Top 10 Coolest Car Door Designs That Turns Heads

Even though car doors seem like a basic part of any car, some automakers have made them stand out as bold examples of new ideas. Over the years, automakers and designers have tried out different ways to get in and out of cars. Doors have become defining features that push the limits of automotive engineering. Let's take a deep dive at the 10 coolest car door designs ever made!

Mercedes-Benz 300SL (1954): Gullwing Doors

The Mercedes-Benz 300SL is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, but its most iconic feature is its gullwing doors. Unlike unconventional doors that open outward, these doors hinge at the roof and swing upward, resembling the wings of a seagull. Moreover, the 300SL’s lightweight tubular chassis was too tall to accommodate traditional doors, so the gullwing mechanism was born as a solution.

Dodge Charger III Concept (1968): Jet Canopy Door

Inspired by fighter planes, the Dodge Charger III dropped all doors and included a flip-up canopy door that raised the whole windshield and roof in one piece to produce a dramatic cockpit-like access. By removing side doors, this futuristic design gives the Charger III a sleek, continuous body form straight out of a sci-fi film. The canopy door is among the most distinctive car door designs, even if it is not very useful.

Lamborghini Countach (1974): Scissor Doors

No car is more associated with scissor doors than the Lamborghini Countach. It wasn’t just about looking cool—these doors helped drivers in tight spaces, as the Countach was wide and had poor rear visibility. The doors allowed drivers to pop them open and lean out to park better. Furthermore, the Lamborghini stuck with scissor doors for most of its flagship V12 models, making them a signature feature.

BMW Z1 (1989): Disappearing Doors

The BMW Z1 had one of the most futuristic door designs ever; instead of swinging out or up, the doors dropped down into the car’s body. This made for a striking effect, giving drivers the option to cruise with the doors retracted. While it wasn’t the most practical design (it took up space inside the body panels), it showcased BMW’s willingness to push engineering boundaries.

Rolls Royce Phantom (2003): Coach Doors

The Rolls-Royce Phantom elegantly unveils its luxurious cabin with rear-hinged coach doors, also called suicide doors. This design allows passengers to step in and out gracefully instead of clumsily maneuvering like traditional luxury sedans. One of the most remarkable features is that you only need to press a button, and the doors close automatically because, in Rolls, you don’t open or close your doors.

Saab Aero X Concept (2006): Canopy Doors

With its canopy doors, the Saab Aero X Concept stands as a visionary exercise in automotive design. Instead of swinging open from the sides, the entire canopy—which integrates the windshield, roof, and door panel—lifts upward as a single unit. This unified movement creates an almost theatrical reveal of the interior, immersing the driver in an environment that feels both futuristic and pilot-like. While never intended for production, the Aero X concept demonstrated how radical a car’s structure could be.

Buick Riviera Concept (2013): Reimagined Gullwing Doors

The Buick Riviera Concept revisits the classic gullwing door but with a modern twist that bridges heritage and future design. These doors use a dual-hinge mechanism that allows them to pivot both upward and outward simultaneously. This hybrid motion provides several benefits: it creates a dramatic and elegant entry for passengers while also addressing practical challenges, such as clearance issues in tight parking spaces. So, the reinterpretation of the gullwing design in the Buick Riviera Concept reflects cutting-edge innovation.

McLaren P1 (2014): Butterfly Doors

Although McLaren refers to the door mechanism on the P1 as dihedral doors, the effect is very similar to what many describe as butterfly doors. On this hybrid hypercar, the doors pivot upward and outward, adding to the dramatic presentation of a car designed for peak performance. This door design reinforces the P1’s racing heritage and cutting-edge technology. providing a visual cue that the car is as much about groundbreaking engineering as it is about pure speed.

Tesla Model X (2017): Falcon Wing Doors

Perhaps one of the most well-known examples in recent years, the Tesla Model X’s falcon wing doors are engineered to open upward in a sweeping, almost bird-like motion. Unlike traditional gullwing doors, the falcon wing doors employ a dual-hinge system that adjusts to nearby obstacles. This mechanism also enables the doors to open fully in tight parking spaces while still protecting the car’s sleek profile.

Koenigsegg Jesko (2021): Automated Dihedral Synchro-Helix Doors

The Koenigsegg Jesko pushes door design into the realm of high-performance art with its automated dihedral synchro-helix doors. These doors combine elements of dihedral and scissor mechanisms: they rotate upward and outward in a synchronized, almost choreographed motion. This automated system also employs advanced sensors and precision-engineered actuators, guaranteeing that every opening and closing is both reliable and visually mesmerizing.