How to choose the right body style

How to choose the right body style is easier to judge when you look at real use, not only the figures in the advert. This guide covers what to check, which numbers matter, and where buyers usually go wrong.

Quick check

• Compare the numbers with your usual route and budget.
• Ask for documents instead of a verbal promise.
• Leave a reserve in range, time, and money.

People and bags

Count the seats you use weekly and the largest item you carry monthly. A tall boot aperture often matters more than a brochure litre figure.

Roads and parking

A larger SUV can feel safer on poor roads and painful in a city garage. Measure the spaces you already use.

Running costs

Taller, heavier cars use more energy and cost more to tyre. If you do not need the ride height, a lower car is usually cheaper to keep.

Try the one you will live with

Sit in the back, fold the seats, and park it once. A short test loop in the model you already like is not enough.