Regresar al GuidesThe average weight of a car of around 4,100 pounds according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Small cars generally weigh around 2500 pounds, large cars weigh around 4200 pounds, and trucks and SUVs can weigh anywhere from around 3500 pounds to over 6000 pounds.
These are average figures and the weight of your car may be outside of the norm depending on the exact model and the options and equipment included. Electric vehicles often weigh more than their similarly sized gas counterparts due to the extra burden of heavy battery packs.
The weight of your vehicle has a large effect on things like fuel economy and curb weights vary widely depending on the class of vehicle.
The Hummer EV Pickup weighs an astonishing 9063 making it the heaviest normal passenger vehicle on sale for the 2023 model year, not including some heavy-duty trucks. The lightest vehicle currently for sale in the US is the Mitsubishi Mirage with a curb weight coming in at a svelte 2095 pounds.
There is a lot more to vehicle weights than just curb weight, and this article will break down the basics.
Average Vehicle Weight by Segment:
Here are a few examples of models of common types of cars and vehicle segments, which may be more helpful in thinking about how much the average car weighs. Because vehicle weights are specific to the options and specs of the car, these numbers may not match exactly with your vehicle’s door sticker.
Subcompact Cars:
The average weight for a subcompact car is around 2,510 pounds.
The previously mentioned Mitsubishi Mirage has a curb weight of 2,095 in its lightest trim. The Kia Rio is another popular option in the subcompact segment, and it weighs 2,767 in base trim. The Nissan Versa weighs between 2,599 and 2,729. The Mini Cooper Hardtop weighs in at 3,144 and is one of the heaviest in the class.
Compact Cars:
The average curb weight for a compact car is around 3000 pounds.
The Honda Civic is one of the best-selling cars in this class and has a curb weight of between 2,935 and 3,077 pounds depending on trim level. The Toyota Corolla has a curb weight of 2,955 in base trim. The Tesla Model 3 with its electric powertrain has a curb weight of 3,648 in base trim, up to 4,250 when equipped with dual-motor all-wheel drive.
Midsize Cars:
The average curb weight for a midsize is about 3,300 pounds.
In this category, the Toyota Camry is the most popular model and it weighs in at about 3,310 pounds in base trim and 3,475 when equipped with AWD. The Honda Accord weighs between 3,239 and 3,280 depending on trim. The Nissan Altima weighs between 3,244 and 3,460 pounds. The Hyundai Sonata weighs from 3,120 to 3,552 pounds. The Kia K5 weighs 3,148 to 3,534 and the Subaru Legacy weighs 3,491 to 3,787.
Full Size Car:
The average car weight in the full-size class is about 3,800 pounds.
Car models in this class include the Nissan Maxima at between 3,609 and 3,730, Dodge Challenger at 3,840 to 4,415 pounds, Chrysler 300 weighing between 4,013 and 4,267, and Toyota Crown at 3,980 and 4,343 pounds.
Subcompact SUVs:
The Average Subcompact SUV weighs around 3,100 pounds.
Popular subcompact SUVs include the Kia Soul at 2844 pounds, the Mitsubishi Outlander Sport at 3,120 to 3,296 pounds, the Toyota Corolla Cross at 3,115 to 3,325 pounds, the Hyundai Venue at 2,612 pounds, and the Subaru Crosstrek at 3,117 to 3,298 pounds.
Compact SUVs:
The average compact SUV weighs about 3400 pounds.
Some common compact SUV weights are the Mazda CX-5 at 3,728 to 3,867 pounds, the Chevrolet Equinox at 3,274 to 3,512 pounds, the Ford Bronco Sport at 3,467 to 3,707 pounds, the Toyota Rav4 at 3,370 to 3,640 pounds, the Subaru Forester at 3,454 to 3,620 pounds, and the Volkswagen Tiguan 3,737 to 3,944 pounds.
Midsize SUVs:
The Average Midsize SUV weighs around 4,200 pounds.
Some common models and their weights include the Kia Sorento weighing 3,794 to 4,120 pounds, the Toyota Highlander at 4,155 to 4,453 pounds, the Dodge Durango at 4,750 to 5,710 pounds, the Hyundai Santa Fe 3,649 to 4,076 pounds, the Honda Pilot at 4,030 to 4,685 pounds, the GMC Acadia 4,155 to 4,525 pounds, the Nissan Murano at 5,110 to 5,280 lbs, and the Kia Telluride 5,776 to 5,917 pounds.
Full-Size SUVs:
The Average Full-size SUV weight is around 5650 pounds.
These beasts are heavy, with the most popular models being the Chevrolet Suburban weighing 5,616 to 6,016 pounds, the Ford Expedition at 5,443 to 5,623 pounds, the Toyota Sequoia at 5,620 to 6,185 pounds, the GMC Yukon at 5,490 to 5,827 pounds, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer at 6,340 to 6,420 pounds, and Nissan Armada at 5,651 to 6,034 pounds.
Pickup Trucks:
Things get a little more complicated when it comes to pickup trucks thanks to the ridiculous combinations of cab sizes, bed sizes, luxury features, engine and transmission options, and four-wheel drive configurations.
Heavy duty trucks like the Ford F-250 and F-350, RAM 2500 and 3500, and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 models have weights starting around 5,700 pounds up to over 7,000 pounds.
Full-size trucks like the Ford F-150, RAM 1500, and Silverado 1500, have an average weight of around 4,700 pounds but can weigh as little as 4,400 pounds and can weigh over 6,000 pounds depending on equipment.
Midsize and small trucks weigh in at an average of around 4100 pounds. This class includes small trucks like the Ford Maverick at 3,636 to 3,693 pounds, the Hyundai Santa Cruz weighing 3,708 to 4,164 pounds, the Honda Ridgeline at 4,436 to 4,510 pounds, the Toyota Tacoma at 3,915 to 4,550 pounds, the Nissan Frontier at 4,315 to 4,837 pounds, the GMC Canyon at 4,430 to 4,970, the Chevy Colorado at 4,270 to 4,940, and the Jeep Gladiator at 4,650 to 5,050.
Sports Cars:
Sports cars are another tricky category to give an average because there can be a wide range of vehicles considered within the category. That said, the EPA stated average is around 3,100 pounds.
Lightweights like the Subaru BRZ weighing 2,815 to 2,881 pounds and Mazda Miata at 2,341 to 2,403 pounds, fall on one end of the spectrum.
Muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger at 3,841 to 4,415 pounds, Ford Mustang weighing 3,532 to 3,868 pounds, and the Chevy Camaro at 3,532 to 3,868 pounds overcome their heft with more power.
The Nissan Z weighs 3,486 to 3,602 pounds, the Toyota Supra comes in at 3,181 to 3,411 pounds, and the Porsche Cayman weighs 3,040 to 3,227.
The all-wheel drive Nissan GTR weighs 3,865 to 3,933 pounds, while luxury sports cars like the Audi R8 weigh 3,516 to 3,913 pounds.
What is Curb Weight?
Curb weight is the weight of the vehicle, with standard equipment and a full tank of fuel. This does not include optional equipment, passengers, or any other extras. Curb weight is the number most commonly used when discussing how much a car weighs.
Curb weight is also sometimes referred to as empty weight, meaning the vehicle has no passengers or payload. In some instances a vehicle’s dry weight might be mentioned, this means the weight of the vehicle without fuel, oil, or any other fluids. Manufacturers may also occasionally use the term shipping weight which would include fluids, but may not include a full fuel tank.
Aside from curb weight, there are a few important figures to know about your vehicle, to understand how much weight it can safely handle. Many of these numbers are related to each other or affect each other, so it is important to understand each.
Other Weight-Related Terms:
GVW:
Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW, is the car’s curb weight plus passengers, optional or extra equipment, and cargo. This may also be called total weight.
Payload:
Payload is related to the vehicle’s GVW and means the maximum amount of weight that the car can safely hold in addition to the curb weight. This limit includes passengers and any cargo whether that is in the interior, truck, or in the truck bed.
GVWR:
GVWR stands for 'Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.' It's the weight limit the vehicle can safely handle including the curb weight plus the payload. Another way to think of this is that the GVWR minus the curb weight equals the payload capacity.
GCW
GCW is the 'Gross Combined Weight,' and it applies to vehicles that can tow and includes the weight of the towing vehicle and the towed item. If you were driving a Ford F350, towing a Honda Civic on a car trailer. You would need to know the weight of the truck, trailer, and car as well as the weight of any other passengers or cargo in the two vehicles or added to the trailer to determine the GCW.
GCWR:
This is the 'Gross Combined Weight Rating,' the maximum Gross Combined Weight the vehicle can handle. Exceeding this number is illegal, can damage the vehicle, and is unsafe.
GAWR:
Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum amount of weight that should be placed on an axle of a vehicle. This is inclusive of any additional equipment, fluids, passengers, or cargo. The front and rear axles will likely have different ratings and exceeding this figure can be dangerous or damage the vehicle.
There is a helpful sticker on the inside of the driver’s side door jamb that will have many of the weight ratings for your vehicle, though some may be found in the owner’s manual.
Towing:
Some measurements and limits have specifically to do with towing. Towing Capacity is the maximum weight of a trailer that a vehicle can tow, and tongue weight is the pressure put on the hitch of the vehicle. The balance of a trailer’s load has a big effect on the tongue weight, and too much pressure can make it difficult to control the vehicle and trailer.
Why Does Weight Matter?
The previously mentioned Mitsubishi Mirage has a curb weight of 2,095 in its lightest trim, about 2,000 pounds less overall than the average vehicle, and light even for its class, but let’s look at some other specs to put that into perspective. The Mirage also has a GVWR of 3020 pounds, meaning a payload capacity of 925 pounds. The Mirage’s fuel efficiency is rated at 36 MPG in the city and 43 on the highway. The Mirage is not rated for towing any amount of weight.
By comparison, larger vehicles have costs and benefits. The Jeep Wagoneer is one of the heavier vehicles on the market when you exclude heavy-duty trucks and electric trucks and SUVs. The Wagoneer has a GVWR of up to 7,650 pounds, meaning a payload capacity of up to 1,450 pounds. The Wagoneer’s fuel efficiency is rated at 17 MPG in the city and 20 on the highway in its least efficient configuration. The Wagoneer is rated to tow up to 8,790 pounds.
By comparing these numbers a few things are obvious. Large SUVs and trucks generally have higher towing and payload capacities as well as higher curb weights than lighter vehicles. Smaller cars in turn usually offer better fuel economy. Lighter cars also have other benefits like less road damage, as heavier cars put more stress on roadways.
Safety is another factor affected by weight. Though many small cars boast great safety ratings thanks to modern design and safety features, the simple physics of a car crash cannot be ignored. Heavier cars have more momentum and their occupants will be less likely to be injured in an accident, all other factors being equal.
You probably will not be making your next car purchase based solely on the vehicle’s weight, but it is an important factor to consider when you think about your needs. Do you need a heavier vehicle with more capability, worse fuel economy, and a higher overall cost or would something lighter do the trick and keep some money in your pocket?
