The growing demand for performance vehicles has compelled motorists to improvise and manufacture automobiles that align with users' preferences.
Nowadays, manufacturers produce vehicles with different aerodynamics to meet the market demands that are influenced by the needs of the customers and the designs of these units.
Here are common types of cars and their characteristics:
Sedan
Sedans are among the most common types of vehicles in Kenya and all over the world i.e. saloon cars.
The cars have 4 doors with two on both sides. Vehicles in this category also have engines located at the front under the hood.
The interior of the car and the trunk are usually separated by a back seat. The most common example of a sedan car is the Toyota Corolla.
Coupe
Coupes resemble sedans in design. However, the vehicles only have two doors.
The cars usually have lower ground clearance compared to other vehicles, with most sporting vehicles falling in this category.
Despite having two doors, some coupes have 4 seats with two seats fitted at the back.
Wagon
They resemble sedan cars. However, the design varies at the back as the roof of these vehicles extends to the back.
Wagons also have three windows on both sides of the vehicle.
The cars are modelled to create more space for more passengers. The volume of vehicles also makes it common for the transportation of goods.
Crossover
The crossovers originated from America and are famous for the luggage space and are usually referred to as family cars.
They are often confused with Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). However, the SUVs are larger in size. Crossovers are also lighter compared to SUVs and more fuel efficient.
"Crossovers are SUV-like vehicles built on a unibody construction, making it one of the most popular car types for many buyers.
"A unibody design is essentially one piece of chassis that is rigid, thus allowing easier handling in all kinds of road conditions," reads a car review by Kia.
Hatchback
Depending on the car model, hatchbacks can have two or four doors.
However, the cars are named hatchbacks because of the extra door at the back that opens upwards.
"The hatchback incorporates the rear glass. This door generally hinges at the top end of the rear body panel. Thus, after opening the entire door flips upward and provides access to the cargo area," Carbiketech stated in its review.
Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV)
SUVs resemble wagons but are bigger in size. The vehicles have a box-like body.
The vehicles are usually four-wheel drive and high-capacity engine. Additionally, SUVs have longer wheelbases with the body of the car high above the ground.
Examples of SUVs include Toyota Highlander Hybrid, GMC Acadia and Subaru Crosstrek hybrid.
Minivan
Minivans are bigger and longer than crossovers, have three rows of seats that can carry between eight to nine people.
Depending on the model of the vehicle, minivans can either have two or three reconfigurable seats.
The main characteristics of these vehicles are usually the sliding doors. The sliding doors can either be located on one side of the vehicle or on both sides.
Another characteristic of the vehicle is that they have enough headroom given the space between the roof and the base of the vehicle. Examples of minivans include Toyota Sienta and Honda Odyssey.
