Car body styles have their names originated from the traditional modes of commuting or from the regions and countries where they were designed and produced.
Compiled here is a listing of various car body styles found on Indian roads.
Sedan
Sedan was originally defined as a four-door enclosed compartment body with fixed seats placed one after the other for seating four to five passengers. Currently, sedan is defined as three-box configuration with a non-collapsible roof, four doors and two fixed cross seats. This is also called a Salon. The longer the length of the sedan, better the looks. Long sedans give good leg room as well as the cargo area. Some of the common sedans in India are Honda Civic, Tata Indigo, Honda City, Hyundai Accent, and so on.
Wagon
Wagon or Station Wagon is a car body style similar to that of sedan but with an extended rear cargo area. The name has originated form the old four wheels carriage pulled by horses. The car has excellent pulling capacity but the popularity has gone into oblivion because of the versatility of SUVs. Yet, this is a good car for those who love sedans and require the benefits of SUVs. Tata Indigo Marina is a common wagon available in India.
Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)
Sport Utility vehicle is a car that combines the towing capacity of a truck with a comfortable passenger seating space. The car also has a good seating position, spacious cargo capacity and better road stability. The car is best for sports lovers to run the car smoothly on snow, mud, sand and off-roads. Some of the common SUVs in India are Mahindra Scorpio, Chevrolet Captiva, Ford Endeavour, and so on.
Hatchback
Hatchback is a car with an enclosed passenger compartment and an integrated cargo space. Unlike the sedan, the trunk of the car is in the form of a lifting door. The integrated cargo space is accessed by a large flip-up window or a single top-hinged tailgate. These cars have gained prominence in the Indian market. Some of the common hatchbacks in India are Hyundai i10, Maruti Wagon-R, Hyundai Santro, and so on.
Coupe
Coupe is well defined as a two-door sedan. It is an enclosed compartment with a permanent roof and one fixed cross seat good enough for seating two occupants. The car gives a sporty look and adds joy and thrill to the driving experience. Some of the common coupes in India are Porsche Cayman, Mercedes Benz CL-Class, Audi TT, BMW M3 Coupe, and so on.
Convertible
Convertible, the name itself represents something that is converted. The car holds a flexible roof that can be converted from an enclosed compartment to an open car and vice versa. Rear seats are cramped and the trunk is small because the folding roof requires space to fit into the car. Driving a convertible gives a warm and glorious feeling. Some of the common convertibles in India are BMW M6, Porsche 911, and so on.
Roadsters
Roadster is an open type body with two doors and folding top. It is good enough for seating two passengers and also holds a rear compartment for luggage. It is a good car for long drivers who just love to drive single or with a loving partner. Some of the common roadsters in India are Porsche Boxster, Mercedes Benz SL-Class, and so on.
Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)/Multi Utility Vehicle (MUV)
MUV and MPV are both used for the same segment for multi-purpose vehicles whose name is derived from the automotives used the US Army during World War II. The car is used for a variety of purposes apart from carrying passengers. The car has huge carrying capacity for both the occupants and luggage. These are fading down the line but yet new variants and models are coming up. Some common MUVs or MPVs in India are Tata Sumo, Mahindra Maxx, Mahindra Bolero, Chevrolet Tavera, Maruti Gypsy, Maruti Omni, and so on.
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