Which car body type is right for you?
What is a car body type?
With thousands of different used car models available, it can be tough to know where to start when you’re ready to buy a car. If you’re looking to take the next step, one way to narrow down your choice is to decide which car body type is right for you.
Car body type is something that the motor industry can use to categorise vehicles based on their design, shape, and the space that they offer. It means that, no matter the exact make and model of a particular car, you’ll still know roughly what to expect when you’re looking for a hatchback, saloon, or SUV. Bear in mind that some cars can fit into more than one category, and these are typically known as crossovers.
Most vehicles sold in the UK have one of two body styles: two-box or three-box. They also feature a set number of pillars (usually up to four) that are posts or supports around the car’s windows.
How to find the right car body type
When it comes to choosing the right car body type for you, it’s important to think about your current lifestyle and how you plan to use your car. Your choice of car body shape will also depend on how much looks matter to you; if you need a vehicle that’ll take you from A to B, then style might not be as much of a priority for you as it would be for a passionate petrolhead.
Make a list of your priorities. If you have a young family and plan to take a lot of holidays in the UK, passenger and boot space might be the most important factors when choosing a car. However, if you’re a younger driver, a model that’s easy to manoeuvre and cheap to insure might be top of your wish list. Looking for a company car? When you spend a lot of time on the road each week, comfort could drive your choice.
A few questions that you should ask yourself before starting your car search include:
- How many passengers will I carry? - With a full car of adult passengers, you’ll need plenty of legroom and headroom in the back row of seats.
- How much boot space will I need? - A boot that can carry a set of suitcases or bulky objects will be larger than one that only needs to transport your weekly shopping bags.
- Where will I be driving? - City drivers who typically take short journeys will likely be looking for something different than someone who spends most of their time on the motorway.
- Do I need off-road capability? - If you live in the city centre and rarely head out into the countryside, you probably won’t need the same off-road capability from your car as a farmer or someone who lives somewhere remote would.
Of course, it’s not all about the body style of a car. Don’t underestimate the role a car’s price, fuel type, performance, and safety will play in your car buying decision.
Ready to find out more? Read on for our complete car body types guide:
What are saloon cars?
A saloon car - often referred to as a sedan - is a type of car that’s typically associated with prestige vehicles in the UK. A popular choice for a company car, saloons have a sleek shape with a long body, offer plenty of interior space, and boast a longer wheelbase that can make this car category more comfortable than others. Saloons are typically made up of three different sections: a covered engine, the cabin, and the boot. The boot will stick out from the rest of the vehicle, which can make the cabin quieter as less road noise can leak through. But it’s worth keeping in mind that its elongated shape can mean a saloon takes up more room in parking spots. The separate boot works well for families who need four doors and plenty of luggage space. Classic saloon cars include the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C Class.
What is a coupe?
If you’re looking for a sports car but don’t want to blow the budget, you could consider investing in a coupe. Coupes typically have broad appeal thanks to their unique combination of luxury and sporty styling. They are usually built lower to the ground than other car body types, making them aerodynamic on the road, but they are designed for city driving rather than taking on your local track. Coupe drivers might be forced to sacrifice space for style and often have to make do with just two seats, a small boot, and minimal head and legroom. However, there are some larger models available that offer five seats. The most popular coupes on the market include the Audi TT and the Lexus RC.
What is a hatchback car?
The hatchback is one of the most popular car body styles in the UK. And it’s easy to see why; hatchbacks are built for families, reliable, quietly stylish, and toe the line between performance and practicality. They’re usually built on a two-box model with an engine area and cabin, which means that the boot is part of the main car rather than separate. Three and five-door models are available but to quality as a hatchback, the boot lid and rear windscreen must be made up of one unit that moves together. This design doesn’t mean you miss out on storage room though; the average hatchback boot offers approximately 400 litres of space while the rear row of seats can fold forward to maximise loading capacity when needed. Some of our favourite hot hatchbacks include the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, and Seat Ibiza.
What does SUV mean?
SUV - short for Sport Utility Vehicle - is a car category that’s become more popular in recent years. This car type offers some of the perks associated with an off-road vehicle like a Jeep but also have a refined sense of style that means they don’t look out of place parked on the typical high street. SUVs are built higher off the ground than other models with a raised roof that provides passengers with all the headroom they could want. These vehicles are family friendly too, offering five or seven seats, and a great view of the road. They don’t always offer four-wheel drive or off-road capabilities, but SUVs are typically set up to handle challenging road conditions thanks to their high centre of gravity and high ground clearance. Tempted by an SUV? We recommend checking out the Land Rover Discovery or Nissan Qashqai.
What is an estate car?
If you regularly have a lot of luggage to carry, you might want to consider investing in an estate car. This type of car can be based on either a saloon or a hatchback but feature a more elongated body that extends past the back wheels. This shape maximises space for both passengers and luggage with a large boot lid opening that provides good access for more bulky items. Looks-wise estates can divide opinion with some drivers put off by their longer length and boxy design, but they are popular with families, even if parking in small spaces might pose more of a challenge. Well-loved estate models include the Skoda Superb Estate, Kia Ceed SW, and Peugeot 308 SW.
What is a supermini?
Even if you’re new to understanding car body types, you’ll probably have a good idea of what you’re going to get with a supermini. These models sit between larger family hatchbacks and ultra-compact city cars and are very common in built up areas thanks to their small size. These diminutive models are typically light and feel agile for drivers, but they might not be the best fit if you need to carry a couple of suitcases or large bulky items. Luxury models are available, but most superminis are good value for money, cheap to run, reliable, practical, and surprisingly quick. The most popular superminis on the used car market include the Renault Clio, Vauxhall Corsa, and Volkswagen Polo.
The best used family car: SUV vs. Hatchback
When it comes to choosing the best used car for families, the decision often lies between a hatchback or an SUV. There are a few things you should consider before you buy. Firstly, look at the cost. The popularity of hatchbacks means there are a lot of options out there, especially if you’re looking for a used vehicle, so you’ll probably be able to find a good deal. SUVs are typically more expensive to buy and can also be expensive to run as they burn through more fuel than a hatchback.
If space is one of your priorities, then the SUV wins hands down. They’re more spacious for passengers and have larger boots. SUVs are also available with seven seats, which are ideal if you have a larger family.
Safety is also a key consideration when buying a family car and SUVs and hatchbacks are both safe options. Most hatchbacks, especially newer models, come equipped with a host of safety features and driver-assist technologies that could help keep all your passengers safe and comfortable. However, an SUV might edge into pole position if you’d like a higher driving position and the greater visibility that it could offer.
Electric car body shapes
Looking to make the switch to an EV? Electric and hybrid vehicles are available in a range of different body styles too. Depending on the type of car you’re looking for, you could opt for a Nissan Leaf supermini, a Hyundai Ioniq hybrid hatchback, or a Peugeot e-2008 SUV. More unusual models like coupes and estates are slightly harder to find on the electric used car market but, with the ban on new petrol and diesel cars still set to come into force in 2030, it won’t be long until the range of electric car body types on offer is extended.
Used car finance
No matter whether you’re looking for a used hatchback, second-hand supermini, or a sporty pre-loved coupe, we can help you find finance! At CarFinance 247, we work with a panel of lenders, which means we can look to find loans for people with a wide variety of circumstances. You can get a no obligation quote and we’ll always look to find you the best deal from our lending panel.
There are two main types of car finance to choose from:
HP Car Finance
HP or hire purchase car finance allows you to split the cost of a new car into affordable monthly repayments. Agreements are available that last between one and six years and you’ll pay a fixed amount each month to cover the price of the car and any interest and other fees. Once you’ve reached the end of your loan term and paid the ‘Option to Purchase’ fee, you’ll own the car.
PCP Car Finance
With PCP or personal contract purchase car finance, you’ll typically have lower monthly repayments as you will only have to borrow the amount the lender thinks your car will lose value over the loan term. When you reach the end of your agreement, you can then choose to hand the car back, buy it by paying the one-off balloon payment, or use any remaining positive equity in the vehicle as a deposit in a new deal. As you won’t necessarily own the car at the end of the agreement, you will probably have to agree to a set mileage limit and pay extra for any damage caused beyond standard wear-and-tear.
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