Car classification

From WOI Encyclopedia Italia

Car classification is a somewhat subjective subject, as many vehicles fall between classes or even outside all of them. Not all car types are sold in all countries and names differ in some cases between British and American English. The following are commonly used classifications. Where applicable, the relevant EuroNCAP classifications are shown.

United States	EuroNCAP	Euro size	Example
Microcar	-	Microcar	Smart Fortwo
-	Supermini	A class	Fiat Panda
Subcompact	Supermini	B class	Ford Fiesta
Compact	Small family car	C class	Ford Focus
Mid-size	Large family car	D class	Volkswagen Passat
Full-size	Large family car	E class	Chrysler 300
Luxury	Executive car	F class	Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Sports	-	Sports	Porsche 911
Convertible	-	Cabriolet	BMW 3-Series
Roadster	Roadster	Roadster	BMW Z4
-	Small MPV	MIni MPV	Opel Meriva
-	Small MPV	Compact MPV	Renault Scénic
Minivan	MPV	Large MPV	Toyota Previa
Crossover SUV	Small Off-Roader	-	Honda CR-V
SUV	Large Off-Roader	-	Jeep Grand Cherokee

Microcar

Smart

Main article Microcar

Main article Bubble car

Straddling the boundary between car and motorbike, these vehicles have engines of only a few hundred ccs, typically seat only 2 people, and are generally unorthodox in construction. Many only have three wheels. They are especially associated with post-war Europe, where their appearance led them to be called Bubble cars. A contrast to the traditional microcar is the modern Smart Fortwo.

Examples of microcars:

CLEVER
Daihatsu Copen
Fend Flitzer
Messerschmitt microcar
Isetta
Goggomobil
Heinkel microcar
Smart Fortwo
Trojan (automobile)

Hatchback

Main article Hatchback

City car

Main article City car

A city car is a small car intended for use in urban areas. Unlike microcars, city car's greater speed and occupant protection allow relative safety in mixed traffic environments and in all weather conditions. While it may be capable of freeway speeds this is not the main purpose of the car.

In Japan, a specially restricted type of these (under 3.40m long) are called the keicar, where taxes and insurance are lower.

Examples of city cars:

Daihatsu Mira
Fiat Cinquecento
Fiat Seicento
Mazda Carol
Mitsubishi Minica
Peugeot 107
Renault Twingo
Suzuki Alto

Ford Fiesta

Supermini / Subcompact car

Main article Supermini car

Main article Subcompact car

This class, known as superminis in Europe and subcompact cars in North America, covers the not-so-small hatchbacks and the smallest sedans. These vehicles are the smallest cars widely sold in the North American market. They have usually three, four or five doors and are designed to seat comfortably four adults and a child, but can take five adults. Current supermini hatchbacks are around 3.90m long and sedans 4.20m long.

In Europe, the first superminis were the Fiat 500 of 1957 and the Austin Mini of 1959. Today, superminis are some of the biggest selling cars in Europe.

Examples of superminis / subcompact cars:

Austin Metro
Austin Mini
BMW MINI
Citroën AX
Fiat Punto
Fiat Palio
Fiat Uno
Ford Fiesta
Kia Rio
Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Nissan Micra/March
Opel Corsa
Peugeot 205
Renault 5
Renault Clio
Rover Metro
Volkswagen Polo

This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Superminis'.

Small family car / Compact car

Main article Family car

Main article Compact car

Compact cars are usually referred to the longest hatchbacks or the smallest family cars. Nowadays they are about 4.25 m long, have room for five adults and their engines are usually around 1.6 L to 2.0 L.

Examples of hatchback small family cars / compact cars:

Citroën Xsara
Fiat Stilo
Ford Escort
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Opel Astra
Peugeot 306
Peugeot 307
Renault Mégane
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf

This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Family Cars'.

Sedan/saloon and station wagon / estate

Main article: Sedan (car) (aka saloon)

Main article: Station wagon (aka estate)

Family car

Main article Family car

Longer than hatchbacks, they have room for five adults and a larger boot, depending on the size. The most popular layouts are sedan/saloon and station wagon/estate. This class makes up the largest percentage of vehicles in most developed countries.

Examples of sedan/estate small family cars / compact cars:

Fiat Stilo
Ford Focus
Honda Civic
Opel Astra
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Jetta

This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Family Cars'.

Examples of large family cars / mid-size cars:

Alfa Romeo 159
Alfa Romeo 166
Fiat Croma
Ford Taurus
Ford Mondeo
Honda Accord
Nissan Primera
Opel Vectra
Peugeot 406
Renault Laguna
Toyota Camry
Volvo S40
Volkswagen Passat
Dodge Charger

This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Large Family Cars'.

Lincoln Town Car

Executive car / Luxury car

Main article Luxury car

Main article Executive car

An executive car or luxury car are typically four-door sedan/saloon cars. They are usually very roomy, powerful, and luxurious, which is a reason why they are more expensive than "standard" sedans.

Examples of executive cars / mid-size luxury cars:

Audi A6
BMW 5-Series
Infiniti Q45
Lexus GS
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Jaguar S-Type
Volvo S80

Examples of full-size luxury cars:

Audi A8
BMW 7-Series
Cadillac DeVille
Jaguar XJ
Holden Commodore
Lancia Thesis
Lexus LS
Lincoln Town Car
Mercedes-Benz S-Class

This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Executive Cars'.

Sportive cars

VW Golf GTI Cabriolet

Hot hatch / sport compact

Main article Hot hatch

Main article Sport compact

A hot hatch or sport compact is a high-performance hatchback based on standard superminis or small family cars, with improved straight line performance, handling and styling. Hot hatches make up a large section of the market for hatchbacks.

Examples of hot hatches:

Ford Focus RS
Ford Escort RS Cosworth
Peugeot 205 GTI
Renault 5 Turbo
Renault Clio 182
SEAT León Cupra R
Vauxhall Astra VXR
Volkswagen Golf GTI

Sports sedan / saloon

Main article Sports sedan

These are high performance versions of sedans. Originally homologated for production based motorsports (touring cars) and like sedans, seats four people.

Examples of sports sedans / saloons:

Alfa Brera
BMW M3
BMW M5
Lotus Cortina
Lotus Carlton
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
Nissan Skyline GT-R
Subaru Impreza
Chrysler 300C SRT-8

A Honda NSX

Sports car

Main article Sports car

This small lightweight class combines performance and handling. Often inspired by racing vehicles. This class ranges from sporty vehicles such as the MX-5 to derivatives of true racing thoroughbreds such as the Lotus Elise.

Examples of sports cars:

AC Cobra
Austin-Healey 3000
Caterham Super Seven
Chevrolet Corvette
Dodge Viper
Honda S2000
Jaguar E-type
Lotus Elise
Mazda Miata/MX-5
MG MGB
Porsche 911
Toyota MR2

Jaguar XK8

Grand tourer

Main article Grand tourer

Larger, more powerful and heavier than sports cars, these vehicles typically have a FR layout and seating for four or 2+2. They are more expensive than sports cars but not than supercars, and often combine modern technology with hand-built construction.

Examples of grand tourers:

Aston Martin DB9
BMW 6-Series
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Jaguar XK8

Lamborghini Gallardo

Supercar

Main article Supercar

They are ultra-high performance cars, typically very expensive, luxurious, and exceptionally fast. Supercars typically contain cutting-edge technology, and may be assembled partly or completely by hand.

Examples of supercars:

See also: List of supercars

Aston Martin Vanquish
Ferrari Enzo
Ford GT
Lamborghini Murciélago
McLaren F1
Porsche 959

Muscle car

Main article Muscle car

The Muscle car produced in the US and Australia. The first muscle cars appeared in the mid 1960s and died off in the US during the early 1970s due to a combination of spiralling insurance costs and the 1973 energy crisis. Muscle cars achieved continued popularity in Australia until the early 1980s. A smaller offshoot, the pony car, still exists in the form of the Ford Mustang. The epitome of brute-force power, these cars shoe-horned giant engines into mid-sized cars which were often, from the factory, inadequate to handle the power and performance; handling was subordinate to straight-line acceleration.

Examples of US muscle cars:

Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Chevelle
Dodge Charger
Mercury Cougar
Plymouth Barracuda
Plymouth Road Runner
Plymouth Superbird
Pontiac GTO

Examples of Australian muscle cars:

Holden Monaro
Valiant Charger
Ford Falcon

Cabriolet / convertible

*Main article Cabriolet *Main article Convertible

Also called an open saloon, roadster or drop-head coupe, this type of car has a roof (fabric, vinyl, metal or glass) which can be folded away. Convertibles were very popular in hotter places before the advent of automotive air-conditioning, but also in colder climates (so that in summer the driver can enjoy driving oper-air the few warm days). 2-seater convertible sports cars are commonly named roadster or spyders.

Examples of cabriolets / convertibles:

Mazda MX-5 / Miata / Eunos Roadster
Fiat Barchetta
Ford Mustang
Ford Ka
Mercedes SLK
MGF
MINI
Toyota MR2
Pontiac Sunfire
Saab 900
Saab 9-3
BMW 3-Series

4x4

Main article 4x4

Also know as off-roaders, there are two general trends among them: SUVs and crossover SUVs.

SUVs

Main article SUV

SUVs are off-road vehicles with a body-on-frame chassis, all-wheel drive and true offroad capability. SUVs have severe problems with crash incompatibility, and are typically of more primitive design than smaller cars. Combined with serious handling issues in some vehicles due to the high centre of gravity, this makes them a dangerous vehicle in inexperienced hands.

Examples of 4x4s / SUVs:

Cadillac Escalade
Humvee
Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Wrangler
Land Rover Defender
Range Rover
Nissan Patrol
Suzuki Sidekick
Suzuki Samurai
Toyota Land Cruiser

This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Large Off-Roaders'.

Crossover SUV

Main article Crossover SUV

Crossover SUVs have a monocoque construction and relatively normal ground clearance. Some of them use electronic systems like traction control and pneumatic/hydraulic suspension, which give them good capability in many off-road situations, particularly sand and graded roads.

Examples of crossover SUVs:

BMW X5
Ford Escape
Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Suzuki SX4
Toyota RAV4
Volvo XC90

This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Off-Roaders'.

Minivan / MPV

Main article Minivan

Main article Multi-purpose vehicle

Also known as people carriers, this class of cars resemble family cars but are taller with a shorter hood/bonnet and are designed for maximum practicality. The larger minivans may have seating for seven or eight people.

The increased height of these vehicles above a family car improves visibility for the driver (while reducing visibility for other road users) and may help access for the elderly or disabled. They also offer more seats and increased load capacity over their similar low-roof models.

Citroën Xsara Picasso

Examples of mini MPVs:

Fiat Idea
Hyundai Matrix
Opel Meriva
Peugeot 1007
Renault Modus

Examples of compact MPVs:

Chrysler PT Cruiser
Citroën Picasso
Ford Focus C-MAX
Opel Zafira - also Chevrolet, Holden, Subaru, or Vauxhall
Renault Scénic
Volkswagen Touran

Both categories are equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small MPVs'.

Dodge Grand Caravan

Examples of large MPVs / minivans:

Chevrolet Venture
Chrysler Minivans such as Caravan, Voyager, and Town & Country
Fiat Ulysse
Ford Galaxy
Hyundai Trajet
KIA Sedona
Lancia Phedra
Mitsubishi Space Wagon
Peugeot 807
Renault Espace
Toyota Previa
Pontiac Montana

This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'MPVs'.

Other

Brass Era car

Main article Brass Era car

Personal luxury car

Main article Personal luxury car

Recreational vehicle

Main article Recreational vehicle

Vintage car

Main article Vintage car

External links

EuroNCAP classifications

Articles relating to Automobile configurations
Car body style and classification	2 plus 2 \| Antique car \| Cabrio coach \| Cabriolet \| City car \| Classic car \| Compact car \| Compact performance car \| Compact SUV \| Convertible \| Coupé \| Coupé convertible \| Coupe Utility \| Crossover SUV \| Custom car \| Drophead coupe \| Fastback \| Full-size car \| Grand tourer \| Hardtop \| Hatchback \| Hot hatch \| Hot rod \| Large family car \| Leisure activity vehicle \| Liftback \| Limousine \| Luxury car \| Microcar \| Mid-size car \| Mini SUV \| Minivan \| Multi-purpose vehicle \| Muscle car \| Notchback \| Personal luxury car \| Pickup truck \| Retractable hardtop \| Roadster \| Sedan \| Saloon \| Small family car \| Sport compact \| Sports car \| Sport utility vehicle \| Spyder \| Station wagon \| Estate car \| Supermini \| Targa top \| Taxicab \| Touring car \| Town car \| T-top \| Ute \| Van \| Voiturette
Specialised vehicles	Gyrocar \| Flying car. Amphibious vehicle
Fuel technologies	Internal combustion engine \| Electric vehicle \| Neighborhood electric vehicle \| Hybrid vehicle \| Battery electric vehicle \| Hydrogen vehicle \| Fuel cell \| Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle \| Steam car \| Alternative fuel cars \| Biodiesel \| Gasohol \| Ethanol \| LPG (Propane) \| Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition \| Liquid Nitrogen \| Gasoline Direct Injection
Driven wheels	Four-wheel drive \| Front-wheel drive \| Rear-wheel drive \| All-wheel drive \| Two-wheel drive
Engine positioning	Front engine \| Rear engine \| Mid engine
Layout	FF layout \| FR layout \| MR layout \| MF layout \| RR layout
Engine configuration	Internal combustion engine \| Straight-6 \| V engine \| Wankel engine \| Reciprocating engine \| Inline engine \| Flat engine \| Flathead engine \| Diesel engine \| Two-stroke cycle \| Four-stroke cycle \| Pushrod engine \| Straight engine \| H engine \| Turbodiesel \| Hybrid vehicle \| Rechargeable energy storage system \| Electric vehicle \| Hydrogen vehicle

Body	Framework	A-pillar \| Bumper \| Cabrio coach \| Chassis \| Crumple zone \| Body-on-frame \| Dagmar bumpers \| Fender \| Fender skirts \| Grille \| Hood \| Hood scoop \| Monocoque construction \| Pontoon fenders \| Quarter panel \| Shaker scoop \| Spoiler \| Subframe \| Tonneau
Doors	Butterfly doors \| Gull-wing door \| Scissor doors \| Suicide door
Glass	Sunroof \| Greenhouse \| Windshield
Other	Antenna ball \| Hood ornament \| Japan Black paint \| Nerf bar \| Truck accessory \| Bumper sticker
Exterior Equipment	Lighting	Daytime running lamp \| Headlamp \| Headlight styling \| Hidden headlamps \| Retroreflector \| Sealed beam \| Trafficators \| High intensity discharge
Exterior Equipment	Other	British car number plates \| Distance sensor \| US and Canadian license plates \| Vanity plate \| Vehicle registration plate \| Windscreen wiper \| Windshield washer fluid
Car engine	Air/Fuel	Air filter \| Automatic Performance Control \| Blowoff valve \| Boost \| Boost controller \| Butterfly valve \| Carburetor \| Charge cooler \| Centrifugal type supercharger \| Cold air intake \| Engine management system \| Engine Control Unit \| Forced induction \| Front mounted intercooler \| Fuel filter \| Fuel injection \| Fuel pump \| Fuel tank \| Gasoline direct injection \| Indirect injection \| Intake \| Intercooler \| Manifold \| Manifold vacuum \| Mass flow sensor \| Naturally-aspirated engine \| Ram-air intake \| Scroll-type supercharger \| Short ram air intake \| Supercharger \| Throttle body \| Top mounted intercooler \| Turbocharger \| Turbocharged Direct Injection \| Twin-turbo \| Variable Length Intake Manifold \| Variable geometry turbocharger. Warm air intake
	Exhaust	Catalytic converter \| Emissions control devices \| Exhaust pipe \| Exhaust system \| Glasspack \| Muffler \| Oxygen sensor
	Cooling	Aircooling \| Antifreeze \| Ethylene glycol \| Radiator \| Thermostat
	Ignition system	Starter \| Car battery \| Contact breaker \| Distributor \| Electrical ballast \| Ignition coil \| Lead-acid battery \| Magneto \| Spark-ignition \| Spark plug
	Other	Balance shaft \| Block heater \| Crank. Cam \| Camshaft \| Connecting rod \| Combustion chamber \| Crank pin \| Crankshaft \| Crossflow cylinder head \| Crossplane \| Desmodromic valve \| Engine knocking \| Compression ratio \| Crank sensor \| Cylinder \| Cylinder bank \| Cylinder block \| Cylinder head \| Cylinder head porting \| Dump valve,Engine balance \| Oil filter \| Firing order \| Freeze plug \| Gasket \| Head gasket \| Hypereutectic piston \| Hydrolock \| Lean burn \| Main bearing \| Motor oil \| Multi-valve \| Oil sludge \| Overhead camshaft \| Overhead valve \| PCV valve \| Piston \| Piston ring \| Pneumatic valve gear \| Poppet valve \| Power band \| Redline \| Reverse-flow cylinder head \| Rocker arm \| Seal \| Sleeve valve \| Starter ring gear \| Synthetic oil \| Tappet \| Timing belt \| Timing mark \| Top dead centre \| Underdrive pulleys \| Valve float \| Variable valve timing
Interior equipment	Instruments	Backup camera \| Boost gauge \| Buzzer \| Car computer \| Carputer \| Check Engine light \| Fuel gauge \| Global Positioning System \| Idiot light \| Navigation system \| Odometer \| Speedometer \| Tachometer \| Trip computer
	Controls	Bowden cable \| Cruise control \| Electronic throttle control \| Hand brake \| Manettino dial \| Steering wheel \| Throttle \| Gear stick
	Motor vehicle theft deterrence	Car alarm \| ESITrack \| Immobiliser \| Klaxon \| Vehicle tracking system \| VIN etching
	Passenger safety & seating	Airbag \| Armrest \| Automatic seatbelt \| Bench seat \| Bucket seat \| Child safety lock \| Dicky seat \| Passive safety \| Rumble seat \| Seat belt
	Other	Air conditioning \| Ancillary power \| Car audio \| Car phone \| Center console \| Dashboard \| Motorola connector \| Power window \| Rear-view mirror \| TripSense
Powertrain	Wheels and Tires	All-terrain tyre \| Bias-ply tire \| Contact patch \| Custom wheel \| Drive wheel \| Hubcap \| Magnesium alloy wheel \| Mud-terrain tyre \| Paddle tires \| Radial tire \| Rostyle wheel \| Run flat tires \| Schrader valve \| Slick tire \| Spinner \| Tire code \| Tread \| Treadwear rating \| Whitewall tire \| Wire wheels
	Transmission	Automatic transmission \| Clutch \| Continuously variable transmission \| Differential \| Driveshaft \| Electrorheological clutch \| Epicyclic gearing \| Fluid coupling \| Fully-automatic transmission \| Gear stick \| Gearbox \| Hydramatic \| Limited slip differential \| Locking differential \| Manual transmission \| Roto Hydramatic \| Saxomat \| Semi-automatic transmission \| Semi-automatic transmission \| Super Turbine 300 \| Tiptronic Torque converter \| Transmission (mechanics) \| Transmission Control Unit \| Turbo-Hydramatic \| Universal joint
	Steering	Ackermann steering geometry \| Anti-lock braking system \| Camber angle \| Car handling \| Caster angle \| Oversteer \| Power steering \| Rack and pinion \| Toe angle \| Torque steering \| Understeer
	Suspension	Axle \| Beam axle \| Coil spring \| De Dion tube \| Double wishbone \| Electronic Stability Control \| Hydragas \| Hydrolastic \| Hydropneumatic suspension \| Independent suspension \| Kingpin \| Leaf spring \| Live axle \| MacPherson strut \| Multi-link suspension \| Panhard rod \| Semi-trailing arm suspension \| Shock absorber \| Sway bar \| Swing axle \| Torsion beam suspension \| Transaxle \| Trailing arm \| Unsprung weight \| Watt's linkage \| Wishbone suspension
	Brakes	Anti-lock braking system \| Disc brake \| Drum brake \| Hand brake \| Hydraulic brake \| Inboard brake \| Brake lining \| Brake fade \| Brake fluid \| Hydraulic fluid \| Brake bleeding \| Engine braking \| Electronic brakeforce distribution \| Regenerative brake