小型車(こがたしゃ)

Refers to small passenger vehicles, generally with an engine displacement of 660cc to 2000cc. In Japan's vehicle classification system, 小型車(こがたしゃ) occupies the middle category between 軽自動車(けいじどうしゃ) (kei cars, 660cc and under) and 普通車(ふつうしゃ) (standard/full-size cars).

Common collocations

• 小型車(こがたしゃ)を運転(うんてん)する: to drive a compact car
• 小型車(こがたしゃ)専用(せんよう)駐車場(ちゅうしゃじょう): compact car-only parking
• 小型車(こがたしゃ)免許(めんきょ): license for small vehicles
• 小型車(こがたしゃ)クラス: compact car class (for rentals)

Similar words

• 軽自動車(けいじどうしゃ): kei car (even smaller; 660cc max engine; yellow license plate in Japan)
• 普通車(ふつうしゃ): standard car (larger; white license plate)
• コンパクトカー: compact car (loanword; used in marketing and casual speech)
• 大型車(おおがたしゃ): large vehicle (trucks, buses)