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100+ most common English car vocabulary

Cars are a very familiar means of transportation in our daily lives. Knowing more English vocabulary related to cars will help you communicate and apply it effectively at work. In the below article, PREP has provided a detailed list of car vocabulary. Be sure to save it and start learning!

100+ most common English car vocabulary
100+ most common English car vocabulary 

I. Most common English car vocabulary

Below is a list of the most common English car vocabulary organized into smaller topic categories to help you easily visualize and summarize the information.

1. Car types 

Cars have the following types: 

Car types
Car types 

Car vocabulary and pronunciation

Image

Meaning 

Example 

Truck (n) 

/trʌk/

Xe tảia large road vehicle that is used for transporting large amounts of goods The truck is a sturdy and robust vehicle designed for carrying heavy loads.

Convertible (n) 

/kənˈvɜːrtəbl

Xe mui trầna car with a soft roof that can be folded backHe loves driving his convertible on sunny days.

Supercar (n)

/ˈsuːpərˌkɑːr/

supercara very fast car, usually one that is an unusual or rare typeA supercar is an ultra-high-performance automobile that boasts exceptional speed, cutting-edge technology, and exquisite design.

Luxury car (n)

/ˈlʌkʃəri kɑːr/

luxury-carCar offers superior levels of comfort, performance, technology, design, and prestige compared to regular carsThe luxury car is a high-end vehicle that boasts elegant design, plush interiors, and cutting-edge technology. 

Grand tourer (n)

/ɡrænd tʊərər/

Grand-tourerLuxury cars, often used for long-distance travelA grand tourer (GT) is a type of car that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving, due to a combination of performance and luxury attributes.

Full-size car (n)

/fʊl-saɪz kɑːr/

Full-size-carCars of the largest size The full-size car offers ample legroom for all passengers.

Minivan (n)

/ˈmɪnɪˌvæn/

MinivanLarge car (including 5-7 seats) Minivan is perfect for family outings and vacations, comfortably accommodating parents, children, and all their belongings. 

Mid-size car (n)

/mɪd-saɪz kɑːr/

Mid-size-carCars of medium size The mid-size car offers a good balance. 

Compact car (n)

/ˈkɒmˌpækt kɑːr/

Compact-carCars of small size The compact car is a small and fuel-efficient vehicle, ideal for navigating through city traffic.

Subcompact car (n)

/sʌbˈkɒmˌpækt kɑːr/

Subcompact-carSuper small carThe subcompact car is perfect for zipping around busy city streets and saving on fuel costs.

Microcar (n)

/ˈmaɪkroʊˌkɑːr/

microcarSuper small car, weighing less than 500kg

The microcar is an ultra-compact 

and lightweight vehicle, designed for short city commutes.

Roadster (n)

/ˈroʊdstər/

Roadstera car without a roof and with only two seatsThe roadster is a two-seater, open-top sports car.

Four-wheel drive (n)

/fɔːr-wiːl draɪv/

Four-wheel-driveThe vehicle has a four-wheel drive systemThe four-wheel drive system allows the car to tackle rough terrain.

Sedan (n)

 /sɪˈdæn/

Sedana car with seats for four or five people, two or four doorsThe sedan provides a comfortable ride for daily commuting.

Couple (n)

 /ˈkʌp.əl

coupleCars that have 2 doors The coupe is a stylish and sleek two-door car, offering a perfect blend of performance and elegance.

Light truck (n)

/laɪt trʌk/

Light-truckTrucks that carry lower gross The light truck is perfect for deliveries.

Pickup truck (n)

/ˈpɪkʌp trʌk/

Pickup-trucka small vehicle with an open part at the back in which goods can be carriedThe pickup truck is a rugged and versatile vehicle, designed for hauling heavy loads.

Limousine (n)

/ˈlɪməziːn/

limousinea large, expensive car, often driven by a chauffeurThe limousine is a luxurious and elongated car, known for its spacious and lavish interior. 

A-segment (n)

/eɪ ˈsiːɡmənt/

A-segmentthe smallest and most compact category of carsThe A-segment refers to the smallest category of cars, perfect for city commuting and short trips.

B-segment (n)

/ˈbiːˈsiːɡmənt/

B-segmentsubcompact or supermini categoryMany people prefer B-segment cars for their compact size and easy maneuverability.

C-segment (n)

/siːˈsiːɡmənt/

C-segmentcompact carThe C-segment car offers great fuel efficiency and modern features.

D-segment (n)

diː ˈsiːɡmənt

D-segmentCars that are larger than compact cars but smaller than executive or full-size carsAlthough the D-segment blend offers comfort, space, and performance, it may not be suitable for those who prioritize fuel efficiency.

Off-road vehicle  (n)

/ɒf-roʊd ˈviːɪkl/

Off-road-vehicleTerrain vehicleThe off-road vehicle can handle rugged terrains with ease. 

SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) (n)

/ˌɛsˌjuːˈviː/

suva large powerful car with an engine that supplies power to all four wheelsThe SUV is a versatile and rugged vehicle, combining the features of a car and a truck.

Mini MPV (n)

/ˈmɪni ˈɛmˌpiːˈviː/

mini-suvSmall-sized sport carThe Mini MPV is a compact and versatile family car, designed to offer practicality and space for passengers and luggage. 

Compact sport utility vehicle (n)

/ˈkɒmˌpækt spɔːrt ˌjuːˈtɪlɪti ˈviːɪkl/

Compact-sport-utility-vehicleSmall electric sports carThe compact sport utility vehicle is a smaller version of a traditional SUV, offering a sporty and dynamic driving experience.

Pony car (n)

/ˈpoʊni kɑːr/

Pony-carSmall and medium sized sports carsThe pony car is a class of American muscle cars that are compact, stylish, and affordable.

Luxury SUV (sport utility vehicle) (n)

/ˈlʌkʃəri ˈesˌjuːvi/

Luxury-SUVLuxury sports carThe luxury SUV comes with advanced technology.

Hybrid vehicle (n)

/ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈviːɪkl/

Hybrid-vehicleCars using 2 sources of energyThe hybrid vehicle runs on both electricity and gasoline.

Electric vehicle (n)

ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈviːɪkl

Electric-vehiclea type of vehicle that runs on electricity, usually one that does not use any other source of powerThe electric vehicle (EV) is a car powered by electricity, utilizing batteries or electric motors to propel.

Commercial vehicle (n)

/kəˈmɜːrʃəl ˈviːɪkl/

Commercial-vehiclea vehicle used by a business to transport goods or people on public roadsThe commercial vehicle refers to a broad category of automobiles designed and used primarily for business purposes.

Van (n)

/væn/

vana medium-sized road vehicle, used especially for carrying goods, that often has no windows in the sides at the backThe van offers ample interior space.

Station wagon (n)

/ˈsteɪʃən ˈwæɡən/

Station-wagona car with a lot of space behind the back seat and an extra door at the back for putting in large objectsThe station wagon has plenty of cargo space.

2. Car components

Below is a compilation of common English car vocabulary related to vehicle components that you should know. Let’s check out which car part vocabulary have you known!

Car components
Car components

Car vocabulary and pronunciation

Pronunciation

Meaning

Example

Interior part

Interior part
Interior car part

 

Boot (trunk) (n)

/buːt/

a covered space at the back of a car, for storing things in

He opened the boot of the car to put his luggage inside. 

Steering wheel (n)

/ˈstɪrɪŋ wiːl/

a wheel in a vehicle that the driver turns in order to make the vehicle go in a particular direction

He gripped the steering wheel tightly as he navigated through the winding mountain roads.

Seat (n)

/siːt/

a piece of furniture or part of a train, plane, etc. that has been designed for someone to sit on

She adjusted the driver’s seat to find a comfortable driving position. 

Seat-belt (n)

/siːt-bɛlt/

a belt that fastens around you when you are travelling in a vehicle or aircraft and holds you in your seat, in order to reduce the risk of being injured in an accident

Before starting the car, she always makes sure to fasten her seat-belt for safety

Airbag (n)

/ˈeə.bæɡ/

a bag in a vehicle that automatically fills with air if the vehicle is involved in an accident, in order to protect the driver or a passenger from injury

When the car collided with another vehicle, the airbag in the steering wheel quickly deployed. 

Engine (n)

/ˈɛndʒɪn/

a machine that uses the energy from liquid fuel or steam to produce movement

The new sports car is equipped with a powerful engine. 

Battery (n)

/ˈbætəri/

a device that produces electricity to provide power for electronic devices, cars, etc.

My car wouldn’t start this morning because the battery was dead.

Transmission(n)

/trænzˈmɪʃən/

the process of broadcasting or sending out something by radio or television, on the internet, etc., or something that is broadcast or sent out

The automatic transmission in this car provides smooth gear shifts.

Accelerator (n)

/ækˈsɛləˌreɪtər/

the pedal (= a part that you push with your foot) in a vehicle that makes it go faster

Press the accelerator gently to increase your speed while merging onto the highway. 

Brakes (n)

/breɪks/

a device that makes a vehicle go slower or stop, or a pedal, bar, or handle that makes this device work

When driving, it is important to use the brakes gently to maintain a safe following distance with the vehicle ahead. 

Clutch (n)

/klʌtʃ/

a device that allows turning movement to be sent from one part of a machine to another

To change gears smoothly in a manual transmission car, you need to press the clutch before shifting.

Handbrake (n)

/ˈhændˌbreɪk/

a device operated by hand that locks into position and prevents a vehicle from moving

Before getting out of the car, make sure to engage the handbrake to prevent it from rolling down the hill.

Muffler (n)

/ˈmʌflər/

a part of a vehicle that reduces noise from the engine

The mechanic replaced the old muffler with a new one to reduce the noise coming from the car’s exhaust system. 

Carpet (n)

/ˈkɑːrpɪt/

thick material used for covering floors

My car’s carpet needs cleaning because it’s full of dirt.

Seat covers  (n)

/siːt ˈkʌvərz/

protective coverings that are placed over vehicle seats

I bought some seat covers to protect the original seats from stains and wear.

Headliners (n)

/ˈhɛdlʌɪnərz/

the material or fabric that lines the interior roof of a vehicle

I need to get headliners fixed.

Sun visors  (n)

/sʌn ˈvaɪzərz/

a flat piece at the top of the front window of a vehicle that protects the driver's eyes from strong sun

When the sun is too bright, I can flip down the sun visors to shield my eyes. 

Gear stick knobs  (n)

/ɡɪr stɪk nɒbz/

the handles atop the gear stick or shifter in a manual or automatic transmission vehicle

The gear stick knob in my car became loose, and I need to replace it.

Dash mat (n)

/dæʃ mæt/

a protective accessory used in vehicles to cover the dashboard

I placed a dash mat on my car’s dashboard to protect it from the sun and reduce glare.

Seat mesh insulation  (n)

/siːt mɛʃ ˌɪnsjʊˈleɪʃən/

a specific type of material or technology used in car seats to provide insulation or cooling properties

The seat mesh insulation provides comfort during long drives.

Speedometer (n) 

/spiːˈdɒmɪtər/

a device in a vehicle that shows how fast the vehicle is moving

My speedometer is not working correctly, I need to get it fixed.

Horn (n)

/hɔːn/

a device on a vehicle that is used to make a loud noise as a warning or signal to other people

I honked the horn to alert the pedestrians. 

Dashboard/dash (n)

/ˈdæʃbɔːrd/ or /dæʃ/

the part of a car that contains some of the controls used for driving and the devices for measuring speed and distance 

The dashboard of my car has a digital display for various information.

Glove box  (n)

/ɡlʌv bɒks/

a glove compartment

 

I keep important documents and items in the glove box for easy access. 

Radio/stereo (n)

/ˈreɪdioʊ/ or /ˈster.i.əʊ

Soun system 

I enjoy listening to music while driving using the car’s stereo system. 

Gas pedal (n)

/ɡæs ˈpɛdl̩/

the pedal (= a part that you push with your foot) in a vehicle that makes it go faster

Press the gas pedal gently to accelerate smoothly.

Emergency brake  (n)

/ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi breɪk/

a device operated by hand that locks into position and prevents a vehicle from moving

I pulled the emergency brake when the car started rolling backward on a hill.

Turning signal  (n)

/ˈtɜːrnɪŋ ˈsɪɡnəl/

a feature in vehicles used to signal a driver's intention to change direction

You have to use your turning signals when you want to return. 

Exterior part

Ngoại thất xe ô tô

Rearview mirror (n)

/ˈrɪrvjuː ˈmɪrər/

a mirror that allows a driver to see what is happening behind their car

Always check the rearview mirror before changing lanes to ensure there are no vehicles approaching from behind. 

Side mirror (n)

/saɪd ˈmɪrər/

a mirror on the outside of a car door that allows the driver to see the vehicles that are behind or passing

She checked her side mirror before changing lanes to ensure it was safe to merge.

Windscreen wiper (windshield wiper) (n)

/ˈwɪndskriːn ˈwaɪpər/

one of two long metal and rubber parts that move against a windscreen to remove rain

During the heavy rainstorm, the windscreen wipers worked tirelessly to keep the front windshield clear and provide a better view for the driver. 

Wheel (n)

/wil/

a circular object connected at the centre to a bar, used for making vehicles or parts of machines move

He tightened the bolts on the wheel after changing the flat tire.

Tire (tyre) (n)

/ˈtaɪər/

a thick rubber ring, often filled with air, that is fitted around the outer edge of the wheel of a vehicle, allowing the vehicle to stick to the road surface and to travel over the ground more easily

The car had a flat tire, so they had to pull over to the side of the road to change it.

Headlights (n)

/ˈhɛdˌlaɪts/

a large, powerful light at the front of a vehicle, usually one of two

When driving at night, it’s essential to turn on your headlights to improve visibility.

Tail light (n)

/teɪl laɪt/

a red light on the back of a road vehicle that makes it possible for the vehicle to be seen in the dark

The driver noticed that one of the tail lights was not working, so he replaced the bulb to ensure visibility from the rear of the car.

Number plate 

License plate  (n)

/ˈnʌmbər pleɪt/

/ˈlaɪsns pleɪt/

a sign on a road vehicle that shows its registration number

The police officer checked the number plate to identify the owner of the vehicle.

Bumper  (n)

/ˈbʌmpər/

a horizontal bar along the lower front and lower back part of a motor vehicle to help protect it if there is an accident

My car’s bumper got scratched in a minor accident. 

Aerial 

Antenna  (n)

/ˈeəriəl/

/ænˈtenə/

a structure made of metal rods or wires that receives or sends out radio or television signals

The antenna on top of the car helps pick up radio signals.

3. Driving action 

Below is the table of words related to driving actions 

Driving action
Driving action

Car vocabulary and pronunciation

Pronunciation

Meaning

Example 

to start a car (collocation)

/tuː stɑːrt ə kɑːr/

 

She inserted the key into the ignition and turned it to start the car’s engine. 

to fasten the seat belt (collocation) 

/tuː ˈfæsn̩ ðə sit bɛlt/

 

Before driving, it is important to fasten the seat belt for both the drivers and the passengers.

to shift (v) 

/tuː ʃɪft/

to move the gears of a vehicle into different positions in order to make it go faster or slower

He needs to shift to a lower gear to climb up the steep hill. 

to speed up (v)

(phrasal verb) 

/tuː spiːd ʌp/

accelerate

If you want to overtake the car in front, you need to speed up. 

to slow down (phrasal verb)

/tuː sloʊ daʊn/

move slower

The driver had to slow down when approaching the sharp curve.

to park a car (Collocation)

/tuː pɑːrk ə kɑːr/

 

He parked his car in the designated parking space near the entrance. 

to back up (phrasal verb)

/tuː bæk ʌp/

to drive backwards

She had to back up the car to get out of the tight parking spot. 

to stop a car (collocation)

/tuː stɑːp ə kɑːr/

 

The traffic light turned red, so all the cars stopped at the intersection.

to run out of petrol/gas (collocation)

/tuː rʌn aʊt ʌv ˈpɛtrəl/

No petrol left

We were driving when suddenly the car ran out of petrol. 

to fill up (phrasal verb)

/tuː fɪl ʌp/

Refuel (fill fuel tank)

The gas station attendant asked, “How much would you like to fill up the tank?” 

4. Other related words 

Furthermore, below are some other specialized English car vocabulary that is good to know:

Other related words
Other related words

Word

Pronunciation

Meaning

Example 

Driver license (n)

/ˈdraɪvər ˈlaɪsns/

an official document that shows that you are qualified to drive

You should have a driver’s license before driving a car. 

Car park (parking lot) (n)

/kɑːr pɑːrk/

an area or a building where people can leave their cars

The shopping mall has a large car park.

Garage (n)

/ˈɡærɑːʒ/

a building for keeping one or more cars or other vehicles in

He keeps his car in the garage to protect it from the weather.

Filling station (gas station) (n)

/ˈfɪlɪŋ ˈsteɪʃən/

a place at the side of a road where you take your car to buy petrol, oil, etc.

The car was running low on fuel, so they stopped at the nearest filling station to refuel.

Repair shop (n)

/rɪˈper ʃɑːp/

Vehicle repair workshop

The car had a flat tire, so they took it to the repair shop to get it fixed. 

Skid (v) 

/skɪd/

slide along a surface so that you have no control

The wet road caused the car to skid, making it difficult to control. 

Studying English vocabulary related to specific car topics can enhance your statistical thinking and significantly improve your recalling ability.

II. Effective Strategies for English Car Vocabulary

English car vocabulary is not widely used in our daily lives since some terms are pretty technical. However, that doesn't mean you should ignore the vocabulary about cars completely. So let's check out some tips for learning English automobile vocabulary from PREP below!

1. Allocate time for learning/number of words per day

To effectively learn English car vocabulary, you should divide the number of words to study each day in the most balanced way to avoid overload and rote learning. You can divide the learning into smaller topics. For example, you learn 5 words related to car components today, and 5 words related to driving actions. You can spend 30 minutes to 1 hour each day studying and understanding the usage of those words.

2. Regular application into practice 

There goes a saying: “Learning goes hand in hand with practice". You should apply the words you've learned into specific contexts so you can deeply understand, and remember the meanings as well as the usage for a long time. During the process of learning English car vocabulary, you can create application situations.

For example, each day you can come up with your own speaking topics associated with cars, then practice your speech in front of a mirror or find a partner to practice speaking. Alternatively, a simpler way is to practice pronunciation, calling out types of cars or car components when taking the bus to school, walking on the sidewalk, etc. These practical learning approaches will help you naturally and effectively train your English-speaking reflexes.

3. Mind map

Learning vocabulary through mind maps is an intelligent method that many learners are now applying. For the topic of English automobile vocabulary, you can apply mind maps in the following way:

  • The big topic is English car vocabulary.
  • You can develop sub-branches from the main topic of English vocabulary in groups such as types of cars, car components..., refer to the small topics divided by PREP in part I.
  • Then you can develop and perfect additional branches related to the car vocabulary such as transcription, for example.
  • Using a vocabulary mind map about car vocabulary in English will help you have an overall view and make it easier to remember.
Học từ vựng thông qua sơ đồ tư duy
Learn English car vocabulary through mind maps

4. Learn advanced car vocabulary with PREP

To broaden your vocabulary besides car vocabulary, let’s refer to Prep's vocabulary courses. With their innovative, scientific teaching methods, Prep not only provides vocabulary but also shares effective vocabulary learning strategies. Their main courses include:

Course 

Main content 

Basic vocabulary 

The course consists of 10 lessons, 4 mini tests and 1 final test. The lessons cover vocabulary related to family, furniture, health, and more.

Intermediate vocabulary 

17 lessons cover vocabulary related to appearance, personality and social relationships, events, celebrations, housing and more.

Advanced vocabulary

18 lessons include instruction on effective vocabulary learning methods as well as main topics like social media, education, the environment, and more.

Applying these strategies will help you effectively put your English car vocabulary into practice in real-world situations!

III. Exercises in English car vocabulary 

Below are some practicing exercises on English car vocabulary!

1. Exercise 1: Match the following car vocabulary with the corresponding picture 

1. Convertible

hatchback

2. Hatchback

B

Xe mui trần

3. Minivan

C

Pickup-truck

4. Pickup truck

D

Windshield

 

5. Windshield

E

Minivan

2. Exercise 2: Fill in the blank with the car vocabulary in the box

battery, park, handbrake, steering wheel, flat tire

1. The ___________ is a device used to steer the car.

2. He couldn’t start the car because the ___________ was dead.

3. The ___________ is a safety feature that prevents the car from rolling when parked.

4. The driver had to ___________ the car in the right place to avoid the traffic jam.

5. The car had a ___________ in one of its rear tires.

3. Answer keys

Exercise 1:

1 – B

2 – A

3 – D

4 – C 

5 – D

Exercise 2:

  • steering wheel
  • battery
  • handbrake
  • park
  • flat tire (tire)

This article has provided all the common English car vocabulary that you should refer to. Apply them to real situations to learn vocabulary effectively and use them most naturally!

CEO Tú Phạm
Master Tu Pham
Founder/CEO at Prep
Mr. Tú Phạm is the founder of PREP, a Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of teaching and test preparation experience, he has assisted thousands of students in achieving high scores on the IELTS exam. Additionally, Mr. Tú Phạm serves as a consultant for British Council programs and as a speaker at numerous premier education events, programs, and seminars.
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