Car classification Facts for Kids

This page is about passenger car and pickup classifications. For commercial vehicle classifications, see Truck classification.

Governments and private organizations have developed car classifications that are used for a number of purposes. These include regulation, description and categorization, among others. The following are commonly used classifications in use worldwide:

Not Well Defined / Vernacular			Defined by Law or Regulation				Examples
Car classification/Vehicle Classification
Market Segment (American English)	Market Segment (British English)	Market Segment (Australian English)	US EPA Size Class	Euro NCAP Structural Category	Euro NCAP Class (1997 - 2009)	Euro Market Segment	Examples
Microcar	Microcar, Bubble car	N/A	N/A	—	Quadricycle	A-segment mini cars	Bond Bug, Isetta, Mega City, Renault Twizy
Subcompact car Economy car	City car	Microcar	Minicompact	Passenger car	Supermini	A-segment mini cars	Citroën C1, Fiat 500, Hyundai Eon, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Renault Twingo
Subcompact car Economy car	Supermini	Light Car	Subcompact		Supermini	B-segment small cars	Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 208, Volkswagen Polo
Compact car	Small family car	Small Car	Compact		Small family car	C-segment medium cars	Honda Civic, Mazda3, Peugeot 308, Renault Mégane, Toyota Corolla
Mid-size car	Large family car	Medium Car	Mid-size		Large family car	D-segment large cars	Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Peugeot 508, Subaru Legacy, Volkswagen Passat
Entry-level luxury car	Compact executive car	Medium Car above $60,000	N/A		Large family car	D-segment large cars	Acura ILX, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A4, Lexus ES, Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Full-size car	Executive car	Large Car	Large		Executive	E-segment executive cars	Chevrolet Impala, Ford Taurus, Mazda Xedos 9, Hyundai Grandeur, Holden Commodore, first and second generation
Mid-size luxury car	Executive car	Large Car above $70,000	N/A		Executive	E-segment executive cars	Audi A6, Cadillac CTS, Chrysler 300, Tesla Model S, Acura TLX
Full-size luxury car	Luxury car	Upper Large Car above $100,000	N/A		—	F-segment luxury cars	BMW 7 Series, Lincoln Town Car, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Porsche Panamera, Audi A8
Grand tourer	Grand tourer	Sports Car	N/A		—	S-segment sports coupés	Aston Martin DB9, Bentley Continental GT, Ferrari GTC4Lusso, Jaguar XK, Maserati GranTurismo
Supercar	Supercar		N/A		—		Bugatti Veyron, LaFerrari, Lamborghini Aventador, Pagani Zonda, Porsche 918 Spyder
Convertible	Convertible		N/A		—		BMW 6 Series, Chevrolet Camaro, Mercedes CLK, Volvo C70, Volkswagen Eos
Roadster	Roadster		Two-seater		Roadster sports		BMW Z4, Lotus Elise, Mazda MX-5, Porsche Boxster, Mercedes-Benz SLK
—	Mini MPV	N/A	Minivan	MPV	Small MPV	M-segment multi purpose cars	Citroen C3 Picasso, Ford B-Max, Opel Meriva, Fiat 500L
MPV	Compact MPV	People Mover			Small MPV		Chevrolet Orlando, Ford C-Max, Opel Zafira, Renault Scenic, Volkswagen Touran
Minivan	Large MPV	People Mover			Large MPV		Chrysler Town and Country, Kia Carnival, Citroën C4 Grand Picasso, Renault Espace, Toyota Sienna
Cargo van	Van	Van	Cargo van		—		Chevrolet Express 1500 Cargo, Fiat Ducato/Ram ProMaster, Ford Transit, Renault Master, Volkswagen Transporter
Passenger van	Minibus	People Mover	Passenger van		—		Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger, Ford E350 Wagon, Mercedes-Benz Viano
Mini SUV	Mini 4x4	Small SUV	Small Sport Utility Vehicle	Off-roader	Small Off-Road 4x4	J-segment sport utility cars (including off-road vehicles)	Daihatsu Terios, Ford Ecosport, Jeep Renegade, Peugeot 2008, Suzuki Jimny
Compact SUV	Compact SUV	Medium SUV	Small Sport Utility Vehicle		Small Off-Road 4x4		Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, Jeep Cherokee, Kia Sportage
Mid-size SUV	Large 4x4	Large SUV	Standard Sport Utility Vehicle		Large Off-Road 4x4		Ford Expedition, Hyundai Santa Fe, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90
Full-size SUV	Large 4x4	Upper Large SUV	Standard Sport Utility Vehicle		Large Off-Road 4x4		Range Rover, Cadillac Escalade, Toyota Land Cruiser
Mini pickup truck	Pick-up	Ute	Small Pickup Truck	Pickup	Pick-up	—	Chevrolet Montana, Fiat Strada, Renault Duster Oroch, Volkswagen Saveiro
Mid-size pickup truck		Ute	Small Pickup Truck				Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, Mitsubishi Triton/L200, Nissan Navara, Toyota Hilux
Full-size pickup truck		Pickup	Standard pickup truck				Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra
Heavy Duty pickup truck		Pickup	Standard pickup truck				Chevrolet Silverado HD, Ram Heavy Duty, Ford Super Duty
Special purpose vehicle	—	Limousine	Special purpose vehicle	—	—	—	Lincoln MKT Livery