Car body types, explained.
A car body type is the shape of a vehicle: how many doors it has, how the roof and cargo area are laid out, and what it is built on. New vehicles in the US come in twelve main body types: sedan, coupe, hatchback, station wagon, convertible, sports car, crossover, SUV, coupe SUV, pickup truck, minivan, and van. This guide from The Broker Black explains every one, with a full page for each style.
Every car body type at a glance.
| Body type | Doors | Seats | Cargo | Built on | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | 4 | 5 | Separate trunk | Car platform | Commuting, comfort, value |
| Coupe | 2 | 2 to 4 | Small trunk | Car platform | Style and driving |
| Hatchback | 3 or 5 | 5 | Rear hatch, folding seats | Car platform | City driving, flexible cargo |
| Station wagon | 4 plus a tailgate | 5 | Long cargo floor to a tailgate | Car platform | Cargo room with car handling |
| Convertible | 2 or 4 | 2 to 4 | Small trunk; the roof folds away | Car platform | Open-air driving |
| Sports car | 2 | 2 to 4 | Small | Car platform, often rear or mid engine | Performance |
| Crossover | 4 plus a liftgate | 5 to 7 | Liftgate, folding seats | Car platform (unibody) | Families, all-weather driving |
| SUV | 4 plus a liftgate | 5 to 9 | Liftgate, often a third row | Truck frame or large unibody | Towing, off-road, big families |
| Coupe SUV | 4 plus a liftgate | 5 | Smaller, sloped liftgate | Crossover platform | SUV height with a sleeker look |
| Pickup truck | 2 or 4 | 2 to 6 | Open bed | Truck frame | Towing and hauling |
| Minivan | 4 with sliding rear doors, plus a liftgate | 7 to 8 | Deep well behind the third row | Car platform | Families, easy access |
| Van | 2 or 4, sliding side door, rear doors | 2 to 15 | Tall, open cargo area | Commercial platform | Work, big groups, camper builds |
Cars.
Cars sit low and are built on a car platform, which is why they are efficient and handle well. A sedan has four doors and a separate trunk. A coupe has two doors and a sleeker roof. A hatchback swaps the trunk for a rear hatch that opens into the cabin. A station wagon carries the roof all the way back to a tailgate for far more cargo room. A convertible has a roof that folds away, and a sports car is built first for performance.
SUVs and crossovers.
A crossover is an SUV built on a car platform, and it is the most common body type sold new in the US today. A traditional SUV is built on a truck frame for towing and off-road work, though most vehicles sold as SUVs today are technically crossovers. A coupe SUV is a crossover with a sloping, fastback roofline.
Trucks and vans.
A pickup truck has a cab and an open bed, built on a frame for towing and hauling. A minivan is the family specialist, with sliding doors and seats for seven or eight. A full-size van, like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, is built for cargo, crews, or conversion into a camper.
Body types compared.
- Crossover vs SUV
- Sedan vs SUV
- Hatchback vs sedan
- Coupe vs sedan
- Convertible vs coupe
- Sedan vs wagon
- Minivan vs SUV
- Truck vs SUV
- Cargo van vs passenger van
- Every wagon you can buy new
How to choose a body type.
- Mostly commuting: a sedan or hatchback costs less to run and is easy to park.
- A growing family: a three-row crossover or a minivan; the minivan wins on space and easy access.
- Towing a boat or trailer: a body-on-frame SUV or a pickup truck.
- Snow, gravel, and weekends away: an all-wheel-drive crossover or a lifted wagon.
- Driving for the fun of it: a coupe, convertible, or sports car.
- Work or big groups: a full-size van.
Quick answers.
What are the main car body types?
The main car body types sold new in the US are the sedan, coupe, hatchback, station wagon, convertible, sports car, crossover, SUV, coupe SUV, pickup truck, minivan, and van.
What is the most popular car body type in the US?
SUVs and crossovers. Together they make up the majority of new vehicles sold in the US, followed by pickup trucks; sedans and other cars are a smaller share.
What body type is best for a family?
For most families, a three-row crossover or a minivan. A minivan offers the most space and the easiest access with its sliding doors; a crossover offers all-wheel drive and a more SUV-like feel.
What is the difference between a car and an SUV?
A car (sedan, coupe, hatchback, wagon) sits lower and is built on a car platform. An SUV sits higher, with more ground clearance and a liftgate, and a traditional SUV is built on a truck frame.
What does body style mean on a car listing?
It is the category of shape the vehicle belongs to: sedan, coupe, SUV, and so on. The body style filter on The Broker Black uses the same categories.