What's Your Preferred Vehicle Type/Shape/Class?

After reading a few comments from other users about how certain type/shape/class of vehicles "suck" and the amount of threads we get where OP is asking about what car they should buy, I have never really seen the break down of what most users actually want here.

We have our all time favorites that continually get spat out; Camry, Corolla/i30's, Tucson/Sorento, Carnival, Hilux/LDV, Mustang/86, Land Cruiser/Haval, etc etc, but it doesn't tell us what the general consensus is or what the spread is for what we would buy for ourselves.

I can look up vehicle classes sales over the past 12 months, but that only really breaks it down into 3 groups. Sedans, SUV and Commercial. I want to go a bit deeper and see what everyone's main preference is.

Let's say you are up for buying a new vehicle this year. It has to be within your budget and what you would be hoping to buy. What class/shape/type of vehicle would be the top of your list?? And if you are up for it, why do you want that class of vehicle? What appeals to you the most about your choice? (NB: I don't really care why you dont like other classes of vehicles, just why you picked the one you picked.)

Poll Options

  • 163
    Sedan (4 doors and a boot)
  • 137
    Hatchback (3 or 5 door)
  • 34
    Coupe (2 doors, crappy rear seats)
  • 117
    Stationwagon (Think "extended hatchback/sedan")
  • 150
    SUV (Taller stationwagon)
  • 28
    4x4 (Large off-roader)
  • 15
    Twin Cab (2wd or 4wd)
  • 5
    Van/People Mover (Bulk passenger space)
  • 3
    Utility/Commercial (Bulk cargo space)
  • 9
    Other (In case I missed a category, let us know in comments)

Comments

  • +1

    FJ is currently my fav 4x4 vehicle. It's not as large as a Prado but based on same platform so very capable off-road and does well pulling my boat trailer. Wouldn't use it for a daily commuter but great weekend/adventure vehicle.

    It has also appreciated in price about $20k since bought it, can't complain.

    I would replace it with a Ford Bronco or maybe Hummer EV if they ever land in Aus.

    • Bruh LUL

  • I’ve always thought about getting a Suzuki x-90 as a project car just for the lols

  • +2

    Our clan now has its first SUV after years of station wagons - just can't find a decent compact 7 any more. Yeah, the SUV has some advantages, but I still feel dirty.

    • +15

      Shame, shame on you.

    • We got a regular Benedict Arnold over here!

    • +4

      It's not your fault… wagons are becoming scarce and softroaders are certainly the glut… I'll never budge though

      • What do you have now?

        The only compact 7 I can see now is a Prius V but it doesn't tick many other boxes for me. Even 5 years ago there were numerous options - we are quickly going to auto hell.

        • Sedan. I badly want a Stationwagon though. Not a 7 seater, I don't think I'll need that many seats ever. I miss Volvo having good options in this area, I do like the look of the Skoda Superb wagon 206 model. Hell the Corolla wagon was meant to be realeased but vanished into thin air… I hear subaru are reviving the Imprezza wagon… meh. Otherwise might have to look at a merc or BMW. I'm not touching the car market until I really have to though, both my dogs fit on the back seat… for now.

    • +1

      Barely anyone making proper station wagons anymore. Although I read, in Europe, they are mandating companies continue to build station wagons because they use less fuel and emit less pollution than equivalent SUV's

      Same sort of thinking with all the emissions and pollution laws and taxes and whatever else. For example, they have been making vehicles like the 1 litre turbo Mondeo, because of all the rules/laws/taxes etc

  • We've purchased a new RAV4. First SUV. Purchased as tall people hate tiny cars. Would have preferred a 4x4 but the range in EV/Hybrid sucks in Australia atm. Will probably flip the RAV in coming years for a new EV model (if the prices get reasonable).

  • +4

    Station wagon, but manufactures keep cancelling new models. Latest to go Skoda Fabia Wagon. I guess people just buy an SUV with greater profit margin for the manufacturer.

  • you MIssed out convertibles - specificAlly, cars designed To be A convertible from the ground up.

    • I knew there was going to be something I missed out, hence “other”, but most convertibles are based on either a sedan (eg: Saab 9-3) or coupe variant (eg: Mustang).

      • +4

        Mx5

        • 2003 Audi tt made bought it to flip now the missus wants it 2 seater not practical at all got a couple things to sort out not easy like a commodore or ford.

    • +4

      Miata
      Is
      Always
      The
      Answer

    • +2

      I wonder how many ppl noticed? Probably only us owners.

  • +3

    I own a hatch and have been happy with the amount of cargo space it has especially with the seats folded down, and the cars I like (e.g. i30N, Focus RS, Civic Type R) are all offered in hatchbacks so I’d say hatchback for me personally. The boot feels a lot more accessible especially compared to a sedan also.

    I’ve driven SUVs before and have liked the ride height and space available so would put that second I think.

  • At the moment for me and my current circumstances, I would prefer to have a panel van, something similar in shape to a VW Caddy - not too big or small, something that I can put a push bike in the back of without having to remove any wheels and is still able to lock and secure both the car and the load if I want to take a detour either before or after a bike ride. I know there are SUVs and station wagons which could do that as well, but I like the look of the panel vans as well.

  • +2

    Preferred? Well I don't have much choice these days with 4 kids so people mover is my "preference" 🤣

  • Contemplating an upgrade for the family wagon very soon. Needs to tow a caravan for holidays, fit 5 in comfort and 7 round town semi regularly. Leaves us pretty much with large 4x4 wagons. It’ll be like for like.

    Then there’s the second car. Loving the versatility of the 4x4 twin cab ute. Has been in 4wd enough to justify it. Gets al sorts of stuff in the tub too. It’s not up for upgrades soon though.

    I’d be keen to go electric if the price was right and the product suited my needs. It’s not ready yet.

    • Contemplating an upgrade for the family wagon very soon. Needs to tow a caravan for holidays, fit 5 in comfort and 7 round town semi regularly. Leaves us pretty much with large 4x4 wagons. It’ll be like for like.

      Mazda CX-9. 5-7 seater, reasonably spacious interior, handles like a sedan (IMO) - 2.5l turbo; 2000kg towing capacity, has an AWD option if desired. I wouldn't call it a 4x4 wagon, definitely looks/feels like a (very?) large/tall sedan/wagon.

      • 2t won’t cut it for our towing use. (not my neg)

  • If we had to have only one vehicle it would be our 4wd dual cab. The Swiss army knife of cars
    .

  • Current car is a two door liftback, which is a cross between a coupe and a hatchback I guess? I'm considering an EV as my next car, and am less concerned about shape as price. Almost everything new seems to be some form of SUV.

    I don't want it to look stupid, which is subjective of course. Just cheap and electric. I'm not bothered by range. I don't plan on taking it touring across the country. I just want something I can charge at home and drive locally.

  • +5

    A hatch for sure, have had to move an uncoutable amount of items throughout the years and without going for a ute of the sorts a hatch has done absolute wonders. Anything from a fridge to washing machine to 70" tv to motorbike, I've been able to move them all. Granted, yes, I have had limited exposure to a Citroen Xsara and a Subaru Impreza but both of them have been exceptionally capbable for the job.

    Some hatch may look weird yes, but those who do it well, for the average Joe, it's a spectacular choice to get something that looks and seats plenty of people alright and can do everything that an average person can do is a fantastic choice.

    • +1

      How did you put a motorbike in a hatchback?

      • It was a Trimph street triple so relatively narrow naked bike, removed the wheels, rotated the handle bar down, was a pain in the ass to get it in there, not for lack of room but having to crouch and lift 180 odd kgs without much arm leverage was challenging with only two people.

  • +1

    As a family man, i prefer a 4WD. But would like a Grand tourer next time. Like an Aston or something. One can dream.

  • +5

    what i would like - Porsche 911
    what i can afford - 5 year old Honda Civic base model no trills

  • Have owned a van in the past and they are awesome. Nice high seating, surprisingly easy to park, can squeeze into super tight parking spaces and let yourself out the sliding door.
    Ski trip with the mates? Why not throw the golf clubs in and stop for a round on the way? Sure, there's room!

    • +1

      until you have to work on the engine… underneath the seats…

  • CX5

  • Thats a tough one to narrow down.

    Have had an Suv and loved it, but it was heavy on fuel and a soccer mums car.
    I don’t mind a hot hatch (small turbos), but hate the lack of space and bo towing ability (even though rarely used by me)

    I enjoyed my share of station wagons, but end up hating them after a while (not sure why)

    And now…. the natural bogan in me is currently urging me to pay a stupid inflated price for a stupid unreliable SS ute, but I'm resisting because its such a poor investment.

    Ultimately i voted for a sedan.
    Always like having a full sized car thats both comfortable and practical for passengers as well as having some extra space.

  • all.. a car for every different utility

  • +5

    Stationwagon (Think "Stationwagon")

    • Do you consider rs6 or e63s as a station wagon?

      • Those are both wagons (obviously the e63s in the wagon body)

  • +1

    Roadster

  • If I could only pick one, I would pick a sedan, but I would be almost as equally happy with a hatch.

    My preference for a sedan is that most full size cars, which I prefer (i.e. a Camry size, let's say), are generally sedans. Additionally, I trust the security of a boot much more than the back of a hatch. Not doubting the ability of someone to get into a boot if they really wanted to, but when locked, no doubt it's harder to get into than smashing in a back window.

    FWIW, I don't think there's much point in comparing hatch / sedans with utes / vans / twin-cabs, given their target markets are broadly different.

    • That’s a good point about the size of a hatch vs sedan.

      I guess a sportback/fastback could be another option? Some sportbacks are pretty roomy inside. I said I own a hatch before but it’s actually a sportback. Not sure if that should be added as a category or not.

  • Sportsback.

  • 4x4 UTE

  • Full sized sedan ftw.

  • Shooting brake but these are rare and expensive. Affordable one I like not sold here https://www.kia.com/uk/new-cars/proceed/

    Followed by station wagon, liftback then hatch back. I own a sedan and 3dr hatch. 3dr hatch I love, its a great little runabout / shopping trolley.

    • Oh, yes, sorry I missed “shooting brake” body type. Who doesn’t love a 2 door coupe with a station wagon rear.

  • +2

    Station Wagon all the way!

  • +2

    Poll results don't reflect vehicle sales with Hilux 52,801 and Ford Ranger 50,272 topping the list in 2021.

    • +6

      reflects the demographics of poll respondents

      not tradies and more soccer mums and families

    • How many people answering bought a new car in 2021? You can also read multiple comments of people preferring one shape, but settling for another shape for various practicality and availability reasons.

    • Poll results also don’t reflect that more than 50% of vehicles sold last year were SUVs. They beat every other class combined. I think the poll here is more about what people “want” than what they would actually “get”.

      Sometimes you have to compromise and you may want a station wagon, but end up getting an SUV because of availability. You may want a sedan, but end up with a hatchback because of space.

      I was just curious as to what the community as a whole here preferred. There is no right or wrong answer and this community only represents a small cross section of the wider community. I just wanted to see if there was a clear preference for cars like the Camry (and sedan is kicking arse atm) or some other group (station wagon has surprised me.)

      • +3

        curious to why people would 'want' a sedan? Wife and I were just discussing this yesterday… was at the beach and someone drove past in a camry with 2 boogie boards sitting in the back seat, obscuring view. Meanwhile in our SUV we had all out stuff for the beach comfortably in the boot. We've travelled, camped etc and never even had the boot cover slightly raised. Might get negged from all the camry frothers on here… but i'm genuinely curious to why someone would want a sedan over an SUV!

        • +7

          i'm genuinely curious to why someone would want a sedan over an SUV!

          I can think of plenty of reasons:

          (1) SUVs feel like you're driving a bus - your centre of gravity is higher, you'll move more with the same lateral forces acting on you. In an SUV, you'll have to take corners slower and if you drive around windy mountain roads a lot, they're just not as comfortable. I'm not talking about an SUV vs. a sports car, even my 20 year old Toyota Camry rides better around corners on back mountain roads vs. an SUV.

          (2) SUVs are big and clunky - they're hard to zip around on small, tight streets with. Slower to park, harder to fit in between two parked cars. Opposite of when I drove an MX-5 and just had the best time. It's so small and nimble, you never had to worry about scraping anything since it was just so damn small.

          (3) What you drive and what you associate with. Unfortunately, SUVs have a bad rap - every time I see stupid behaviour on the road, it always happens to be an SUV. When I do the school pickup, it's always the SUVs who drive like entitled twats. There's a train station near where I live that has sort of like a service lane that you turn into to pick people up - lazy people just stop in the middle of the street (without bothering to turn into the main road) and have the person they're picking up just run out to the car and get on. Stupid, holds up traffic, incredibly dangerous. Almost always SUVs. I simply don't want to associate with drivers who act in such an idiotic manner.

          (4) Value - no matter how you slice and dice it, an SUV is more expensive. You definitely pay more for the body shape, e.g. a RAV4 vs. a Camry. If you don't need a RAV4, why pay for it?

          • +1

            @p1 ama:

            SUVs feel like you're driving a bus

            Must be a shit SUV you've driven, or your vertically challenged.

            every time I see stupid behaviour on the road, it always happens to be an SUV.

            Selective memory.

            • +3

              @pharkurnell:

              Must be a shit SUV you've driven, or your vertically challenged.

              I'm 180cm, so pretty much average height. Shit SUV or not, you can't change physics. No matter what the marketing department tells you, they have a higher center of gravity so you will always move more for a given lateral force.

              • @p1 ama: perhaps just need a better handling suv like a stelvio or macan? then you have the best of both

                • +1

                  @Stylez:

                  perhaps just need a better handling suv like a stelvio or macan? then you have the best of both

                  Yes, but you can only compare like for like. The original question was comparing an SUV to a Camry - it only makes sense to compare an SUV that's a similar price to a Camry.

                  If you're talking about a Macan, then you should also compare it to ~$100K+ sedans. Are you really going to say that a Macan drives better than something like an Audi S6 or similar?

                  • +1

                    @p1 ama: I've driven both. The Macan actually drives better. Mind boggling how well that thing handles. If you don't have a chance to drive one watch some youtube reviews. The verdict is unanimous

                    • @bobolo: About to buy the Macan GTS. I have to agree, it is basically a supercar.

                      Your brain can't reconcile how an SUV moves like that.

          • +2

            @p1 ama: (5) Less fuel efficient

            (6) Heavy

            (7) Poor vision (notwithstanding cameras)

            Coupe is the answer….. :P

          • @p1 ama: The fact you compared a 2 seat MX-5 to a SUV renders your arguments baseless. Its the equivalent of comparing suit pants to a pair of speedos

            And actually, most of the stupid and downright dangerous behaviour I see are from Camry's alone. By far.

            SUV's only have a "bad rap" from the small minority who dislike them for baseless reasons like yours. Nobody else has a problem with them - especially to your level of disdain. Bad drivers who commit dangerous acts drive all sorts of cars - but it seems you prefer to stereotype instead.

            Perhaps all Camry drivers are also asian women??

            • @bobolo: No, I agree that the stupid drivers tend to drive a SUV. It is WHAT caused my disdain for them, not the other way round. Otherwise I don't see any issue with them other than them being chunky.

  • +2

    I'm a big fan of fast smaller wagons and had my heart set on an Octavia RS wagon when I was new car shopping last year, but when they removed the manual option from the current generation it put me off.

    Ended up deciding that I'd rather compromise on body type than on manual vs auto so I went for a manual Focus ST (hatch). Less practical but more fun.

  • It changes as you progress in life. Sedan/Coupe when younger, SUV once you get a small family, UTE probably when im older.

  • +1

    I voted twice because I use 2 vehicles. A large 4wd tow vehicle and if I had to buy this year would replace my older family wagon with a 4 door sedan/suv for city use. I would not be considering any ICE vehicle to buy new atm.

    When I’m old and (more) feeble I guess they will tear my big 4x4 from my grasping hands..😢
    If I had to buy now a Tesla or similar I guess.

  • +1

    Can't go past the Kia Carnival shape at the moment. Just wish it was hybrid, AWD and lifted a few inches so you could take it down some dirt roads without breaking your back.

  • I am surprise there is such a high vote count for Station Wagon when I rarely see them on the road and dealership

    I vote for a sedan, sufficient space for occupants and luggage in the boot. Handling is (should be) decent when compare to SUV.

    I think SUV is good if you have baby car seat because you don't need to bend over to much to help the baby to buckle up. No doubt the boot space is good too. But the handling is just terrible.

    • +2

      I am surprise there is such a high vote count for Station Wagon when I rarely see them on the road and dealership

      Many people want them but the marketing department has decided if we want a wagon it pretty much has to be an SUV. The don’t sell wagons because they don’t sell wagons.

      • +2

        Wagon sales fell off a cliff as SUV sales soared. Regardless of what people say they want, what they're actually buying was not wagons, so they stopped making them.

  • +2

    Eurotrashwagons all the way.

    Cayenne, Q7, X5, Range Rovers, GL, Youaregs you name it.
    If it blows a hole in your wallet i want it.

    Need space for my copious number of bikes (thankfully not kids.)

    • +1

      If it blows a hole in your wallet i want it.

      Hahaha… That's why I own a Fiat and a garage full of Ducati bikes :D

  • +2

    I picked a SUV because have you tried lowering a 8kg baby into a car seat multiple times a week? The higher seat positioning for kids' car seats is the number 1 reason for the popularity of SUVs. Its definitely not popular because of boot space, fuel efficiency etc!

    • +1

      8kg qualifies as being a "super baby" according to the ABC https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-09-23/woman-gives-birth-to-…

    • +2

      'higher seat positioning for kids' car seats is the number 1 reason for the popularity of SUVs'

      I did not know that - thanks for the elucidation.

      I hate them blocking my forward view in traffic when I'm stuck behind one,

      and I always remember the designer of the original SUV - the Range Rover - saying he found most buyers were pompous and stupid - “Sadly, the 4x4 has become an acceptable alternative to Mercedes or BMW for the pompous, self-important driver,” Mr. King told The Daily Mail in 2004. “To use them for the school run, or even in cities or towns at all, is completely stupid.” - https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/04/business/04king.html

      a later designer capitalised on that and added aggressive grilles to appeal to the lizard brain seeking a feeling of domination 'I'm over you' - pity the higher centre of gravity means they roll over much more easily from any glancing impact

      'Their drivers say they feel safer than in ordinary cars, but the 4x4's high centre of gravity makes it easier to roll.
      The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents have warned that 4x4 drivers are more likely to hit pedestrians or cyclists. And research has shown that pedestrians are twice as likely to die if hit by a 4x4, because the vehicles' high bonnets cause head and upper-body injuries.' - https://tinyurl.com/52mdd8tt

  • Got my eye on the new Nissan Z coming out this year. I doubt I'll actually buy one this year, but I can see it happing in 2023 or 2024.

  • Definitely a dual cab ute for me when the market returns to normal (I'll be waiting I know).
    RWD or 4x4 not fussed, just want a tray and 5 seats.

  • I used to be a guy who pooh pooh'ed anything but a sport coupe or a liftback coupe like a JZA Supra or a 4 door sport saloon all rwd of course… because my dad always had an SUV or a white van or a 4x4 ute as work cars…

    It was only when I was given an SUV to drive daily for work that I realised that this really is a complete one car solution for most people.

    This was either a CX5 2.5 litre or a older 2.4 CRV or a 2.5 Xtrail.

    I mean they drive like shit are dead slow and really dont like moving much with any load… and an airport run with 4 people + roller bags is really not fun but its close enough as long as you dont like cars… and just like getting things done.

    They can carry a load of shit like ladders and tools etc.

    I would love a Macan GTS or a Tesla Y but really can you load it up full of crap like a Jap CUV and not screw the leather? and feel guilty you're messing up what is a nice car?

    I kind of wouldnt mind a diesel 4x4 but the 1.8 meter diagonal tray is kind of… you get used to it I suppose.

  • Hot hatch personally, but ideally i only really want to drive for leisure not commute.

  • +3

    Stationwagon FTW. Currently own Subaru Liberty GT. Would happily replace with a Levorg.

  • prefer sedan, however our next vehicle is almost certainly going to be an mid sized SUV.

  • I have sedan, lift back, hatch, station wagon and coupe. Only a few more to complete the set.

    In the end I settled on Hatch for the poll, but what I really mean is lift back, like the the Skoda Superb and Kia Stinger. Best of both worlds, practicality of large boot opening and looks of a sedan.

    Close second place goes to station wagon.

  • It'd like a 6 seater station wagon with sliding doors. If they can do with 2 doors, they can do it with 4!

  • +3

    Station wagon all the way. Why buying SUV when a wagon can carry the same load, better handling, and safer due the lower centre of mass.

    But hey, keep making wagon unpopular so I can buy them cheap

    • Whilst I love wagons, SUV's do have their place. The higher centre of mass is not a safety problem anymore, handlin gon many SUV's are quite refined now, and the benefit is you sit up high and can see further ahead, especially in traffic jams. The extra ground clearance can mean you can do the odd light off road trail without a problem, and its been proven that you are far better off in a SUV when involved in a collision with a car where the other vehicle/occupants are sitting lower.
      If you have kids, getting them in and out of child seats are also much easier without having to bend down

      • +5

        the benefit is you sit up high and can see further ahead, especially in traffic jams

        At the expense of other cars on the road, and only applicable when you're the only one in an SUV. When everyone else is in an SUV as well, we're just back to square one and you're just staring at another car's backend for your commute again.

        • Even if you're at the same line of sight with other SUV's the difference is huge in terms of visibility. Its an advantage afterall and its also a choice for most motorists to take up on that advantage by buying an SUV or not.

          • @bobolo:

            Even if you're at the same line of sight with other SUV's the difference is huge in terms of visibility.

            That defies physics - you can only see further because cars in front of you are below you. If they were the same height as you, then your height advantage would be lost.

            • @p1 ama: Does this law of physics you're referring to negate the fact that humans can move around in their seat/side to side to see above or around the object in front of you if both are the same height? Does it ignore the fact that you can see through the windows of the car in front of you if its the same height?

              • @bobolo:

                Does this law of physics you're referring to negate the fact that humans can move around in their seat/side to side to see above or around the object in front of you if both are the same height?

                Read what I said again - I never said that you cannot see around the object in front of you, I said specifically, that your "height advantage would be lost", which is objectively true when everyone is driving a car that is the same height as you.

                You're literally shilling for SUVs…

                • @p1 ama: And read what I said originally. "Even if you're at the same line of sight with other SUV's the difference is huge in terms of visibility". I'm/we're talking specifically in the context of being in an SUV behind another SUV - so yes, you can still see considerably more than if you were in a way lower down sedan/hatchback/wagon - which means objectively, you're completely wrong.

                  And nowhere on this planet do people only drive SUV's in any real world traffic situation.

                  Don't know about you, but I own both a sedan and a SUV. But it seems all you're doing is hating on SUV's

                  • @bobolo:

                    I'm/we're talking specifically in the context of being in an SUV behind another SUV - so yes, you can still see considerably more than if you were in a way lower down sedan/hatchback/wagon - which means objectively, you're completely wrong.

                    That wasn't the discussion - you stated that the reason to purchase an SUV was because you could see over the head of other vehicles. I stated that this is only true when other vehicles were lower than you. If they were not, your advantage is gone. This is objectively true. I never said that there's no visibility at all.

                    But it seems all you're doing is hating on SUV's

                    I'm not "hating on" SUVs - people can drive what they like. I wouldn't drive an SUV, but if you want to, then that's great. That's why there are options. I'm not advocating for them to be banned - just raising the pros / cons.

                    It's a discussion about the pros and cons of certain types of cars - if you present a pro-SUV argument, I think it's good discussion to present arguments against SUVs. It's not personal and I'm sorry if you're offended at me criticising your beloved SUV.

                    • +1

                      @p1 ama: Are you sure? I've only seen you trash SUV's so far - and also the people that drive them.

                      I can see pros and cons to both. But in real world day to day driving, SUV definitely takes the edge. I will admit that its to the detriment of other drivers in sedans/hatchbacks/wagons - but at the end of the day its on the individual as to what they choise to buy, so they have to accept the cons that come with it

                      Its almost the equivalent of comparing being tall vs short. In everyday situations, I think humans can agree being taller is better, even if its just from a practicality standpoint.

      • +1

        If you get T-boned in an SUV it’s very likely to roll over due to the high centre of mass.
        EV SUVs have however been able to lower the centre of mass due to the battery.

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