Car classification is a somewhat subjective subject, as many vehicles fall between classes or even outside all of them. The following are commonly used classifications within the wikipedia.
The Supermini class covers the smallest of vehicles. These vehicles are typically hatchback cars with 2 or 4 doors
and are designed to seat 2 adults and 2 children.
Examples:
Performance varients of Superminis and Family cars.
- VW Golf GTI
Family Car/Sedan
A medium size vehicle. Typical layouts include hatchback, sedan(UK:saloon) or station wagon (UK:estate). This class make up the largest percentage of vehicles in most countries.
Small examples (also know as compacts):
Mid-size examples
- Audi A4
- Volkswagen Passat
- Citroën C5
- Ford Mondeo
- Honda Accord
- Peugeot 406
- Renault Laguna
- Jaguar X-Type
- BMW 3-series
- Mercedes C-Class
Large examples:
Sportier versions of standard Sedans, these generally have two doors rather than four and a more sloping roofline at the back.
This small lightweight class combines performance and handling. Often inspired by racing vehicles. This class ranges from middle age crisis vehicles such as the MX-5 to true racing thoroughbreds such as the Lotus Elise.
Examples:
Larger than a sports car, these high performance vehicles typically have a 4 seat or 2+2 layout.
An ultra-high performance car, typically very expensive and luxurious.
Examples:
Also known as a luxury saloon. These cars are rarely hatchbacks, but more typically saloon cars. They are typically very large, very powerful and very luxurious. This also makes them very expensive.
Examples:
Also know as an off-roader, four-wheel-drive, 4x4 or 4 by 4. There are two general trends among SUVs - real off-roaders (vehicles which are capeable of driving off-road) and soft-roaders (vehicles without serious off-road capeability which merely resemble off roaders).
Off-roaders
Examples:
Soft-roaders
Examples:
Also knows a multi-purpose vehicle or MPV, or a people carrier. These come in two sizes. The main distinction is the passenger capicity. The smaller class do not have additional seats above what is found in a family car - however, they are vertically stretched to resemble a minivan.
Full Size Minivans
Larger minivans offer more seats and increased load capacity over a family or executive car. They are typically half way between a car and a minibus, and usually restricted to 8 seats, as many countries license vehicles over 8 seats differently from cars.
Examples:
- Renault Espace
- Chrysler Voyager
- Hyundai Trajet
- KIA Sedona
- Mitsubishi Space Wagon
- Nissan Serena
- Peugeot 806
- Fiat Multipla
- Dodge Caravan
Smaller Minivans
The increased height of this vehicles above a family car improves visibilty for the driver, while reducing visibility for other road users. They use more fuel than a family car, and are more dangerous in an accident, primarily to other road users. The height of the vehicle may help access for the elderly or disabled.
Examples:
- Chrysler PT Cruiser
- Citroën Picasso
- Renault Megane Scenic
- Ford Focus C-MAX