Cars! They used to come in all shapes and sizes. They still do, kinda, but the US market has gotten very SUV-heavy of late. That sort of implies most people prefer a high-riding, chunky vehicle with a bulbous body shape. But this isn’t Autopian Assumes, it’s Autopian Asks! So I ask you: what is your favorite body style?
Once upon a time, there were a handful of clearly defined body styles for roadgoing vehicles. You had your four-door sedans, and you had wagons, which provided more cargo space in the back. Coupes cut the doors to two for a sportier style, while roadsters went further and chopped the top off. Then you had trucks and vans, which were their own sort of deal.
Today, it’s altogether more complex. Compacts came along and the hatchback was born. Then the 1980s was the sort of nascent era of the SUV craze, which took the industry by storm. Eventually, automakers realized the utilitarian part of these vehicles wasn’t actually that desirable. Customers just liked the high-seating position and the look of these vehicles, rather than caring about their off-road abilities. This led to the invention of the softer crossover style, which has created an odd sort of vehicle that’s almost trending back towards the traditional wagon body style.
Things get worse when you look at the premium market, which invented the four-door coupe in some kind of drug-fueled marketing meeting in the last ten years. Basically, to certain German automakers, coupe now means “swoopy roof curves down at the back” and not “two doors” anymore.
In any case, I know my preference: I’m a coupe and roadster driver. I like my cars light, limber, and nimble, and I rarely need to carry more than one passenger.
Sure, at times, I’ve appreciated the utility of larger cars when I’ve reviewed them, but it’s not something I seek in my daily life. Two doors for days, that’s what I say.
I’ve had plenty of other cars—multiple sedans, a compact crossover, and even a big Volvo wagon. But my favorites have always had two doors—the Mazda Miata, the Audi TT, and the Daihatsu Feroza. Roofless is always a bonus.
But what of you? Are you a wagonhead or a hatch obsessive? Or maybe you’re the one who convinced PR staff to brazenly lie that it was okay to say four-door cars were coupes? Either way, sound off below!
Convertible. Although Pickup is a close runner up, preferably with a small extended cab and a long box.
Shooting brake
Or, alternatively, a shooting brake with a concealed rear side door, if anyone would care to make that
The wedge. I’ll probably never own an Esprit, but I love how they look.
I’m gonna peel back a layer and reveal some underlying weirdness.
I love COE trucks. Jeep FC, Corvair Rampside trucks, old Econoline pickups, etc.
Those aren’t practical or safe, but as I’m currently sort of in the market for a vehicle, I keep checking out Isuzu COE trucks. I keep trying to convince myself that with their diesel engines, they might even get decent fuel economy. I start wondering how they will go at highway speeds.
It’s a terrible sickness, but here we are…
I have a few that are close to the winner, but if I have to choose one, I’d say the three box sedan. Less utility than a hatch or wagon(the runners up), but there are so many handsome vehicles in that style that I’ve admired over the years.
Of the nine cars I’ve owned, eight have had two doors. Five coupes, two utes, one convertible, and the odd one out, one sedan.
Wagon or 4 door hatchback for me.
Wagon, Estate, Shooting Brake, give me long roofs all day.
2-door sedans/coupes/shooting brakes for everyday driving. Vans for living.
The small crew cab pickup, a la old ranger or new maverick, is my ideal vehicle. I do a lot of film production and engineering projects, and it’s nice to be able to move people and gear in something that’s still parkable. If I could get an EV maverick with 9.6kw pro power, I’d leverage an unreasonable amount of debt to purchase it.
Close second is a good minivan, but it’s hard to beat the ease of power washing a bed after moving gross machine tools.
36-24-36
UGH, eyeroll. I’m sorry.
Wagon. Wagon’s for life. I love wagons.
I was going to say pear-shaped with a smaller bodice.
Wagon (suprise). Venn diagram of fun-enough driving “dynamics”, utility, fuel efficiency, space, family truckster, cross country camper, some towing, big enough roof to haul large things, general modularity for whatever tasks presents itself.
I like coupes and roadsters most of all. I want 2 seats, a long hood, and to be sitting close to the rear axle.
But i pretty equally like single cab, long bed trucks.
I’ve always loved the late 1930’s/early 40’s Business Coupe.
Coupe, closely followed by wagon.
A sporty wagon.
See user name
You will all be shocked to learn my favorite is the shooting brake…
After having owned sedans, a hatchback, a fastback, a couple of wagons, an SUV, and a minivan, I can say out of all of them I prefer the wagons for their mix of practicality and driving dynamics.
Two door coupes and convertibles, followed by 2 door hatchbacks, and I can’t deny a good “Family Truckster” mid to full size station wagon – light and nimble, or vacation ready.
Lewin nailed it: “The practicality of a wagon with a roof rack is not to be understated.” 25 years ago a messy divorce led to a serious culling of extraneous possessions, several vehicles included. In hindsight, I Really shoulda kept the E30 M3 (!!), but.. Since then I’ve stuck with 1 car at a time, all wagons. Rarely do I need anything more & if so, friends with trucks are happy to assist.
Old school two door pillar less landbarges.
Especially the “fuselage era” MoPars.
Definitely,like that Imperial featured here yesterday or something.
My preferred body style is anything 2-door.
I’ve had the following 2-door vehicles:
1989 Chevy Blazer
1994 Jeep XJ Cherokee
1996 Chevy Tahoe
1970 Jeep CJ5
BMW 128i
Scion tC
But since I have kids now, the sedan is my preferred body style.
I prefer the traditional style wagon, and preferably a smaller one. The bride and I each drive later model Audi Allroads, that’s about as large as I would like to go.
COE
That being said what I really like mostly doesn’t exist is FWD based COE designs.
Optimal weight distribution for traction and compact size.
And for doing endos when there’s nothing inback.