The R62 and R62A cars were the first new subway cars ordered for the "A Division" (IRT or numbered lines) since the ordering of the R36s in the early 1960s. The R62s were manufactured by Kawasaki and the R62As were manufactured by Bombardier between 1983 and 1987. Since their entry in to service, these cars have operated on every A Division line on a regular basis with the exception of the 2. These cars were the first A Division cars to feature air conditioning and stainless steel bodies. They also featured bucket seats, though these were not well received by the riding public.

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The R142 and R142A were the first "New Technology Train" production models to enter service on the A Division and on the entire New York City Subway. Both car classes entered service on July 10, 2000. These cars were based off the R110A prototype cars that operated between 1993 and 1999. The R142 cars were built by Bombardier and the R142A cars were built by Kawasaki. Both car types replaced the "Redbird" fleet (R26, R28, R29, R33, and R36 cars) that had been in service since the late 1950s. The R142 and R142A cars featured LED and LCD destination signs, electronic strip maps, interior LED displays to show the next stop and other information, automated announcements, enhanced fluorescent lighting for the train interiors, and screens in each operator cab allowing the train crew to troubleshoot issues more easily. In 2010, the R188 contract was awarded to Kawasaki to convert 380 R142A cars in to R188 cars and build an additional 126 new R188 cars. The R188 would be equipped with CBTC equipment for use on the 7 line, the first A Division line to have CBTC train signalling installed. The new cars included 38 new "C" cars that would be added to some 5 car sets of R142As to be able to continue running 11 car trains on the 7 line. The R188 cars entered service for revenue testing on November 9, 2013 and officially entered service on December 15, 2013. As of May 2020, the R142 operates on the 2, 4, and 5 lines, the R142A operates on the 4 line, and the R188 operates on the 7 line.

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The R46 cars were manufactured by Pullman Standard between 1975 and 1978. These cars remain in service (as of April 2020) on the A, F, Q, R, and Rockaway Park Shuttle lines. The R46 was the largest order of subway cars in US history at the time it was made, totaling 754 cars. Initially, these cars were considered "lemons" due to cracks that were discovered in the cars' trucks and issues with the brake system. Between 1989 and 1992, the R46s were overhauled by Morrison-Knudsen, at which time the side roll signs were replaced with LCD destination signs, a new brake system was installed, and other mechanical upgrades were made. The R46 fleet is expected to remain in service until its retirement upon delivery of the R211 cars.

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The R68 cars are 75 foot long subway cars that were delivered starting in 1986. A total of 425 cars were built by Westinghouse. These cars replaced the last of the R16 cars as well as many R10s, R27s, and some R30s. An additional 200 cars, originally an option order for the R68 contract, were built by Kawasaki under the R68A contract. Both the R68 and R68A have stainless steel bodies that are graffiti resistant. Due to their length, the R68 and R68A cars cannot operate on the BMT Eastern Division (J, L, M, and Z lines). As of early 2020, they are primarily assigned to the B, D, G, and Franklin Avenue Shuttle.

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The R143 was the first full production "New Technology Train" (NTT) to be constructed for the B Division of the New York City Subway. A total of 212 cars were manufactured by Kawasaki. These cars were delivered for acceptance testing in late 2001 and all the cars were delivered and in service by March 2003. Like the R142 and R142A cars, the R143 cars have interior strip maps displaying the next stations, automated announcements, and AC traction. In 2009, the L train began automated operation using a communications based train control (CBTC) system. All the R143 cars are enabled for CBTC operation as a result.

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The R160 cars are now the most common car on the B Division (lettered lines) of the New York City Subway. Between 2006 and 2010, a total of 1,662 cars were delivered and entered service, replacing all R38, R40, and R44 cars and most R32 and R42 cars. The R160 contract was split in to two different contracts. Alstom built the R160A, which operate in a mix of 4 and 5 car sets, while Kawasaki built the R160B, all of which operate in 5 car sets. The most notable feature on the R160A and R160B cars was the introduction of the "FIND" (Flexible Information and Notice Display) System. FIND displays have a dynamic LED strip map that updates at each station to show upcoming stations, transfer options, and other information. The FIND displays can also be updated on the fly due to reroutes or other service interruptions. Each car has multiple FIND displays, which replaced the static strip maps that were found on the R142, R142A, and R143 cars.

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The R179 is the newest "New Technology Train" to enter service on the New York City Subway. These 60 foot long subway cars first entered service in 2017 and as of December 2019, all 318 cars that are part of this order had been delivered. Although they look similar to the R160A and R160B trains, the R179 cannot be operated with other NTT train types. The R179s feature upgraded HVAC systems and additional handholds, among other upgrades in comparison to the older NTT cars.

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