What Is the Hood Part of a Car Called?

It’s called the hood in American English and the bonnet in British and most Commonwealth English. Both terms refer to the hinged panel that covers access to the engine bay or front compartment; on some vehicles, related panels may be called a decklid or engine lid.

Regional Terminology

Automotive terms vary by region, and the panel over the engine bay is a classic example. The following points outline the most common names you’ll encounter in manuals, repair shops, and everyday conversation.

• United States and Canada: “Hood” (e.g., hood latch, hood hinge, hood insulation).
• United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, India, South Africa: “Bonnet.”
• Automaker and service literature: May use “hood panel,” “hood assembly,” or “front lid” (the latter especially on sports cars and some imports).
• Rear-engine or rear-motor vehicles: The rear cover is often called an “engine lid” or “decklid” in the U.S.; the front cover may still be called a hood (U.S.) or bonnet (U.K.), even if it covers a luggage area.
• Electric vehicles: The front storage area is often nicknamed a “frunk”; its cover is typically referred to as the hood (U.S.) or bonnet (U.K.), or formally as a “front lid.”

In practice, both hood and bonnet are correct; use the term that matches your regional audience or the vehicle’s official documentation.

Parts of a Hood Assembly

Beyond the outer panel you see, a hood/bonnet is a small system of components designed for structure, safety, and serviceability. Here are the key elements you may hear mentioned in maintenance or repair.

• Outer skin: The visible exterior panel, often steel or aluminum, sometimes composite or carbon fiber.
• Inner reinforcement: A stamped inner frame bonded to the skin for rigidity and crash energy management.
• Hinges: Allow the hood to pivot open; may be front- or rear-hinged depending on the vehicle.
• Primary latch and striker: The main locking mechanism that keeps the hood closed.
• Secondary safety catch: A backup hook to prevent the hood from flying open if the primary latch releases.
• Support: A prop rod or gas struts to hold the hood open during service.
• Weather seal: Rubber gasket around the perimeter to reduce water and noise ingress.
• Insulation/sound pad: Damps engine noise and heat; sometimes includes a heat shield near hot components.
• Bump stops/adjusters: Rubber or threaded stops to set height and prevent vibration.
• Release cable and handle: Interior lever and cable that actuate the primary latch.
• Vents/scoops (where fitted): For cooling or intake airflow; may be functional or cosmetic.

Together, these parts ensure the hood/bonnet opens smoothly, seals properly, and stays secure while driving.

Usage Notes and Common Confusions

Some terms sound similar or are used loosely. These distinctions can help you describe the right part when ordering components or discussing repairs.

• Cowl: The panel at the base of the windshield; not part of the hood.
• Trunk/boot: The rear luggage compartment cover on sedans and many hatchbacks; in U.S. service literature the lid may be called a “decklid.”
• Engine lid/decklid: Common for rear-engine or mid-engine cars (e.g., sports cars); typically not called a hood in formal U.S. usage, though casual speech varies.
• Front lid: A formal term some manufacturers use for the panel over a front trunk or service area, regardless of region.
• Hood (non-automotive): Can also mean a head covering—context matters when searching or ordering parts.

Using the correct term—hood, bonnet, decklid, or engine lid—helps avoid confusion, especially when sourcing parts or reading manuals from different regions.

Materials and Safety Features

Most hoods are made from stamped steel or aluminum; performance and specialty vehicles may use composites or carbon fiber to reduce weight. Modern designs incorporate crumple characteristics to absorb impact. In markets with stringent pedestrian-safety rules (such as the EU), some vehicles include active pop-up hoods that raise slightly during a collision to create space above the engine, reducing injury risk. Always ensure the primary latch and secondary safety catch function correctly, and verify the hood is fully latched after service to prevent accidental opening while driving.

Summary

The panel covering a car’s engine bay is called the hood in American English and the bonnet in British/Commonwealth English. Related panels may be termed a decklid or engine lid, depending on vehicle layout. Knowing the regional terms and the parts of the hood assembly helps with accurate communication, maintenance, and safe operation.

Which part of a car is called the hood?

A car bonnet, or hood, is the hinged cover that rests over the engine compartment of a car. It is designed to provide access to the engine for maintenance and repairs. While “car bonnet” and “car hood” are often used interchangeably, they refer to the same component.

What is the piece that holds the hood up called?

The part that holds up a car’s hood is called a hood strut, also known as a hood lift support or hood shock. These are gas-pressurized or hydraulic devices that extend to support the weight of the hood and keep it stable while the engine compartment is exposed. Some older vehicles or emergency situations may use a mechanical hood prop rod to manually prop the hood open.
 
How Hood Struts Work

• Gas-powered struts: The most common type uses compressed gas (like nitrogen) inside a cylinder. When you lift the hood, the gas pressure helps the strut extend, supporting the hood. 
• Hydraulic struts: These use hydraulic fluid, offering similar support to gas struts. 
• Mechanical prop rods: These are simpler metal rods that are manually inserted to keep the hood open. 

Why They Are Important

• Safety: They prevent the hood from unexpectedly falling, protecting mechanics and car owners. 
• Convenience: They make it easier to open and keep the hood open, improving access to the engine compartment. 

What is another name for the hood of a car?

The primary synonym for “car hood” is bonnet. While “hood” is the term used in American English, “bonnet” is the term used in Commonwealth English, particularly in the United Kingdom.
 
Key Synonyms 

• Bonnet: The most common synonym for car hood, especially in British English, referring to the hinged cover over the engine compartment.

Other Related Terms

• Cowl/Cowling: While not a direct synonym, these terms can refer to the covering of the engine compartment or components. 
• Cover: A general term that can be used, though less specific than “bonnet”. 

What is the front hood of the car called?

The front hood of a car is called a hood in American English and a bonnet in British English and Commonwealth countries. Both terms refer to the hinged cover that protects the engine compartment, providing access for maintenance and shielding the engine from the elements. 
Here’s a quick breakdown of the terminology:

• Hood: This is the common term in the United States. 
• Bonnet: This is the term used in the United Kingdom and many other countries around the world.