What “Style of Car” Means

In everyday use, “style of car” most often refers to the vehicle’s body style—such as sedan, hatchback, SUV, wagon, coupe, convertible, minivan, or pickup—though in some contexts it can also mean a trim designation or even the design theme. Understanding which meaning applies depends on where the term appears (paperwork, listings, or design discussions).

The Most Common Meaning: Body Style

When you see “style” on registration forms, insurance documents, dealership listings, or filter menus on shopping sites, it typically means body style—the vehicle’s basic shape and layout, especially its roofline, doors, and cargo area.

• Sedan (Saloon): Four doors, separate trunk.
• Hatchback: Two or four doors plus a rear hatch; cargo area opens to the cabin.
• Wagon (Estate): Extended roof with a rear hatch; more cargo space than a hatchback.
• Coupe: Traditionally two doors with a fixed roof; now sometimes used for sleek four-doors.
• Convertible (Cabriolet): Retractable roof, soft or hard top.
• Liftback/Fastback: Sloping rear with a hatch; blends sedan looks with hatchback utility.
• SUV: Taller ride height, typically with a rear hatch; may be body-on-frame or unibody.
• Crossover (CUV): Unibody SUV-like vehicle, often car-based, with a rear hatch.
• Minivan/MPV: Three rows, sliding doors, family-focused interior.
• Pickup (Ute): Open cargo bed with a separate cab.
• Van: Boxier body for cargo or passengers; often commercial-focused.

These categories describe form and function, not performance or price. For example, “sports car” is a performance/market label rather than a body style, and “crossover” vs. “SUV” can overlap depending on construction and marketing.

Other Meanings You Might See

Outside of paperwork and listings, “style” can be used more loosely by marketers, designers, or owners to describe other aspects of a car. Here’s how the term can shift in meaning depending on context.

• Trim/Grade/Style Code: Some carmakers use “Style” as a trim name (e.g., “SE,” “EX-L,” or “Style” in certain markets), indicating features and finishes rather than shape.
• Design Theme: Describes aesthetics—retro, rugged, minimalist, sporty—without changing the body style.
• Door/Seating Variants: Phrases like “2-door style” or “3-door hatch” specify layout within a body style.
• Roofline Variants: “Coupe-style SUV” or “fastback SUV” refers to sleeker, sloped roofs on SUV bodies.
• Special Editions: A “Style Edition” may bundle cosmetic or tech upgrades; it’s not a distinct body type.
• Commercial Classifications: Fleets may use “style” to distinguish cargo vs. passenger configurations.

In these cases, “style” becomes a branding or configuration term. If you’re unsure, check how the term is used in the document or listing—next to doors/roof/cargo hints at body style; next to features or packages suggests trim.

How “Style” Differs from Other Car Terms

Car descriptions bundle several concepts. Knowing what each means helps you read spec sheets and listings clearly and avoid mixing up body style with trim or model.

• Make: The manufacturer (e.g., Toyota, Ford, BMW).
• Model: The product line (e.g., Camry, F-150, 3 Series).
• Trim/Grade: Feature level within a model (e.g., Base, SE, EX-L, Premium).
• Body Style (“Style”): The shape/layout (e.g., sedan, SUV, hatchback).
• Configuration: Powertrain and hardware (engine, transmission, FWD/RWD/AWD/4WD).
• Class/Segment: Size or market group (subcompact, compact, midsize, full-size; luxury vs. mainstream).
• Fuel/Propulsion: Gasoline, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric.

With this vocabulary, a listing like “2022 Honda Civic EX Hatchback, CVT, FWD” breaks down cleanly: make/model (Honda Civic), trim (EX), body style (hatchback), transmission (CVT), drivetrain (FWD).

Where You’ll Encounter the Term

The intended meaning of “style” often depends on the setting. Here are common places you’ll see it and how to interpret it.

• DMV/Registration/Insurance: Usually shorthand for body style (e.g., SDN for sedan, CP for coupe, CONV for convertible, SUV, PK for pickup).
• Dealer Stickers and Windows: Often lists body style and trim separately; “Style” may be a trim label on some brands.
• Online Marketplaces: Filter by body style; seller descriptions may use “style” more loosely.
• VIN Decoders and Build Sheets: Reveal official body style, trim, engine, and options.
• Appraisals/Resale: Body style strongly influences demand and value.

If you’re completing forms or comparing listings, treat “style” as body style unless the context clearly indicates a trim or package.

Quick Tips to Identify Your Car’s Style

If you’re unsure what “style” applies to your vehicle, these steps can help you determine the correct body style or clarify whether a trim is being referenced.

1. Check your registration or insurance card for coded abbreviations (e.g., SDN, HBK, WGN, SUV, VAN, PK).
2. Use a VIN decoder from the manufacturer or a reputable database to pull the official body style.
3. Count doors and examine the roof: two vs. four doors, fixed vs. retractable roof, sloped “coupe-like” roofline.
4. Look at the cargo opening: separate trunk (sedan) vs. rear hatch (hatchback/wagon/SUV).
5. Note ride height and shape: taller stance with hatch points to SUV/crossover; sliding doors indicate a minivan.
6. Review the window sticker/Monroney label or owner’s manual for the formal body style name.
7. On brand sites, compare your vehicle’s profile photos to body style examples.

Combining official documents with a quick visual check is the fastest way to confirm the intended meaning of “style” for your vehicle.

Regional and Industry Nuances

Terminology can shift by market and marketing trends, so it helps to be aware of local terms and evolving labels.

• US vs. UK/Commonwealth: Sedan = Saloon, Wagon = Estate, Minivan = MPV/People carrier, Pickup = Ute (in Australia/NZ).
• SUV vs. Crossover: Often used interchangeably by consumers; technically many modern SUVs are unibody crossovers.
• “Coupe” Stretch: Automakers market some four-door cars and SUVs with sloping roofs as “coupe” for style, not door count.
• Fastbacks/Liftbacks: Sedans with a full rear hatch blur lines with hatchbacks.
• Codes on Forms: Agencies use abbreviations; exact codes vary by state/country, but they map to standard body styles.

If a term seems unfamiliar, a quick regional translation—saloon for sedan, estate for wagon—usually resolves the confusion.

Summary

“Style of car” almost always means body style—the vehicle’s fundamental shape and layout—especially on forms and in listings (sedan, hatchback, SUV, wagon, coupe, convertible, minivan, pickup, and van). In branding or design contexts, it can refer to trim levels or aesthetic themes. To interpret it correctly, consider the context and confirm with your registration, VIN data, or the manufacturer’s description.

What is the make and style of a car?

A car make refers to the manufacturer or company that makes the vehicle, while the model represents the specific version or design. For example, take the Honda Civic. Honda is the manufacturer and Civic is a specific version of the car. Honda also has other models such as the CRV and Odyssey.

What do they mean by type of car?

All passenger vehicles fit into a few broad categories: SUVs, trucks, vans, and those that people commonly call “cars,” which include sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and wagons. Within these larger classifications, there are multiple ways vehicles can be grouped.

What does style mean for a car?

For a car, the term “style” broadly refers to its body style, which is defined by its overall shape, size, and number of doors, such as a sedan, SUV, or hatchback. It can also more broadly refer to a vehicle’s brand identity, performance characteristics, or luxury focus, distinguishing different categories like a sport-focused coupe from a family-oriented minivan.
 
Common Car Body Styles (Based on Shape and Design)

• Sedan: Opens in new tabA four-door car with separate compartments for the engine, passengers, and a traditional trunk, often referred to as a “three-box” design. 
• Hatchback: Opens in new tabSimilar to a sedan but with a rear door that opens upwards to include the rear window, providing a larger cargo area. 
• SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle): Opens in new tabA vehicle with a taller body than a sedan, combining attributes of both a passenger car and an off-road vehicle. 
• Crossover: Opens in new tabA vehicle that blends the styling of an SUV with the drivability of a large sedan, often built on a car platform. 
• Coupe: Opens in new tabTypically a sportier, two-door vehicle with a smaller rear volume and a shorter, sleeker roofline than a sedan. 
• Convertible: Opens in new tabA vehicle with a folding or detachable roof that allows for an open-air driving experience. 
• Station Wagon: Opens in new tabA car with a long, boxy shape and extended cargo area behind the rear seats, offering ample interior space. 
• Pickup Truck: Opens in new tabA light-duty truck with an enclosed cab for passengers and an open cargo bed at the rear. 

Broader Meanings of “Style”

• Brand Identity: Opens in new tabA car’s style can also represent its brand’s overall aesthetic and design philosophy, setting it apart from competitors. 
• Vehicle Purpose: Opens in new tabStyle can also indicate a vehicle’s intended purpose, distinguishing a sporty, performance-oriented vehicle from a practical, family-focused car. 
• Luxury Focus: Opens in new tabSome vehicles are designed with luxury, comfort, and premium features as their primary focus, giving them a distinct “luxury style”. 

How do you tell what style your car is?

To identify your car’s style (body type), look for the emblems on the vehicle or check the title, registration, or owner’s manual for the make and model. If those aren’t available, find the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the driver’s side of the windshield and enter it into a VIN decoder online to get specific details.
 
How to Find Your Car’s Make and Model (and body style)

1. Check the Vehicle: Look for the make and model name on the exterior of the car. 
2. Find the VIN: The 17-digit VIN is located on a plate at the bottom corner of the windshield on the driver’s side. 
3. Use a VIN Decoder: Go to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) VIN Decoder website or a site like Carfax or Goodyear Auto Service to enter the VIN and get detailed information about your car’s make, model, and body style. 
4. Check Your Documents: The vehicle’s title, registration papers, or owner’s manual will also list the make, model, and trim level. 

Common Car Body Styles

• Sedan: A traditional four-door passenger car with separated compartments for the engine, passengers, and trunk. 
• SUV: A sport utility vehicle with a high-riding body and a spacious interior. 
• Crossover: A type of SUV that combines features of an SUV with a car-like platform. 
• Coupe: Typically a two-door car designed with a focus on style, often featuring a sloping roofline. 
• Truck: A utility-focused vehicle with a separate open cargo bed in the rear. 
• Hatchback: A smaller car with an extended trunk and a rear door that lifts up for cargo access. 
• Minivan: A larger vehicle designed for passenger comfort and cargo space.