Average car weight

According to a 2022 study from the Environmental Protection Agency, the average weight of a car is 4,094 pounds. You may not be aware that knowing how much your car weighs is more than a trivia tidbit; your car’s weight can give you greater insight into the kinds of tools you need for DIY routine maintenance, how much fuel your car actually needs and important safety knowledge. That’s why Bankrate put together this guide on what you as a vehicle owner need to know about average car weight.

Why you should know how much your car weighs

Vehicle weight is more important than you think. If you know how much your car weighs, you can shop smarter for gasoline and car insurance, and purchase the right equipment for any at-home repair projects. Here’s how else this knowledge can help you be a better, more informed car owner:

• Vehicle weight can affect collision damage. Generally speaking, lighter vehicles incur more damage in a collision than heavier vehicles. On the flipside, if you are involved in a collision with a heavier vehicle, your chance of fatality increases by 47 percent for every 1,000 pounds of added weight. With this in mind, owners of lighter vehicles like coupes may want to consider a model with added safety features like electronic stability control and automatic brake assist.
• Heavier vehicles tend to consume more fuel. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fuel economy increases by 1 to 2 percent for every 100 pounds that are removed from a vehicle. Essentially, owners of lighter vehicles pay less at the pump, while owners of heavier vehicles pay for those extra pounds.
• Vehicle weight can determine which garage tools you need. Items like jack stands are categorized by weight. A 2-ton jack stand will only support a small, lightweight vehicle — whereas a 5- or 6-ton jack can typically support the largest trucks and SUVs.
• Lighter vehicles have lighter cargo limits. And, expectedly, heavier vehicles have higher cargo limits. If you plan to tow a boat, trailer or anything else, your vehicle weight is commonly used to determine just how much you can pull.
• States have limits on vehicle weight. Different states set different limits on how much your car can weigh for safety and infrastructure purposes.
• Environmental impact. Nonprofits and government entities, like the EPA, use vehicle weight to inform studies about fuel consumption, the economy and the environment.

Different vehicle weight measurements

Unlike a person, how much a car weighs can be measured in more than one way. Below, we’ve listed out a couple of common weight types you may encounter:

• Curb weight: The weight of your vehicle sans drivers, passengers, equipment, luggage, cargo or anything else extra. Notably, this weight includes necessary vehicle components like coolant, oil and other essential fluids.
• Gross vehicle weight (GVW): This is the curb weight plus all of the extras like passengers, luggage, cargo, etc.
• Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR): The maximum limit of what your vehicle can carry or withstand. Anything higher than this figure can damage your vehicle and make it unsafe to drive.
• Payload: The sum total of your vehicle, everything inside of it and anything attached to it (like a trailer).

Average weight of a car

The table below outlines the average weight of consumer vehicles by body style.

Average weight of consumer vehicles

*Vehicle weight data was gathered from J.D. Power, Reference.com, Mechanic Base and Motor Trend.

Commercial vehicles weigh significantly more than average cars, trucks and SUVs. The chart below outlines the average weight of common commercial vehicles in tons.

Average weight of commercial vehicles

Vehicle weights by car model

The tables below outline the curb vehicle weights of the 10 most popular vehicles in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

2022 vehicle weights

*Car popularity data is from Car and Driver and weight data is from Edmunds.

2021 vehicle weights

*Car popularity data is from Car and Driver and weight data is from Edmunds.

2020 vehicle weights

*Car popularity data is from Car and Driver and weight data is from Edmunds.

How much does my vehicle weigh?

Wondering how much your car weighs? There are a few different ways to find out.

• Look it up in your vehicle’s owner’s manual.
• Look it up on the car manufacturer’s website.
• Look it up on a car comparison website such as Edmunds.com.
• Use a truck stop or scrap yard’s scales to weigh your vehicle if you’re looking for an exact measurement.

Frequently asked questions

• • How does vehicle weight impact fuel economy?

    The more your vehicle weighs, the more gas it must use. Not only does the curb weight of your vehicle impact fuel economy — the amount of weight your car is carrying (cargo and passengers) or towing also affects fuel economy. The more your vehicle weighs, the fewer miles it gets to the gallon.

  • How are average vehicle weights changing over time?

    On average, vehicles are getting heavier over time. Compared to 20 years ago, popular vehicles such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have gained up to 650 pounds, according to J.D. Power. New safety rules requiring added features such as airbags, door intrusion beams and tire-pressure monitors are part of the reason modern vehicles are heavier. In addition, luxury features such as real-time navigation systems, seat cooling and heating systems and entertainment systems make new vehicles heavier than previous models.

  • Are heavier vehicles safer in a crash?

    Yes. While lighter vehicles have become a lot safer in recent years, heavy vehicles offer better protection in a collision. Larger vehicles have a longer distance between the front bumper and the front seat where the driver and passengers are. In addition, heavier vehicles are safer due to pushing the lighter vehicle backward during a crash.

  • How much does a car weigh?

    The average car weight in 2022 was 4,094 pounds, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency. However, what is considered a normal weight will depend on the type of vehicle you drive. A larger SUV can weigh around 4,200 pounds, while a truck can weigh over 6,000 pounds.

  • How much does a small car weigh?

    A small car typically weighs somewhere around 2,500 pounds.