car classification

{{Short description|Categorisation of cars according to vehicle regulations or market segments}}

{{about|the categorisation of cars according to vehicle regulations or market segments|types of body styles (e.g. sedan, coupe, hatchback)|Car body style}}

Governments and private organizations have developed car classification schemes that are used for various purposes including regulation, description, and categorization of cars.

The International Standard ISO 3833-1977 Road vehicles – Types – Terms and definitions also defines terms for classifying cars.{{cite web |author=International Organization for Standardization |title=ISO 3833:1977 Road vehicles – Types – Terms and definitions |url= http://autoparts-standard.org/index/images/userfiles/media/ISO%203833-1977道路车辆.类型.术语和定义.pdf |website=autoparts-standard.org |access-date=12 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150823000426/http://autoparts-standard.org/index/images/userfiles/media/ISO%203833-1977%E9%81%93%E8%B7%AF%E8%BD%A6%E8%BE%86.%E7%B1%BB%E5%9E%8B.%E6%9C%AF%E8%AF%AD%E5%92%8C%E5%AE%9A%E4%B9%89.pdf |archive-date=23 August 2015}}

Summary of classifications

The following table summarises the commonly used terms of market segments and legal classifications.

Market segments

= Microcar / kei car =

File:2018 Aixam Crossline Premium GT CVT 600cc Front.jpg Crossline ]]

Microcars and their Japanese equivalent— kei cars— are the smallest category of automobile.{{cite news|title=Japan Seeks to Squelch Its Tiny Cars |url= https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/09/business/international/japan-seeks-to-squelch-its-tiny-cars.html?_r=0 |access-date=17 February 2015 |newspaper=The New York Times|date=9 June 2014 |last1=Tabuchi | first1=Hiroko |author-link=Hiroko Tabuchi}}

Microcars straddle the boundary between car and motorbike, and are often covered by separate regulations from normal cars, resulting in relaxed requirements for registration and licensing. Engine size is often {{convert|700|cc|cuin|0|abbr=on}} or less, and microcars have three or four wheels.

Microcars are most popular in Europe, where they originated following World War II. The predecessors to micro cars are voiturettes and cycle cars. Kei cars have been used in Japan since 1949.

Examples of microcars and kei cars:

= A-segment / City car / Minicompact {{anchor|A-segment}} =

File:2018 Citroen C1 Urban Ride 1.0 Front.jpg]]

The smallest category of vehicles that are registered as normal cars is called A-segment in Europe, or "city car" in Europe and the United States. The United States Environmental Protection Agency defines this category as "minicompact." However, this term is not widely used.

The equivalents of A-segment cars have been produced since the early 1920s. However, the category increased in popularity in the late 1950s when the original Fiat 500 and BMC Mini were released.

Examples of A-segment / city cars / minicompact cars:

= B-segment / Supermini / Subcompact =

File:2019 Renault Clio RS Line TCE Automatic 1.3.jpg ]]

The next larger category of small cars is called B-segment Europe, supermini in the United Kingdom and subcompact in the United States.

The size of a subcompact car is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as having a combined interior and cargo volume of between {{convert|85|-|99|cuft|L|-1}}. Since the EPA's smaller minicompact category is not as commonly used by the general public, A-segment cars are sometimes called subcompacts in the United States. In Europe and Great Britain, the B-segment and supermini categories do not have any formal definitions based on size.

Early supermini cars in Great Britain include the 1977 Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Chevette.

In the United States, the first locally-built subcompact cars were the 1970 AMC Gremlin, Chevrolet Vega, and Ford Pinto.{{cite book |last=Klier |first=Thomas H. |title=From Tail Fins to Hybrids: How Detroit Lost Its Dominance of the U. S. Auto Market: A Reprint from "Economic Perspectives" |date=2010 |publisher=Diane Publishing |isbn=9781437919172 |pages=6 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LyVQtI-MEz4C&pg=PA6 |access-date=23 January 2019}}

Examples of B-segment / supermini / subcompact cars:

= C-segment / Small family / Compact =

File:Volkswagen Golf VIII IMG 2609.jpg]]

The largest category of small cars is called C-segment or small family car in Europe, and compact car in the United States.

The size of a compact car is defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as having a combined interior and cargo volume of {{convert|100|-|109|cuft|m3|1|abbr=on}}.

Examples of C-segment / compact / small family cars:

= D-segment / Large family / Mid-size =

[[Toyota Camry|thumb]]

In Europe, the third-largest category for passenger cars is called D-segment or large family car.

In the United States, the equivalent term is mid-size or intermediate cars. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines a mid-size car as having a combined passenger and cargo volume of {{convert|110|-|119|cuft|m3|1|abbr=on}}.

Examples of D-segment / large family / mid-size cars:

= E-segment / Executive / Full-size =

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In Europe, the second-largest category for passenger cars is E-segment / executive car, which are usually luxury cars.

In other countries, the equivalent terms are full-size car or large car, which are also used for relatively affordable large cars that are not considered luxury cars.

Examples of non-luxury full-size cars:

Chevrolet Impala
Toyota Avalon{{cite web|url= https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/29506.shtml |title=Fuel Economy of the 2010 Toyota Avalon |website=Fueleconomy.gov |publisher=U.S. Department of Energy |access-date=16 July 2016}}

= F-segment / Luxury saloon / Full-size luxury =

See Luxury saloon / full-size luxury section below.

= S-segment / Sports / Performance cars =

See Sports / performance cars section below.

Minivans / MPVs

Minivan is an American car classification for vehicles that are designed to transport passengers in the rear seating rows, and have reconfigurable seats in two or three rows. The equivalent terms in British English are multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), people carrier, and people mover. Minivans are often of the "one-box" or "two-box" body configuration, high roofs, flat floors, sliding doors for rear passengers, and high H-point seating.

= Mini MPV =

File:Opel Meriva 1.4 Design Edition (B) – Frontansicht, 11. März 2012, Heiligenhaus.jpg (2011–2017)]]

Mini MPV is the smallest size of MPVs and the vehicles are often built on the platforms of B-segment hatchback models.

Examples of Mini MPVs:

= Compact MPV =

File:2018 Ford C-Max facelift Front.jpg (2011–2019)]]

The compact MPV size class includes vehicles between the mini MPV and large MPV (minivan) sizes. Compact MPVs remain predominantly a European phenomenon, although they are also built and sold in many Latin American and Asian markets.

Examples of Compact MPVs:

= Large MPV =

File:Renault Espace1 1984 front 20140122.jpg (1984–1991)]]

The largest size of minivans is also referred to as "large MPV" and became popular following the introduction of the 1984 Renault Espace and Dodge Caravan. Since the 1990s, the smaller compact MPV and mini MPV sizes of minivans have also become popular. If the term "minivan" is used without specifying a size, it usually refers to a large MPV.

Examples of Large MPVs:

Luxury vehicles

= Premium compact =

File:Audi A3 SportBack 2017 (front).jpg ]]

The premium compact class (also called subcompact executive) is the smallest category of luxury cars. It became popular in the mid-2000s, when European manufacturers — such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz — introduced new entry-level models that were smaller and cheaper than their compact executive models.{{cite web|url= http://www.edmunds.com/mercedes-benz/cla-class/2014/ |title=2014 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review |website=Edmunds.com |access-date=11 March 2014}}

Examples of premium compact cars:

= Compact executive / luxury compact =

File:2019 Lexus IS 300h CVT 2.5.jpg]]

A compact executive car or a compact luxury car is a premium car larger than a premium compact and smaller than an executive car. Compact executive cars are equivalent size to mid-size cars and are part of the D-segment in the European car classification.

In North American terms, close equivalents are "luxury compact"{{cite web |title=Comparison Test: German Compact Luxury Sedans |url= https://www.autos.ca/car-comparisons/comparison-test-german-compact-luxury-sedans/ |website=autos.ca |date=4 December 2012 |first1=Peter |last1=Bleakney |first2=Mike |last2=Schlee |access-date=23 April 2024}}{{cite web |title=2018 Cadillac ATS-V Review, Ratings, Specs, Prices, and Photos |url= https://www.thecarconnection.com/overview/cadillac_ats-v_2018 |website=thecarconnection.com |access-date=3 February 2019 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=2018 Auto123.com Awards: Luxury compact car |url= https://www.auto123.com/en/news/2018-auto123-award-luxury-compact-finalists/64117/ |website=auto123.com |access-date=3 February 2019 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Consumer Reports: Most Reliable Cars |url= https://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2013/10/28/consumer-reports-most-reliable-cars/4.html |website=cnn.com |access-date=3 February 2019 |date=28 October 2013}} and "entry-level luxury car",{{cite web |title=Top 7 Entry-Level Luxury Cars for 2014 |url= https://www.autotrader.com/best-cars/top-7-entry-level-luxury-cars-2014-212091 |website=autotrader.com |access-date=|first = Josh|last = Sadlier|date = 3 August 2013}}{{cite web |title=10 Entry-Level Luxury Vehicles For 2015|date = 24 August 2014 |url= https://www.autobytel.com/luxury-cars/car-buying-guides/10-entry-level-luxury-vehicles-for-2015-125603/ |website=autobytel.com |access-date=|first = William|last = Maley}}{{cite web |title=Entry-Level Luxury |url= https://autonxt.net/entry-level-luxury/ |website=autonxt.net |access-date=3 February 2019 |date=6 April 2018}} although the latter is also used for the smaller premium compact cars.{{cite web |title=What's The Best New Entry Level Luxury Car? |url= https://jalopnik.com/whats-the-best-new-entry-level-luxury-car-1783704736 |website=jalopnik.com |date= 15 July 2016 |access-date=3 February 2019}}{{cite web |title=Best Used Entry-Level Luxury Cars |url= https://www.autobytel.com/luxury-cars/car-buying-guides/best-used-entry-level-luxury-cars-126671/ |website=autobytel.com |access-date=3 February 2019}}

Examples of compact executive cars:

= Executive / mid-size luxury {{Anchor|Executive}} =

File:2018 BMW 520d M Sport Automatic 2.0 (1).jpg]]

An executive car is a premium car larger than a compact executive and smaller than a full-size luxury car. Executive cars are classified as E-segment cars in the European car classification.

In the United States and several other countries, the equivalent categories are full-size car (not to be confused with the European category of "full-size luxury car") or mid-size luxury car.

Examples of executive cars:

= Luxury saloon / full-size luxury =

File:2019 Mercedes-Benz S350d L AMG Line Executive 3.0 Front.jpg]]

The largest size of a luxury car is known as a luxury saloon in the United Kingdom and a full-size luxury car in the United States. These cars are classified as F-segment cars in the European car classification.

Vehicles in this category are often the flagship models of luxury car brands.{{cite web|url= https://www.caranddriver.com/cadillac/ct6 |title=2020 Cadillac CT6 |first1=Drew |last1=Dorian |first2=Eric |last2=Stafford |work=Car and Driver |date=2020 |access-date=23 April 2024}}

Examples of luxury saloons:

Sports / performance cars

Cars that prioritize handling or straight-line acceleration are called sports cars or performance cars. However the term "sports car" is also sometimes used specifically for lightweight two-seat cars. Sports/performance cars can either be built on unique platforms or upgraded versions of regular cars.

Common categories of sports/performance cars are:

The definitions for these categories are often blurred and a car may be a member of multiple categories.

= Sports car =

File:1963 Jaguar XKE (36361803993) (cropped).jpg]]

Sports cars are designed to emphasize handling, performance, or the thrill of driving. Sports cars originated in Europe in the early 1900s, with one of the first recorded usages of the term "sports car" being in The Times newspaper in the United Kingdom in 1919.Motor Show. Development of the Sporting Car. The Times (London, England), 12 November 1919; pg. 6; Issue 42255 Sports cars started to become popular during the 1920s."Only it seems after the Great War can we expect to find a general acceptance of the fact that there were on the roads both touring cars and sports cars".--Frostick, Michael; 1956; Racing Sports Cars The term was originally used for two-seat roadsters (cars without fixed roofs). However, since the 1970s the term has also been used for cars with fixed roofs (which were previously considered grand tourers).{{cite web |url= https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28225/sports-car-definition/ |title=No One Knows What "Sports Car" Actually Means Anymore |date=19 February 2016 |first=Jack |last=Baruth |access-date=23 April 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170602235549/http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a28225/sports-car-definition/ |archive-date=2 June 2017}}

Examples of sports cars:

= Sports sedan / sports saloon =

File:2014 HSV GTS (Gen-F) sedan (17489403444).jpg]]

A sports sedan — also known as "sports saloon" — is a subjective term for a sedan/saloon car that is designed to have sporting performance or handling characteristics.

Examples of sports sedans:

= Supercar / hypercar =

File:FoS20162016 0623 090034AA (27250796354).jpg]]

A supercar – also called an exotic car – is a loosely defined description of certain high-performance sportscars. Since the 1990s or 2000s, the term "hypercar" has come into use for the highest-performing supercars.

Examples of supercars:

SUVs / off-road vehicles

Passenger vehicles with off-road capability or styling features are often categorized as either off-road vehicles, sports utility vehicles, or crossover SUVs. There are no commonly agreed boundaries between these categories, and usage of the terms varies between countries.

= Off-road vehicle =

File:2018 Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited Multijet 2.1 Front.jpg (2018–present)]]

The earliest type of passenger vehicle is called an "off-roader", "four-by-four" or "four-wheel drive". Off-road vehicles are usually more focused on off-road capability than SUVs and crossover SUVs (often compromising their on-road ride quality or handling).{{cite web |title=What's the difference between a crossover, SUV and 4x4? |url= https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/159974/whats-the-difference-between-a-crossover-suv-and-4x4 |website=carbuyer.co.uk |access-date=31 May 2019 |language=en |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190422013643/https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/tips-and-advice/159974/whats-the-difference-between-a-crossover-suv-and-4x4 |archive-date=22 April 2019 |url-status=dead }} Common features of off-road vehicles are four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, a body-on-frame (separate chassis) construction and low-range gearing.

Examples of off-road vehicles:

= Sport utility vehicle =

File:2020 Ford Explorer XLT in Oxford White, front left.jpg (2020–present)]]

A sports utility vehicle (SUV) combines elements of road-going passenger vehicles with features from off-road vehicles, such as raised ground clearance and four-wheel drive.

There is no common definition of an SUV, and usage varies between countries. Some definitions claim that an SUV must be built on a light-truck chassis. However, a broader definition considers any vehicle with off-road design features as an SUV. In some countries — such as the United States — SUVs have been classified as "light trucks", resulting in more lenient regulations compared to passenger vehicles.

The predecessors to SUVs date back to military and low-volume models from the late 1930s, and the four-wheel drive station wagons / carryalls that began to be introduced in 1949. The 1984 Jeep Cherokee (XJ) is considered to be the first SUV in the modern style.{{cite web|url= https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a33403580/1984-jeep-cherokee-drive/ |title=1984 Jeep Cherokee Reimagines the 4x4 for a New Age |first=Michael |last=Jordan |date=September 1983 |work=Car and Driver |access-date=23 April 2024}} Most SUVs produced today use unibody construction (as per passenger cars). However, in the past, many SUVs used body-on-frame construction.

Examples of SUVs:

= Crossover SUV =

File:2018 Skoda Kodiaq Scout TDi SCR 4X4 2.0 Front.jpg]]

A crossover SUV— also called a crossover or CUV— is a type of sports utility vehicle (SUV) that uses a unibody construction.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}} Crossovers are often based on a platform shared with a passenger car, as a result, they typically have better comfort and fuel economy, but less off-road capability (many crossovers are sold without all-wheel drive) than truck-based SUVs, though more so than passenger four wheels.

There are various inconsistencies about whether vehicles are considered crossovers or SUVs, therefore the term SUV is often used as a catch-all for both crossovers and SUVs.

Examples of crossover SUVs:

Government classification methods

These classifications can be based on body style (e.g. sedan, coupe or hatchback), number of doors or seating capacity.{{cite book |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=xx05nVn3ePsC&q=Body+style+means+a+level+of+commonality+in+vehicle+construction+as+defined+by+number+of+doors+and+roof+treatment+(e.g.,+sedan,+convertible,+fastback,+hatchback)&pg=PA862 |page=862 |title=Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Protection of Environment, PT. 425 699 |publisher=U.S. Office of the Federal Register |year=2010 |isbn=9780160889318 |via=Google Books |access-date=13 April 2024}}

Government departments often create classification systems for taxation or regulating vehicle usage (e.g. vehicles that require a specific license or are restricted to certain roads). Some jurisdictions may determine vehicle tax based upon environmental principles, such as the user pays principle.{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=DDmhKc3R0rsC&q=Car+classification+taxation&pg=PA230 |page=230 |title=Transportation, Energy, and Environmental Policy |first1=Daniel |last1=Sperling |first2=Ken |last2=Kurani |publisher=Transportation Research Board |date=September 2001 |isbn=0-309-08571-3 |via=Google Books |access-date=23 April 2024}}

= Australia =

In Australia, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries publishes its classifications.{{cite web|url= http://www.fcai.com.au/sales/segmentation-criteria |title=VFACTS Motor Vehicle Classifications and Definitions|publisher=Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries |location=Australia |access-date=12 August 2014}}

= Canada =

A similar set of classes is used by the Canadian EPA.{{cite journal |url= http://www.gazette.gc.ca/archives/p2/2003/2003-01-01/pdf/g2-13701.pdf |title=Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 |journal=Canada Gazette Part II |volume=137 |number=1 |access-date=12 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130523004040/http://www.gazette.gc.ca/archives/p2/2003/2003-01-01/pdf/g2-13701.pdf |archive-date=23 May 2013}} The Canadian National Collision Database (NCDB) system defines "passenger car" as a unique class, but also identifies two other categories involving passenger vehicles—the "passenger van" and "light utility vehicle"—and these categories are inconsistently handled across the country with the boundaries between the vehicles increasingly blurred.{{cite web |url= http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/10000/10000/10041/096ppr.pdf |title=Feasibility of a New Vehicle Classification System for Canada |first1=Alan |last1=Clayton |first2=Jeannette |last2=Montufar1 |first3=Dan |last3=Middleton |first4=Bill |last4=McCauley |date=August 2000 |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation |access-date=12 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20041101190606/http://ntl.bts.gov/lib/10000/10000/10041/096ppr.pdf |archive-date=1 November 2004}}

= United Kingdom =

In the United Kingdom, a vehicle is taxed according to the vehicle's construction, engine, weight, type of fuel, and emissions, as well as the purpose for which it is used.{{cite web|url= https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/637218fde90e07185aae771d/v355x1-notes-about-tax-classes.pdf |title=Notes About Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency: Tax Classes |website=direct.gov.uk |date=November 2022 |access-date=23 April 2024}}

= United States =

In the United States, since 2010 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has used a formula it developed that takes into account a combination of both vehicle footprint (length times width) and weight.{{citation|publisher=Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) |title=Technical Appendix |location=Arlington, VA |year=2010}}

US Highway Loss Data Institute classification	Definition
class="wikitable"
Regular two door	Two-door sedans and hatchbacks
Regular four door	Four-door sedans and hatchbacks
Station wagons	Four doors, a rear hatch, and four pillars
Minivans	Vans with sliding rear doors
Sports	Two-seaters and cars with significant high-performance features
Luxury	Relatively expensive cars that are not classified as sports (price in USD to curb weight in pounds more than 9.0 in 2010) (small cars over $27,000, midsize cars over $31,500, large cars over $36,000, etc.)

class="wikitable"

! colspan="6" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety | Highway Loss Data Institute 'Guide to car size groups' (includes minivans){{cite web|url= http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/vehicle-size-and-weight/fatalityfacts/passenger-vehicles |title=Vehicle size and weight: Bigger heavier vehicles protect their occupants better |work=Fatality Facts |publisher=Insurance Institute for Highway Safety |access-date=29 May 2017}}

| colspan="5" style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | Shadow (square footage of exterior length × width)

style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | Curb weight

| style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | {{convert|70|to(-)|80|sqft|sqm|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | {{convert|81|to(-)|90|sqft|sqm|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | {{convert|91|to(-)|100|sqft|sqm|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | {{convert|101|to(-)|110|sqft|sqm|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;" | >{{convert|110|sqft|sqm|1|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align: center; background-color: orangered" | Mini

| style="text-align: center; background-color: orange" | Small