Types of cars (sedan, coupe, SUV...)
I'm not sort of person who is enthusiastic about cars, and it's just confusing when people talk what kind of cars they have or something like that. So, what are the definitions of these car types, and how they look like typically? Does some types are sub-types of others?
-sedan
-coupe
-SUV
-hatchback
-convertible
-minivan

Dictionary doesn't help me for this matter. It says "hatchback" has hatchback door, but most SUVs and some sedans have hatchback doors, don't they? Also, many convertibles carry 4 people like sedans do. I'm asking about American English, if it matters. Thanks.

Question

Types of cars (sedan, coupe, SUV...)
I'm not sort of person who is enthusiastic about cars, and it's just confusing when people talk what kind of cars they have or something like that. So, what are the definitions of these car types, and how they look like typically? Does some types are sub-types of others?
-sedan
-coupe
-SUV
-hatchback
-convertible
-minivan

Dictionary doesn't help me for this matter. It says "hatchback" has hatchback door, but most SUVs and  some sedans have hatchback doors, don't they? Also, many convertibles carry 4 people like sedans do. I'm asking about American English, if it matters. Thanks.

Answer

Hello Chihiro,

Yes,those are types of cars classified according to their specific body structure ,style, genre or design. Some car manufactures are specialized in the production of certain types and not the others.

* Sedan:
is a passenger car with two rows of seats and adequate passenger space in the rear compartment for adult passengers.
Check this Volkswagen Sedan:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/volkswagen-jetta-sedan.html#

* Coupés ( from the french verb couper 'to cut ' )are often hardtopped sports cars or sporty variants of sedan (saloon) body styles, with doors commonly reduced from 4 to 2, and a close-coupled interior.
A Hyundai coupe :
http://www.thecarconnection.com/photos/hyundai_genesis-coupe_2010#100025460

Answer

* SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) is a generic marketing term for a vehicle similar to a station wagon, but built on a light-truck chassis. Usually equipped with four-wheel drive for on- or off-road ability, and with some pretension or ability to be used as an off-road vehicle.
A Chevrolet Equinox SUV:
http://www.automobilemag.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0906_2010_chevrolet_equinox_wallpaper_gallery/photo_01.html

* Hatchback is an automobile design, containing a passenger cabin with an integrated cargo space, accessed from behind the vehicle by a single, top-hinged tailgate or large flip-up window.
That is a Bugatti Hatchback ( not available yet):
http://loadinform.com/bugatti-hatchback/

*Convertible:
A convertible is a type of automobile in which the roof can retract and fold away, converting it from an enclosed to an open-air vehicle. 
Check a BMW convertible car:
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/3series/convertible/2007/allfacts/design/exterior.html

* Minivan:
Minivan is a type of automobile similar in shape to a van, designed for personal use. Minivans are taller than a sedan, hatchback or a station wagon, and are designed for maximum interior room. 
Check the Mazda Minivan:
http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/geneva/2010/1003_112_2011_mazda_mazda5/index.html