Car Categories- Explained

Most of my previous blogs would seem to be very basic, where i have explained about the Automotive companies in the market. This time too it won't be much different. Thats 'cause most of my friends and colleagues are from a non-automotive field and have minimum knowledge about cars.

I have put the best of my knowledge to differentiate them. PCH this is especially for you.

The cars that we see on the roads in different sizes and shapes are not just made that way. They are divided into different Segments/Categories. Lets just find out what these segments/categories are-

The A and B segment cars are Hatchbacks. A Hatchback is a car body configuration with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to a cargo area.

A Segment/Entry level Hatchback- 

 The A segment or the Entry level hatchback consists of cars that are up to 3400mm in length and under 800cc. Cars in india that come under this segment are Maruti 800, Alto 800, Tata Nano, Datsun Redi Go, Hyundai Eon and Renault Kwid.

B segment

 The midsize hatchback segment is sub divided into many different categories recently.

Standard Hatchback-(800-1000cc)

Cars that come under this segment are Chevy Beat, Datsun Go, Ford Figo, Honda Brio, Hyundai Grand i10, Maruti Wagon R, Maruti Alto K10, Maruti Celerio, Nissan Micra, Renault Pulse, Tata Bolt and Tata Indica EV2.

B+ Segment/Premium Hatchback-(1l-1.2l)

Cars that come under this segment are Chevy Sail U VA, Fiat Punto, Fiat Punto Evo,

Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20, Mahindra Verito Vibe, Maruti Ignis, Maruti Swift, Maruti Baleno, Skoda Fabia, Toyota Etios Liva and VW Polo.

Sports Hatchback

Also called as Hot hatch or Supermini, they are performance versions of hatchbacks with added power and abilities. Models included are BMW 1 series, Fiat 500, Fiat Abarth 500, Fiat Abarth Punto, Fiat Abarth Avventura, Maruti Baleno RS, Mercedes Benz A Class, Mini Cooper 3 door, Mini cooper 5 door, Mini Clubman, Toyota Etios Cross, VW Beetle and VW GTi.

Hatchback Crossover

Crossover is the combination of Hatchback and Sports car and to some extent an SUV.  Models included are Fiat Avventura, Fiat Avventura Urban Cross, Honda W RV, Hyundai i20 Active, Mercedes Benz B class, Mini countryman, Nissan Micra Active, VW Cross Polo and Volvo V40 Cross Country.

Compact Sedan

Compact sedans or sub-4 meter sedans in India are designed keeping in mind the excise duty tax paid on them. Sub-4 meter cars are subject to less excise duty as compared to larger cars having the same engine capacity of less than 1500cc or 1.5L, one good reason behind why everyone is going below 4 meters.

Models included are Chevy Sail, Ford Figo Aspire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Mahindra Verito, Maruti Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios and VW Ameo.

C Segment/Midsize Sedan

These are the proper cars with uniformly designed Hood (Engine compartment), Cabin and a decently sized Boot.

The models included are Ford Fiesta, Fiat Linea, Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Maruti Ciaz, Nissan Scala, Renault Pulse, Skoda Rapid and VW Vento.

D Segment/Premium Midsize Sedan

Chevy Cruze, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Renault Fluence, Skoda Octavia, Toyota Corolla Altis and VW Jetta are the cars that come in this segment.

Luxury Midsize Sedan

Audi A3, BMW 1 series, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mercedes CLA, Skoda Superb, Toyota Camry, VW Passat and Volvo S40 (NA in India)

Luxury Sedan

Audi A4, BMW 3 series, Jaguar XE, Mercedes C Class and Volvo S60.

Performance versions of these models are Audi S4, BMW M3, Mercedes C Class AMG and Volvo S60 Polestar.

Luxury Executive Sedan

Audi A6, BMW 5 series, Jaguar XF, Mercedes E Class and Volvo S90.

Performance versions of these models are Audi S6, BMW M5, Jaguar XF R, Lexus ES, Maserati Ghibli, Mercedes E Class AMG and Volvo S90 Polestar.

Super Luxury Sedan

Audi A8, Bentley Flying Spur, BMW 7 series, Jaguar XJ, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes S Class, Porsche Panamera.

Performance versions of these models are Audi S8, BMW M7, Mercedes S Class AMG, Porsche Panamera Turbo.

Ultra Luxury Sedan

Aston Martin Rapide S, Bentley Mulsanne, Mercedes S Class Maybach, Rolls Royce Ghost and Rolls Royce Phantom.

Luxury Coupe/ Cabriolet 
Aston Martin Vantage, Audi S3, Audi S5, Audi RS7, Audi TT, BMW M4 Series, BMW M6 Series, Ferrari California, Jaguar F Type coupe, Mercedes-Benz CLA Class, Mercedes-Benz CLC Class, Mercedes-Benz CLS Class, Porsche 718 Cayman.

Super Luxury Coupe
Audi RS7, Mercedes SLS Coupe,
Rolls Royce Phantom DHC, Rolls Royce Wraith.

Sports Cars/ Supercars
Aston Martin DB11, Aston Martin Vanquish, Audi R8, Bentley Continental, DC Avanti, Ferrari 488, Ferrari 458 Speciale, Ferrari GTC4 Lusso,  Ferrari FF, Ferrari F12 berlinetta, Lamborghini Aventador, Lamborghini Huracan, Maserati Gran Turismo, Nissan GT-R, Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, Porsche 911.

- Stated Classification is not per any Industry standards. But as per general trends and for understanding purpose of car segmentation.