Should you buy an SUV, Sedan, Hatchback, Coupe or Convertible?

If you are a first-time car buyer or haven’t purchased a car in many years, it can be confusing to know where to start. How to find a car that will suit your needs for years to come? There are different car body types and models, which makes it all the more confusing to purchase a car. So, if you have decided the car body type then you are halfway there.

Check out the different body types that we have mentioned, their unique primary features and some of the reasons you might consider one over the other. This will help you find a car that suits your style, budget, and need.

When purchasing a car, firstly you need to decide the car body type – basis on the size of your family, mileage, look, feel and features.

• If you have a family of more than 4 members and you often travel, then an SUV or CUV is an ideal choice for you
• If you are particular about the aesthetics and performance of a car then you can go for cabriolets and coupés.
• And if you are looking for style and space and elongated body lines then sedans should work for you.

Sedans

Sedans are popular among customers as they are a perfect combination of practicality, style, and space. Here are a few car models with a sedan body type that has a broader market in India – Hyundai Verna, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Mercedes Benz C- Class, Toyota Yaris, AUDI A3 sedan, etc.

5 people can sit comfortably in a sedan shaped car. There are two rows of seating, the front is for two people and the back is for 3 people, of which 4 can accommodate if need be.

These cars have an extended boot, which makes it easier to carry a large amount of luggage. The overall dimensions are comparatively larger including – the length, width, height, and wheelbase.

Numerous sedan options are available based on their dimensions. But sedans with longer dimensions have higher tax rates and their manufacturing cost is also high.

You must be wondering why? Because the cost of a car is determined by its manufacturing cost and the road tax levied by a particular state or territory.

Hatchbacks

A Hatchback consumes less space on the roads because of its compact size. It is usually, known as a shorter version of a sedan and is designed to seat 5 people comfortably.

There is not much difference in the interiors of a hatchback and a sedan, it’s just it doesn’t have an extended boot. But there is enough space for luggage in the boot of a hatchback.

Hatchbacks usually have 4 entry doors with one hatch and some models can even have 2 entry doors, with one hatch.

Coupés

Who purchases a coupe? Those who are looking for practicality, sportiness, style and don’t have a larger family size.

A Coupe is a little shorter and muscular than a sedan. It is a two-door vehicle with a sleek roofline. The wheelbase is also smaller than a sedan.

There are two main seats on the front, and two tiny seats on the backside, which give it a sportier look. The leg-room space is very limited in a coupe. It can be a little tricky to accommodate more than one person along with you for a ride.

Coupes have lighter body weight, fast acceleration, and braking performance.  If you are looking for a fast sporty car with an appealing design then it is a perfect choice. Though sedans are no less when it comes to design, they are a little heavier than coupes.

Remember, the car insurance premium for a coupe can be significantly higher because of its sporty nature and high-speed driving that it offers. Your car insurance also depends on the type of car you choose to purchase. If you wish to buy the best car insurance for your prized possession, you can take help from different insurance aggregators like Policybazaar, as they offer car insurance as per your needs and preferences. You can click here know more about such portals.

Convertible or Cabriolet

Convertible cars are designed with a retractable roof that folds down. The technique of pulling in and stowing the roof varies from one model to another.

The roof is designed in such a manner that it be folded with a manual or electronic mechanism. It can also be removed if one wants to go for open-top driving.  It can be a 2-seater, 4-seaters or a 5-seater car.

Some of the best 4-seater convertible cars are Mini Cooper Convertible, Audi A3 Cabriolet, and Mercedes Benz C- Class, etc. Some 2-seater convertible cars are Audi TT Roadster, Ford Mustang, Mazda MX-5, Mercedes C-Class, BMW 2 Series Convertible, etc.

If you are looking for a sporty looking car, and you enjoy driving in the open air, this could be the design for you.

With the increasing level of pollution in India, it can be extremely difficult to drive an open roof car under the sun. Just like coupés, it can be quite expensive to get car insurance for a Convertible or Cabriolet as compared to other body types.  

SUVs / 4 Wheel Drive

SUVs or Sports Utility Vehicles come in different shape and sizes.  They have more pouncing body lines and offer a much powerful drive as compared to a Hatchback or Sedan.

People, who have a large family size and prefer convenience over anything else, choose to drive SUVs.

On tough terrains and bumpy roads, there is nothing better than driving an SUV. They are not only street smart but are designed with off-road capabilities. Undoubtedly, SUVs are designed to showcase superiority and momentum on the road.

If you love to go for dune bashing then check if the SUV has the right specifications like skid plates, and all-terrain tires to protect the vehicle from below while on rough terrains. Check other specifications like suspension, torque, engine displacement, etc.

The boot capacity of an SUV is incomparable. Go for it, if you have the parking skills and parking space for an SUV in your home.

Crossover Utility Vehicles (CUV)

Sometimes the term – SUV and Crossover are interchangeable and can be confusing for anyone.

Simply put, crossover utility vehicles are wagons that look like an SUV, but ride like a standard hatchback or sedan. They typically come with very light off-road capabilities.

There are mini crossovers, compact crossovers, mid-sized crossovers, and full-size crossovers. For example, Renault Duster, Hyundai Creta, etc. are some of the CUVs.

Over to you!

You should consider the benefits and drawbacks of a car before getting one. If you are tempted to buy a particular car shape, it is recommended that you understand the specifications in terms of speed, transmission, suspension, torque, engine, interiors, exteriors, safety features and obviously the body type.  Do not forget that car insurance renewal will be required every year. Therefore, take the cost of insurance into consideration before deciding the car type.

Remember to take the car for a spin and does a test drive for a real-time experience. Before buying it, understand how driving it on a daily basis will be beneficial and then make a decision.