Body-on-Frame (Frame-based) Vehicles: These generally have a separate chassis (frame) that the body is mounted onto. This design is known for its durability and off-road capability.
* Trucks: Most full-size pickup trucks (like Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, Ram 1500, Toyota Tundra, Nissan Titan) are body-on-frame. Many heavy-duty trucks (F-250, F-350, etc.) are also frame-based. Smaller trucks are increasingly moving to unibody construction.
* SUVs: Historically, many SUVs were body-on-frame, offering ruggedness. However, this is becoming less common. Some current examples that still use frames might include: Certain trims of the Jeep Wrangler and some large SUVs from manufacturers like Toyota (Land Cruiser, some 4Runner trims) and possibly others, depending on the model year and trim. Check the manufacturer's specifications to be sure.
Unibody (or Monocoque) Construction: The body and frame are a single unit. This is now the dominant design for cars and many SUVs, as it's generally lighter and more fuel-efficient.
* Cars: Virtually all cars, sedans, hatchbacks, and coupes are unibody.
* SUVs: A large majority of SUVs, especially crossovers and smaller SUVs, use unibody construction.
Important Note: The use of body-on-frame vs. unibody construction is constantly evolving. Always check the manufacturer's specifications for a particular model year and trim level to confirm its construction type. The information above is a general guideline, and exceptions exist.
