Decoding Car Types: A Beginner’s Guide to Automotive Terminology

Have you ever felt lost in a conversation about “7-seater SUVs,” “luxury sedans,” or “pickup trucks”? Don’t worry! This guide will help you decipher car type names in a clear and engaging way.

Car Classifications – Understanding Your Options

1. By Body Style & Functionality

When it comes to cars, everyone pictures something different. That’s why cars are categorized by body style:

• Sedan (Three-Box Car): The quintessential car with three distinct compartments: engine, passenger, and trunk. Examples include the Toyota Vios and Honda Civic.
• SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle): The “king of the road” with high ground clearance, spacious interiors, and off-road capabilities. Popular choices include the Honda CRV and Ford Everest.
• Hatchback: Part of the sedan family but with a shared cargo space, offering greater flexibility. The Ford Fiesta and Hyundai Grand i10 are prime examples.
• Pickup Truck: The workhorse designed for hauling cargo with a bed in the rear. The Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton dominate this segment.

A family sedan car parked on a streetA rugged SUV driving through a rocky off-road terrain