Automobile vs. Van — What's the Difference?

Typically, they seat one to eight people.

A type of automobile designed to transport more than five passengers or large amounts of cargo.

Automobiles can be powered by gasoline, diesel, or electricity.

Larger than most conventional cars and can be equipped with sliding doors.

They range from compact cars to large SUVs.

A van is a type of road vehicle used for transporting goods or people. Depending on the type of van, it can be bigger or smaller than a truck and SUV, and bigger than a common car.

Cars, trucks, and SUVs fall under the category of automobiles.

An enclosed boxlike motor vehicle having rear or side doors and side panels especially for transporting people.

A vehicle equipped with its own motor and designed for road use.

A covered or enclosed truck or wagon often used for transporting goods or livestock.

A self-propelled passenger vehicle that usually has four wheels and an internal-combustion engine, used for land transport. Also called motorcar.

Chiefly British A closed railroad car used for carrying baggage or freight.

Of or relating to automobiles; automotive.

The vanguard; the forefront.

A type of vehicle designed to move on the ground under its own stored power and intended to carry a driver, a small number of additional passengers, and a very limited amount of other load. A car or motorcar.

A wing.

To travel by automobile.

A winnowing device, such as a fan.

Self-moving; self-propelled.

To transport by van

A self-propelled vehicle used for transporting passengers, suitable for use on a street or roadway. Many diferent models of automobiles have beenbuilt and sold commercially, possessing varied features such as a retractable roof (in a convertible), different braking systems, different propulsion systems, and varied styling. Most models have four wheels but some have been built with three wheels. Automobiles are usually propelled by internal combustion engines (using volatile inflammable liquids, as gasoline or petrol, alcohol, naphtha, etc.), and sometimes by steam engines, or electric motors. The power of the driving motor varies from under 50 H. P. for earlier models to over 200 H. P. larger models or high-performance sports or racing cars. An automobile is commonly called a car or an auto, and generally in British usage, motor cars.

To drive or travel in a van

To travel in an automobile.

A covered motor vehicle used to carry goods or (normally less than ten) persons, usually roughly cuboid in shape, longer and higher than a car but relatively smaller than a truck/lorry or a bus.

4-wheeled motor vehicle; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine;

(British) An enclosed railway vehicle for transport of goods, such as a boxcar/box van.

Travel in an automobile

(dated) A light wagon, either covered or open, used by tradesmen and others for the transportation of goods.

(aerospace) A large towable vehicle equipped for the repair of structures that cannot easily be moved.

Clipping of vanguard

(mining) A shovel used in cleansing ore.

A fan or other contrivance, such as a sieve, for winnowing grain.

A wing with which the air is beaten.

(transitive) To transport in a van or similar vehicle (especially of horses).

Of law enforcement: to arrest (not necessarily in a van; derived from party van).

(mining) To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel.

The front of an army; the first line or leading column; also, the front line or foremost division of a fleet, either in sailing or in battle.

A shovel used in cleansing ore.

A light wagon, either covered or open, used by tradesmen and others for the transportation of goods.

A large covered wagon for moving furniture, etc., also for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition.

A closed railway car for baggage. See the Note under Car, 2.

A fan or other contrivance, as a sieve, for winnowing grain.

A wing with which the air is beaten.

To wash or cleanse, as a small portion of ore, on a shovel.

To fan, or to cleanse by fanning; to winnow.

Any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field (especially in the arts)

The leading units moving at the head of an army

A camper equipped with living quarters

A truck with an enclosed cargo space

Vans are often used by delivery services and contractors.

Commonly classified as cargo or passenger vans.

Features like high roofs and extended bases are common.

There are cargo vans and passenger vans, each serving different purposes.

The main difference lies in usage and design, where automobiles are general-purpose vehicles and vans are tailored for space and utility.

Generally, automobiles, especially smaller cars, are more fuel-efficient than vans.

Vans can depreciate differently based on their use and maintenance.

An automobile is any motor-powered vehicle designed primarily for road use.

It depends on the size and use; larger commercial vans might require a different type of driving license.

Yes, there are electric models of vans available, catering to eco-friendly transportation needs.

Maintenance can be higher for vans due to their size and the heavy-duty components.

Yes, especially minivans, which are designed for family use.

Yes, some vans are outfitted with luxury features, primarily for executive transport or high-end passenger services.

Yes, vans are a specialized type of automobile.

Depending on the type and specifications, vans can be more expensive due to their larger size and utility features.

Safety features can vary widely, but generally, passenger cars might have more advanced safety technology compared to vans.

Vans typically consume more fuel and produce more emissions than smaller automobiles.

Common uses include transportation of goods, tools, and passengers, especially in commercial settings.