What Are Cars?

Cars are vehicles designed to carry passengers and move on roads. They have four wheels and are propelled by an internal combustion engine, which is most often powered by gasoline (a liquid petroleum product). Cars may also be equipped with a variety of lamps, including headlights to illuminate the way ahead; daytime running lights to make the vehicle visible to other road users; red brake lights to indicate when the driver has applied the brakes; amber turn signal lights to alert other drivers of the driver’s intention to turn; white-colored reverse lights to illuminate the area behind the car when it is being driven in reverse; and interior lights for use by the passengers.

People have long relied on cars to allow them to travel flexibly from one place to another. This freedom of movement has had profound consequences for how societies are structured. It has enabled people to live in different parts of a city or country, and it has made it possible for businesses to open offices in remote locations. It has also allowed people to work from home, reducing the need for them to travel long distances each day.

When people buy a car, they often want to customize it with various features and accessories. In recent years there has been a trend towards more fuel efficient cars, which are also cheaper to run than traditional petrol-powered vehicles. Other popular additions include navigation systems, air conditioning and entertainment systems. These systems are usually controlled by a touchscreen display.

The modern car is a complex machine. Millions of people around the world work in factories producing them, and millions more work at gas stations, restaurants and motels where travelers stop. Cars are a major source of pollution and cause a large number of traffic accidents each year. However, they have also improved people’s quality of life by enabling them to do more in their spare time. For example, with a car it is easy for people to escape to the countryside, and people living in the city can visit friends in the countryside.

There are a number of ways that people can purchase a car, from leasing to buying it outright. There are also a number of companies that rent cars. People who lease a car typically pay a monthly fee to use it, while those who buy a car usually pay a down payment and then take out a loan to cover the cost of the vehicle.

The best cars are those that excel in our evaluations of road-test performance, reliability, owner satisfaction and safety. The brands that do well in these categories are rewarded with the highest Overall Scores. BMW, Subaru and Lexus are among the companies that have earned the top positions this year. Each company has several models that are highly rated by our experts, and all of them offer cars that are safe and comfortable to drive. Their prices, however, vary widely.