What types of car body are there?

Types of passenger car bodies

Classic closed body type, with a trunk separated from the passenger part. The trunk is a separate element that covers the internal space - the lid. The sedan is the most popular body type in the world.

It differs from the sedan in its shorter rear part and the presence of a door on the rear wall. Many women choose a hatchback for its external compactness. And German representatives of the automobile industry have released many luxury models based on the hatchback body.

It is an elongated version of a closed body, with a rear luggage compartment door, which is combined inside with the passenger area. The roof of the station wagon extends all the way to the rear headlights. Many people dislike station wagons precisely because of their elongated platform and, as a result, clumsiness.

This body takes a little from the sedan and hatchback. The liftback's overhang is long, like a sedan's, and the roof can be either sloping or stepped. The back door is missing.

Initially created for sports car categories. The coupe is characterized by the absence of doors for the rear row of passengers, a very compressed space in the second row, and sometimes its complete absence. The trunk is separated from the passenger area.

Has a convertible top. The folding part can be soft, looking like a stretched awning, or ordinary hard, assembled from several parts. The convertible has two doors and at least two passenger seats.

It seats only two passengers, a representative of the civilian sports version. The roadster can have a regular, hard roof, or with the ability to be removed. Roadster models have always been considered a luxury item.

A relative of the roadster. The roof can be removable, as can the rear window, but it differs from the roadster in a more rigid frame and improved structural safety.

Extended version of the sedan. The design differs not only in length, but also in a special structure inside - a partition between the driver and the passenger area. It can tightly isolate these two parts of the car. Always 4 doors, regardless of the degree of extension.

Outwardly it may look like a limousine, but has different technical solutions. The middle of the stretch literally cuts between the front, driver's side, and the rear, passenger's side.

SUV

A general concept for bodies with increased clearance, higher ground clearance, increased cross-country ability and overall dimensions. Typically 4-door, the luggage compartment is located in the rear of the passenger compartment.

Above a sedan, below an SUV. A closed type, reminiscent of a sedan or hatchback, but with a hint of an SUV. It is considered an urban type of SUV. The name “SUV” or “parquet SUV” has taken root among the people.

The body type belongs to the category of commercial trucks. The back of the pickup truck is an open trunk, sometimes with an awning or a special cover - a kung. The passenger row can consist of 2 or 4 seats. Many people use some models of pickup trucks not only for work, but also for hunting trips.

Passenger commercial body type. Features a closed rear luggage compartment. There are two passenger seats in front. There is a separate door on the rear of the body and luggage compartment.

This type is known as a family car. As a rule, it has increased capacity in terms of the number of seats - additional rows. The maximum number of passengers is 8. The trunk is part of the cabin and is located behind the last row of seats.

Minibus

Designed for transporting people, capacity 8-16 seats. Closed body type. The height of the minibus allows passengers to be transported only in a sitting position.

The bus body is at least 5 and a half meters long. Designed to transport passengers and luggage. In terms of the number of passengers, capacity starts from 7 seats.

Expresses the design feature of a passenger car body. It consists in refusing to use central supporting elements and non-retractable glass frames in the design. Translated from English. Like a hard roof.

A sedan or hatchback with an unusually high top. Typically, such cars are used exclusively for taxi needs.

In some European countries, a body with a door on the rear of any model is classified as a combi. Presented the combi type in the Soviet Union IZH -2125.

Literally can be translated as a fast trunk. The name justifies the appearance of this type. After all, the fastback roof seamlessly goes directly into the trunk

The body is a passenger car type, without roll-up windows, but with a folding soft roof. An example of such a car is the ceremonial ZIL convertible.

An outstanding feature of the landau type body is the detachable or foldable roof over the passenger area.

Another name for this body type is coupe de ville. It has an open part of the roof over the front of the passengers along with the driver.

Sports type without roof. A relative of the roadster, but the height of the windshield does not exceed the level of the driver's eyes or forehead. Sometimes it is even lower. The wind in your face is about the spider.

Shooting break

The history of this body type goes back to the 19th century. But in the modern concept, designers attach a new, completely different meaning. It was originally created to transport hunters along with their prey. Now some types of hatchbacks and station wagons are also boldly called shooting brakes and they clearly have nothing in common with hunters.

Cabover

Single-volume passenger body with a complete absence of a hood. It can be a car or a minibus. Many compact models are built by Chinese manufacturers on the basis of cabovers.

Compact van

At its core, it is an ordinary minivan, but created on the platform of a compact car. Japanese automakers use the abbreviation MPV for this. In new versions you can find five and six-seater compact van body styles.

The microvan body belongs to the class of vans. Common in Japan, in demand as a commercial vehicle. Depending on the purpose, it has from 2 to 9 passenger seats. It must be equipped with two front doors, then two sliding doors and a door on the rear wall of the body.

Car body types

The main body types of modern passenger cars:

A sedan is a type of closed passenger car body with a trunk that is structurally separate from the passenger compartment and without a lift-up door in the rear wall.

A hatchback is a type of closed car body with a door in the rear wall and a shortened rear overhang.

A station wagon is a type of closed car body with a door in the rear wall, a trunk combined with the passenger compartment, and a trunk roof extended to the rear clearance.

A liftback is a type of closed car body that is intermediate between a sedan, station wagon and hatchback. It differs from the hatchback in the longer rear overhang: the liftback has the same length as the sedan. The rear part of the roof can be either sloping or (less often) stepped, reminiscent of a sedan.

Coupe is a type of closed passenger car body with two doors, one or two rows of seats and a structurally separate trunk, without a door in the rear wall. The volume of the rear passenger compartment usually does not exceed 0.93 m³.

Convertible is a type of passenger car body with a folding soft or hard top and two doors. The number of places is more than two.

Roadster is a body type of a two-seater sports passenger car without a roof or with a hard roof.

Targa is a type of passenger car body, which is a type of sports 2-seater roadster with a rigidly fixed windshield, a roll bar at the rear of the seats, a removable roof and a rear window.

A limousine is a type of closed car body with a rigid partition, usually equipped with a roll-up window, between the driver’s compartment and the rest of the cabin. The body is elongated to varying degrees compared to a conventional sedan.

Stretch is a type of closed car body made by physically inserting an additional section into the body, located between the front and rear doors, which helps lengthen the interior.

SUV

An SUV is a type of closed car body with increased cross-country ability and increased ground clearance.

A crossover is a type of closed car body that combines the properties of an SUV and a station wagon or hatchback.

A pickup truck is a type of commercial two-seater vehicle with an open cargo bed.

A van is a type of enclosed body of a commercial two-seater vehicle with an enclosed cargo bed (luggage compartment with a door on the rear wall).

A minivan is a type of closed passenger car body combined with a luggage compartment, usually with three rows of seats. Increased interior volume. The maximum cabin capacity is 8 passengers.

Minibus

A minibus is a type of closed body commercial vehicle that is a small-class bus with a number of seats from 8 to 16 and no standing places.

A bus is a type of closed body commercial vehicle that is at least 5.5 meters long. Used to transport up to 7 passengers.

Kolodiychuk Andrey , specially for ByCars.ru

When using this material, a link to https://bycars.ru/ is required.

Published 01/01/70. This page has been viewed 290813 times

As far as I understand, a van can have at least three seats, old LTs for example.

Since when are buses classified as passenger cars?

All types and descriptions of passenger car bodies

Passenger cars are represented by a wide range of models, differing in price, purpose, comfort class and other parameters. The characteristics of the car and the requirements for it leave a serious imprint on the types of car bodies. The car body determines its appearance and acts as the main supporting structure, therefore, depending on the requirements, the appearance of the part also changes.

In some model ranges, the main supporting structure is the chassis and frame.

The body is the main part that determines:

• appearance;
• volume (both for passengers and cargo);
• number of passengers;
• aerodynamic performance.

The part largely determines the further layout, and as a result, the behavior of the car on the road. Therefore, the most common classification of passenger cars is by body type.

There are 3 main types of passenger car bodies:

The number of volumes of a part are separate blocks.

Three-volume

They are characterized by a separate engine compartment and luggage compartment. The advantage is easy access to parts, which made the design classic. However, it does offer little room for modification. Popular types of three-volume models are as follows:

• sedan;
• coupe;
• pickup;
• limousine;
• convertible, roadster, brogue and targa.

Distinctive features of the sedan car body design are a clearly protruding luggage and engine compartment, 4 doors and 2 rows of seats. The roof height of the entire cabin is the same. There is no lift door at the rear of the car. This arrangement is convenient for transporting passengers, which made it popular. Many manufacturers divide the sedan into subclasses. One of these is the extended machine class (labeled L). Typically, elongated parts are found in business class sedans. These include town cars - sedans with an increased roof height.

There are also two-door sedans. A distinctive feature of the car is the presence of two rows of seats, for example, “Zaporozhets”.

A special feature is two elongated doors. Usually the car body is equipped with two seats, but in some cases the rear part is equipped with two additional passenger seats. Unlike a two-door sedan, these seats are uncomfortable and not designed for long trips. The shape of the coupe's roof is always sloping, sloping backwards, which improves the aerodynamic characteristics of the car.

Cars of this type belong to the sports class, so they are mainly represented in the high price category. They are equipped with a high-power engine, reinforced suspension and low ground clearance to improve driving characteristics. These cars are very elegant, which also adds prestige to them.

Open top car

Such cars are especially popular in countries with hot climates. A car without a roof is an original and prestigious solution. These classes also include models with a convertible roof. These types of devices include:

A convertible body is a classic type of car without a roof or with a folding device. It is designed on the basis of a “Coupe”, or less often – a “Sedan”, and has a frame structure of a similar type. Most often, this class of cars is equipped with a soft folding roof.

The phaeton body class is a car with a folding soft roof. The difference from the convertible is the complete absence of a frame structure above the interior. Thanks to this, the side door windows in such cars are removable. Phaetons are the most open cars. Classic phaetons are government vehicles without a roof with three rows of seats, intended primarily for parades. Currently, long wheelbase versions without a roof are not available.

The word “phaeton” in the automotive industry also focuses on the luxury of the car and the increased space inside the car. Thus, the Volkswagen Phaeton, launched into production in 2002, is a classic sedan in body type.

The roadster body is open, on a shortened base with two doors. Such cars are also distinguished by collapsible side windows or their complete absence, and a soft roof. A roadster without a roof is called a spider. Historically, roadsters, in addition to the main comfortable seats, were equipped with an additional folding one, which was popularly called “mother-in-law’s seat.” Modern roadsters are often represented by sports cars, including the Lada Revolution.

A type of roadster equipped with a rigid arch behind the seats is called a targa. Cars also have removable side windows and do not have side frame structures, but are often equipped with a removable or collapsible hard roof.

Pickup cars are three-volume. The main feature of the models is the open trunk. They are designed not only for driving, but also for transporting large amounts of cargo.

Initially, pickup trucks were common in North America among farmers and ordinary people, and later spread throughout Europe and around the world. A modern pickup truck is a comfortable car based on an SUV. There are both two-door and four-door cars with a comfortable cabin.

Features of pickup trucks are:

• high power;
• high cross-country ability;
• large engine volume;
• spacious, comfortable cabin.

This type of car is intended for the executive class and is characterized by an increased level of comfort; the body type is based on the sedan concept. The design of a limousine is a passenger car on an extended base with a mandatory partition between the driver and passengers. It is equipped with 2 or even 3 rows of seats, 4 doors. It is the rigid partition that distinguishes this class from an elongated sedan.

Classic limousines were created on the basis of a sedan, however, nowadays there are also cars based on SUVs. Limousines are quite rare, which makes them even more spectacular.

Double volume

Bodies of this type are distinguished by a separate separate engine and passenger compartment. The cargo part of the car is merged into one space with the passenger part. This allows you to increase the cargo area or interior without increasing the length of the wheelbase. Having the passenger and cargo parts of the car in the same space gives car designers more room to maneuver. Popular types of two-volume models include:

The station wagon body is a utility vehicle. This type of car got its name due to its multi-purpose use. Combi cars have 3 or 5 doors, 2 rows of seats with a large volume. In most models, the rear seats fold down, increasing the trunk to enormous dimensions. At the beginning of the new century, station wagons are market leaders, overtaking sedans in sales.

One of the station wagon subtypes is the shooting brake body. These are two-door premium cars with a straight roof, developed on the basis of sports cars.

The hatchback body type resembles a station wagon, but has a sloping roof. These cars are often called fastbacks. Hatchbacks are often designed as passenger cars with a large trunk. They are great for urban conditions and do an excellent job of transporting passengers and cargo. They are made in the form of three- or five-door cars. Examples of domestic hatchbacks are the VAZ-2108 and VAZ-2109.

The liftback body is a middle option between a hatchback and a sedan. In appearance, the body resembles a sedan or coupe, but is structurally more similar to a hatchback. The trunk of such a car is opened using a hatch and folds down with a rear window. Soft partitions are installed between the trunk and the rear seats. If necessary, they are removed, after which the machine is ready to transport large loads.

SUV

Cars in this class are similar to station wagons, but are larger in size and have high ground clearance. A distinctive feature is the powerful frame, which makes the body more durable. These cars are designed for off-road driving, and therefore have high cross-country ability. Almost all of them have a powerful engine and all-wheel drive, sometimes with differential locking. Popularly, SUVs, and sometimes other cars with similar external characteristics, are called jeeps.

The creators of off-road vehicles have come to the conclusion that reducing the weight of a vehicle can improve its driving characteristics. This is how an SUV without a body appeared - a buggy.

This type of body is quite similar to an SUV, but much lighter. Cars of this class are a hybrid between a station wagon and an SUV: a version of a city car adapted for off-road driving. It also has high ground clearance, but does not have frames or locks. It differs from an SUV in a higher comfort class, while cross-country ability is an order of magnitude lower.

A type of crossover is the SUV class. This is an enlarged station wagon with a high seating position, characterized by high ground clearance and ground clearance. These types have simplified all-wheel drive. An SUV (like most crossovers) is a hybrid of a station wagon and an SUV.

This body is fully adapted for the transportation of goods. Vans are a transitional option between cars and trucks. Equipped with an extensive, high cargo compartment with a large tailgate, no windows. In some cases, they are carried out as a deep modernization of the body structure of a passenger car (“Moskvich”-412 “pie”), but more often as a separate structure. Some modern vans are single-volume vehicles. Some of them have a specific purpose, for example, to accommodate special devices, medical equipment or a refrigerator.

Single-volume

Bodies of this type have no protruding parts and are of all-metal construction. The engine and luggage compartments are merged with the car's interior into one block. Most buses fall into this class. Among passenger cars they are represented by the youngest classes:

The body of the minivan is a single-volume structure with a length of at least 4.5 meters. This car combines the comfort of a station wagon with the capacity of a van. The large volume allows for a third row of seats and makes them ideal family cars. In terms of body type, the minivan resembles a minibus with the difference that it can accommodate no more than 8 seats.

Compact van

A compact van is a smaller version of a minivan. Often accommodates 3 rows of seats. At the same time, it has a smaller interior and trunk volume, but benefits in maneuverability.

This variety is often classified as a hatchback. For the most part, the characteristics of the cars are similar to single-volume cars of this class. A distinctive feature is the high height of the passenger part, providing comfort for those in the cabin, which is especially pleasant on long trips.

The type of truck body is two-volume (KAMAZ) or three-volume (KRAZ). However, this is not a defining feature. The main gradation of bodies is the type of cargo compartment. They are divided into:

• onboard;
• dump trucks;
• scows;
• tilt;
• tanks;
• platforms;
• special purpose bodies.

The lines between car classes are gradually blurring. More and more car models are appearing on the market, combining the characteristics of certain classes. This makes it possible to create universal cars that meet the needs of drivers and passengers.

Types of car bodies

The characteristics and purposes of using a car are reflected in a variety of its parts, including the supporting system. The car body performs not only a decorative, but also a practical, commercial function. For example, for greater cargo capacity, a station wagon or pickup truck is used, a minivan is used to transport passengers, and so on. Although modern automakers are increasingly trying to combine the parameters of several types of cars in one body.

Car body types

Before talking in detail about the different types of bodies, it is worth mentioning their general classification. All of them are divided according to their layout into:

The three-volume design involves dividing the body into the engine compartment, vehicle interior or passenger compartment and luggage compartment. This arrangement includes classic sedans. A characteristic difference is a small trunk, but improved rigidity due to additional partitions between the compartments.

Two-volume designs assume the presence of only an engine compartment and a passenger compartment. The car interior is combined with a luggage compartment. This gives an advantage in transporting goods. The classic representative of this arrangement is the station wagon.

Single-volume design is typical for minivans, minibuses and other passenger cars. Most of it is occupied by the interior, which practically merges with the luggage compartment and the smooth slope of the engine compartment.

Also, the supporting system of the car is divided into frame, with supporting and semi-supporting bodies.

Now let's look at the types of bodies in different volumes.

Three-volume

The sedan body type is considered classic. A distinctive feature is the clear separation of the engine compartment and luggage compartment. There are also two rows of seats in the cabin and four doors. The body has a clear geometry and a fairly spacious interior. Such a car will be convenient for transporting passengers and a small amount of cargo. Sedans are also divided into subclasses. For example, the marking “L” (Long) indicates an elongated body in business class sedans.

The coupe body design features only two elongated doors, one or two rows of seats and a closed roof. Some models provide quite a bit of space for the rear row of seats. The roof smoothly transitions into the trunk.

Cars with this type of body are more suitable for individual trips, so they belong to the class of prestigious cars. Good aerodynamic properties of the body in combination with a powerful engine give the car clear sporting characteristics. Such cars emphasize the individuality and prestige of the owner.

A convertible belongs to the class of cars with an opening or folding roof. The roof can be hard or soft. Distinctive features of the convertible are two elongated doors and one or two rows of seats. In turn, the class of convertibles is divided into several subclasses, such as phaeton, roadster, landau, brogue.

Cabriolet

Initially, the phaeton body had a folding soft roof based on the principle of a classic convertible. Later the term evolved. Nowadays this class refers more often to executive cars.

The roadster body also has an open top with a removable roof or no roof at all and one row of seats. Most often, sports cars perform in this class.

This body type looks very aesthetically pleasing and prestigious. It differs in that the roof over the rear seats is folding or is completely absent, and over the front seats it is full.

Brogam, on the other hand, has open front seats and a closed rear row. This is also a representative class of cars. The passenger area is clearly separated from the driver's area.

A distinctive feature of the pickup truck is its open trunk. It was created as a commercial vehicle for transporting various cargoes. Such cars are especially popular in America and European countries. As a work vehicle, pickup trucks are equipped with all-wheel drive and a powerful engine, but lack any frills in the interior. These are often two-door, but four-door pickups are also common.

These cars belong to the executive class with an increased level of comfort for passengers. In terms of geometry, the body can be compared to a sedan, but only it has an extended wheelbase. Also, a limousine is characterized by a partition between the driver and the passenger compartment. It features a very wide and spacious interior with several rows of seats or wide sofa-type seats. Due to their extended wheelbase, limousines are not very practical for everyday driving on city streets. More often they are used at celebrations or to move high-ranking officials.

Double volume

The station wagon body gained popularity for its practicality. The salon is a continuation of the luggage compartment. The rear door swings up. It combines the functions of a passenger and cargo vehicle with a two-volume body. As a rule, the luggage compartment can be increased by folding the rear row of seats.

The hatchback is similar to the station wagon, but has a shortened base and a sloping roof that smoothly merges into the trunk. Features a large luggage compartment. Hatchbacks are most often chosen as a city car. It can also be made in a coupe body, that is, have two side doors.

The liftback is a mid-body body between a sedan and a hatchback. The main difference and advantage is the hinged rear tailgate, which opens along with the glass. The rear seats also fold flat to increase cargo space.

SUV

SUVs are distinguished by a frame supporting structure, high ground clearance, all-wheel drive and a powerful engine. They are designed for off-road driving in difficult terrain. The frame design makes the body rigid and durable. The large salon is combined with a large luggage compartment.

Crossover (CUV)

A crossover (CUV - Crossover Utility Vehicle) combines the characteristics of several cars. Crossovers have a sloping roof that smoothly transitions into the luggage compartment, high ground clearance and all-wheel drive. As a rule, all-wheel drive is not permanent, but plug-in. The body has much smaller dimensions than an SUV. It is well adapted for driving around the city, but in terms of cross-country ability it cannot be equal to a full-fledged SUV.

This body is designed for transporting goods, but it cannot be called a full-fledged truck. This is average between a passenger car and a truck. It has a high and large luggage compartment without windows. The van is adapted for different purposes, for example, as a medical vehicle, but most often as a commercial vehicle.

Single-volume

Single-volume bodies are a single-piece body. The engine compartment, interior and luggage compartment merge into one unit.

The minivan has large passenger compartment dimensions. The length of the body can reach 4.5 meters. The large interior volume allows you to place an additional row of seats and provide up to eight seats. This car is perfect for a large family.

Compact van

The body of a compact van is significantly smaller than a minivan, but can also accommodate three rows of passenger seats. Has a reduced luggage compartment.

The microvan also has small dimensions, which makes it easier to maneuver. As a rule, it has a coupe-type door, a shortened engine compartment, and a high and comfortable interior.

In addition to the mentioned body types, there are several more exotic options, such as:

They differ from a sedan or convertible in only a few features. For example, a hardtop has open windows without a B-pillar. This significantly reduces body rigidity, but adds elegance.

Automakers strive to satisfy the desires of every customer. As you can see, there are a lot of body options. In the modern market, you can notice a tendency to make a car more versatile by combining many characteristics, but classic body types also remain in fashion.

Classification of passenger cars by body type

In their quest for perfect forms and their content, automakers periodically create new types of car bodies. In addition to the simple variety of shapes for the model range, these types of designs will fulfill practical tasks. After all, models differ in ground clearance, roof shape, number of seats for passengers and other characteristics. All this leaves an imprint on operating conditions.

Often, the developments of one auto giant are adopted by other automakers. Thus, certain standards are formed in the industry, which later acquire their features recognizable to consumers. However, there are also unsuccessful models that are either forgotten or reborn in an updated image after some modifications.

General classification

In addition to specific distinctive features, there are general types of car bodies. They are usually divided into three-volume, two-volume and single-volume modifications.

1. Single-volume structures are characterized by the absence of significantly protruding from the overall dimensions of the trunk and hood. Engineers love this body type for the considerable number of possible transformations of the interior space. The luggage compartment is almost combined with the interior. Typical representatives of this layout option are minivans.
2. In two-volume layouts, the engine compartment is moved forward into the engine compartment, and there is no protruding luggage volume at the rear. There is a door that opens together with the glass, and not the trunk lid. You can recognize the two-volume car in a station wagon.
3. The three-volume body includes, in addition to the interior, a clearly protruding trunk and a remote engine compartment. The design has significant limitations on the transformation of the interior and luggage space, although a large number of three-volume sedans drive on domestic and foreign roads.

According to the degree of loading, cars are divided into cars with a monocoque body, semi-supporting body and with a frame structure.

Popular types of car bodies

Let's look at the most common types of passenger car bodies on our roads with photos for each type.

Today, vehicles with a sedan body type are widely used among motorists. These cars have two rows of seats and four doors. At the rear there is an isolated luggage compartment space covered by a horizontal lid.

This type of body provides benefits to a greater extent for passengers. Carrying large cargo in it will be quite problematic. The habitat of sedans is city streets and country roads. The relatively low ground clearance will not allow you to conquer off-road conditions. Also, parking for a sedan will be more problematic at first than for a hatchback or station wagon, the dimensions of which are easier for young drivers to feel.

In different countries, the classification of passenger cars by body type may have different names. For example, sedans in some European countries have their own names:

• France – Berlin;
• Italy – Berlina;
• England – Saloon.

The advantages of this body type include the fact that the car does not need an additional wiper for the rear window, and there is also less noise in the cabin from the trunk than in a hatchback and station wagon.

The three-volume car with two doors has an appearance similar to a sedan. The difference also lies in the presence of two seats in the vehicle. However, there are versions with a 2+2 arrangement, but the second row is quite narrow and is not intended for long trips. The dimensions of both doors are increased, which adds comfort to the driver and front passenger.

Cars of this type are often equipped with more powerful engines than sedans. Their average cost is also slightly higher. Since the buyers of such a vehicle are often young people who prefer to drive the car on good roads with high speed limits, the suspension is stiffer, the designers lower the ground clearance, and the rigidity of the body is increased.

The main advantage of this arrangement is its compactness. The overall dimensions of this type of car are smaller than those of popular sedans and station wagons. This provides easier maneuverability for the driver, especially when parking. At the same time, the design of the trunk suffers, which remains not too voluminous. There are three- and five-door cars of this design.

The minimum number of front and rear overhangs makes the design indispensable when approaching curbs or other low restrictions. Most often, these cars are produced in the budget class. Young drivers and the fairer sex love the hatchback for its positive qualities.

The hybrid design of the liftback visually resembles a sedan when the angle of inclination of the rear window is maintained and there is a structural protruding horizontal line like sedans on the trunk lid. But when you open the back door, both the glass and the entire door together rise.

The difference between it and the sedan is revealed by the rear wiper. The design took over its advantages from both of its “parents”: a huge opening for loading luggage like a hatchback and a spacious trunk like a sedan.

Automakers produce similar designs on the same platform as sedans, so their lengths are often the same. The difference lies in the extended roof for the station wagon and the presence of a vertical rear door. This arrangement maximizes the amount of usable space in the trunk.

The practical design has proven its necessity in everyday life. If you need to move a large refrigerator or washing machine, then all the charms of this car body will become noticeable. In this case, all doors will be closed.

A station wagon or hatchback, placed on a base with higher ground clearance and a more powerful engine, will give an idea of ​​modern crossovers. Appearing in the second half of the 90s, they are actively gaining popularity among modern drivers.

The cars offer greater comfort than SUVs and are capable of delivering excellent performance on the highway. They are sometimes called “SUVs,” probably because of their deceptive off-road appearance.

SUV

By design, SUVs are mostly station wagons, but due to such characteristics as high ground clearance, high cross-country ability, all-wheel drive, increased power, and significant overall parameters, they are usually classified as a separate category.

Most SUVs have a frame design and a ground clearance of 200 mm. The length of the car on narrow city streets and limited parking spaces poses a challenge in urban environments. Also, most components are not designed for high speed loads for suburban routes. Their average cost is higher than crossovers.

Compact SUVs come with three doors, while full-size SUVs have five doors. In some models, engineers include a third row of seats. You will have to pay for the spaciousness and cross-country ability with increased fuel consumption and poor stability during sharp turns.

These cars in European or North American countries are called family cars. Their capacity is superior to station wagons similar in design. The design possibility of installing a third row of seats in these cars is widely used. At the same time, engineers provide the possibility of folding the rear rows into a “flat floor,” which provides a great advantage when transporting cargo compared to other bodies.

The side door is usually made not hinged, but sliding along the body. The driver is provided with a high seating position with good visibility, which increases driving safety. In urban conditions, a minivan will not be very convenient, but both the driver and passengers will appreciate it on long trips.

The disadvantage is the high center of gravity, which will require careful handling of the machine during sharp maneuvers.

A mixture of a passenger car and a small truck is commonly called a pickup truck. An open luggage compartment with hard sides is a characteristic feature of these cars. This body model is very popular on the North American continent. The isolated, comfortable cabin allows you to enjoy driving. Often it has two full rows with two or four doors.

The designers equipped the rear part of the suspension not with standard springs for passenger cars, but with more powerful springs. All-wheel drive vehicles can easily compete with SUVs in cross-country ability. To protect the cargo, special covers or coverings made of dense material are usually provided.

Convertible, roadster

Open-top cars are more popular in countries with hot climates. Although for cool weather you can choose a convertible with a folding roof. This car has two rows of seats, but the second one is usually narrowed, like a coupe.

The Roadster also has a similar body design, but these cars are produced exclusively with one row of seats. The speed characteristics of cars with folding roofs make it possible to experience the delights of driving on country roads.

A weak body model for practical purposes. More often it performs a decorative or representative mission. Inconvenient on small city streets, the long car is distinguished by the fact that it has a glass partition separating the driver's area from the rest of the cabin.

The model can be produced at the factory as an independent car or as an extended version of a sedan, SUV or hatchback. The car has low body rigidity and very poor maneuverability.

Most vans have one row of seats, behind which there is a cargo compartment closed on all sides by the vehicle body without side windows. Often there is glass in the back door. The positive qualities of the machine configuration are high load capacity, sufficient capacity, and protection of the cargo from external factors.

The negative aspects include fuel consumption, weak structural rigidity, and an elevated center of gravity, which can lead to rollovers during sudden maneuvers.

Conclusion

In modern models, clear boundaries between body types are gradually blurred. Automakers are mixing styles and abolishing the conventions that define a car. The result is increasingly more comfortable vehicles for consumers.