Car Size Classifications

I've read several things recently talking about compact, sub-compact, small, mid-size, full-size, etc. cars. Are any of these "official" sizes. IOW, do insurance companies, government agencies, etc. have rules about what is called a compact car, and what is a mid-size car, etc. Is it based on length, or curb weight, or wheelbase, number of seats, number of cupholders, or what?

I'm just curious if anybody actually knows about this.

TIA

Don

Good questions. I'd like to know as well............................

I believe EPA does this by interior volume; how they calculate that is quite another matter.

GoFaster said:

I believe EPA does this by interior volume; how they calculate that is quite another matter.

Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_size_class

Per wiki, the classification is indeed determined by interior volume.

EPA size classes are done by interior volume, which may not necessarily produce the same size classes as perceived by the market.

For example, the Nissan Versa hatchback, Toyota Yaris hatchback, and Chevrolet Aveo hatchback are widely perceived to be in the same size and market class. But the Versa is EPA classified as a midsize car, while the Yaris and Aveo are EPA classified as subcompacts (if you look at a Versa up close, you'll see that it is actually fairly big, even though it is cheap).

Now, if you are renting a car, the rental car companies seemingly make up their own size classes.