Sedan vs. Coupe: How Different Are They?

Not long ago, this was a straightforward question, and car categories were neatly separated. Today, automakers are blending the lines between these two types, creating more overlap than ever. If you’re perplexed by these marketing tactics—or just need a refresher on coupes and sedans—we’re here to clarify.

Body Styles Explained

Over time, the range of car body types has expanded significantly. Sedans and coupes are among the oldest styles, and telling them apart used to be simple—like comparing classical music to rock. However, modern design trends and the rise of SUVs have blurred these distinctions. At Car and Driver, we typically divide vehicles into eight broad segments: sedan, coupe, convertible, hatchback, wagon, SUV, pickup, and van. Even these categories have their gray areas.

Sedans vs. Coupes

A traditional sedan has four doors, with distinct compartments for the engine, passenger area, and trunk—a layout called a three-box design. Historically, some two-door cars with adequate rear seating were also labeled sedans.

A coupe usually has two doors, a fixed roof, and follows the same three-box principle. Examples range from two-door Honda Civics to Infiniti G60s, as well as many sports cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera and Subaru BRZ. The coupe category includes traditional three-box coupes, targas, and two-door hatchbacks. A targa is a coupe or hatch with a removable roof panel, such as the Chevrolet Corvette, while the Toyota Supra exemplifies a two-door hatchback.

Why Body Styles Confuse Buyers

While these definitions seem simple enough, automakers have blurred the lines by merging characteristics from different body styles. A sloping rear roofline, once a hallmark of coupes, now appears on everything from four-door sedans to SUVs. The industry often labels these “four-door coupes,” despite the contradiction.

The goal is to market sedans with fastback rooflines as sporty and stylish. Many of these fastback sedans are technically hatchbacks, with a liftgate opening into a larger cargo area instead of a separate trunk. Even though they break the traditional three-box rule, they are generally categorized as sedans—though in body style terms, they resemble hatchbacks. The Audi A7 illustrates this trend, while the Mercedes-Benz CLS-class is a fastback sedan with a separate trunk.

The concept extends to SUVs, too. Fastback SUVs, designed purely for style, often share platforms with traditional squared-off models. For instance, the Mercedes-Benz GLC SUV and GLC Coupe share a base, but the “coupe” moniker is purely for marketing. These sleeker SUVs have reduced cargo space compared to their boxier counterparts but remain popular with buyers.

The Bottom Line

Classifying cars isn’t always cut-and-dry, and a little flexibility is needed when sorting body styles. Still, the basic distinction hasn’t changed: a sedan has four doors and a trunk, while a coupe has two doors and a trunk. Everything else—fastbacks, hatchback hybrids, and four-door “coupes”—are just modern variations on these classic templates.