How are car classes determined?
2 Answers
Automobile classes are generally divided into six levels: A00, A0, A, B, C, and D. They can also be classified by engine displacement: micro cars (displacement below 1L), compact cars (displacement 1.0~1.6L), midsize cars (displacement 1.6~2.5L), executive cars (displacement 2.5~4.0L), and luxury cars (displacement above 4L). Below is a detailed classification: 1. A00 class: A00 passenger cars have a wheelbase between 2 to 2.3 meters and engine displacement below 1 liter, such as the Alto and Smart. 2. A0 class: A0 passenger cars have a wheelbase of 2.3 to 2.5 meters and displacement of 1 to 1.5 liters, typical examples being the Sail, Fit, Polo, Verna, and Fiesta. 3. A class: A-class cars have a wheelbase ranging from 2.5 to 2.7 meters and displacement around 1.5 to 2.0 liters, such as the Focus, Sagitar, Corolla, and Audi A3. A-class cars are the most commonly used family cars in China. 4. B class: B-class midsize passenger cars have a wheelbase of about 2.7 to 2.9 meters and displacement from 1.8 to 2.5 liters. The B-class market has gradually become the main battleground for domestic automakers, with models like the Mazda6, Accord, Mondeo, Sonata, Audi A4, Passat, and Toyota Camry belonging to this category. 5. C class: C-class executive cars have a wheelbase of about 2.8 to 3.0 meters and engine displacement from 2.3 to 3.0 liters. The most renowned C-class cars in China are the Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. 6. D class: D-class luxury passenger cars are mostly grand in appearance, with extremely spacious interiors and powerful engines. Their wheelbase is generally over 2.8 meters, and displacement is mostly above 3.0 liters. Common D-class cars include the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8, and models from Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
As a car owner, the classification of a car is typically based on its dimensions, such as wheelbase length and overall size. Compact cars have a wheelbase under 2600mm, making them suitable for city driving and parking; midsize cars feature a wheelbase of 2700-2900mm, offering more space; while large cars exceed 2900mm, providing a more spacious riding experience. Price is also a key factor—economy cars like the Fit, priced below 150,000 RMB, are entry-level; mid-range models like the Camry cost around 200,000 RMB; and luxury cars such as the S-Class, exceeding 500,000 RMB, belong to the premium segment. Engine displacement also defines classification: under 1.6L is considered compact, while above 3.0L denotes performance models. Market positioning, such as family SUVs or sports cars, may also consider cargo capacity or acceleration times. In summary, it’s determined by a combination of factors, simplifying our car selection process without being overly complex.
