How Long is an Average Car or Truck? | Guide For 2021 Vehicles
How Long is an Average Car or Truck?
According to various researches, you can use an Audi A4 as a yardstick in determining the mean length of a vehicle. And the average size used for all vehicles is about 4.5 meters, while the average car length in feet is 15 feet long.
This isn’t a fixed length for all vehicles; that is why it’s termed the ‘average length.’ Some are smaller, while others are lengthier than the average length.
Even though this is the average length, you should also know that each car manufacturer has a different size for each car model.
Based on car sizes and the average length, we can say that long cars’ measurements are about 5 – above meters, while small-sized vehicles are about 3 – 4 meters long. For a more detailed size, check our in-depth breakdown below —
1. Urban Cars
This type of car is usually driven around municipalities. The length range they fall within is 2.7 meters – 4 meters. The height of this vehicle is between 1.5 meters – 1.7 meters, and the width is usually similar in size.
2. Small Size Cars
The next on the list is small size cars. Small-sized cars are a bit longer than urban cars. The Renault Zoe is a perfect example.
Their average length is within the range of 3.8 meters – 4.1 meters. So the height of this vehicle isn’t very different, regardless of the maker or brand. Its height range is between 1.5 meters – 1.8 meters, and its width is 1.6 meters – 1.7 meters.
3. Compact Cars
Compacts cars are more significant than small-sized ones. Cars that fall into this category are the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and Volkswagen Golf.
They’re usually within the range of 4.1 meters – 4.3 meters in length, in height, within 1.4 meters to 1.5 meters, and in width, they are 1.7 meters – 1.8 meters. Thus, the Sedan average length is the same as the length of compact cars.
4. Porsche Cars
Using a brand name to generalize this type of car is the best we can do. Maseratis and SL Mercedes fall within the category of this type of car. These cars have outstanding inventive body designs, retractable roofs, and they are swift.
The interior of this type of car isn’t big, so using its interior to also determine its overall length won’t be possible, so we will focus only on the outside. The size of these cars is between 4.5 meters to 5.6 meters, with a height of about 1.3 meters to 1.5 meters and a width of 1.9 meters – 2.0 meters.
5. Sports Cars
Like the Porsche cars, these vehicles are a little bit high-end (depending on the model).
Sports cars fall into the following spectrum of dimensions – length range of 4 meters -5 meters, height range of 1.2 meters – 1.3 meters, and a width range of 1.7 meters – 1.8 meters. In addition, these cars have a bonnet capacity of 1.5 meters or more.
6. Multipurpose Vehicles
This type of car is those five or more seater vehicles with a lot of space on the outside and ample interior space. These vehicles are usually used for trips or for transporting things due to the enormous boot compartment.
The length range of these vehicles is within 4.0 meters to 5.1 meters, with a height range of 1.5 meters to 1.8 meters and a width of 1.7 meters to 1.9 meters.
7. Small SUVs
People that love convenience vehicles usually opt for this. The body construction of these types of cars is definitive than MPVs. Examples of these kinds of cars are the Mercedes Benz class GLC and the Jeep Renegade. It also has a good ground balance and artistic off-road features.
Small SUVs have a length range of 4.3 meters to 4.7 meters, with a width spectrum of 1.8 meters to 1.9 meters and a height of 1.5 meters to 1.7 meters. In addition, it has a boot size of about 4.5 meters.
8. Compact Crossovers
The height of this kind of car is a little bit elevated, and it has an on-road artistic design. Some compact crossovers are Eco sports and Suzuki S class.
It has a length of 3.7 meters to 4.3 meters, with a height range within 1.5 meters to 1.7 meters and a width of about 1.7 meters to 2.0 meters. Its boot size is a bit small sized because it is barely 4.3 meters.
9. Big Sports Utility Vehicle
SUVs are big-sized Sport Utility Vehicles. Examples include the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, and the GLS class of Mercedes Benz. These types of cars have tall heights, which enhances their drivability on rough terrains.
Its length range is from 4 meters to 5 meters, with a height of 1.5 meters to 1.7 meters and a width that is less than 2 meters. The length of the boot size is a little above 5 meters, making it a large boot.
These types of vehicles are large and have bulky frames. This makes it a suitable choice of vehicle to use on rough terrains or for long trips. It offers more comfort than SUVs. It also has a large interior, so it’s comfortable.
A truck’s average length is 5.2 meters to 5.7 meters. Therefore, its height range is 1.7 meters to 1.9 meters, while its width is between 2 meters and above.
How To Know The Sizes of Cars
If you want to know the exact size of your vehicle, you can carry out measurements, and there are different ways to go about it —
• VIN Decoder
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This is the fastest and most straightforward way to measure your car, and you can do it by yourself. First, you will need your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You’ll find it in your car manual. After getting the VIN, you’ll input it into a free number decoder online. Finally, your exact car size will be shown to you.
To ensure you don’t get the size of another car, make sure the VIN is 17 characters, and make sure you made no mistake.
• Manual measurement
If you can’t access your VIN, or for one reason or the other, you’re unable to use it, you can simply do the measurement manually. First, you’ll use a tape or meter rule (it must be at least 10 meters long). Next, you’ll run the tape or meter rule from the car’s rear to the front bonnet. Next, you’ll run it across the boot, then from up to down. That is all it takes to know your exact car size.
• Dealership Inquiry
If you want, you can also send your VIN or license number to the car dealer who sold you the car. Once he receives it, he will send you the exact size of the vehicle. Next, you will contact the dealer and request to know your car size, and after submitting the necessary info, you’ll get your answer. All within a few minutes.
How to Measure Wheel Sizes
If you want to know the overall size of your car wheel, there are certain things you need to do when measuring its dimension. Also, you’ll have to find certain angles, and they are —
- Diameter
- Width
- Offset
- Backspacing
- Bolt Patterns
• WHEEL DIAMETER
There are two measurements to put into consideration if you are planning to get the wheel diameter. These are — Actual Wheel Diameter and Overall Wheel Diameter.
If you measure the overall wheel diameter, you’ll have to measure from the outside lip to the other outer lip.
If you measure for the actual wheel diameter, you’ll have to measure from the inside of the wheel barrel.
• WHEEL WIDTH
The way you measure the diameter is also the way you’ll measure the wheel width. You’ll start the measurement from the Barrel Section but not to the overall outside width.
• WHEEL OFFSET
The distance from the wheel’s centerline to the hub mounting surface is the offset of a revolution. The offset measurement is essential because it helps in choosing new wheels anytime you plan to get them.
The offset is measured in millimeters, and there are three types of balances, and they are —
Positive Offset: The hub mounting surface is toward the face of the wheel.
Negative Offset: The hub mounting surface is toward the back of the wheel.
Zero Offset: The hub mounting surface is even with the centerline of the wheel.
• WHEEL BACKSPACING
The backspacing of the wheel is where the hub section meets the back lip of the wheel and the surface of the car. The measurement for backspacing is done in inches, and it’s almost related to the offset, so if you miss one, it will affect the other.
The backspacing measurement is critical because it’s what shows you the clearance of the wheel in the wheel well. This measurement also affects how the wheel will stick out past the fender.
To measure the backspacing, you’ll run a straight edge across the rim bead (after removing the tire), then you’ll drop another straight edge or tape measure/ruler down to the wheel face, and you’ll measure the distance.
• BOLT PATTERN
You’ll find two numbers on the bolt pattern, and they will look like 5×4.50. The first number is telling the number of bolt holes that are on the vehicle. While the other number tells you how the diameter of the circle is formed by those holes. The measurement of bolt patterns is listed in either millimeters or inches.
With this, you will be able to determine the overall dimensions of the wheels. Many wheel manufacturers design the tires with the Diameter and Width Cast in the back of the wheel to quickly know the primary size.
What are the Dimensions of a Parking Space?
We believe you know what a parking space is already; if you don’t, it is an allocated space where cars are meant to be parked, and in the rooms, there are painted marking on the ground to separate cars. There are specific parking spaces that have limitations, such as a ‘reserved parking space,’ and if you don’t abide by the rules, you’ll end up paying a fine.
To the crux of the matter, parking spaces have dimensions so that different cars can utilize the space.
• standard parking space
This is the one used by most people. Its average size is around 10 to 20 feet in length and about 7.5 to 9 feet in width.
If a standard parking space width is oversized, this will reduce the possibility of more cars occupying the space. In addition, with the stated dimension above, it’s easier for people to park their cars and take them out safely.
• Truck and trailer parking space
You can’t park trucks and trailers in a standard parking space due to their large size. However, there are designated spaces to accommodate this kind of vehicle, and they are usually at least 15 feet in width, while their length is around 30 to 49 feet.
• Handicapped/Accessible parking space
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), this type of parking space should at least have a width of 8 feet, and for van-accessible areas, it must be at least 11 feet wide. In addition, the parking space must also have an access aisle, and it should be at least 5 feet wide.
Conclusion
Average car lengths are usually measured in meters, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find average car length in feet too. Different cars come in different sizes, and you can use any of the two measurements as your yardstick.
data-preserver-spaces=”true”>Knowing the length of your car is beneficial to you so you can avoid accidents. It is also helpful to construction workers because it helps determine how different facilities will be built. For instance, parking lots and roads are things a builder can’t construct without knowing the average size of the cars that will be using them.
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