A car’s specification sheet packs a lot of information into a small table. Read it well and you can tell how a car will perform, how practical it is and what it will cost to run — before you ever sit in it. This guide walks through the main sections you will find on a CarDetails.org spec page and on most manufacturer brochures.
1. Identify the exact version
Start with the make, model, year and trim. The same model name can cover many versions: different engines, gearboxes, drivetrains and equipment, which change from year to year and market to market. Make sure the spec sheet matches the car you are considering — a 1.5-litre and a 2.0-litre version of the same model can feel like completely different cars.
2. Engine and powertrain
- Engine size (displacement) is the total volume of the cylinders, shown in cubic centimetres (cc) or litres. 1,998 cc is marketed as a 2.0-litre engine. Bigger is not automatically better: a modern turbocharged 1.5-litre can out-perform an older 2.5-litre.
- Cylinders and induction — for example “4-cyl Turbo” — tell you the layout. Turbocharged engines generally deliver strong low-rev pull.
- Power and torque describe the engine’s output. Our guide to horsepower vs torque explains both.
- Hybrid and electric cars add battery capacity (kWh), electric range and charging speed — see section 6.
3. Transmission and drivetrain
The transmission line tells you how power reaches the wheels:
- Manual — you change gears with a clutch pedal.
- Automatic — a conventional torque-converter automatic.
- CVT (continuously variable transmission) — no fixed gears; smooth and efficient but can feel less direct.
- Dual-clutch / automated manual — fast-shifting automatics built like a manual gearbox.
The drivetrain (FWD, RWD, AWD or 4WD) tells you which wheels are driven. See our drivetrain guide for the trade-offs.
4. Performance
- 0–60 mph is the time to accelerate from rest to 60 mph. Many non-US sources quote 0–100 km/h (62 mph), which takes slightly longer, so do not mix the two.
- Top speed matters little in daily driving, and many cars are electronically limited.
Acceleration figures are a good single summary of performance because they reflect power, weight, gearing and traction together.
5. Dimensions, weight and practicality
- Length, width and height tell you whether the car fits your garage or parking space. Width is often quoted without mirrors.
- Wheelbase — the distance between the front and rear axles. A longer wheelbase usually means more rear legroom and a calmer ride.
- Curb weight — the car’s weight with fluids but without passengers or cargo. Lighter cars tend to be more efficient and agile.
- Cargo volume — boot or trunk space, in litres or cubic feet (1 cu ft ≈ 28.3 litres). Manufacturers measure it in different ways, so compare figures from the same source where possible.
- Towing capacity — the maximum braked trailer weight. Check the figure for your exact engine and drivetrain, and stay within it.
- Seats and doors — self-explanatory, but check whether a third row is suitable for adults.
6. Fuel economy and electric figures
Fuel economy is shown in MPG, L/100km or km/L depending on the market. Remember that higher MPG is better, but lower L/100km is better. Our fuel-economy units guide shows how to convert between them.
For electric and plug-in hybrid cars, look at:
- Battery capacity (kWh) — like the size of the fuel tank. Some sources quote gross capacity, others usable capacity.
- Range — the official distance on a full charge. EPA (US) figures are usually lower than WLTP (Europe) figures for the same car.
- Maximum charge rate (kW) and 10/0–80% charge time — how quickly the car can rapid-charge on a suitable public charger.
7. What about price?
Many spec sheets include a launch price such as the US MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price). Treat it with care: it applies to one country at one point in time, and excludes taxes, fees and options. What you actually pay depends heavily on where you live — import duties, local taxes and equipment levels can change the price of the same car dramatically. That is why CarDetails.org does not list prices; check a local dealer or marketplace instead.
Putting it together
No single number tells you which car is right. A sensible approach is to:
- shortlist cars that fit your size, budget and drivetrain needs (using prices from your local market);
- compare 0–60 times, power-to-weight and torque for performance;
- compare fuel economy (or range and charging speed for EVs) for running costs;
- check cargo volume, seating and towing for practicality.
You can do all of this on CarDetails.org: search the database, then add up to three cars to the comparison tool to see them side by side.