* Lightning McQueen: The main protagonist.
* Mater: Lightning McQueen's best friend.
* Sally Carrera: A Porsche 911 and a lawyer who owns the Cozy Cone Motel.
* Doc Hudson: A Hudson Hornet and a former race car who mentors Lightning McQueen.
* Chick Hicks: A rival race car of Lightning McQueen.
* Sheriff: A police car in Radiator Springs.
* Ramone: A 1959 Chevrolet Impala lowrider and owner of Ramone's House of Body Art.
* Fillmore: A Volkswagen Type 2 bus and owner of Fillmore's Specialty Shop.
* Luigi: A Fiat 500 and owner of Luigi's Casa Della Tires.
* Guido: Luigi's fast-working tire-changing assistant.
This is not an exhaustive list, as many other cars have speaking roles or are named in the film.