Car Types Commonly Washed in the USA

Car washes in the United States handle a wide range of vehicles daily. Below is a categorized list of all types of vehicles that are typically washed, whether at automatic washes, hand wash stations, detailing shops, or mobile wash services.

1. Passenger Cars

These are the most commonly washed vehicle types and include:

  • Sedans
  • Coupes
  • Convertibles
  • Hatchbacks
  • Station Wagons

Passenger cars are ideal for nearly all types of car wash services—automatic, self-service, touchless, and hand wash.

2. SUVs and Crossovers

These are the most commonly washed vehicle types and include:

  • Sedans
  • Coupes
  • Convertibles
  • Hatchbacks
  • Station Wagons

Passenger cars are ideal for nearly all types of car wash services—automatic, self-service, touchless, and hand wash.

3. Pickup Trucks

Car washes frequently service:

  • Light-duty trucks (e.g., Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500)

  • Heavy-duty trucks (e.g., Ram 2500, Silverado 2500 HD)

  • Crew cab, extended cab, and regular cab variants

 

Some larger trucks may not fit in standard automatic car wash bays and often need hand washing or mobile wash services.

4. Minivans

Common among families, minivans are regularly washed at:

  • Automatic car washes
  • Full-service stations
  • Mobile detailing services

Examples include Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica, and Toyota Sienna.

5. Luxury Vehicles

Luxury cars and SUVs are typically hand washed or detailed to avoid paint damage:

  • BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus
  • Tesla vehicles (Model 3, Y, S, X)
  • Jaguar, Land Rover, Genesis, etc.

Owners of luxury cars often avoid automatic brushes to preserve the paint and finish.

6. Sports and Exotic Cars

While not washed daily like regular commuters, sports and exotic vehicles are carefully detailed and washed by hand:

  • Sports Cars: Ford Mustang, Chevy Corvette, Porsche 911
  • Supercars/Exotics: Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren

These require specialized care and are never run through standard automated car washes.

7. Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Electric cars are washed like traditional cars but with special attention to:

  • Sealed charging ports
  • Underbody protection

Common EVs washed include:

  • Tesla (all models)
  • Nissan Leaf
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E
  • Rivian R1T/R1S
  • Hyundai Ioniq, Kia EV6

8. Commercial Vehicles (Light-Duty)

Many light commercial and fleet vehicles are washed regularly, including:

  • Delivery vans (e.g., Ford Transit, Ram ProMaster)
  • Service trucks
  • Utility SUVs used by companies or government agencies

These often go through fleet wash programs or mobile services.

9. Vans (Full-Size)

Often used for commercial or transportation purposes:

  • Ford Transit
  • Chevrolet Express
  • Nissan NV3500
  • Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

These are usually cleaned at commercial hand wash bays or mobile detailing units.

Final Notes

If a vehicle can be driven or transported on public roads, chances are it can be washed. The method of washing automatic, hand wash, touchless, or mobile just depends on the vehicle’s size, finish, value, and owner preference.

So, in terms of car wash services, the U.S. commonly washes:

  • Passenger vehicles (sedans, coupes, hatchbacks)
  • SUVs and trucks
  • Vans and minivans
  • Electric and hybrid cars
  • Luxury and exotic vehicles
  • Fleet and commercial vehicles
  •  (select locations)
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