Car Body Styles Explained, from Coupe to Sedan to SUV
The term "body style" is an all-encompassing label used to describe the size, shape, and characteristics of a vehicle. For example, sedans and pickup trucks are two popular vehicle body styles in the United States. At Car and Driver, we separate vehicles into eight primary body styles, making them easier to categorize (and easier for you to shop).
Within those eight broad body styles are a host of different variations that get even more specific—think luxury versus non-luxury, compact versus full-size. Not sure where the car you're interested in fits? We've broken down all of the main vehicle types and their subcategories to help you understand the body style basics.
Sedans
Sedans are what most people picture when they think of a traditional passenger car. Sedans have four doors and incorporate a three-box design (jargon for a design with a distinct hood, passenger compartment, and trunk). Sedans come in multiple types and sizes, ranging from fuel-efficient and small compact to luxurious and large full-size options.
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz CLA-class.
Toyota
Toyota Crown Limited.
Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Phantom Scintilla.
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Car and Driver
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.
Sport-Utility Vehicles (SUVs)
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Car and Driver
Chevrolet Trax Activ.
Porsche
Porsche Macan GTS.
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Car and Driver
Kia Telluride X-Line.
GMC
GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate.
Hatchbacks
Volkswagen
Volkswagen Golf R Black Edition.
Coupes
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Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
BMW
BMW x4 M.
Convertibles
Mazda
Mazda MX-5 Miata 35th Anniversary.
Wagons
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Car and Driver
Audi A6 Allroad.
Pickup Trucks
Ford
Ford Maverick.
Toyota
Toyota Tacoma.
Ram
2025 Ram HD.
Vans and Minivans
Ram
Ram ProMaster.
Car and Driver
Chevrolet Express.
Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
Volkswagen ID.Buzz.
Austin Parsons
Associate Editor
Austin's car fixation began at a young age and at 1:64 scale. Eventually, Hot Wheels weren't cutting it anymore, so he developed an obsession with his father's full-sized 1965 Ford Mustang instead. Desperate to break into the automotive industry, he bartered his way into a job at a local BMW dealership by promising to stop hurling nerdy technical facts at the salesmen who came into the neighboring coffee shop where he worked. That was also around the time when he started writing automotive reviews, news articles, and technical guides for a number of local and international publications. Now at Car and Driver, Austin brings more than 10 years of experience in the automotive industry and an all-so-common love-hate relationship with German engineering to the table. Read full bio
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