What does liftback mean?
A liftback is a type of car with a roofline that slopes down toward the rear and a hatch or tailgate that opens upward. The design combines the aerodynamic appearance associated with a fastback with much of the cargo accessibility associated with a hatchback. Liftbacks are commonly described as having five doors, counting the rear hatch, and are valued for providing a wide opening and a relatively low loading lip. The word is chiefly used in British and European English, while some North American sources treat the term as a synonym for fastback. In general usage, a liftback is understood as a specific sloping form of hatchback rather than a wholly separate kind of vehicle. The term is also used occasionally for bicycles and other designs in which a section lifts or opens upward, although its usual modern reference is to cars.
nounA car body style with a sloping rear roofline and a rear hatch that can be lifted upward, giving access to the luggage compartment.
- A car body style featuring a sloping roofline that continues into the rear and a rear hatch lifted upward for access to the cargo area.
"The new estate car has the practical rear access of a liftback without sacrificing its streamlined shape."
"The manufacturer described the compact car as a five-door liftback with a generous boot."
"Its sloping liftback profile gives the vehicle a more streamlined appearance than a conventional hatchback."
The plural is used when referring to multiple cars of this body style.
"The manufacturer has introduced two new liftbacks for the European market."
A liftback turns the rear window itself into a door: open it upward and the car becomes a surprisingly capacious loading machine.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does liftback come from?
The word is a British English compound formed from “lift” and “back,” referring to a rear section that lifts upward. It developed within automotive usage as a more specific description of a sloping hatchback design.
How liftback is actually used
The term is chiefly used in British and European automotive contexts. It is sometimes treated as a more specific form of hatchback, although the distinction varies somewhat between manufacturers and sources.
Easily confused with liftback
A hatchback is the broader category of car with an upward-opening rear hatch, while a liftback specifically has a more distinctly sloping roofline and rear profile.