Types of Cars Available in India - From Hatchbacks to Roadsters

Highest selling cars in India for the past several months, have been either an SUV or a Hatchback. But do you know all the types of cars available on sale? Well there are 5 more body type guides to choose from, and has their own distinctive characterisitics. So, let's explore all of them, and before that, do join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on automotive updates.

Also Read: Why Sedans Outperform SUVs For Thrill Seekers

Hatchback

A body configuration in which the tailgate swings upward to open up the car boot space. This body type is the most visible on Indian roads, and their distinctive characteristics are low to the ground, smaller footprints, and they have two rows. They can only be 5-seaters. People who plan to buy their first car usually go with a hatchback, as they're easy to drive, highly fuel-efficient, and have less body area, which translates to being extremely easy to park in tight spots. Some of the popular hatchbacks in India are produced by the country's biggest car manufacturer - Maruti Suzuki, and they are - Swift, Baleno, Wagon R, and Alto K10.

Sedan

A car with three separate compartments - engine bay, middle body, and an extended trunk - perfectly encapsulates the sedan body type. This has been, and still continues to be, the choice of people who want an abundance of space with proper performance dynamics in a vehicle. As the interior cabin has loads of legroom to offer, especially in the second row, and the seats are large, which feel like a sofa in full-size sedans. Plus, for luggage, the boot area is separately carved out, so they score top marks when it comes to practicality.

Some of the popular sedans that have shaped the Indian automotive sector in the past are - Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, and Jaguar XJF. Now, talking about some popular affordable options - Honda City, Accord, Hyundai Verna, and Skoda Octavia.

SUV

Typically a two-in-one kind of car, which can be perfectly used as a regular road-going car and for going off-road with total confidence. SUVs have higher ground clearance, massive footprints, and larger engines, along with big bodies to carry 6 to 7 people with their luggage. Also, another distinctive characteristic of these cars is the ladder frame chassis. This type of chassis is so robust that it opens up the car's potential to climb, crawl, and cross extremely difficult terrains. Now, the popularity of SUVs has skyrocketed because automakers have made these cars affordable and more car-like, while still keeping the basic nature of them intact.

In the sea of cars in India, there are a plethora of SUVs available, such as compact, sub-compact, coupe, full-size, mid-size, and sportback. That said, some of the most popular ones in India are - Toyota Land Cruiser, Land Rover Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and Toyota Fortuner. Talking about some compact ones - Hyundai Creta, Maruti Grand Vitara, and BMW X3.

MPV

MPVs are the most underrated body type in India, where they aren't appreciated enough for the space they offer, and are usually found in taxi fleets, as people are only moving towards SUVs. MPVs are fantastic - they truly move Indians from one place to another. A classic example of this is the Toyota Innova - on sale in India since 2005, it is counted among the top 10 legendary vehicles. Built on a ladder frame chassis, this MPV is known to be built like a tank, low maintenance, and comfortable for carrying people from one place to another. Great part about MPVs is they are easy to drive, can carry 7 to 8 people easily with their luggage, and getting in and out is also easy. Some of the examples of these cars in India - Toyota Innova Hycross, Maruti Ertiga, Kia Carens, and Toyota Vellfire.

Coupe

This body style is quite unique and can be considered a hybrid design. Essentially, a coupe shares its roots with a sedan, but with a key difference - the roofline slopes sharply towards the rear, merging seamlessly with the trunk to create a sleek shape. Traditionally, coupes are associated with high-performance cars and typically feature just two doors. The coupe shape significantly enhances aerodynamics by improving downforce and reducing drag, allowing the vehicle to glide more efficiently through the air.

Interestingly, this body style is no longer limited to sedans. Many modern SUVs have adopted the coupe design, blending sportiness with practicality. Examples of coupe-style SUVs include the Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and GLE Coupe. For those looking for more budget-friendly options, the Tata Curvv and Citroen Basalt are great upcoming choices in the Indian market.

Sports Car

The kind of car that makes your eyes widen, gives you an adrenaline rush, and makes time feel like it stops - that's a sports car. These machines are low to the ground, wide, and usually come with just two seats, though some offer four. They're nothing short of rolling art - breathtaking to look at, incredibly fast, and very expensive to own. Traditionally, sports cars were rear-wheel drive (RWD), as this layout offers a pure, performance-focused driving experience. However, in today's automotive world, all-wheel drive (AWD) sports cars are becoming increasingly popular. Manufacturers are opting for AWD systems because they make high-performance cars easier to drive, especially for everyday users. In contrast, RWD sports cars demand more skill to handle and truly unlock their full potential.

Examples of sports car with 4 seating capacity are - Porsche 911 Carrera, GTS, Spyder and ST. Other ones are Nissan GTR, BMW M4 Competiton and M2.

Roadster

Roadsters are basically a more exotic species of sports car, where their main purpose isn't to move ahead at bone-crushing speeds, but to drive in style, comfort, and also at intense speeds. People who love driving and, on weekends, need an exotic powerful vehicle to go on a long drive, opt for roadsters, as they fulfill all their criteria. If compared with a true sports car, then these cars are found to be much more comfortable, practical, and high on luxury. However, not for a second think they are any less powerful, as you might get a V12 underneath their bonnets, with 800 plus hp.

Now, another characterisitic of these cars are their engines are placed at front, unlike sports car with rear or mid mounted engines. Some of the examples are - Aston Martin Vanquish, Ferrari 12 Cyclindri, Ferrari 812 Superfast, and Mercedes-AMG SLS AMG.

Convertible

Ah, the most desirable ones out there. Convertibles are a type of body, which is strictly developed just to give a special feeling of driving in open air, and all that speed, luxury, and other amenities are just part of that package. Convertibles are very much responsible for the fact that in mass-market cars, automakers are giving large panoramic sunroofs. Also, one important thing about these is that, as there is no roof, the other half of the body is made much more robust so that the overall car becomes as tough as another type of body. That's why, at the core level, they are very heavy and are felt less sporty when compared to regular coupes. The roofs come up, and is made up of Alcantara, and is totally automatically controlled.

Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, Mercedes Maybach SL 680, BMW Z4, and Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder.

Pickup Trucks

This body type is the latest one and the most overlooked by Indians, as they can't fit inside an average person's house in India. If you search pickup trucks on Google, you won't see many options, as there aren't any - only the Toyota Hilux and Isuzu V-Cross are available, and the rest of the options are reserved for commercial purposes. These trucks are basically SUVs with an extended bed size that offers acres of space, allowing you to travel anywhere while carrying stuff for several days. Despite much effort by several brands, people aren't buying them simply because they don't make any sense in our daily conditions - and the number one reason for that is their massive size.

Also Read: RWD and Ladder On Frame SUVs Under Rs 20 Lakh for Sale In India