Different Vehicle Types to Consider
Vehicle manufacturers classify their models into two categories; cars and light trucks. They do this to help marketing and sales analysts in a Ford, Chevy, or Nissan dealership determine how they can advertise and quantify sales figures. Below is a list of cars and utility vehicles with their unique classifications.
Types of Cars
Learning more about the build and overall design of cars is essential, especially when driving on paved roads in urban areas. Each vehicle is designed for the comfort of the driver and passengers, ranging from plush seats, lower ground clearance, rigid suspension, and less cargo space. The types of cars are:
- Sedans
The four-door sedan dominates the global market. It provides ample space in the trunk for everyday tasks like grocery shopping and short weekend trips. All the front and rear doors provide easy access to each designated seat.
The chassis of sedans are often narrower and lighter, perfect for the ins and outs of city streets. Sedans have three subcategories according to their size:
Sub-Compacts. These cars are usually the smallest and most fuel-efficient vehicles you can buy. They can have 85 to 89 cubic feet between the passenger and cargo areas, and they are 157 to 165 inches long. Some examples available in the US are the Nissan Versa, Hyundai Accent, and Ford Focus.
Compacts. These are more spacious than the sub-compact with 110 and 120 cubic feet of interior space and a length of 161 to 187 inches. The Nissan Sentra and Chevrolet Lumina are considered compact cars.
Mid-Size. Cars in this category are favored since they often provide the balance of being just the right size, not too big, not too small. They have 110 to 120 cubic feet of combined passenger and cargo space and can be up to 196.8 inches in length. Mid-size vehicles include the Nissan Altima, Buick Regal, and Ford Fusion.
- 2-Door Coupes
The coupe is the sportier and flashier sibling of the sedan. It has two doors paired with a trunk or a hatchback, with a hardtop or convertible roof. Coupes can seat only two people, but other models have room for up to five, although the front passenger seat needs to be folded before the rear is accessed. The Nissan Altima Coupe is a five-seater, while sports cars almost exclusively have a two-seater capacity.
Sports Cars
Not all coupes can be classified as high-performance vehicles, but most sports cars, like the Nissan 370Z, Nissan GT-R, Ford Mustang, and Dodge Challenger, are often designed as 2-door coupes. They are originally European-made roadsters designed for daily travel and weekend racing. These automobiles feature the latest specifications required for the best handling, fastest acceleration, and higher top speed.
Types of Light Trucks
Vehicles that weigh up to 8500 pounds and have a payload capacity of up to 4000 pounds are classified as light trucks. These automobiles are primarily for utility purposes, like hauling and off-roading. SUVs and pickup trucks are among the light-duty truck class.
- Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs)
SUVs combine the comfort of sedan types with the ruggedness and durability of light trucks. They are used for driving off-road, which is why they have large tires, high ground clearance, and flexible suspension. The space in an SUV enables owners to transport both people and cargo easily.
People can either fill up all the seven seats for a nice drive with the whole family or carry groceries, luggage, and other equipment for work or leisure. SUVs have a five to seven seating capacity and can come in three sizes: small like a Chevy Tracker, medium like the Nissan Pathfinder, and large like the Cadillac Escalade.
- Pickup Trucks