A medium-sized car offers a compromise between small and large cars, and is one of the most sought-after cars, after small SUVs. This is due to their affordability, compactness, ease-of-use and family friendliness. Medium cars are surely here to stay, and with the introduction of a wide variety of choices for consumers to choose from by manufacturers such as Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, vehicle sales accruing from the Medium Cars segment would continue to increase.

The Medium Cars Market segment includes family passenger cars of an average footprint around 4.1m² (44 ft²), an average mass around 1420kg (3130lbs) and a passenger/cargo volume between 2.8 m³ and 3.1 m³ (100 ft³ and 109 ft³).

• European Car Segment: C (Medium Cars)
• US Car Segment: Compact Cars
• Chinese Car Segment: Category B
• Also known as: Small Family Cars

Background:
Medium sized cars existed since 1930's but they rose in popularity only in 1950's. In the USA at that time, Ford's market research unit recognized the large potential of this market and started targeting college educated, higher-income individuals as well as families buying more than one car. In Europe, this market is also known as Golf Segment', due to dominance of Volkswagen's Golf in the last quarter of the twentieth century.

Example Models: Alfa Romeo Giulietta, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Citroën C4, Fiat Bravo, Fiat Doblo Panorama, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Kia Cee'd, Lancia Delta, Mazda 3, Nissan Qashqai, Opel Astra, PEUGEOT 308, Renault Megane, Renault Scenic, Seat Altea XL, Seat León, Škoda Octavia, Škoda Roomster, Toyota Auris, Volkswagen Golf.