Looks matter, of course they do.
But it's not all about aesthetics.
What's inside counts too (passenger space, boot space etc.). So do the sorts of terrain a car is best-suited to.
Truth is, there's no 'best' car body type for everyone. But there is probably a best one for you.
Which shouldn't be any surprise, given how many there are in today's market.
Defining Cars by Body Style
Chances are, you already know what car body styles or style you like (or need) just by looking at it, even if you don't know the name of it.
It's probably more important than knowing whether a car's diesel or petrol, or front or four-wheel drive, or whether it's manual or automatic.
After all, different car body styles serve different purposes, and can make or break your decision.
Take SUVs or people carriers. They're spacious but not always the most sporty.
On the flipside of that, take coupés and proper sports cars. They're sporty but not the most spacious.
It's a rock-paper-scissors type of thing, so you can play to your strengths, but there's probably going to be compromise somewhere.
What are the Different Car Body Types?
Not all vehicles squeeze comfortably into one pigeon-hole category, but most fall into the following car body styles:
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Superminis
What Are the Most Popular UK Car Body Types?
Hatchbacks, followed by saloons and estates.
Your average, middle-of-the-road cars that give you a balanced mix of affordability, handling, fuel economy, performance.
SUVs have really picked up though, despite only being around since the 80s, and you can expect them to gain more ground.
As proof of that, out of the 10 best-selling cars of 2024 so far, 7 have been SUVs or crossovers, including the Ford Puma at the No. 1 spot.
What is the Cheapest Car Body Type?
That's easy.
Superminis.
And not just in terms of their shop window price. You'll find that they're cheap to run as well.
Known for their compact size, efficient use of space, and often simpler design when compared to larger and more specialised body types like SUVs or sports cars, they're regularly an affordable option.
It can sometimes depend on the brand though. For example, an Alfa Romeo supermini can cost more than a Ford hatchback.
And the Most Expensive?
It's a close battle between saloons, coupés and SUVs (we'll leave Formula 1 cars for another day).
As evidence of the above, take a look at our performance car lease deals. Most of these vehicles fall under the above car body types.
Of course, we're not saying that there aren't many affordable saloons, coupés and SUVs. It's just that there's plenty of expensive ones as well.
Convertible car can also fetch a high price, but they're more niche and take up less of the market.
Hatchbacks
Best if: you just want a normal-looking, all-round car with no fuss
The bread and butter of the car world.
A generalist, not a specialist, and a car body type you can rarely go wrong with.
Some of the most famous and reliable cars on the planet are hatchbacks.
Volkswagen Golf? That's a hatchback.
Ford Focus? Hatchback too.
The reason they get their name is because hatchback boots traditionally join up with the passenger and driver cabin, acting as a 'hatch' to the inside. But that's true of a lot of other car body types nowadays, so hatchbacks tend to be more defined by their raised-up appearance at the rear.
Are Hatchbacks Cheap Cars to Insure?
In a way, it's a moot question.
Car insurance is never really 'cheap', is it?
But yes, hatchbacks (and superminis) tend to be less expensive to insure than other body types.
They have smaller engines and aren't too complicated mechanically, meaning there's less that can go wrong with the car's parts. Plus, they fetch lower purchase prices compared to larger or more luxurious vehicles. And since the cost of a car is a factor that insurers consider when working out premiums, that contributes to the lower insurance rates as well.
Saloon Cars
Best if: you just want a normal-looking, all-round car, but with a bit more passenger space
After hatchbacks, saloons are the second-most common vehicle on our roads.
And why are they called saloons? It's nothing to do with Cowboys and Indians, but instead comes from the French word 'salon' – a term which in the 18th century came to be associated with spacious passenger compartments.
Which makes sense, because saloon cars do put more of an emphasis on passenger and interior space than hatchbacks. That's partly because the boot is separate from the cabin, unlike with hatchbacks.
Known as 'sedans' in America, they're also flatter, more square-like and symmetrical in appearance, with a longer profile.
More for people than parcels, you could say.
SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles)
Best if: you want space, a high-up driving position, or a bit of off-road driving
Originating in the USA, the idea behind a sports utility vehicle lies in bringing together the luggage space of a jeep with the home comforts of a family car.
When you think of minivans and pickup trucks, it's all about higher towing capacity load capacity.
SUVs do that too, but it's more about cargo and passenger space. They're more aesthetically pleasing than minivans, that's for sure. Not to mention less boring than people carriers.
Usually coming with 4-wheel-drive (4WD) and spacy and a raised-up profile, you're guaranteed a high driving position and a commanding view of the road ahead.
You've got small SUVs, medium SUVs, large SUVs. There's choice, people.
What's the Difference Between An SUV and a 4x4?
There isn't a big difference.
4x4s are 4-wheel drive (duh), whereas SUVs can be 4-wheel drive OR 2-wheel drive.
You'll often see them lumped together under a single category, and both are just as suited to off-roading and driving in tricky weather conditions.
Estates
Best if: you want a lot of boot space
Lots of luggage, lots of bums needing seats, but don't want to drive about in a big cumbersome (and usually more expensive) SUV?
That's what estate cars were invented for.
Actually, tell a lie . . . they were invented before SUVs. For well-to-do people who needed transporting to and from their country estates. But still, point holds.
It's fair to say they've evolved a bit now. Yes, estate cars will still haul your luggage about, but they've now got all the homely comforts of a modern vehicle. Which makes sense, as most estate cars are basically just longer versions of hatchbacks.
Convertibles
Best if: you want an open-air driving experience
Wind in your hair, Sun in your face . . . you know what convertibles are for.
What you probably don't know is that they also go by the name of roadsters, cabriolets and spyders.
How about that.
This type of car is arguably the most enjoyable on the road, offering an open air driving experience. And when that British rain gets just a little too much (as it undoubtedly shall), you can bring that roof right back up. So it's not like you can't use convertibles in the winter, even if that's not when they shine.
Like hatchbacks and saloons, convertibles often seat up to 4 people, but they're more geared towards style than practicality, so you might have to put up with a little less space in the cabin and boot.
Coupés
Best if: you want a sporty, stylish drive
The elegant French name fits well. These being the prettiest of car body styles, and most sports cars fall into this category.
But not too pretty or sporty, mind . . . otherwise they'd probably be unaffordable for the average driver.
No, coupés are still quite down to earth. Think of a saloon or a hatchback, but one that's more stylish and with a curvier roof. These sleek beauties are all about style and performance.
Some of the most iconic cars have been coupés. The Audi TT, the BMW 4 Series, the Porsche 911.
With greatness comes compromise, of course. A 2-door compromise, to be specific – as that's how many most coupé cars come with. Meaning your passengers are going to have a harder time getting in and out.
But then again, would you ever want to leave a car like this?
Superminis
Best if: you're on a budget and/or a city driver who wants to nip in and out of tight spaces
Also known as subcompact cars, these are basically smaller hatchbacks.
Think Renault Clio, Hyundai i10, and at the extreme end, the Citroen AMI (technically a quadricycle, but still).
Good news is . . . small means manoeuvrable and easy to park, which makes superminis great city cars for nipping into those tight spaces and side streets.
They're cheaper too – so ideal if you're a first-time driver. Part of the perks of having a small engine and a lightweight design.
But superminis don't have to be boring either. The stylish Fiat 500 has a unique Italian charm.
MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicle)
Best if: you want to seat large numbers of people
Also known as minivans or people carriers.
Think of them as halfway between a car and a van, as they're designed for space. Space for people, animals, objects, you name it. You'll know an MPV by its large, boxy shape and sliding rear doors.
The unsung heroes of the road, they get the job done. And then some . . .
Not the best lookers though, we agree, so maybe best plumping for a pickup truck or an SUV if style is more your thing.
Pickup Trucks
Best if: you want to haul large items or building materials, or want something a bit more exciting than an SUV
Whereas SUVs pack in more passengers, pickup trucks pack in more load space.
These do the job if you need something that not only drives, but also tows, hauls, and goes over rough ground.
And they've moved on from that lumberjack image (although if you're a lumberjack, still totally fine), with most having evolved and received the modern treatment, with interior cabins that match any hatchback or saloon.
The Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger are two of the best.
Rugged, reliable, ready for anything.
Summary
So there you have it – a Who's Who of car body types.
Whether you’re looking for something practical, sporty, spacious, or just plain old ordinary, there’s bound to be a type of car out there you can match with.
Happy driving.
FAQs
What are the different types of car body?
Some of the main car body types include hatchbacks, saloons, SUVs, coupes, convertibles, MPVs and estate cars Hatchbacks and saloons tend to be the generalist sort of cars, whereas ones like SUVs and MPVs are more specialist and cater to specific needs and driving styles.
What is the most popular car body style?
The most popular car body style in the UK are hatchbacks, closely followed by saloons. This is likely due to their all-rounder nature, which in turn makes them relatively affordable.