Learn The Carlingo: Car Model Terminology Explained
A breakdown of the different types of car models
By deciding to upgrade your car, you’re stepping into a world of choice, and you’d best prepare to come across a wide variety of vehicle types in your car-buying journey. That’s why it’s a good idea to understand the model types, to help you narrow down what car would suit you and your lifestyle best.
At Carlingo, we chat with customers on a daily basis about what they need from their next car. Whilst trim and specification are up there among the most important criteria, the right body type has a lot to do with making the correct decision too, which is where it becomes important to know your models.
What are the car model types in the UK?
A car model type refers to the shape, size and design of the car. Although all manufacturers make their models slightly differently, their general dimensions and characteristics are easily recognisable as fitting into one of the following model types:
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Supermini
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Hatchback
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Convertible
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Saloon
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Coupé
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Estate
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Crossover
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SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
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4x4
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MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle)
How do I choose the right model for me?
Before you start shopping, we’d advise you to have a long, hard think about your car requirements. Asking yourself the following questions is a good place to start when beginning your search:
- How many people will need to travel in the car frequently?
- How much room do you need - will you often need to carry cargo?
- What sort of driving do you do - long distances, or around-town journeys?
- What’s your budget? What sort of car can you afford to buy and run?
What car model types are there to choose from?
Starting from the smallest and working our way up to the largest, below we explain the car model lingo, so that you know what to look for when you’re shortlisting your next car candidates…
Superminis
Arriving on the scene as cute and compact ‘city’ cars, superminis are small but perfectly formed, often with smaller engines to make the short journeys they were made for fun and economical. Examples of the supermini include the Kia Picanto, Citroen C1, and the Volkswagen UP. These body types are best suited to solo motorists, for those around town errands or short city commutes. They’re easy to park, cheap to run, and usually affordable to buy too!
Hatchbacks
Whilst some hatchbacks can share their dinky dimensions with the superminis we’ve just mentioned, the hatchback is more of a versatile body type, with examples ranging from small and nippy to the larger, family-style vehicle.
The word hatchback describes a car with a tailgate (also known as a boot) that flips up, allowing access to the cargo area via the ‘hatch’. You may also hear them referred to as a 5-door car. Examples of a hatchback include the Vauxhall Corsa, Toyota Yaris, and Volkswagen Golf.
Convertibles
Want to immerse yourself in the driving experience? Convertibles allow you to do just that by giving you the opportunity to drive with the retractable roof down.
Whilst many convertibles are sporty two-seater models like the Mazda MX-5, some larger convertibles are available, such as the MINI convertible, so that the roof-down magic can be enjoyed by all the family on those sunny days.
Saloons
You can identify a saloon through its boot; basically, you won’t be able to access the rest of the cabin through the boot as you can in a hatchback, for example. These vehicles generally follow a sleek and stylish design, known sometimes as ‘executive cars’, so expect a smooth and quiet ride in a relatively spacious vehicle.
Examples of saloons include the BMW 3 Series, Jaguar XE, and Mercedes-Benz CLA Class.
Coupés
A coupé appears similar to a saloon thanks to its sloping roof, but can usually be distinguished by the presence of only two doors. This gives these car types a more sporty appearance, and they’re best suited to solo motorists looking for a cool way to travel.
Good examples of the coupé body type are the BMW 2 Series, Audi TT, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Estates
Built with practicality in mind, estates offer families and those who enjoy outdoor pursuits such as golf and mountain biking some serious boot space. Think of estates as a long hatchback, affording passengers plenty of legroom, along with an abundance of space for luggage.
To see examples of excellent estates, check out the Volkswagen Passat, MINI Clubman Estate, and Ford Focus ST-LINE.
Crossovers
If you want the boxy style of an SUV (more on these shortly) but the nippiness of a hatchback, the crossover model type is for you - they’re literally a crossover of these two popular models! The defining feature of a crossover is that while it can look like an SUV, it’s built on the chassis of a car, and is therefore lighter.
Examples of crossover cars include the very popular Nissan Qashqai, Toyota RAV4, and the Volkswagen T-Cross.
SUVs
Short for Sports Utility Vehicles, SUVs are a model type that have grown in popularity exponentially in recent years, appealing to families for space and practicality reasons - they look pretty impressive too! SUVs are generally higher and wider than a hatchback, allowing the driver an elevated position on the road.
To see what an SUV looks like, check out the Porsche Macan, Audi Q3, and Peugeot 3008.
4x4
Instead of either just the two rear or front wheels being powered by the engine, a 4x4’s wheels share equal power. 4x4s are often more expensive off-roaders, tackling conditions that front or rear-wheel drives just couldn’t manage! Their body types appear similar to an SUV, but if you’re looking for a car that’s going to be tough and ready for anything, you’ll want to check that it’s four-wheel drive first.
Examples of 4x4s include the Toyota Landcruiser, Land Rover Discovery Sport, and the Jeep Wrangler.
MPVs (Multi-Person Vehicles)
Bridging the gap between car and minibus, the MPV offers an additional row of seats in a vehicle that shares many similarities with longer estate vehicles. MPVs are perfect if you regularly carry a few more passengers than the average car, offering between 7-9 seats depending on what model you go for. These seats can often be folded down, affording you more boot space when they’re not in use.
Keen to see an MPV? Take a look at the Nissan X-Trail, and Skoda Kodiaq.
Ready to find your next car?
Whatever type of car you’re looking for, we can help you find it here at Carlingo. Even if you’re not sure yet, our team are on hand to help chat through your options, allowing you to learn the lingo and discover your next used car here in Harrogate. Start by browsing online today, or paying us a visit.