What type of car best speaks to your lifestyle? Our car-buying guide is here to help you figure out where to start! Let’s take a look.
Key Takeaways
- Drivers who crave maximum fuel efficiency will appreciate compact cars and coupes.
- Thanks to modern technology, sports can deliver more speed and agility than ever before!
- For maximum style and the thrill of the wind in your hair, you need a convertible.
- Finally, sedans offer incredible passenger space and a smooth, quiet performance. But sedans are not as popular as they once were, because shoppers can enjoy these traits (and more) in a modern crossover SUV.
Coupes & Compacts
- Fuel-efficient
- Budget-friendly
- Easy to handle
The compact segment is loaded with economy cars, which makes it a great place for drivers on a budget. These cars’ small size and thrifty engines typically deliver great fuel economy as well. Although many compacts are short on power, there are a few models, like the Mustang EcoBoost, that use turbocharged engines to balance efficiency with impressive speed. In general, coupes and compacts are fun to drive, since they’re easy to handle in just about any situation!
Sports and Muscle Cars
- Sleek or muscular exterior style
- Impressive horsepower
- Quick, agile ride
- Available performance upgrades
When you crave speed and style, sports coupes and convertibles can help you show off your good taste. These cars tend to be small and agile, like subcompacts. Unlike most subcompacts, though, sports cars deliver thrilling speed. The all-new Mustang Dark Horse model, for instance, generates 500 horsepower, compliments of the most powerful 5.0-liter Coyote V8 Ford has ever built. And the Dark Horse also comes equipped with features designed to maximize agility and control during high-speed rides, such as Brembo performance brakes and the MagneRide damping system.
And speaking of performance upgrades, muscle cars are typically available with aftermarket performance packages designed to take speed and agility to unexpected heights. These include Roush Performance’s Mustang supercharger and active exhaust kits!
Although true muscle cars are becoming increasingly rare, you can find a street-legal superpower if you know where to look. For instance, the upcoming Mustang GTD, the first supercar version of Ford’s iconic sports coupe ever built, is poised to deliver more than 800 horses via a 5.2-liter supercharged V8. The Mustang GTD will be ready to race, with carbon fiber trim and a track-ready suspension, but it also manages to be street-legal!
Convertibles
- Maximize style
- Enjoy the fresh air
Many sports cars and coupes, including the Ford Mustang, are also available as convertibles. The ability to roll the top down and feel the wind in your hair adds a sense of adventure to your ride, even if you're merely going to the grocery store for milk. This is a versatile segment, since you can find convertibles with a wide range of traits — such as incredible horsepower and rich interior luxury — but most convertibles are designed for drivers who love sporty exterior styling and speed.
Sedans
- Maximum passenger and cargo space
- More power
- Extra ride comfort and available upgrades
As cars go, sedans are the roomiest option, enhancing passenger space throughout the cabin and providing incredible trunk space. These family-friendly models also tend to offer stronger engines and impressive ride comfort. Inside, full-size sedans tend to be of a higher caliber than less expensive models. And since larger, heavier cars tend to experience less force in an accident, full-size sedans also offer impressive safety.
Among American drivers, however, sedans have fallen out of fashion in favor of crossover SUVs. Thanks to a car-style chassis, crossovers can deliver a smooth, sedan-like ride. Crossovers also sit higher than sedans and provide extra interior space, enhancing ease and comfort. Besides sedan-style comfort and space, crossovers add sporty capabilities, such as all-wheel drive and the ability to tow the family boat!
Your New Car
Not only do these segments appeal to a wide range of budgets, but they also speak to different driver priorities. To drive home in the perfect car, think about what you want from your drive and how much you’re willing to spend, and the rest should come naturally!