Doors

Doors are essential parts of cars that allow passengers and drivers to enter and exit the vehicle, as well as secure the interior from unauthorized access.

Doors also integrate side windows for visibility and ventilation, and may have other features such as mirrors, handles, locks, speakers, and storage compartments. Depending on the design and style of the car, doors may vary in size, shape, location, and mechanism.

Door Locations & Types

There are different types of doors in cars, depending on how they are attached and opened. Some of the common types are:

First Row Doors

These are the doors located at the front of the car, usually on both sides of the driver’s seat. They are typically hinged on their front edge and open outward. They are also called driver’s door and passenger’s door.

Suicide Doors

These doors open in the opposite direction of conventional doors. They are hinged on their rear edge and open inward. They are also called coach doors or rear-hinged doors.

Scissor Doors

These doors open vertically instead of horizontally. They are hinged on their bottom edge and rotate upward along a fixed hinge at the front of the door. They are also called lambo doors or wing doors.

Second Row Doors

These are the doors located at the rear of the car, usually on both sides of the back seat. They are typically hinged on their rear edge and open outward. They are also called back doors.

Gullwing Doors

These doors open upward instead of outward. They are hinged on their top edge and swing upward along a fixed hinge at the roof of the car. They are also called falcon doors or butterfly doors.

Sliding Doors

These doors open sideways instead of outward. They slide along a track or rail on the side of the car. They are usually found on minivans or vans.

Rear Openings

There are several types of rear openings:

Trunk Lid

A trunk lid is standard on many sedans. The lid is typically hinged below the rear window. A sedan with a trunk lid has a more separated trunk area than the rest of the cabin. A trunk lid rear door limits the size of objects in the trunk compared to sedans with a hatchback-style liftgate.

Hatchback Style Liftgate

A hatchback style liftgate on a car is a type of door that opens upwards at the rear of the car, allowing access to the cargo area. This style of car comes equipped with a ‘fifth’ door in the form of a liftgate that provides easy access to the cargo area.

Liftgate

A liftgate is a type of tailgate that lifts upward from the bottom of the vehicle. It is usually found on larger SUVs and minivans and can be opened manually or automatically.

Split Tailgate

This type of tailgate consists of two separate sections, with each section opening separately. It is commonly found on SUVs and station wagons.

Barn-Door Tailgate

This type of tailgate consists of two doors that open outward from the center of the vehicle. It is commonly found on larger SUVs.

Swing Gate

This type of tailgate consists of one door that swings to one of the sides. It is commonly found on larger SUVs.

Tailgate

This type of tailgate swings up. This is typically what you find on a pick-up truck.

Hood

The hood on cars is the hinged cover over the engine of front-engine and AWD EVs. In addition, there may be a frunk for storage.

Features of Doors in Cars

Doors in cars may have various features that enhance their functionality, convenience, safety, or appearance. Some of the common features are:

Soft Close

This feature automatically pulls the door shut when it is partially closed, preventing slamming or bouncing. It reduces noise and wear and tear on the door mechanism.

Powered Opening

This feature allows the door to be opened or closed by pressing a button or using a remote control, without manual effort. It is usually found on hatchbacks, lids, or sliding doors. Some luxury models like the BMW i7 and Mercedes EQS have it available on the first and second row doors.

Kick Sensor

This feature allows the door to be opened or closed by waving a foot under the bumper or sill of the car, without touching anything. It is useful when carrying items or having dirty hands. Available on rear trunk or liftgate.

Flush Door Handle

A flush door handle on EVs is a type of door handle that is recessed into the door and does not protrude outwards. Electric cars have flush door handles to reduce aerodynamic drag and to give the car a sleeker look. Some styles aim to impress buyers with handles that pop out on approach. They also provide extra security but come with downsides such as reliability, safety concerns, and operation in icy conditions.