Car Body Types

Convertible
The convertible is characterized by a
retractable soft or hard roof panel that can be
stowed in the trunk. This feature allows its
occupants to enjoy a good view of the
surrounding and feel the breeze along the
open road. Some convertibles like the
Mazda MX-5 and the Porsche Boxter are
also called roadsters due to their 2-seater
configurations.
Coupe
(pronounced as “koo-pay”). A coupe is a 2-
door car with a lowered ride height, a longer
hood, and a roof line that slopes down to the
rear. One example of this is the Ford
Mustang
Sedan
A sedan typically has 4 doors and seats for 4 to
5 people. It also has a rear cargo area that’s
separated from the cabin and is covered with a
trunk lid. The local market has a variety of
sedans from many carmakers. These include
the Toyota Vios
Hatchback
This car is called as such due to its rear hatch that
serves as its trunk lid. Its rear compartment is
also within reach from inside the cabin, so
occupants can access items more easily.
The Toyota Wigo is one of the many hatchbacks
available in the local market nowadays.
Station Wagon
There’s also what’s called a Station Wagon,
basically a longer version of the hatchback.
Two models that fall in this category are the
Mazda 6 Sport Wagon and the Volvo V60.
Crossover
A crossover offers both passenger car features and
SUV capabilities. That said, occupants of these
vehicles can enjoy a comfortable ride while traveling
to places with less paved roads. This segment is made
popular by models like the Ford EcoSport
subcompact crossover and the Subaru XV compact
crossover.
SUV
An SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) is a step above the
crossover in such a way that its body and chassis
are built like a small truck. As such, it can drive on
tougher terrains, seat 5 to 7 people, and carry more
luggage at the back. To give you an example,
check out the Mitsubishi Montero Sport.
AUV
Smaller than SUVs in terms of body dimension,
AUVs or Asian Utility Vehicles are made and sold
for the Asian Market. They’re used for taking people
around the city, but they can also be driven on some
rough, provincial roads. Two of such models are the
Mitsubishi Adventure and the Isuzu Crosswind.
Pick Up
The characteristics of a pickup truck are its big rear
cargo deck, sturdy chassis, and off-road capable
powertrain. It can carry many items ranging from
sand bags to camping gears, and even a pair of
mountain bikes for outdoor activities. To give you an
idea, take a look at the Toyota Hilux.
MPV
Multi-purpose vehicles or MPVs can also carry a
variety of items for work or play; although they’re not
meant to go off-road. However, they can seat 5 to 8
people, thus making them a good choice for traveling
with family and friends. The Toyota Innova and the
Suzuki Ertiga are 2 best examples of MPVs in the
Philippines nowadays.
Minivan
A minivan is characterized by a sleeker and
bigger MPV-like exterior. It’s designed to offer
passenger comfort, convenience, and
entertainment, especially on long journeys.
One such example of this is the
Honda Odyssey.
Van
A van is a larger vehicle which can seat 10 to 12 passengers,
or more. It can also be used to carry many different items,
which makes it a good delivery vehicle for business
companies. 2 of today’s popular van choices are the Nissan
NV350 and the Toyota Hiace.
These are the common types of vehicles available in the
market today. Through years of meeting customer
satisfaction, carmakers have turned the simple automobile
into a diverse machine of many kinds and purposes. We hope
that this simple guide can help you in choosing the vehicle
that fits you best.