A complete Guide to Car Classification

Governments and private organizations have developed car classification schemes that are used for innumerable purposes including regulation, description and categorization, among others.

Vehicles can be categorized in numerous ways. For example, by means of the body style and the "level of commonality in vehicle construction as defined by number of doors and roof treatment ( sedan, convertible, fastback, hatchback)

Here we present the American system of classification based on size and usage:

Microcar

These vehicles usually have engines under 1.0 litre, typically seat only two passengers, and are sometimes unorthodox in construction.

A good example is the Smart.

Subcompact or Economy

These cars are sitting just above the Microcar and are designed to seat four passengers comfortably, usually not exceeding 165 inches (4,191 mm) in length. The subcompact segment equates roughly to A-segment and B-segment in Europe.

Cars belonging to this category are the ones like the Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Spark and similar.

Compact

A compact car, is a classification of cars that are larger than a subcompact car but smaller than a mid-size car, equating roughly to the C-segment in Europe.

Current compact car size, as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for the US and for international models respectively, is approximately 4,100 mm (161 in) and 4,450 mm (175 in) long for hatchbacks, or 4,400 mm (173 in) and 4,750 mm (187 in) long for convertibles, sedans.

Here we can see the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic, Mazda3, Dodge Dart, Chevy Cruse, and the all time best seller Toyota Corolla.

Mid-size car

Mid-size cars are the most popular category of cars sold in the United States, ahead of the crossovers.

A mid-size car (occasionally referred to as an intermediate) is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact. In Europe they are referred to as D-segment or large family cars. These cars usually have wheelbases between 105 inches (2,667 mm) and 110 inches (2,794 mm).

The most popular models are: Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler 200, Ford Fusion, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and so on.

Full-size car

A full-size car is a marketing term used in North America for an automobile larger than a mid-size car.

Police cars in the United States are almost always full-size cars, such as the Ford Crown Victoria. This is usually due to the amount of interior space as well as trunk volume for computer and electrical equipment. Interior space and trunk volume also make such vehicles popular for taxi use. Since the discontinuation of the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor the replacement has been a variation of the Ford Taurus, and Chevrolet models.

Notable full size cars are Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, Hyundai Genesis, Lincoln MKZ, Toyota Avalon, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300 and such.

Minivan

A minivan is a vehicle designed primarily for passenger safety and comfort, with three rows of adult-size seats, access through large sliding doors, and car-like handling and fuel economy.

Minivans are accounting for a sizeable market share, and the most popular ones are : Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, Kia Sedona, Nissan Quest.

SUV

A sport utility vehicle (SUV) is a passenger vehicle designed to carry passengers in a traditional front and back seat configuration, as well as provide additional cargo capacity. The "SUV" term is defined as "a large vehicle that is designed to be used on rough surfaces but that is often used on city roads or highways.

It has several sub segment, like Mini SUV, Compact SUV, Mid-size SUV, Full-size SUV. It is one of the hottest category of the car industry as of today. Almost every car manufacturer has come out with a car in this segment, even the luxury car makers as well, like Bentley, Maserati, etc.

Pickup Trucks

A pickup truck is a light duty truck having an enclosed cab and an open cargo area with low sides and tailgate. While in the US and Canada most pickup trucks are used primarily for passenger transport, agriculture, and commercial uses, pickups are also used in law enforcement, the military, fire services, and for pickup truck racing, a form of auto racing using modified versions of pickups mostly on oval tracks.

One particular model, the Ford F-150 is the best sold cars in the USA for over 30 years in a row.

Other important names in the field are: Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra

Roadster

A roadster, is an open two-seat car with emphasis on sporting appearance or character. Initially an American term for a two-seat car with no weather protection, usage has spread internationally and has evolved to include two-seat convertibles.

It is a smaller segment of the industry, but fun nevertheless.

See the BMW Z4, Lotus Elise, Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster, Mercedes-Benz SLK

Supercars

A supercar is a high-performance sports car or grand tourer. It is a limited-production specials from an "elite" automaker.

A really small part of the auto-industry, but often seen on the wall of our childhood room.

Nothing tells you more about supercars than the next couple of names: Bugatti Veyron, LaFerrari, Lamborghini Aventador, Pagani Zonda.

Luxury cars

Of the above mentioned categories, all of them has the equivalent in the luxury car market.

This is a very upcoming field, since names like Mercedes, BMW and Audi are coming down in price, and often offering cars on the same price as the mainstream brands, making it more desirable.

For example for the price of a fully loaded Ford Fusion you can already buy an entry level C-class Benz.

Another fun fact is that while the luxury models accounting only for 15 % of the sold cars, they are responsible for generating 50 % of the car industry profit.

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