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Home , Car platform, Convertible, Crossover (automobile), Lexus IS, Lexus IS (XE20), Retractable hardtop

Vehicle Category Guide

To help you sort through this auto industry jargon, we've gathered the various vehicle categories on our site and translated them into user-friendly terms. Keep in mind that these are broad definitions, meant to ease the confusion of shopping for a vehicle. Some categories be open to interpretation and in some situations, a vehicle can occupy multiple categories.

Ultimately, the name of the category isn't as important as the utility that a vehicle provides you. Take the time to research and find the right for you.

Convertible: If you can drop the top to feel the wind in your hair, the car is a . come with either a soft folding top or a retractable . A few examples of convertibles are the convertible, the Spyder, and the IS 250 C.

Coupe: A has two doors and a conventional or a sloping back with a hinged rear cargo hatch that opens upward. These body styles may sometimes have one or two smaller rear-hinged doors, as in the case of the RX-8. with removable roof panels like the Corvette or the Lotus Elise are still considered rather than convertibles.

Crossover: When gas prices spiked a few years ago, many automakers started calling their car-based SUVs crossovers as a way of distancing themselves from the image of the gas-guzzling, truck-based SUV. Crossovers are typically lighter, sit lower to the ground, are tuned for on-road handling and are based upon an existing . A few examples are the , , Mazda CX-7 and Venza.

Diesel: A diesel is a vehicle whose runs on diesel fuel rather than gasoline. Diesel can be found on trucks like the 2500HD or on passenger vehicles like the Jetta TDI. Diesels are known for being more fuel-efficient and offering more torque than their gasoline counterparts.

Exotic: These are the cars we all dream about, but only a few lucky people get to actually drive. Edmunds classifies the exotic vehicle category based on the model's nameplate (, , Lamborghini, etc.). There are some models that bear a nameplate that is not otherwise classified as exotic but achieve exotic status because of a higher price and low production run. The Viper fits this description.

Factory tuner: A number of automakers have special performance divisions that are tasked with creating high-performance versions of their vehicles. These cars have significant engine and upgrades over the original model. They've been heavily modified, but are still backed by the factory warranty. They often have names that denote their factory tuner (BMW M5, Mazda Mazdaspeed 3, Mercedes C63 AMG, etc.).

Hatchback: A is a car with a two- or four-door body configuration and a sloping back with a hinged rear cargo hatch that opens upward. The Fit and the Volkswagen Rabbit are some examples. One way to differentiate a hatchback from a wagon is to see if its roof line suddenly dips past the doors. If it does, it's a hatchback.

Hybrid: A hybrid is a vehicle that has both a gasoline-powered engine and an that operate in unison and/or independently to propel the vehicle. Some hybrids are based on existing models like the hybrid, while others like the Toyota Prius are stand-alone vehicles. These vehicles are known for their exceptional fuel economy.

Luxury: We classify "luxury vehicles" based on the model's nameplate (, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, etc.). However, some models bear a nameplate that is not otherwise classified as "luxury," but they still achieve "luxury" status, typically due to the model's price.

Minivan/: A van is characterized as having a short and a box-shaped body enclosing a large cargo/passenger area. You can't go to a kid's soccer game without seeing one of these. Commonly known are the Town and Country, Honda Odyssey and . Some larger are the Ford Econoline and the GMC Savana.

Mobility: A mobility-enabled vehicle has features suited for people who have difficulty walking or are in wheelchairs. Vehicles in this category can be converted to allow wheelchair access. These are not specially designed vehicles only for disabled persons but can be ordinary vehicles with characteristics like easy entry, adjustable pedals or bench . Some notable mobility-friendly models are the and the Dodge Sprinter.

Performance and high-performance: Edmunds classifies a performance vehicle based on a specified weight-to-power ratio and profile. This is only an internal classification that we use to sort out our vehicle data. The performance category can range from a Ford Shelby GT500 to a Mazda MX-5 Miata.

To be classified as high-performance, a vehicle must meet a stricter set of weight-to- power guidelines. The vehicles in the high-performance category range from the SS to the .

Sedan: A has four doors and a conventional trunk or a sloping back with a hinged rear trunk lid that opens upward. Sedans can be as small as a and as large as a .

SUV: Sport-utility vehicles offer available four-wheel or all-wheel drive and raised ground clearance in combination with a two- or four-door body. Most SUVs like the and the Pathfinder are traditionally based on truck platforms.

Truck: A truck has two or four doors and an exposed cargo box. They can range in size from the compact to the full-size Dodge 3500.

Wagon: You don't hear this term very often these days. Automakers seem to think the wagon connotation is unhip. As a result, automakers come up with names like "Avant" or "Sportback," or avoid the term altogether. An easy method of determining whether a vehicle is a wagon: The roof line of a wagon continues past the rear doors. A few wagon examples are the , wagon and .