Differences between the various types of car
Below is a short summary of the different types of cars. We'll go over the differences between hatchback, sedan, liftback, estate, coupe, sport, restyling, hybrid, SUV and 4x4 cars, as well as the different boot floor positions.
Hatchback (3 or 5 doors)
Vehicles with 3 or 5 doors with the rear window built into the tailgate, meaning that when the boot is opened, the window lifts with it. (It is considered 5-door when the boot includes the window.) Boot with a steep incline.
Sedan / Saloon (4 doors)
Vehicles with 4 doors with the rear window separate from the tailgate, meaning that when the boot is opened, the window does not lift. (It is considered 4-door when the boot does NOT include the window.)
Liftback / Sportback (5 doors)
5-door vehicle with styling similar to a sedan but with the glass built into the rear tailgate.
Estate / Tourer / Touring / Avant / Wagon / Shooting brake / Station wagon (5 doors)
Estate versions, some available in a 7-seater version.
Coupe (2 doors)
Vehicles with 2 doors and a boot tailgate with no window. Sportier style.
SPORT (3 doors)
Vehicle similar to the 3-door hatchback but with a sportier style, without going as far as a coupe.
Cabrio / Roadster / Convertible (2 doors)
Vehicles with a folding roof, convertible.
SUV / 4x4 (5 doors)
All-terrain vehicle with 4x2 or 4x4 versions. Some available as 7-seaters.
RESTYLING / FACELIFT / LCI VERSION
Changes, usually cosmetic, to a model currently on the market to refresh it before the end of its lifecycle. This is normally done mid-lifecycle.
Hybrid Version / Hybrid
Hybrid models may need floor mats or boot liners with different dimensions.
High / Medium / Low Position
Models with boots at different heights. If it has 2 heights, they will be high and low. If it has 3 heights, high, medium and low.
For example, the Seat León III ST has high and low.