[arrays] Count length of array and return 1 if it only contains one element

$cars = "bmw","audi","volvo","vw"
echo $cars.length

returns 4, but

$cars = "bmw"

returns 3 because it counts the characters..

Is there a way I can return 1 if the array only contains one item?

Instead of writing echo $cars.length write echo @($cars).length

Maybe I am missing something (lots of many-upvotes-members answers here that seem to be looking at this different to I, which would seem implausible that I am correct), but length is not the correct terminology for counting something. Length is usually used to obtain what you are getting, and not what you are wanting.

$cars.count should give you what you seem to be looking for.

declare you array as:

$car = array("bmw")

EDIT

now with powershell syntax:)

$car = [array]"bmw"