on car
Overview of Cars: Classification, Types, and Features
Cars are complex machines classified in multiple ways, primarily based on body style, size, fuel
type, purpose, and market segments.
1. Classification by Body Style
Sedan: Traditional 4-door car with a separate trunk.
Hatchback: Compact car with a rear door that swings upward.
SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle): Larger, often all-wheel drive vehicles with off-road capability.
Coupe: 2-door car, usually sportier design.
Convertible: Cars with retractable roofs.
Minivan/MPV: Multi-purpose vehicle for carrying passengers/family.
Crossover: Combines features of SUVs and hatchbacks.
Pickup: Open cargo area trucks.
2. Classification by Size and Market Segments
Segment Description Examples
Microcar / Kei Car Smallest city cars, often 700cc or less Smart ForTwo, Tata Nano
A-segment / City Car Smallest normal cars Fiat 500, Hyundai i10, Toyota Aygo
B-segment /
Slightly larger small cars Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Polo
Subcompact
C-segment / Compact Small family cars Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla
D-segment / Mid-size Large family cars or mid-size sedans Ford Mondeo, Toyota Camry
E-segment / Executive Luxury and full-size cars Audi A6, BMW 5 Series
F-segment / Luxury Full-size luxury sedans Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series
High-performance sports and Bugatti Chiron, Lamborghini
S-segment / Sports cars
supercars Aventador
3. Classification by Fuel Type
Petrol Cars
Diesel Cars
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Hybrid Cars (Petrol + Electric)
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars
4. Classification by Purpose
Family Cars: Comfort and space-focused.
Commercial Vehicles: Used for goods transportation.
Sports Cars: High speed and performance.
Racing Cars: Built for competitive motorsport.
Exotic Cars: Rare, luxury, and special edition vehicles.
Popular Car Types Worldwide
Mid-sized Sedans dominate many markets like the US.
SUVs and Crossovers are rising globally due to versatility.
Compact cars remain popular in cities for fuel efficiency and smaller size.
Notable Examples Across Segments
Segment/Type Example Models
Microcar Smart ForTwo, Tata Nano
Subcompact (B-segment) Hyundai Accent, Volkswagen Polo
Compact (C-segment) Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic
Mid-size (D-segment) Ford Mondeo, Kia K5
Luxury (E & F-segment) BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Sports Porsche 911, Chevrolet Camaro
SUV Toyota RAV4, Ford Explorer
Summary: Cars can be understood through various classification systems—body style, size
segment, fuel type, and intended use. This helps buyers, manufacturers, and regulators identify
and categorize vehicles for practical and regulatory purposes [1] [2] [3] [4] .
If you want detailed explanations on any specific classification or type, or a guide to choosing
cars based on features, feel free to ask!
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1. https://www.theengineeringchoice.com/types-of-cars/
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_classification
3. https://www.spinny.com/blog/types-of-cars-in-india/
4. https://www.bankbazaar.com/car-loan/types-of-cars.html
