What are the different types of car?

The different car body types explained

Choosing your next car isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. From fuel type to body style, to spec and trim, it can get your head spinning.

A similar feeling can occur when going to Subway for the first time for a customisable sandwich – panic.

And that’s why we’re here: we’ll take you through each of the different types of cars to help you decide what might be the best option for you.

City car

These are the smallest type of car on the market, and they do exactly what they say on the tin. 

They’re small by design, to nip through the busy city roads.

City cars are built with efficiency in mind and being such small vehicles, they’re simple to manoeuvre and can be parked with ease. Perfect for those of us that dread the parallel park. 

As you’d imagine, the running costs of such a small car are low, especially if you’re only using it to drive around town, which is where they’re in their element.

The majority of city cars will be within insurance groups one to five, which is very appealing for first-time drivers. But who doesn’t love cheap car insurance?

Cheap to run and fun to drive, it’s no wonder they’re so popular, with the Kia Picanto, Hyundai i10, or the Citroen C1 among some of the more well-known city cars. 

Hatchback

The type of car that perhaps most are familiar with. If you were to ask a child to draw a car, they’d most likely unknowingly draw the classic hatchback car.

Depending on the size of the vehicle, they can also be described as superminis or family hatchbacks.

The name comes from the way the boot lid and rear window open together in an upwards hatch-like motion. Compared to a saloon (we’ll come back to this later) which has a separate boot lid that opens independently from the rear window.

Hatchbacks are, on the whole, fuel-efficient motors, have competitive running costs and are widely considered as cheap to run in general.

Whether you’re doing the weekly food shop, taking the dogs for a walk or just popping into town, a hatchback can provide this with comfort and ease.

Being one of the more popular and practical styles, there’s plenty of choice. 

Memorable hatchback cars include the Vauxhall Corsa,  SEAT Leon and the Volkswagen ID.3.

MPV

Much like city cars, MPVs do exactly what they say on the tin. Standing for multi-purpose vehicles, they make for a great option for family life.

Moving house? Group trip to the beach? MPVs will be there for it all.

Some would call these cars the MVPs.

Notably, many MPVs are often wheelchair accessible.

They’ll house at least five seats, but traditionally have seven and offer a boatload of boot space. And with their flexible seating configurations, you have huge potential to carry many large items inside an MPV.

Gone are the days where your passengers are squashed in the back.

Volkswagen Touran, Dacia Jogger and the Citroen Berlingo are among some of the more popular MPV cars on the road, and they all make for great family cars.

Saloon

Not to be confused with a cowboy bar in the Wild West, saloon cars, known for their long and sleek design are becoming an increasingly popular choice of car. Particularly for drivers who want to upgrade their boot space from a hatchback or city car.

As mentioned previously, the boot is a separate entity on a saloon. 

However, unlike hatchbacks where you can fold the rear seats down for extra cargo space, most saloons have fixed rear seats, though some models do offer foldable rear seating if you need to transport larger items.

With priorities in performance, sophistication and comfort, it won’t be the recommended car for a weekend of camping – potentially glamping though.

A typically well-rounded driving experience, the saloon car is the perfect next step after a hatchback.

Popular saloon models include the Mercedes-Benz EQE, BMW 3 Series and the Volvo S60.

Estate

Estate cars combine the practicality of a hatchback with the body of a saloon car. They’re growing quickly in popularity in recent years, and for good reason.

Whether you’re looking to tackle those long motorway journeys on your next family holiday, or need a vehicle that can make the school run a doddle, estate cars are great to drive and should tick all the boxes for a busy family.

On occasion, some estate cars will offer an additional two folding seats in the boot, combining the best of both worlds.

The Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer, SKODA Octavia and Audi A5 are all popular choices in the Estate range.

Convertible 

Not much beats driving with the roof down on a hot summer’s day, despite the windswept look you’re left with at the end of your journey.

Convertible cars have been serving style and speed since 1934 when Peugeot released the Peugeot 601 Eclipse, and have since evolved to what we know and love today.

They’re cars that have a folding roof that can either be removed fully or partially, either as a hard-top or soft-top roof.

You may have heard these referred to as cabriolets or roadsters too, but there are some minor differences between the three.

These days, open-top cars can come in all different shapes and sizes.

Due to their sporty nature, running costs may be slightly higher than other models, but so worth it. For many, having a convertible is always something for the bucket list. 

Despite their stylish look, convertibles would win no awards for ‘Most Practical Car’. They often limited boot space due to the roof having to fit into the boot – this doesn’t leave much room for other cargo.

Some of the popular convertible cars you might have seen around include the Mazda MX-5, Abarth 500e, and the BMW Z4.

Coupe

The name coupe originates from France and loosely translates to ‘cut’, referring to the lack of passenger seats and sloping rear body. Traditionally they’ll only have two doors, but there’s been an increasing number of four-door coupes on the market.

They’ve often stood out for their good looks rather than their practicality, similar to the good ol’ convertible. There’s a time and a place for practicality, and that’s not in a coupe.

If arriving in style, comfort, and speed is your cup of tea, a coupe lease could be calling your name.

Coupes have often been considered among the coolest cars on the road thanks to their combination of a stylish design and impressive performance.

Popular coupe cars include the BMW M2, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe and the Volkswagen ID.5.

SUV

The long-reigning most popular body style, the SUV, or Sports Utility Vehicle.

Similarly to an MPV, they’re incredibly practical and their rugged design plays into their all-action capabilities.

With a higher driving position, great interior space, and emphasis on comfort, it’s this combination that makes SUVs a fantastic family car experience, especially for those long-haul journeys. The sport aspect of SUVs makes for effortless and powerful driving.

SUV cars are a popular choice for drivers as not only are they fun to drive, but they can manage the rising demands of everyday life.

The Polestar 3, Ford Explorer and the Nissan Qashqai are among some of the more popular options in the SUV range. 

And with that, you're now an expert in all the different body styles a car can come in. Spotted something that's caught your eye?

Our team are here to help you find the perfect lease deal for your lifestyle. 

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