Body type shapes how a car drives, what it costs to run and how well it fits your life. Choose it based on what you actually do each week, not what you do twice a year.
SUV
The default family choice in Australia, and for good reason. You sit higher with a better view of the road, getting in and out is easier — which matters with child seats, older passengers or a sore back — and there is usually a big, square boot. All-wheel drive is available on many models for wet roads and gravel.
The trade-offs: they are heavier and generally use more fuel than an equivalent sedan, they cost more to buy, and a taller SUV or one with roof bars will not fit in every underground car park.
Sedan and hatchback
Often the smartest value on the road. Lower weight and a lower body mean better fuel economy and more settled handling. They are easier to park, cheaper to buy and cheaper to insure. A sedan boot is also fully enclosed, so what you leave in it stays out of sight.
The limits are ground clearance on rough roads and a boot opening that is less convenient than a tailgate for bulky items. A hatch solves the second problem and is genuinely practical for its size.
Ute
Unbeatable if you carry dirty, bulky or heavy loads, or if you tow regularly. Dual cabs give you five seats plus a tray, they are built tough, and they hold their value strongly in Australia.
Be realistic about the downsides: they are long, which makes tight car parks a challenge; ride quality can be firm when the tray is empty; and an open tub is neither secure nor weatherproof unless you add a canopy or hard lid.
The forgotten option: the wagon
A wagon gives you close to SUV cargo space with sedan fuel economy and handling. Fewer are sold, so there is often good value in the used market.
How to decide
Count how many times last year you actually towed something, drove on dirt, or carried more than four people. If the answer is "rarely", buy for the other fifty weeks of the year — you can hire a ute or a big SUV for the weekend you need one.