Car body styles: Which best suits you?

From SUVs to MPVs, there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to buying a car. But with so many different shapes, sizes and names, picking the right one for your needs can feel like a bit of a minefield.
Whether you’re after space, performance, style or something easy to park, we’ll help you figure out what suits your life best. Here are all the car body types, explained.

SUVs have exploded in popularity over the past decade, and it’s easy to see why. They offer a raised driving position, chunkier design, and a real sense of safety and presence on the road.
While “Sports Utility Vehicle” might make you think of off-roading, most modern SUVs are more about style and comfort than rugged terrain. In fact, many don’t even come with four-wheel drive, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing if you like the style but don’t need the off-road prowess. There are endless options but cars like the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson or Volvo XC90 and many like them offer a great blend of style and practicality. Pros • High driving position for better visibility • Roomy cabins and boots • Family-friendly with good comfort Cons • Less efficient than smaller cars • Can be more expensive to run • An obvious target for those who don’t like what they stand for Buying electric: There are loads of electric SUVs on the market. Options like the Skoda Enyaq and Hyundai Ioniq 5 combine great range with loads of space.

Crossovers take many of the best bits from both hatchbacks and SUVs, giving you the raised stance and styling of an SUV, but with the agility and lower running costs of a smaller car.
They’ve exploded in popularity in recent years, with big-sellers including the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Captur and Toyota Yaris Cross. Pros • Easier to drive and park than full SUVs • Stylish and modern design • Family-friendly with decent boot space Cons • Not as spacious as full-size SUVs • Off-road ability is usually minimal • Can be more expensive than equivalent hatchbacks Buying electric: Electric crossovers are booming, and models like the MG ZS EV and Peugeot e-2008 are great for urban and suburban families alike.

Hatchbacks are among the most popular car types in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. They’re compact, practical, and often cheaper to run.
The key feature? The rear of the car opens as a single piece, including the back window, which makes loading and unloading things like shopping or prams much easier. Fold the seats down, and you’ve got decent room for bigger items. Small hatchbacks like the Volkswagen Polo are great for city life, while mid-sized ones like the Vauxhall Astra work well for families. Pros • Easy to park and manoeuvre • Practical boot with folding rear seats • Good fuel economy Cons • Smaller boot than an estate or SUV • Rear seat space can be tight in small models • Not as fashionable Buying electric: Many affordable electric cars, like the MG4 EV and BYD Dolphin, use the hatchback layout, ideal for urban driving with good range per charge.

Saloons (or sedans) are less practical than hatchbacks but offer a more premium look and feel, with a separate boot and a longer body.
Most executive and luxury cars are saloons, like the BMW 3 Series or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. They may not be as popular as hatchbacks in the UK these days, but if you value a smooth, quiet ride and a bit of understated style, a saloon could suit you perfectly. Pros • Comfortable and refined on longer drives • Often more stylish and executive in feel • Good aerodynamics Cons • Separate boot makes loading awkward • Less versatile for carrying bulky items • Somewhat old-school Buying electric: Electric saloon cars, like the Polestar 2 and Hyundai Ioniq 6, offer strong efficiency and long range from models.

Estates (sometimes branded Station Wagons, Tourers or similar) are usually based on saloon or hatchback models but with an extended rear end, giving you a larger and squarer boot.
They're great for families, dog owners, and anyone needing space for work gear or holiday luggage. Estate cars like the Skoda Octavia Estate, Volvo V60, or Audi A6 Avant offer loads of room without jumping up to the size or running costs of a large SUV. Pros • Huge, usable boot space • Rear seats usually fold flat • Great for families and road trips Cons • Longer body can be harder to park • Less fashionable than an SUV • Limited choice Buying electric: While rarer, electric estates like the MG5 EV offer spacious interiors with zero tailpipe emissions, perfect for eco-conscious families.

MPVs, also called people carriers, are designed with interior space and flexibility in mind. They’re not as trendy as SUVs or crossovers, but they often come with clever interior features like sliding rear doors, adjustable seating, and loads of cubbyholes and storage spaces.
The high rooflines and upright seating positions also make MPVs very easy to get in and out of. Pros • Space for up to seven people • Seats often slide, fold, or remove • Excellent headroom and access Cons • Less stylish than SUVs or crossovers • Handling and looks can be boxy • Limited choice in the market Buying electric: Electric MPVs are slowly gaining traction, look out for models like the Peugeot e-Rifter or Citroën ë-Spacetourer for roomy, family-friendly EV options.

Coupes are great for drivers who value style and sportiness. They have a sleek profile, traditionally with two doors and a sloping roof, although some newer models, like the Mercedes CLA Coupe, sneak in four doors while keeping that coupe flair.
They might not be the most spacious inside, especially for rear passengers, but if you want a car that looks and feels special every time you drive it, a coupe could tick all the boxes. Pros • Sporty looks and low driving position • Engaging drive • Feels more premium Cons • Tight rear seats and small boot • Not ideal for families or long trips • Often more expensive Buying electric: Electric coupes are niche, but a growing market. Look out for cars like the BMW i4 or Tesla Model S (which has coupe styling despite four doors).

Convertibles are the most instantly recognisable body style of all. Whether they have a folding fabric roof or a retractable hardtop, the appeal is the same: the freedom to lower the roof and enjoy the open air.
Some are built from the ground up as convertibles, like the Mazda MX-5, while others are based on standard models like the MINI Convertible. There are compromises, and convertibles usually have smaller boots and tighter cabins. But if you’re after a car that makes every drive feel like a bit of an occasion, they’re hard to beat. Pros • Open-air fun and unique style • Great for scenic drives • Often lightweight and sporty Cons • Boot space is limited • Not ideal in bad weather • Rear seats often tight or don’t exist Buying electric: Electric convertibles are rare, but they're coming. The Fiat 500e Cabrio is one of the first—and more are likely on the way as battery tech improves.

Choosing the right car body style depends on how you live and drive. Before you decide, think about what matters most to you: is it boot space? Seat height? Parking ease? Performance? Once you know what you value most, the options become a lot clearer.
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Estates and MPVs are hard to beat for sheer practicality. They offer the most interior space, especially with the seats folded down.

Saloon and hatchback cars tend to have the longest range thanks to better aerodynamics and lower weight. Electric SUVs and crossovers offer more space but can be less efficient.

Not anymore. Many modern SUVs are front-wheel drive and designed more for road use than off-roading.

Crossovers are usually built on car platforms and are smaller and lighter than traditional SUVs. SUVs are larger, and sometimes offer better off-road capability but the boundaries can often blur.

Yes. Some modern “four-door coupes” like the Audi A5 Sportback or Mercedes CLA combine sporty styling with more doors and practicality.

They can be. Many modern convertibles are well-insulated and work year-round. Just remember you’ll have reduced boot space and less rear seat comfort. And remember it rains here 90 per cent of the time, or so it feels!