Segments
Defining passenger vehicles by segment is necessary if you’re to make an informed buying decision based on the car’s size relative to other makes and models.
In times past, that wasn’t all that hard as American manufacturers generally made large, intermediate and compact models. Today, consumers have a broader selection of vehicles to consider including minicars, subcompacts, compacts, midsize models, large cars and pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and minivans.
Vehicle Segmentation
On “Auto Trends Magazine” we often interchange our identification of vehicles available for sale in the North American marketplace, sometimes using European terminology which incorporates a letter designation for vehicle segmentation. For example, a minicar is considered an “A-segment” model throughout the continent.
To help you identify the players, we’ve assembled lists of vehicles by segment and offer a segment by segment breakdown. This list isn’t perfect and is open to debate. After all, how do you categorize sport coupe models? Are they midsize or large vehicles or do they occupy a unique segment of its own?
Simply Defined
Our lists are in constant flux and updated regularly to reflect the changes made in the industry. These lists do not always coincide with how the EPA defines car size. For example, the Hyundai Sonata is a D-segment or midsize sedan. However, the EPA calls the Sonata a large car based on its interior room. We won’t argue that the Sonata offers best in class cabin space, but to avoid confusion the Hyundai Sonata is a D-segment model while the slightly larger Hyundai Azera is an E-Segment sedan.
As we roll out new pages and update the same, we’ll offer active links for each category. For now, those pages which have been completed are linked below. When you visit the respective pages you’ll be able to drill down and find the latest information about each model featured. Model overview and specifications are being added to our website all of the time.
Segments
A-Segment (minicars or micro cars)
B-Segment (subcompacts, super mini, city car)
E-Segment (full size, non-luxury)
F-Segment (full size, luxury)
S-Segment (sport coupes)
M-Segment (minivans and multi-purpose vehicles)
J-Segment (sport utility vehicles including crossovers)
Pickup Trucks
European Segments
Our European classification list compares with the European New Car Assessment Programme or Euro NCAP and the European Commission classification. Lettering is defined by the latter, however we haven’t assigned lettering for pickup trucks as the European Commission does not offer one.
