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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 within the Wikipedia. Where applicable, the relevant EuroNCAP classifications are shown. Microcar
Hatchback City car
Supermini / 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: This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Superminis'. Small family car / 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: 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
Executive car / Luxury 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: Examples of full-size luxury cars: This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Executive Cars'. Sportive cars Hot hatch / 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: Sports sedan / saloon 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: 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: 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: 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 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: Examples of Australian muscle cars: Cabriolet / 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: 4x4 Also know as off-roaders, there are two general trends among them: SUVs and crossover SUVs. SUVs 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: This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Large Off-Roaders'. 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: This category is equivalent to the EuroNCAP class 'Small Off-Roaders'. Minivan / MPV
Brass Era car Personal luxury car Recreational vehicle Vintage car See also | |||||||||||||||
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