows - space is achieved through a long base.

Hatchback

Similar to a station wagon, but less roomy - the cut off rear overhang reduces load capacity. Three to five doors, two-volume, so it is still spacious and capable of transporting a substantial amount of luggage. 2 or 5 doors - this is the trunk lid.

Especially women like it - its external compactness is impressive. Entire collections of premium cars have been released on this shortened platform.

Universal

Two-volume body, three-five-door (different models). Long rear overhang - at least like a sedan. The platform is often made so long that the car starts to give the impression of a sluggishness, but manufacturers usually achieve optimal maneuverability.

Luggage compartment and salon in one space.

Help! Two-volume car bodies are called bodies with a spacious trunk, which is closed by the fifth glazed door. Such options are characterized by a tangible space inside the car with a compact size and a significant trunk volume.

Liftback

A hatchback with a lengthened rear overhang. It can be two-volume with a sloping roof or a third volume.

Similar models are produced by Skoda and some other manufacturers.

Coupe

Three-volume body with one row of seats. The second row allows passengers to sit in some cramped conditions. The two doors don't add any convenience to people in the rear seats.

• A small trunk is detached from the passenger compartment.
• Usually, the car is performed in a sporty style, at least according to the original idea.

There are executive options - these are solid cars with maximum comfort for two - a driver and a passenger nearby. Some types of Cadillacs are an example.

This name is also conventionally given to some models of the hatchback type with three doors.

Reference! The 3 body volumes are the engine, the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment. This type is considered the safest. Since in a collision, either the first compartment or the trunk takes the main blow.

Cabriolet

Open body car. Two, four doors, lifting windows and a retractable roof. When folded, in different models, it lies in the trunk or behind the passengers.

The roof can be soft or hard - in the latter case, the car is called a coupe-convertible.

Car names of this type include CC (coupé cabriolet) markings.

Roadster

A two-seater car with a soft convertible top.

• Sporty lines, which are just a style solution for a luxurious and expensive car.
• Designed exclusively for two people.
• The roof is removable, but there are closed models.

Targa

A variation of the sports roadster with a removable roof.

• The windshield is rigidly fixed, the structure is reinforced with a frame.
• Some models are available without rear window or with removable glass.
• The body is considered safer than a roadster after adding stiffness.

Limousine

The body of a premium car with a long wheelbase, a bulkhead behind the front seat.

• Designed on a sedan platform extended to the maximum.
• 4 doors - regardless of length.
• The driver is separated from the passengers by a soundproof partition.

Stretch

An infinitely long car, but not a limousine. Elongation is achieved differently - by inserting additional space between the driver and passenger parts.

SUV

Rather a term than a distinct body type.

It means a high degree of cross-country ability due to high ground clearance, 4-wheel drive and other technical characteristics that allow the car to be independent of the road surface.

Dimensions usually match power - some SUVs are huge. At the same time - high, and in some cars fantastic, maneuverability.

Extensive trunk at the end of the cabin.

Crossover

It is called a little contemptuously - SUV. This implies the suitability of a car for easy movement in urban conditions on roads of good quality. The body has similarities with an SUV, while the ground clearance is low.

Pickup

Body for cars designed to transport people and goods.

• The trunk is an open part of the body, it is completed with an awning, a cover. On the same platform as the driver's cab.
• Designed for 2 or more passengers - some models have 2 rows of seats.
• Landing through 2 or 4 doors.

The car belongs to the category of commercial vehicles, however, it is often used for hunting. Power of technical equipment and cross-country ability of the machine allow it.

Van

It is often used as an open state car of the executive class. Four doors, 5-6 seats, soft folding roof.

This term also refers to a commercial-type body for cargo transportation, and it can be carried out on the basis of a pickup truck, station wagon or on a truck chassis with a separate driver's cab.

It is covered with a metal roof or an awning made of dense fabric.

Separate luggage compartment door, usually at the back.

Minivan

Its place is between a station wagon and a minibus. More capacity than a station wagon. One-volume or two-volume.

• Often equipped with sliding doors for passengers to board the second row of seats.
• Sometimes it is supplemented with a third row.
• Carries up to 8 passengers.
• Luggage is located behind the last row.

Often purchased for a large family. Used by Toyota, Honda.

Minibus

A closed car, fully adapted to the carriage of passengers.

8-16 seats, while the body height is limited - it is inconvenient to stand.

Bus

A car can be classified as a bus if the number of seats for passengers is more than 7.

The term also denotes a body from 5 m in length, adapted to transport people and luggage.

Hardtop

At the moment, it is rarely used due to the low rigidity of the body - it is reduced due to the absence of a central pillar, frames. The interior is spacious, the car looks elegant, but this type of body is practically irrelevant.

Town car

A car for transporting passengers, a characteristic feature is a high roof. Taxi services are often equipped with models of this type.

Combi

This is a term used in West Germanic countries. Denotes any vehicle with a tailgate at the rear.

Fastback

A term that refers to the slope of the roof into the tailgate. It can be applied to any type of body in the presence of such a feature.

Phaeton

Glazing without lifting glasses, folding soft roof. This type of body is often used for parade-representative cars.

Landau

Open body with a soft folding or removable hard roof over the passenger area - the second row of seats.

At the same time, glazing, 4 doors.

Brogam

A type of body in which the roof is folded down or removed only over the first row of seats.

Spider

Completely open body - the windshield may be absent altogether, or be lower than the driver's eyes. Two doors, no roof.

Sports vehicle for headwind lovers.

Shooting break

The term is old - from the days of hunting in groups. A voluminous body, sufficient to accommodate the hunters themselves, weapons and prey. It was originally a horse-drawn carriage.

The first cars looked like this:

• Seats on the sides
• weapon racks
• luggage compartment for mining
• entrance through one door - from behind or from the side.

The same word was used to describe cars for a comfortable safari - often used by poachers.

The name is used for some models of hatchbacks and station wagons - only by virtue of design features, without a specification for use.

Cabover

Single-volume body with a cut-off front part - the hood is completely absent. It can be a light vehicle or a minibus, as well as other variations based on this configuration.

Questions and answers:

What does a hatchback body look like? This is a three- or five-door car with a short rear overhang and a rear fifth (third) door to the luggage compartment (it is connected to the passenger compartment). Typically, a hatchback has a sloping roof that blends seamlessly into the tailgate.

What does body type mean? This is a parameter that describes the features of the body structure. For example, it can be a minivan, sedan, station wagon, hatchback, crossover, etc.

What is the difference between the types of car bodies? They differ in design: one-, two- and three-volume design (visually stand out the hood, roof and trunk). One-volume body types are less common.