How Many Types of Car Models Are There?

There isn’t a single fixed number. The count depends on how you classify cars: by body style there are roughly 12–15 core types in common use; by market/size segment there are about 10–15 widely used categories globally; by powertrain there are about 5–7; and by drivetrain around 4–5. Because these frameworks overlap, the total “types” of car models can’t be summed into one universal figure.

Why There Isn’t a Single Universal Count

Automakers, regulators, and analysts categorize vehicles differently depending on purpose—design, size and price, energy source, or intended use. Regional naming conventions also vary: Europe leans on A–F segments, the U.S. has EPA size classes and truck categories, and marketing trends (like coupe-SUVs and crossovers) blur lines between traditional definitions. Electrification adds further nuance as the same nameplate can span multiple powertrains.

Common Ways Automakers and Analysts Group Car Models

By Body Style (the vehicle’s form and layout)

The list below summarizes widely recognized body styles you’ll encounter in showrooms and reviews worldwide. Body styles describe the shape, number of doors, and cargo access rather than size or luxury level.

Sedan (saloon): four doors, separate trunk

Hatchback: rear hatch with integrated cargo area

Sport utility vehicle (SUV): taller ride height, often boxier

Crossover (CUV): SUV-like shape on a car platform

Wagon (estate): extended roofline with rear hatch

Coupe: typically two doors, sloping roof

Convertible/Cabriolet/Roadster: retractable roof

Minivan/MPV/People carrier: three-row family van with sliding doors

Pickup truck: open cargo bed

Van (passenger or cargo): boxy, maximal cabin/haul space

Shooting brake: sporty two-door (or five-door) wagon variant

Fastback/Liftback: sloping rear with lift-up hatch

Coupe-SUV: crossover with coupe-like roofline

These categories overlap—e.g., a liftback is a hatchback silhouette—and regional terms differ, but the core set typically falls in the low-to-mid teens.

By Size/Market Segment (how regulators and markets group cars)

This framework focuses on vehicle footprint, interior volume, and pricing. Europe commonly uses A–F for cars, with parallel SUV and MPV tiers; North America leans on EPA classes and truck categories. Below are the most referenced global groupings.

A-segment (city cars)

B-segment (supermini/subcompact)

C-segment (compact)

D-segment (midsize)

E-segment (executive/full-size)

F-segment (luxury/flagship)

B-SUV (subcompact SUV)

C-SUV (compact SUV)

D/E-SUV (midsize/full-size SUV)

Minivans/MPVs (compact and midsize)

Pickups (midsize and full-size, with regional heavy-duty classes)

Exact boundaries and names vary. For example, the U.S. EPA uses interior-volume classes (subcompact through large) and separate light-duty/heavy-duty truck categories, while Japan has kei-car rules defined by dimensions and engine size.

By Powertrain/Energy Source (what propels the vehicle)

Powertrain-based categories are increasingly important as electrification accelerates. Many model lines span multiple powertrains, creating sub-variants under a single nameplate.

Gasoline (petrol) internal combustion engine (ICE)

Diesel ICE

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)

Battery electric vehicle (BEV)

Fuel-cell electric vehicle (FCEV, hydrogen)

Range-extended EV (EREV), a niche hybridized EV subtype

As of 2025, BEVs and PHEVs are the fastest-growing categories in major markets, while HEVs remain popular for efficiency without charging.

By Drivetrain/Chassis Layout (how power reaches the wheels)

This lens affects handling, traction, and performance and often correlates with brand positioning or vehicle purpose.

Front-wheel drive (FWD)

Rear-wheel drive (RWD)

All-wheel drive (AWD, full-time)

Four-wheel drive (4WD, part-time/low-range off-road systems)

Specialized layouts (mid-/rear-engined sports cars)

Electrified platforms increasingly offer dual-motor AWD variants alongside single-motor FWD or RWD versions within the same model family.

By Purpose/Positioning (how the model is marketed and used)

Positioning blends design, features, and target buyers. A single model can sit in multiple buckets—e.g., a luxury performance SUV.

Entry-level/mass-market

Premium/luxury

Performance/sports, including supercars and hypercars

Off-road/overlanding/utility

Commercial: light commercial vehicles (LCV) and heavy-duty

Fleet/special service: police, taxi, emergency variants

These labels shape pricing and equipment rather than the vehicle’s physical size or form, and they evolve with consumer trends.

If You Need a Practical Count

Because categories overlap, the most useful approach is to pick one framework. For everyday conversation, body style is the clearest: expect roughly a dozen core body styles in today’s market. If you’re comparing technology, plan on 5–7 powertrain types. For marketplace comparisons, using 10–15 size/segment buckets covers most options.

Summary

There is no definitive number of “types” of car models. Depending on your lens, the market breaks down into about 12–15 body styles, 10–15 size/segment categories, 5–7 powertrain types, and 4–5 drivetrain layouts. These schemes overlap and vary by region, which is why a single global count doesn’t exist.