Vehicle size class


Vehicle size classes are series of ratings assigned to different segments of automotive vehicles for the purposes of vehicle emissions control and fuel economy calculation. Various methods are used to classify vehicles; in North America, passenger vehicles are classified by total interior capacity while trucks are classified by gross vehicle weight rating. Vehicle segments in the European Union use linear measurements to describe size. Asian vehicle classifications are a combination of dimensions and engine displacement.

North America

United States

Vehicle classifications of four government agencies are in use in the United States: the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and the U.S. Census Bureau. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also has its own vehicle classification system that is used by most vehicle insurance companies in the U.S.

EPA

EPA size classes are defined in Federal Regulation, Title 40—Protection of Environment, Section 600.315-08 "Classes of comparable automobiles". This information is repeated in the Fuel Economy Guide. Passenger car classes are defined based on interior volume index and are as follows.
ClassInterior combined passenger and cargo volume index
Minicompact<
Subcompact
Compact
Mid-Size
Large≥

ClassInterior volume index
Small<
Midsize
Large≥

Trucks classes are defined by gross vehicle weight rating. The Administrator will classify light trucks into the following classes: Small pickup trucks, standard pickup trucks, vans, minivans, and SUVs. Starting in the 2013 model year, SUVs will be divided between small sport utility vehicles and standard sport utility vehicles. Pickup trucks and SUVs are separated by car line on the basis of gross vehicle weight rating. For a product line with more than one GVWR, establish the characteristic GVWR value for the product line by calculating the arithmetic average of all distinct GVWR values less than or equal to 8,500 pounds available for that product line.
Special purpose vehicles. All automobiles with GVWR less than or equal to 8,500 pounds and all medium-duty passenger vehicles which possess special features and which the Administrator determines are more appropriately classified separately from typical automobiles or which do not meet the requirements of paragraphs and of this section will be classified as special purpose vehicles.

NHTSA

Unlike the EPA which groups automobiles by interior volume, the NHTSA groups cars for NCAP testing by weight class.
Class
Passenger cars mini
Passenger cars light
Passenger cars compact
Passenger cars medium
Passenger cars heavy
Sport utility vehicles
Pickup trucks Vans

FHWA

Developed in the 1980s, the Federal Highway Administration 13-category classification rule set is currently used for most Federal reporting requirements and that serves as the basis for most State vehicle classification systems.
Class GroupClass DefinitionClass IncludesNumber of Axles
1MotorcyclesMotorcycles2
2Passenger CarsAll cars
Cars with one-axle trailers
Cars with two-axle trailers		2, 3, or 4
3Other Two-Axle Four-Tire Single-Unit VehiclesPick-ups and vans
Pick-ups and vans with one- and two- axle trailers		2, 3
4BusesTwo- and three-axle buses2 or 3
5Two-Axle, Six-Tire, Single-Unit TrucksTwo-axle trucks2
6Three-Axle Single-Unit TrucksThree-axle trucks
Three-axle tractors without trailers		3
7Four or More Axle Single-Unit TrucksFour-, five-, six- and seven-axle single-unit trucks4 or more
8Four or Fewer Axle Single-Trailer TrucksTwo-axle trucks pulling one- and two-axle trailers
Two-axle tractors pulling one- and two-axle trailers
Three-axle tractors pulling one-axle trailers		3 or 4
9Five-Axle Single-Trailer TrucksTwo-axle tractors pulling three-axle trailers
Three-axle tractors pulling two-axle trailers
Three-axle trucks pulling two-axle trailers		5
10Six or More Axle Single-Trailer TrucksMultiple configurations6 or more
11Five or Fewer Axle Multi-Trailer TrucksMultiple configurations4 or 5
12Six-Axle Multi-Trailer TrucksMultiple configurations6
13Seven or More Axle Multi-Trailer TrucksMultiple configurations7 or more
14Unused--------
15Unclassified VehicleMultiple configurations2 or more

U.S. Census Bureau

The Census Bureau surveys the United States truck population. Large truck owners are given a standard survey, and small truck owners are given a short survey. Note well that in the United States the government agencies consider all pickups, vans, minivans, and sport utility vehicles to be trucks for regulatory purposes, no matter what construction method is used, either unibody or body on frame. Coupe utilities are considered pickup trucks in the U.S., not cars. SUV's are always considered trucks, although there are some CUV's with low ground clearance which are considered station wagon or hatchback cars for regulatory purposes.

IIHS

The Insurance Institute has its own crash test program and groups cars by curb weight and shadow into six classes, micro, mini, small, midsize, large and very large.
Curb Weight Shadow <70 sq ftShadow 70-79 sq ftShadow 80-89 sq ftShadow 90-99 sq ftShadow 100-109 sq ftShadow 110+ sq ft
4000+--midsizelargevery largevery large
3500 - 3999-smallmidsizelargelargevery large
3000 - 3499-smallmidsizemidsizelarge-
2500 - 2999-smallsmallmidsize--
2000 - 2499-minismall---
<2000micro-----

Canada

Cars are divided into six classes based on interior volume, as shown in the table below. These classes are not defined in Canadian regulations, but by Fuel Consumption Guide published by Natural Resources Canada. An interior volume index is calculated from the combined passenger and trunk or cargo space. Pickup trucks, special purpose vehicles and vans are segmented in their own respective classes. As most Canadian cars share designs with American cars, Canada's classifications closely mirror those of the United States.
ClassInterior size in litres
Two-seater
Subcompact carUnder 2830
Compact car2830–3115
Mid-size car3115–3400
Full-size carOver 3400

Vehicle classes for trucks are listed in On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations, published in Canada Gazette Part 2, Vol. 137 No. 1.
ClassGVWR in kg Curb weight in kg Frontal area in m²
Light light-duty truck2722 or under2722 or underMax 4.2
Light-duty truck3856 or under2722 or underMax 4.2
Heavy light-duty truckOver 2722–3856 2722 or underMax 4.2
Heavy-duty vehicleOver 3856 Over 2722 Over 4.2
Medium-duty passenger vehicleSame as heavy-duty vehicleUnder 4536 Same as heavy-duty vehicle

Medium-duty passenger vehicle is classified as a heavy-duty vehicle that is designed primarily for the transportation of up to 12 people.
Motorcycle is classified as an on-road vehicle with a headlight, taillight and stoplight that has two or three wheels and a curb weight of 793 kg or less, but does not include a vehicle that has an engine displacement of less than 50 cc, or that, with an 80 kg driver:

EEC

Vehicle segments in Europe do not have formal characterization or regulations. Models segments tend to be based on comparison to well-known brand models. For example, a car such as the Volkswagen Golf might be described as being in the Ford Focus size class, or vice versa. The VW Polo is smaller, so it belongs one segment below the Golf, while the bigger Passat is one segment above.
The names of the segments were mentioned, but not defined, in 1999 in an EU document titled Case No COMP/M.1406 HYUNDAI / KIA REGULATION No 4064/89 MERGER PROCEDURE.
applies a standard safety test to all new cars, the results are listed in separate categories to allow prospective vehicle purchasers to compare models of a similar size and shape:

China

Vehicle size categories for passenger vehicles for the China NCAP program as defined by the China Automotive Technology and Research Center may appear similar to the European system, but are closer to the Japanese in application.
The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers divides Indian passenger vehicles into the segments A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, B1, B2 and SUV. The classification is done solely based on the length of the vehicle. The details of the segments are below:
Car SegmentLength of the carClassificationCar model belonging to the segment
A1Up to 3400mmUltracompact cars Suzuki Alto, Tata Nano, Mahindra e2o
A23401 to 4000mmSub-four metre Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze, Maruti Suzuki Dzire
A34001 to 4500mmEntry-level mid-size sedans Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Suzuki Ciaz
A44501 to 4700mmSmall family cars Toyota Corolla, Škoda Octavia, Chevrolet Cruze
A54701 to 5000mmMid-size
Executive cars 		D-segment: Toyota Camry, Škoda Superb
E-segment: Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 series
A6More than 5000 mmGrand saloons Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Audi A8, BMW 7 series, Jaguar XJ
B1<4000 mmSmall vansMaruti Omni, Tata Venture
B2>4000 mmMid-size MPVs/minivansToyota Innova, Suzuki Ertiga, Mahindra Marazzo
SUVAnySUVsHonda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe

Indonesia

Vehicle categories in Indonesia is based on engine displacement and body type for luxury goods tax purposes. While dimension isn't used in the category, sedan and station wagon body type are taxed differently. A vehicle is considered a sedan if rear window isn't the part of the rear luggage door.

Japan

Vehicle size classes in Japan are rather simple compared to other regions. The classifications were established under the :ja:道路運送車両法|Japanese Government's Road Vehicle Act of 1951. There are just three different classes defined by regulations. The dimension regulations are enforced to exact measurements. These standards of classification are enforced on all vehicles within the jurisdiction of Japan, and no special consideration is made for the vehicles' origination of manufacture. The Japanese law regulates all vehicles that do not travel on railroads, or are not powered by physically contacting overhead power lines. The law regulates vehicles that are powered by an autonomous power source. Smaller cars are more popular in Japan due to the confined driving conditions and speed limits.
Motorcycles also have classification definitions based on engine size:
; Class I Moped : Engine size must be at or less than 50 cc, identified by blue text and white extra small license plate.
; Class II Moped : Engine size is between 50–90 cc, identified by blue text and yellow extra small license plate.
; Class II Moped : Engine size is between 90–125 cc, identified by blue text and pink extra small license plate
; Motorcycle Light : Engine size is between 125–250 cc, identified by green text and white small license plate.
; Motorcycle Medium : Engine size is between 250–400 cc, identified by green outline and green text with white small license plate.
; Motorcycle Large : Engine size is over 400 cc, identified by green outline and green text with white small license plate.
All vehicles with an engine displacement over 250 cc are required to undergo an inspection. Vehicle weight tax and mandatory vehicle insurance are usually paid at this time. This is separate from the road tax paid yearly. The road tax varies from for kei cars up to for normal size cars with 4.6L engines.