If you want to find out what is the average car length, then you have to understand a few important concepts first. There are different car lengths for all types of makes and models of cars.
If you want to find out the specific length for your distinct car, you need to make a list of car lengths of different classes. Still, there is an average length of car calculated.
What is the average car length?
All of our Research indicates that the average car length is about 15 to 16 feet (4.2 to 4.9 meters). The calculation of average car length has said to be equal to the length of an Audi A4. That is 4500 mm, or you can say 14, 7 feet. This is the length of a medium-sized car; obviously not every car is like this. Some are shorter or broader. But this is the average length.
You cannot go any lower or higher in this to determine the average car length. There is a difference in every car length according to the makes and different classes.
The concept that you need to understand about car lengths is the way to distinguish between every car according to their sizes.
When you are looking for small car lengths, you can imagine a car length of 3000-4000 mm and if you are looking for a large truck or car then expect the car length to be 5000-6000mm.
Average car models can have the following sizes:
List of car lengths:
City cars:
They have a range from Smartfortwo to the Hyundai i10. Their measurements are, car lengths vary between 2695mm to 3665mm. Heights range from 1460mm to 1610mm. Width is 1475mm to 1665mm.
City cars can be compared with each other with respect to their dimensions and boot capacity also.
But if you are looking at singularly just the car lengths then on an average they have these dimensions only.
Mini cars:
These have an extensive range from the Mini to the Renault Zoe. They have the following measurements, car lengths: 3821-4084mm, heights: 1414-1578mm, widths: 1665-1780mm.
These automobiles have more space than the city category but are smaller than the compact category. Keeping tight dimensions for parking purposes.
Compact cars:
The compact cars have a range from Citroen C4 cactus to the Honda civic. They have the following dimensions, car lengths: 4109-4370mm, height: 1424-1530mm, widths: 1729-1823mm.
These automobiles have a good balance between interior space and compact exterior dimensions.
These width dimensions are determined without adding the measurements of exterior mirrors and in brackets with unfolded mirrors.
Family cars:
The family cars, as the name suggests, are practical cars. They range from the Infiniti Q30 to the Audi A4. Their measurements are, car lengths are 4425-4726mm, heights: 1418-1575mm, widths: 1810-1910mm.
These automobiles focus on providing more space for the occupants. They don’t increase luggage capacity as such in the family category.
Executive cars:
The executive cars range from the BMW 4 series coupe to the BMW 5 Series Grand Turismo. These have the following dimensions, car lengths: 4628-5004mm, heights: 1377-1529mm, widths: 1810-1910mm.
Their boot capacity is longer than 4.7 meters.
Luxury cars:
The luxury cars, as the name suggests, focus a lot on the size and exterior length of the car. They range from the Mercedes SL to the Maserati Quattro Porte. They comprise of the following car measurements, car lengths: 4631-5624mm, height: 1294-1496mm, width: 1877-1980mm.
These automobiles have the following features: fully retractable Vario-roof, front base audio system, comprehensive safety system, striking innovative design and have a range of powerful engines.
Sports cars:
The sports cars range from the Mazda Mx-5 to the Mercedes S Coupe. It has the following average dimensions: car lengths vary from 3995-5027mm, height ranges from 1116-1475mm and width ranges from 1735-1992mm.
These have a boot capacity for less than 1.7 meters. These are low profile automobiles with high-performance mechanism, and engine power is more dominant over luggage capacity.
Estate cars:
The estate cars range from SEAT Ibiza ST to the Jaguar X5 sport brake. They comprise of the following car dimensions: length varies from 4236-4966mm, height ranges from 1429-1550mm and width is 1693-1895mm.
These automobiles have a boot capacity between 4.2-5m. These cars are based on compacts and saloons. Generally with an extended roof for more interior space above the boot.
MPV’s:
These automobiles range from the Kia Venga to the Ssangyong Rodius. They comprise of the following dimensions: lengths vary from 4068-5130mm, heights range from 1530-1860mm and widths vary from 1695-1928.
These are seven-seater cars and always sorted by length. These automobiles have optimizing Interior space flexibility versus dynamic road behaviour having a high capacity boot.
Small crossovers:
The small crossovers range from the Ford Eco sport to the Suzuki S cross. Their dimensions are car lengths vary from 3700-4300mm, heights range from 1529-1679mm and widths range from 1660-1822mm. Boot capacity is shorter than 4.7m.
These are vehicles with small lengths that allow easy urban mobility with higher heights and aesthetic all-terrain. They are usually designed to be driven on the road but have some off-road features too.
Compact SUV’s:
The compact SUVs are ideal for anyone. They range from the Jeep Renegade to the Mercedes GLC Coupe. Their dimensions are: car lengths vary from 4255-4735mm, heights range from 1494-1740mm and widths range from 1790-1925mm.
Their ground clearance and boot capacity are between 4.2-4.5m. SUVs have a more ultimate design than the MPVSs.
They have a high driving position and off-road aesthetic without 4×4 features. They are designed usually to be driven on the road.
Large SUV’s:
The impact Large SUV’s range from Mercedes G class to the Mercedes GLS. Their car dimensions are: car lengths vary from 4662-5130mm, heights range from 1623-2035mm and widths range from 1760-2008mm.
New large SUV’s and 4×4 cars are all sorted by lengths. Their ground clearance and boot capacity are longer than 4.7meters.
These are vehicles with more height and 4WD traction with some special features as well that are for driving on difficult terrains. Road driving comfort for SUV’s is imminent.
Pickups:
The pickups are ranging from the Mitsubishi L200 to the Ford Ranger. Their measurements are car lengths vary from 5205-5632mm, heights range from 1775-1815mm and widths range from 1760-2008mm.
Big automobiles have a ground clearance and boot capacity of longer than 4.7 meters. These vehicles have road driving comfort and other special features to come with as well.
These are added to the modernization of vehicles. These are multipurpose vehicles with an objective to maximize interior space.
Car lengths are really important for customers when they examine a car or its making. As customer’s choices, requirements change. Car manufacturers change too.
How to find out car lengths for a car’s model?
To get the exact car length of a model, you need to try out different ways. There are methods more reliable than any others. The following steps will build your opinion about the most comfortable and reliable methods:
VIN decoder:
This is the easiest way to secure a car length for any model and making. On the web, you will find many types of free VIN decoders.
To use it you need to find out the specific VIN of your car. There are certain locations in your car where the VIN is probably found.
You can find out the VIN number of your car in your vehicle’s manual as well. Every vehicle has a car manual and consists of all information, including the VIN.
The VIN number comprises of 17 characters of numbers and coded letters. When you have the VIN, you can easily enter it into the VIN decoder and find out the exact dimensions for your car.
Auto online shop:
When you enter an online auto shop, you have the permission to enter your own license plate number as well. When you do enter, you will find out the exact information about your automobile.
You can usually find out all your measurements, including length and weight of the car. But you have to be careful when you enter your license plate number as it is private information and not so safe when it comes to online auto shops. You have to find out an authentic auto online shop for this.
Ask the local dealer:
Car dealers are experts in finding out car lengths or anything about the cars for the fact. They can find out the dimensions with the help of the license plate number and VIN number.
You will not even need to visit the local car dealer. Just call them directly on their LAN number and ask them about the exact car length by the license plate number.
This is a very less costly and reliable way of finding out the exact car length of your car.
Do it yourself:
The front-rear or bumper can change your car length and extend it. You would never even notice that, and that is why you should determine your exact car length by measuring it yourself.
Manually measure the length of your vehicle with as basic as a yardstick from the rear to the front bumper and put it underneath the car to get the exact measurement of length.
Why do you need to know the exact car length of your car?
There are some issues that need to be addressed for a driver. You need to know the exact car length of your car because of these issues.
The first general issue is driving on the streets. For that, you need to know your vehicle is positioned accordingly on the lane. Your car length will give you an idea to know how much space you need to leave between your own car and the car parked ahead of you.
For road positioning, you need to know that when driving on a straight horizontal road, you need to look ahead half a mile and aim the car at the centre of the road. This will help you position your car according to your car length on the roadway.
Then there are some misconceptions that new drivers or any drivers for the fact have while driving:
People overestimate the size and length of their car. There are many experienced drivers that get a much larger car then yours fixed in a parking spot where you might think that yours cannot fit in.
You need to learn how to park your car on both sides of the road. Car length misconceptions are in almost everyone’s minds. You can align your car by determining your car length in a proper way and by following the pavement line. Parking in both sides develops confidence in you and also helps you acquire more parking spots.
For safe driving, a new driver should know their car lengths and widths in order to learn how to have a safe distance between their car and the other car ahead of them. You should always indicate the distance between the car behind you and your own vehicle as well. Looking in the rearview help.
Focusing on the front bumper also helps while driving.
While driving in narrow streets, you also can lose confidence for a big sized car to fit, but your car length can help you estimate how to fit in.
Final Thoughts
So here is all the information about car lengths, average car lengths, and why you need to determine car lengths as well.
In between the information pack, you will also find misconceptions that people have regarding their car lengths and how new drivers should learn a thing or two about them.
There is a list of car lengths and categories also available for readers to learn. These facts help you a lot in daily life while driving and parking your car.
If you think you don’t need to read all about this, then you are wrong because car lengths are very important.
You can now determine after reading all this that there is no average car length in specific. There are differences in the length of all cars and models for the fact. You always need to find out the exact car length for your model.