What is the difference between a liftback and a hatchback, what is the difference between a hatchback and a liftback

Every driver has an idea of what a hatchback, sedan or station wagon looks like. This is not news, because these body types are considered the most popular. However, even the smartest car enthusiasts sometimes do not know the exact definition of a Liftback body. Liftback: what is it? Let us explain the main differences, advantages and disadvantages.

A liftback is a specific type of body that is several times more practical than a sedan, has a spacious trunk and folding rear seats, which makes it possible to load larger items. It has a streamlined shape, which has a positive effect on aerodynamics.

Liftback

When describing cars, we mainly use vocabulary that came to us from the English language: hatchback, injector, bumper, accelerator, parking, and so on.
Quite often in the characteristics of certain cars you can find the name of the body - liftback. What it is? — Let’s try to sort this issue out. A liftback is a type of hatchback, but unlike it, the car's profile resembles that of a sedan with a rear overhang, while the trunk door opens like a hatchback. It may not seem very convenient, but the standard liftback is superior in space to both a sedan and hatchback of the same size, but inferior to a station wagon.

Other names often used:

hatchback sedan;
notchback liftback.

Thus, the liftback is a transitional link between a hatchback and a sedan, that is, the rear silhouette has a sloping, stepped shape. As you can see, the difference is small, but due to the fact that the rear door tilts up, it is easier to place bulky cargo in the trunk. The rear sofa folds down, which triples the volume of the luggage compartment. If you frequently transport various cargo, consider purchasing a liftback vehicle.

It is worth noting that even in the Soviet Union similar cars were produced. The very first domestic liftback was IZH-2125, known as “Kombi”.

Examples

Czech Skoda produces many models with this body type:

Skoda Rapid;
Skoda Octavia (A5, A7, Tour);
Skoda Superb.

Czech cars are famous for their reliability and excellent performance. The Skoda Octavia is a great car for both work and family trips. Thanks to the presence of a liftback body, it can be filled almost to capacity with payload. Well, the Skoda Superb is a D-class executive car.

In 2022, German Volkswagen presented the fastback Arteon . This is a full-size five-door car from the Gran Turismo series, which looks very impressive. The car belongs to the E-class, that is, it is intended for businessmen who have to spend a lot of time on the road.

It is worth noting that a fastback is a type of liftback. The roof can go into the trunk either sloping or with a slight overhang. As a rule, Premium class cars are equipped with a fastback body. So, the brightest representatives of fastbacks:

Audi A7 Sportback;
BMW 6 Gran Turismo;
BMW 4 Gran Coupe;
Porsche Panamera, including a hybrid version of the Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid.

We recently wrote on our portal Vodi.su about electric cars, and so in 2009 the Tesla S Model . This car looks very elegant and at the same time aggressive. It is not officially sold in Russia, but in Germany it will cost approximately 57-90 thousand euros, the price depends on the capacity of the batteries and the power of the power units. Characteristics deserve a separate discussion (for Tesla S Model P100D):

613 kilometers of range on a full charge;
the power of both engines - rear and front - is 759 hp;
speed 250 km/h (limited by the chip, in fact exceeds 300 km/h);
it accelerates to hundreds in 3.3 seconds, and to 250 km/h in about 6-8 seconds.

Other more affordable liftbacks include the following models: Chery Jaggi, Chery A13 and Chery Amulet, Opel Insignia Grand Sport, Opel Ampere, Ford Mondeo Hatchback, Opel Vectra C Hatchback, Mazda 6 Hatchback, Seat Toledo, Renault Laguna Hatchback, Renault Vel Satis etc. The model line is constantly expanding.

Domestic liftbacks

In 2014, production of the domestic liftback Lada Granta . Buyers were attracted not only by the silhouette of the rear of this car, but also by the modified shapes of the front bumper and rear doors. Even today, it is actively sold in the showrooms of official dealers at prices ranging from 414 to 517 thousand rubles.

five-door body, interior seats five people;
front-wheel drive, ground clearance 160 mm;
1.6 liter petrol engine with 87, 98 or 106 hp;
in the city it consumes an average of 9 liters of A-95, in the country about 6.

Well, and of course, it is impossible to pass by such a famous liftback, even if not made in Russia, like the ZAZ-Slavuta. The car was produced from 1999 to 2006 and became one of the most affordable in the budget segment. It was equipped with a 1.2 liter engine with 43, 62 or 66 hp. For a small business it was an ideal car. Another liftback is being produced in Ukraine - ZAZ Forza, which is a modernized version of the Chinese Chery A13.

Skoda Superb

The top five most affordable liftbacks in Russia is closed by another representative of Skoda. Superb has recently undergone an update and so far only cars with an uncontested turbocharged two-liter engine with 190 hp have reached our country. The transmission is also the same - 7-speed DSG. The Superb has a wheelbase of 2,841 millimeters and an overall length of 4.87 meters. The “Czech” has a quite decent trunk of 584 liters. If you fold the second row of seats, the volume will more than triple.

As for the price, the starting Ambition package costs from 2,285,000 rubles. But, naturally, you can’t call it empty. It essentially has everything you need. The next version - Style - costs from 2,533,000 rubles. Well, for the top-end L&K package you will have to pay a little less than 3 million.

***

Also on our market are the Audi A5 Sportback, BMW 3 series GT and BMW 4 series Gran Coupe. The price tag for these cars in basic configurations is approaching 3 million rubles (especially among representatives of the Bavarian automobile industry). But for the BMW 6 series GT you will already have to pay almost 4 million. Audi A7 Sportback is even more expensive - from 4,120,000 rubles.

What is a liftback? Description, distinctive features of the body, pros and cons

The technical characteristics of a car are not only engine size, power, suspension and transmission. This data also includes body type. Today, not every car owner will be able to distinguish, for example, a crossover from an SUV, or a sedan from a station wagon. And, moreover, to answer the question of how many body types there are. In general, there are more than twenty of them, and one of the least known, but gradually gaining popularity, is the liftback. The meaning of the word, description of the body, distinctive features and other useful information will be presented in this article.

Hatchback + sedan = liftback

Some people confuse this body type with a sedan, others with a hatchback. In fact, it is very easy to distinguish them.

A liftback is a type of hatchback, no matter how strange it may sound. But it is not for nothing that it is called a unique body type, as it combines the practicality and presentability of a sedan with the spaciousness and excellent aerodynamics of a hatchback. That is, the liftback has a fifth door with glass (trunk), but the body shape is streamlined.

What is a liftback? Terminology and body description

The word is of English origin (liftback) and literally translates as “rising back”. Visually, the liftback looks more like a sedan. This is, as a rule, a five-door, two-volume car in which the luggage compartment is structurally combined with the interior and is faintly distinguished as a third volume.

The first liftback in the world can be safely considered the Moskvich Combi, released by AvtoVAZ in 1973. Famous to this day, the IZH-2125 model remained the only hatchback on the domestic and world markets for 9 years. But in those years, the word “liftback” was alien to Russian ears, so the history of this body type does not begin with the “Moskvich Combi”. The term itself is considered relatively new and began to be used as a definition of a separate group of cars not so long ago.

Distinctive features of the liftback from other body types

In terms of body design, it is clear what a liftback is. It will not be difficult to distinguish it from other varieties if you carefully look at the back of the car. Unlike the sedan, it has a full lifting fifth door, and not a trunk lid. It differs from the hatchback in its more streamlined body shape, that is, the rear part is not “chopped off”. It will be impossible to confuse a liftback with a crossover, SUV or minivan due to the larger size of the latter. It differs from the station wagon in length - in the liftback the rear overhang is much shorter due to the smaller size of the luggage compartment.

No need for dirt

The angle of the rear part of the body was carefully worked out from an aerodynamic point of view. At the same time, VAZ designers assure that the sloping rear window in rainy weather is perfectly cleaned by air flows. That is why the basic “Standard” configuration does not have a rear windshield wiper. However, it is installed on cars in the “Norma” and “Lux” versions. Perhaps just to justify their higher cost?

However, this is nothing more than an “engineering and marketing” incident. Much more important is how the issue of body rigidity is resolved. Since cars in 5-door modifications, unlike sedans, do not have a reinforcing “bulkhead” in the rear, designers have to pay special attention to the rigidity of the liftback body.

Why is the manufacturer positioning Grant with a fifth door as a liftback? Yes, it’s very simple - the “niche” of hatchbacks is already occupied, very similar in design to Granta.

Advantages and disadvantages of a liftback car

The similarities and differences between a liftback and a hatchback and sedan make cars of this body type the most popular and attractive. They are chosen by car owners from all over the world. From the sedan, the liftback has adopted a presentable appearance, as well as a streamlined body shape, which make it an ideal option for moving in a metropolis, since the aerodynamic capabilities of the car are significantly increased. From the hatchback he got a spacious luggage compartment, which gives him the ability to transport large items. The liftback is great for those who like to go on picnics and travel around cities, because the trunk will accommodate everything they need on the road.

Pendant: which one would you like?

But the most interesting changes occurred in the chassis of the five-door Granta. Thus, although cars in the “Standard” and “Norma” versions received an improved suspension, the changes in it were reduced mainly to different settings. But in the “Lux” version, the liftback suspension is significantly different from the sedan: anti-roll bars both front and rear are much more powerful, gas-filled shock absorbers and stiffer springs are installed.

The purpose of all these innovations, according to S. Medinets, was to increase the stability of the car in corners, reduce roll and sway. The suspension of the luxury liftback is denser and more collected than on the sedan, although, according to our interlocutor, we had to sacrifice a little smoothness. And he himself considers the ideal option for our roads to be the suspension in the “Standard” and “Norma” versions with conventional liquid shock absorbers and the same springs as on the sedan: “Such a car is not as accurate in reactions as a luxury one, but it “swallows” better "Typical Russian road defects."

And finally, a new vacuum brake booster, which the Lada Granta liftback received. As a result, the pedal travel, according to our feelings, has become shorter, and the force on it increases as the braking progresses, not as sharply as before. And in general, it has become more informative and accurate.

The best representatives of the liftback in the global automotive market, pricing policy

The price of liftbacks varies depending on the manufacturer, configuration and technical characteristics of the car. For example, let’s compare two models from Skoda – Superb and Rapid. The updated “Rapid” costs approximately 600-850 thousand rubles. And the minimum price for a 2022 Superb is 1,300,000.

Our dear Lada Granta is also gaining popularity. If previously it was produced as a sedan and station wagon, today you can see a liftback with quite decent technical characteristics. The price for a Grant starts at 400,000 rubles and can reach 700,000. Many believe that such a liftback is aesthetically and technically much better than a sedan and station wagon of the same model.

Other prominent representatives of the liftback:

Skoda Octavia;
Hyundai Elantra;
Renault Laguna;
Audi A7;
Mazda 6;
Audi A5;
Opel Insignia;
Ford Mondeo.

The liftback, like its “father” the hatchback, has recently been gaining popularity, becoming one of the most popular body types in the automotive market. And this is not surprising, because the cars are great for driving around the city and for traveling outside of it. Now, knowing what a liftback is, it is much easier to understand why the choice is made in its favor. This is an ideal option for those who value not only aesthetic appeal, but also the ability to transport large cargo.

About configurations

In the most budget configuration, “Standard”, the car is equipped with a 1.6 liter, 87-horsepower engine, manual transmission, ISOFIX fastening system, central locking, driver airbag, child lock.

The “Norma” version of the Lada Granta liftback offers two engine options: the first – with a volume of 1.6 liters and a power of 87 hp, the second – with a volume of 1.6 liters, but with a power of 106 hp. Also included in the package are ABS and BAS systems (brake assist), an on-board computer, electric power steering, electric windows on the front doors and a multimedia system.

The Lada Granta hatchback, despite the original “low cost” concept of the car, was able to acquire a “Lux” package with interesting characteristics. A 98 hp engine is available in the luxury package, and most importantly, it can be combined with an automatic transmission. In addition, a stability control system, fog lights, an airbag for passengers, heated front seats and a climate system become available. See also the Grants liftback equipment table.

Read more: How to check the steering rack on a Solaris

Liftback body type: what is it?

Notes

Hatchback (inaccessible link) in Kuznetsov's Explanatory Dictionary
Writing in Russian
↑ 1 2 Peskov, V.I.
Fundamentals of ergonomics and car design. Tutorial. - N. Novgorod: Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University, 2004. - P. 64-65. — 225 s. — ISBN 5-93272-232-0.
https://www.lada-kalina.ru/body.html Official website Lada Kalina - Models
Alexander Vinogradov.
10 signs why a hatchback is better than a sedan
(unspecified)
.
“Behind the Wheel”
(August 11, 2018).
International website of Škoda Auto
Website Škoda Auto RUS

The concept of liftback and hatchback

Any motorist is familiar with the concept of “hatchback”, but not many people know that this type has varieties. Let's look at what a liftback and a hatchback are, and also compare these two similar types.

The hatchback is a popular type of car body. The shape resembles a “rear hatch” (this is the literal translation of the word Hatchback) with a small overhang and a fifth door, although sometimes there are three-door options. Such cars have a spacious trunk, so you can feel freer and more comfortable when traveling than in ordinary sedans.
The liftback looks like a sedan. It has four doors and a trunk separated from the passenger compartment only by the backs of the rear row seats. In this case, the trunk lid closes and opens along with the glass.

At first glance, it may seem that a mixture of these two varieties is something new and improved, because few people have heard of it. However, back in the Soviet Union in 1973, the Moskvich Combi car with a streamlined body was developed.

Distinctive features

Literally this concept is translated as “the rising part of the trunk.” This is one of the varieties of the usual hatchback. This type has the following distinctive features:

The length of the rear overhang is similar to that of the sedan. Here it is not vertical, but in the form of a small slope that smoothly passes into the trunk. There are two options for opening the doors: full with gripping the rear window or only the protruding part.
Most cars are two-volume bodies, but there are also three-volume ones.
If a three-door car is considered a hatchback, then a five-door car is considered a liftback.
Here the trunk lid opens together with the glass, which makes it possible to transport large cargo.

In this case, it is worth noting that these are not all the differences, since manufacturers regard the transition between the two types as an opportunity for comprehensive modernization.

Without black bumpers

The main thing that catches your eye when looking at the car from the front is the new front bumper, which is also painted in the color of the body. Actually, nothing else has changed in the “face” of the car, but the new air intake and areas for fog lights literally transformed the good old Granta. And only for the better. And by the way, there will be no black bumpers on the new liftback at all, even in the cheapest “Standard” configuration.

New Lada: Better than nothing: we buy a Lada Granta for 250 thousand

And in profile, the liftback looks much more harmonious than the sedan. First of all, due to the sloping roof line and original rear doors: the designers raised the window sill line and lowered the top line slightly. As a result, the silhouette of the sedan against the backdrop of the liftback began to look so unsightly that the owners of 4-door Grants, keenly interested in the new product, shook their heads dejectedly. Like, if they had known that the five-door would be so interesting, they would have held off on buying a sedan.

And this, we note, despite the fact that sedans have historically enjoyed greater respect among Russians than all other bodies. In addition, the liftback received original exterior mirrors. Turn signal repeaters are now built into them, and the mirror lenses (as well as the side windows) become less dirty.

At the rear, the new product is decorated with more compact lights and a fog light built into the bumper. It is curious that the basic configuration of the car does not have a wiper. And that's why.

As an example

There are a huge number of examples of liftback. In the domestic space, the most famous example is the Lada Granta.

For our roads, liftback and hatchback are of interest and popularity due to the possibility of use not only in urban environments. These varieties are much more convenient than a sedan in terms of their dimensions and design features.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that liftback cars have the same equipment as hatchbacks and sedans, but they will cost you, albeit slightly, cheaper.

Price

The minimum equipment level of the liftback is rated higher than the “Standard” version found in the sedan. More specifically, you will have to pay 314.8 thousand rubles for the liftback. Whether it is rational to overpay for the improvements indicated here is up to the buyer to decide.

The manufacturer plans to equip the sedan with the options present in the liftback in the near future. The restyling process for the LADA Granta is expected to be carried out this year. Today, the liftback has a number of undeniable advantages over the sedan regarding the exterior and driving parameters, but still, which is better, everyone chooses for themselves. When choosing a suitable modification, you should first study the full list of features. It is also not recommended to neglect your own priorities and preferences. Consider the difference between modifications not only in characteristics and equipment, but also in a financial sense. If you are willing to pay more for a presentable design, interior improvements and slightly increased performance, then the liftback is your option. But in fairness, we note that today the liftback is brighter and more balanced in comparison with the sedan, and this allows us to mark it as the leader of our review.

What is a liftback?

This is a type of 2-volume car body that combines the features of a sedan, hatchback and station wagon, which is popular due to its practicality.

The design of the car includes a rear door that opens together with the glass, like a hatchback. There is no partition between the luggage compartment and the cabin, like in a station wagon. The liftback received a similar body silhouette from the sedan.

Differences from the sedan

The liftback body has the following differences from sedans:

more spacious trunk;
there is no crossbar between the luggage compartment pillars, which reduces the rigidity of the body, but has virtually no effect on safety in modern car models;
the back door rises with the glass.

Differences from the station wagon

more compact dimensions, which makes the car convenient for maneuvering in the city and when parking;
shorter trunk;
the rear part has a more sloping shape, which makes the car also look like a sedan;
The luggage compartment volume is less than that of a station wagon.

Characteristics

The body can be called a liftback, provided that the rear overhang is less than that of classic models (sedans). Thanks to this parameter, the most striking advantages of the liftback are provided. It is endowed with maneuverability and becomes more convenient to use in city conditions.

Many people define vehicles of this type as “family.” Thanks to the special design of the luggage compartment, they allow you to transport large cargo without any problems.

You can also find external parameters that distinguish a hatchback from a station wagon. First of all, it is a sloping roof and a sharply chopped off rear part. In European countries, such cars are called notchbacks. They are often confused with liftbacks, although the latter are more similar in structure to a classic sedan.

The liftback can easily accommodate bulky loads

Here is a list of liftback features:

The trunk and interior are combined into one;
The rear overhang (the length of the car at the rear that extends beyond the wheelbase) is greatly shortened;
Front-wheel drive with a transverse engine is standard.

Advantages and disadvantages

Liftbacks of all brands have the following advantages:

the ability to transport large cargo due to the large luggage compartment combined with the interior;
plenty of space for passengers;
suitable for long journeys;
the rear window is well protected from fogging and has its own wiper;
more beautiful appearance compared to conventional station wagons.

Minuses

dust and foreign odors get inside the cabin from the luggage compartment;
the rate of heating of the interior in winter is reduced due to the lack of a partition between the luggage compartment and the part of the car for the driver and passengers;
higher price than sedans.

The best liftback models on the Russian market

Volkswagen Polo

The youngest model in the VW line. Included in the TOP of inexpensive liftbacks in Russia. A practical car that is suitable for use in the city and family trips to the country.

The car is offered in 3 trim levels – Origin, Respect and Status. The basic version includes LED rear and front headlights, electric power steering, and a multimedia system with a 6.5-inch display. However, the climate system is not included in the initial version of the equipment.

The engine line-up includes two best-selling offerings – 90- and 110-horsepower. The second power unit can be paired not only with a 5-speed manual, but also with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

There is also the most powerful version of the Polo with a 1.4 liter turbo engine. The motor has a power of 125 hp. and is combined with a 7-speed DSG gearbox. This is the most expensive version of Polo, the cost of which reaches almost 1.3 million rubles.

+ More interesting appearance after restyling;

+ Spacious interior and spacious trunk.

— Poor standard equipment;

— Low level of comfort when driving over uneven road surfaces.

Skoda Rapid

This is the cheapest liftback with a foreign nameplate that is available to Russians. Produced by the Czech car company Skoda. Much of this model is borrowed from the VW Polo. This applies to the common architecture and the same range of engines and transmissions.

The Skoda brand car looks more serious, European-style, due to a different headlight unit and a wide radiator grille, although the silhouette of the body is recognizable. The car is slightly longer and taller than the Polo. However, this does not provide significant advantages in terms of free space for rear passengers and trunk volume.

Rapid is among the TOP inexpensive liftbacks on the Russian market as a reliable and practical car. More affordable compared to the Skoda Octavia. Offers a fairly spacious interior and a roomy trunk that allows you to transport various loads.

The most powerful version of the Rapid also has a 1.4-liter turbo engine with 125 hp. This power unit has high fuel efficiency. Average gasoline consumption on the highway is about 4.4 liters per 100 km, although many car owners claim real figures of 6-7 liters, which is also a good result.

+ Large luggage compartment;

+ Higher ground clearance compared to Polo.

— Cheap finishing materials and meager equipment in the basic Entry version (there’s not even air conditioning);

— There are complaints from car owners about the level of comfort, especially when driving on rough roads.

Skoda Octavia

Another practical liftback from the Czech manufacturer Skoda. It is a more equipped model and has increased overall dimensions compared to Rapid.

Octavia is included in the liftback rating thanks to a large number of advantages. It has a huge luggage compartment, the volume of which increases when the seats are folded up to 1533 liters, which allows you to transport large cargo.

The car also has a spacious interior with good finishing materials for its price segment, including high-quality plastic and artificial leather. Inside the Czech liftback there is a large amount of free space available for rear passengers.

The engine range of this model is represented by 3 options. The least powerful (110 “horses”) is installed in VW Polo and Skoda Rapid. The buyer can also choose a 150-horsepower 1.5-liter engine and a 190-horsepower 2.0 engine. The latter is paired only with a 7-speed DSG transmission.

The client can also order a liftback with an automatic transmission with 6 or 8 steps. The second gearbox works with a 150 hp turbocharged engine.

+ Lots of free space in the cabin;

+ Large selection of engines and gearboxes;

+ The suspension is well adapted to driving on poor quality roads.

— Cars are poorly equipped as standard.

Audi A5 Sportback

The list of new liftbacks also includes the A5 Sportback. These are premium cars that can be equipped with the proprietary Quattro all-wheel drive system and a dual-clutch transmission. They have a bright appearance, as well as a sporty character in versions with a powerful internal combustion engine.

However, due to the low ground clearance and suspension settings, they are less suited for driving on rough roads. Not as practical compared to cheaper offerings from the Volkswagen Group. For example, this concerns the volume of the luggage compartment. The figure of 480 liters is found in most ordinary family sedans.

The Audi A5 Sportback is suitable for long journeys on asphalt roads, providing excellent dynamics and responsive handling.

The cheapest configurations include a 150-horsepower unit, which, together with the S-tronic gearbox, provides acceleration to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds. The most powerful version of the family car from Audi is equipped with a 249-horsepower 2-liter engine.

Kia Stinger

“Korean” is truly beautiful and aggressive. The liftback is built on the rear-wheel drive Genesis platform and has a length of 4.83 meters. But, despite its impressive size, the Stinger cannot boast of an outstanding trunk volume, since it has only 406 liters allocated for folding things, so to speak.

But this car is not bought for the size of the trunk. He can drive well. All-wheel drive, a limited-slip rear differential and a powerful powertrain are available in top trim levels. An engine with a displacement of 2 liters produces both 197 and 247 “horses”. However, all-wheel drive is not available only in the “base”. In the rest - please. The most expensive trim level - GT - is equipped with a twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 engine producing 370 hp. Regardless of the version, all cars are equipped with an 8-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission.

In the “base” Stinger costs a little more than 2,100,000 rubles. As for the price for the top version, it exceeds the mark of 3.4 million rubles.