Types of cars: an illustrated guide
From sedans to SUVs, there’s a type of car to suit every taste
What’s the difference between a sedan, a coupe and a crossover? We demystify car classification lingo so you can impress your friends with how automotive savvy you are.
The sedan
A sedan is a car with four doors, four windows, and a fixed roof. The most common type of automobile, it seats four or five people.
The coupe
A coupe has two doors and a fixed roof, and seats two to four people. Sometimes the space in the back is a little tight. Coupes are not suitable as family cars since the driver or the person in the front passenger seat must get out to make the back seat accessible. A few famous coupe models are the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro.
Well known models that are only available with two doors include the Ford Mustang, the Dodge Challenger, and the Chevrolet Camaro.
The station wagon
With this type of car, the roofline extends rearward to the back of the car which can seat four or more people. The passenger compartment opens onto the rear trunk and the back seats can be folded down, making it easy to store luggage and other large items. These models are often hatchbacks, meaning that the back window is integrated into the rear door which swings up for convenient access to storage space.
The cabriolet
This type of convertible is usually designed to seat four or more people. The roof may be rigid or flexible. The Ford Mustang, for example, is a convertible with a flexible roof, while the Volkswagen EOS has a rigid roof. Most models have an electrical system for opening and closing the roof automatically, while others must be opened and closed manually.
The roadster
A roadster is also a convertible but it only seats two people and it’s typically associated with high performance. Examples of this type of car include the Corvette, the Mazda MX-5, the Porsche Boxster and the Audi TT Roadster.
The pick-up truck
Pick-up trucks have a cab that can seat two or more people with an open cargo space in the back to transport merchandise, equipment, etc. Pick-ups come in two or four-wheel drive.
The 4x4
This four-wheel drive vehicle can be either a pick-up truck or an SUV. An automatic or manual transmission lets you shift between two and four-wheel drive.
The SUV (Sports utility vehicle)
These are practical vehicles for families, as well as for sports enthusiasts and lovers of the outdoors who need space to transport their equipment. Because they are usually four-wheel drive, SUVs scan handle somewhat rougher terrain such as snowy roads and sand. Examples include the Subaru Outback, the Volkswagen Touareg, and the Audi Q7. Some models are better suited to city driving while others have the high ground clearance and solid frame that give them off-road capability – the Jeep, for instance.
The multipurpose or crossover vehicle
These are SUVs built on a sedan platform. Not as high as SUVs, they are also lighter and less expensive. They are city cars and although there are some four-wheel drive models, they are not all-terrain vehicles.
The minivan
Minivans are family vehicles that seat four to seven people. Similar to a station wagon but higher and much more spacious, they have a tailgate in the rear. They became popular in the 1980s with the Dodge Caravan. Most automakers now have a minivan model, such as the Mazda MPV, the Toyota Sienna, the Honda Odyssey and the Kia Sedona.
The sports car
A sports car isn’t a car body type per se, but rather a style of car, often a coupe or a roadster with a powerful engine and a very efficient braking system. They often only seat two, aren’t necessarily comfortable, and have several blind spots, but they do turn heads!
The list of specialized automakers in this field includes Lamborghini, Porsche, Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti and Aston Martin. Some conventional automakers have also developed sports car models such as the Chevrolet Corvette, the Audi R8, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat, the BMW i8 and Mercedes-AMG C63. They’re outrageously expensive, of course, but we can always dream…
Congratulations, you’re now up to speed on car types! Since each type of car is different, your insurance policy should be designed with the particularities of your ride in mind. If you have any questions, contact your belairdirect advisor for more information.
Want to learn even more about cars? Discover what parts are under the hood and how you can protect your ride with car insurance.
This article is part of our car information hub
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