Automobile Size Chart

When shipping your vehicle internationally, the size of your automobile affects different aspects such as transportation method and price. This is why determining the correct details of your vehicle is important to starting your shipment on the right foot. 

At Schumacher Cargo Logistics, we work with vehicles of every shape and size—from small motorcycles to oversized SUVs. This guide and automobile size chart breaks down average vehicle dimensions and explains how they impact international shipping, so you can confidently prepare your car for its journey across the globe.

How Long Is the Average Car?

The average length of a car is 14.7 feet, though this varies based on different size classes. Here are average car lengths for common car sizes:

• Compact: 10 to 14 feet
• Mid-Size: 14 to 16 feet
• Full-Size: 16 to 18 feet

How Wide Is the Average Car?

The average width of a car is 5.8 feet. However, average car width also varies by car size. Here’s the average width of cars by common sizes:

• Compact: 5.5 to 6 feet
• Mid-Size: 6 feet
• Full-Size: 6-7 feet

How Tall Is the Average Car?

The average car height is 4 to 5 feet. Car height can vary widely between compact, mid-size, and full-size vehicles—and between different car types like sedans, SUVs, and pick-up trucks. Here are average car heights by car size:

• Compact: 4.5 to 5 feet
• Mid-Size: 5 to 5.5 feet
• Full-Size: 5.5 to 6 feet

Vehicle Size Comparison

These are the most popular vehicle sizes:

Compact Vehicles (Smallest Option)

• Examples: Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza

Mid-Size Vehicles (Second-Largest Option)

• Examples: Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata

Full-Size Vehicles (Largest Option)

• Examples: Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima, Chevy Tahoe

Average Automobile Size Chart with Examples

Compact Cars vs. Mid-Size Cars

Compact cars seat four to five passengers and have an average passenger and cargo capacity of 100 to 109 cubic feet. Most compact vehicles have four doors, but there are some models with only two doors. Compact cars are great fits for compact vehicle parking spaces as well as standard size parking spaces and can usually fit in the smallest vehicle storage units.

Mid-size cars are slightly larger than compact cars—and seat five to seven passengers with a passenger and cargo capacity of 110 to 120 cubic feet. Nearly all mid-size vehicles have four doors unless you’re looking into certain types of mid-size sports cars that may have two doors. Mid-size cars usually cannot fit into compact parking spaces or small vehicle storage units, as they’re too large.

Mid-Size Cars vs. Full-Size Cars

Both mid and full sized cars share a lot in common, but there are certain aspects that will increase the classification. Mid-size cars and full-size cars both commonly have four doors, and can seat five passengers if they have two rows. For mid-size and full-size vehicles that have three rows, mid-size cars are usually only able to go up to seven passengers, but full-size cars with three rows can seat up to nine passengers in some cases. Full-size vehicles also have greater passenger and cargo capacity than mid-size vehicles, ranging from 120 cubic feet to 160 cubic feet.

In general, both mid-size and full-size cars can fit in parking garages, larger vehicle storage units, and standard parking spaces. However, some full-size cars—particularly taller models like certain SUVs and trucks—may exceed the height limits of standard parking garages or vehicle storage units and require an outdoor parking space instead.

Average Vehicle Measurements Based on Car Type

Car dimensions vary between car sizes—but vehicle types, from pickup trucks to minivans, can impact vehicle measurements as well. Different vehicle types are also available across different car sizes, with options like a compact SUV vs. mid-size SUV or mid-size vs. full-size sedan.

When it comes to storage, smaller 10×15 and 10×20 vehicle storage units or garages can typically accommodate compact and mid-size sedans and SUVs. However, taller full-size trucks and SUVs may require a larger vehicle storage unit, typically 10×30 or bigger, to ensure adequate space.

SUVs

• Compact SUV Dimensions: 165-176″ x 69-72″ x 61-65″
  • Honda HR-V, Subaru Crosstrek, Jeep Renegade
• Mid-Size SUV Dimensions: 180-195″ x 72-79″ x 65-73″
  • Hyundai Santa Fe, Honda Passport, Toyota 4Runner
• Full-Size SUV Dimensions: 192-221″ x 76-84″ x 74-77″
  • Chevy Suburban, Jeep Wagoneer, Ford Expedition

Sedans

• Compact Sedan Dimensions: 170-180″ x 66-71″ x 55-58″
  • Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra
• Mid-Size Sedan Dimensions: 168-196″ x 70-75″ x 56-70″
  • Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima
• Full-Size Sedan Dimensions: 192-216″ x 72-75″ x 56-60″
  • Dodge Charger, Nissan Maxima, Chevy Impala

Pickup Trucks

• Compact Pickup Truck Dimensions: 180-210″ x 70-75″ x 65-70″
  • Ford Maverick, Hyundai Santa Cruz
• Mid-Size Pickup Truck Dimensions: 210-230″ x 75-80″ x 70-75″
  • Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma
• Full-Size Pickup Truck Dimensions: 230-250″ x 80-85″ x 75-80″
  • Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Toyota Tundra

Minivans

• Mid-Size Minivan Dimensions: 181-203 x 68-79″ x 68-72″
  • Dodge Grand Caravan, Kia Carnival
• Full-Size Minivan Dimensions: 203-205″ x 79-80″ x 69-72″
  • Chrysler Pacifica, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna

How to Determine the Dimensions of Your Car

You can find your car dimensions in one of three ways—with a VIN decoder, through a dealership, or by measuring manually.

Use a VIN Decoder

Your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-character code that’s unique to each vehicle. Using a VIN decoder like these from NHSTA, AutoZone, or JD Power allows you to find valuable information about your vehicle, including car dimensions. You can find your VIN in the following places:

• On the driver’s side dashboard where it meets the windshield (stand outside the car to see it)
• Inside the driver’s side door where it latches (open the car door to see it)
• Car insurance card
• Vehicle title or registration

Using a VIN decoder is one of the easiest ways to find your car’s factory specifications—including key car dimensions. It provides details based on your specific vehicle’s make, model, trim, and any factory-installed variations that could impact your car size.

Contact a Dealership or Car Shop

You can reach out to your local automobile shop or dealership with your VIN or license plate number, and they’ll be able to look up your vehicle and provide your car dimensions for you. If they can’t provide the information for your specific vehicle, they can at least provide you with the average length and width of your car based on its make and model!

Measure Your Vehicle Manually

Manual vehicle measurement is a good idea if you have aftermarket car modifications that could impact vehicle dimensions—like different wheels, a new bumper, roof rack, or lift package. Stock measurements provided by a VIN decoder or dealership won’t take these into account, so manually measuring with a tape measure is the best way to be completely accurate. Here’s how to manually measure the dimensions of a car:

• Car Length: Measure the length of the car from the end of the front bumper to the furthest point of the back end—whether that’s the back bumper or something that extends further, like a trailer hitch.
• Car Width: Measure the width of your car between the two widest points on either side, taking side mirrors and any bumper or spoiler extensions into account.
• Car Height: Measure the height of the car from the ground to the highest point of the vehicle, including roof racks.
• Car Width With Doors: Measure the width of the car at its widest points with all doors fully open.
• Cargo Space: Measure the available cargo space by taking the length, width, and height of the trunk of your car (with seats up and down).
• Car Door Height: Measure the height of the car door opening from the bottom to the top with the door fully open
• Car Door Width: Measure the width of the car door opening at its widest points with the door fully open.

Find everything you need for overseas car shipping from the United States with Schumacher Cargo Logistics.

More International Car Shipping Info

*For info on bringing a car back or import, visit our resource on importing a car to USA.

• International Car Shipping
• Shipping A Motorcycle Overseas
• How to Ship a Car Overseas
• Oversized Cargo
• Boat/Yacht Shipping
• Classic Car Shipping
• International Moving

Fill out our Online Quote Form and start your overseas car shipment. For any other international vehicle shipping questions, feel free to contact our representatives at (USA) 1-562-408-6677 or (Toll Free) 1-800-599-0190.

SCL International Car Shipping Reviews