A vehicle body structure that includes a rear pillar assembly that has an upper end and a lower end. The rear pillar structure at least partially defines a rear corner area of a passenger compartment. The rear pillar assembly further includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel extends downward from the upper end and the second panel extending from the upper end in a vehicle forward direction at least partially defining a roof rail assembly. The first panel and the second panel overlap one another at the upper end of the rear pillar assembly defining an overlap area. The first and second panels are fixedly attached to one another at the overlap area.