How Much Does a Car Weigh? Average Weights of Common Cars
The most recent data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the average 2022 model-year car in the U.S. weighs 4,303 pounds. Depending on factors like size and body style, this number can vary from between 2,600 and 5,700 pounds.
Tanveen VohraManager of Content and Communications
Property and casualty insurance specialist
4+ years creating insurance content
Tanveen manages Insurify's data insights, annual home and auto insurance reports, and media communications. She’s regularly featured in media interviews on insurance topics.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
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Your car’s weight will vary based on your vehicle type, but weight can affect its fuel economy and passenger safety. Since vehicle safety factors into the cost of your insurance premiums, drivers should consider how much a car weighs while shopping for a new car or auto insurance policy.
Here’s what to know about car types and vehicle weights, how to determine what your car weighs, and why knowing the weight of your car matters.
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*Quotes generated for Insurify users within the last 10 days. Last updated on May 7, 2024
Rates shown are real-time Insurify user quotes from 100+ insurance companies and Quadrant Information Services data. Insurify’s algorithm excludes anomalous quotes and anonymizes personal details, then displays refined quotes by price, date, and insurer popularity up to 10 days ago from May 7, 2024. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer’s unique driver profile.
How much does the average car weigh?
The average weight of a 2022 model-year vehicle in the United States is 4,303 pounds, or about 2.16 tons, according to data from the EPA. This represents the highest average weight on record since 1975.[1]
From 1975 to 1981, the average U.S. car weight decreased by 21%, from 4,060 pounds to 3,202 pounds. This change was likely due to changing fuel economy standards and gas prices, according to the EPA. Since 1982, the overall trend of U.S. car weights has steadily increased — with a few slight fluctuations between the years 2004 and 2012.
In recent years, depending on the make and model of your car, it can weigh between 3,500 pounds and 5,500 pounds.[1] Let’s take a closer look at how vehicle type can influence the average weight of a car.
Keep in Mind
These figures simply serve as a guide. As you compare vehicles, you may find that subcompact sedans are significantly lighter than 3,500 pounds, while large SUVs are heavier than 5,250 pounds.
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Sedan or wagon
These small cars are the lightest vehicles on the market today and fall into the “sedan/wagon” category, with an average weight of around 3,600 pounds, according to EPA data.[1]
SUVs (sport utility vehicles) are some of the heaviest cars on the road because of their larger bodies and, in some cases, all-wheel-drive capabilities. This car type has an average weight of around 4,000 pounds, according to the EPA.[1]
Here are some cars in this category and their average weights:
Car Make and Model
Approximate Curb Weight
2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee
4,238 pounds
2023 Ford Explorer
4,345 pounds
2024 Subaru Crosstrek
3,276–3,369 pounds
2023 Chevrolet Equinox
3,274–3,512 pounds
2024 Toyota Highlander
4,365–4,465 pounds
SUV truck
This category is reserved for cars that aren’t quite a truck but aren’t quite an SUV — like the Ford Bronco, which can tow like a truck, or the Hyundai Santa Cruz, which has a truck bed but also a body reminiscent of an SUV. The average weight of an SUV truck is approximately 4,500 pounds, according to the EPA.[1]
Some SUV trucks and their weights include:
Car Make and Model
Approximate Curb Weight
2022 Ford Bronco
4,294–4,871 pounds
2024 Hyundai Santa Cruz
3,755–4,217 pounds
2022 Chevrolet Suburban
5,616–6,072 pounds
2023 Dodge Durango
4,750 pounds
2022 Cadillac Escalade
5,635–6,182 pounds
Minivans
Another group of large cars to consider is vans and minivans. Popular for families who need more seating room, minivans and vans average around 4,600 pounds, according to the EPA.[1]
Some popular cars in this category include:
Car Make and Model
Approximate Curb Weight
2021 Chrysler Voyager
4,330 pounds
2022 Honda Odyssey
4,398–4,603 pounds
2021 Kia Sedona
4,443–4736 pounds
2024 Toyota Sienna
4,610–4,725 pounds
Pickup truck
Since pickup trucks are designed to haul heavy loads, they tend to be the heaviest vehicles, weighing in at approximately 5,300 pounds on average.[1]
Vehicle weight is defined in multiple ways. As you compare new cars online, you might see “curb weight” and “gross vehicle weight” in a car’s specs. Or you might see your vehicle’s payload weight in its owner’s manual.
Here are common measures of vehicle weight and what they mean:
Gross vehicle weight: This is the maximum combined weight of your vehicle, its passengers, and cargo. Generally, you can find your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating on a sticker inside your driver-side door jamb.[2]
Curb weight: This is your vehicle’s weight with a full tank of gasand standard equipment but without any passengers or cargo.[3]
Gross combined weight: This is the maximum combined weight of a vehicle, its passengers, a trailer, and cargo.[4]
Gross axle weight: This is the maximum weight a vehicle’s axle can hold.[5]
Payload weight: This is the maximum weight of passengers and cargo your vehicle can support. Exceeding your vehicle’s payload could damage your car and cause expensive repair costs.[6]
While your vehicle’s weight may seem like a fun fact, in reality, it’s valuable information that affects your car’s fuel economy and safety. Here’s why your vehicle’s weight is an important factor.
Vehicle weight and fuel economy
Several factors influence your vehicle’s overall fuel economy, and weight is one of them. Heavier vehicles generally have lower fuel economy than lighter ones.[7] This means you’ll likely pay more at the pump if you drive a large SUV or pickup truck versus a small sedan. But your car’s fuel economy will also depend on its age, how well you maintain it, and more.
Vehicle weight and safety
Vehicle weight and size also play a role in vehicle safety. For example, larger vehicles tend to fare better in multi-vehicle crashes than smaller cars, even if the small vehicles have overall high Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings.[8] The larger vehicle’s frame could offer more protection to passengers, as there’s more of it to crumple in a crash.
Pros and cons of lighter vehicles
Pros
May be less expensive than larger cars or SUVs
Higher fuel economy
Easier to maneuver
Cons
May not fare as well in a crash
Less interior room and cargo space
May have lower-power engines
Pros and cons of heavier vehicles
Pros
May be safer than lighter vehicles in a crash
More space for passengers and cargo
Can have higher-power engines
Cons
Tend to be more expensive than lighter vehicles
Lower fuel economy
May be harder to park and drive
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How to find your vehicle’s weight
If you don’t already know your vehicle’s weight, you have multiple ways to find it, including:
Driver-side door label: You can generally find your gross vehicle weight rating on a label inside your driver-side door jamb.
Owner’s manual: Your vehicle owner’s manual may also provide your vehicle’s total payload.
Manufacturer: Your vehicle manufacturer should provide your car’s gross vehicle weight rating, curb weight, gross combined weight, gross axle weight, and payload.
Car scale: You may be able to find a car or truck scale at a truck stop or weigh station.
VIN decoder: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lets youlook up your VINto access information about your vehicle’s manufacturer and specs.
Online search: A quick online search for your vehicle’s specs will also offer some insight into its curb weight, gross vehicle weight rating, and more.
Vehicle weight FAQs
If you’re still wondering about vehicle weight, here are some common questions and answers about this topic.
What is payload in vehicle weight?
In vehicle weight, payload is the total weight of passengers and cargo your car can support safely. Your vehicle’s payload is usually in its owner’s manual.
Are heavier cars safer?
Heavier, larger cars may be safer in multi-vehicle crashes than smaller cars, according to IIHS data.[8] The larger the vehicle, the more frame is available to help protect passengers from impact.
Are lighter cars more fuel-efficient?
Lighter cars tend to be more fuel-efficient than heavier cars. Cargo weight can also affect overall fuel economy. Adding 100 pounds of cargo to your car can reduce its fuel economy by 1%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.[9]
How much do SUVs weigh?
The weight of your SUV will depend on the make and model you choose. Certain subcompact SUVs, like Honda HR-Vs, may weigh around 3,250 pounds, while a larger SUV, like a Chevy Suburban, could weigh as much as 5,700 pounds or more.
How much does a Smart car weigh?
Popular in Europe, Smart cars are small, two-passenger gas or electric vehicles. A Smart car’s weight depends on the model you choose, but it’s generally lighter than average because of its smaller size. The Smart EQ Fortwo, for example, has a curb weight of 1,085 kilograms, or 2,392 pounds.[10]
How much does a car battery weigh?
On average, a standard car battery (12V) weighs between 25 and 50 pounds. However, this number can drastically change depending on the make and model of your car. Electric cars tend to have heavier batteries — like the 2021 EV Chevy Bolt battery, which weighs 947 pounds.[11]
How much does a car engine weigh?
An engine’s weight will vary greatly depending on its size. Most cars today use a four-, six-, or eight-cylinder engine, which can weigh 200–700 pounds. Here’s what kind of weight you can expect from each type of engine:[12]
4-cylinder: 200–350 pounds
6-cylinder: 450 pounds
8-cylinder: 400–700 pounds
How much does a car tire weigh?
A typical passenger car tire weighs 20 to 25 pounds, on average, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. This weight goes up significantly for truck tires, which average 100–120 pounds. Most of this weight (84%) comes from rubber, but other materials like chafer fabrics and belt wires also contribute.[13]
What’s the ideal weight for a car?
Since everyone wants cars in different sizes, the ideal weight for a car depends on your preferences and what offers the best value for your lifestyle. For instance, some people may prefer a lighter car that uses less fuel for a long daily commute.
Others may appreciate the generous cargo space and passenger seating of a larger vehicle. The average vehicle weight is around 4,303 pounds, based on a recent EPA report, but the ideal weight depends on your individual needs.[1]
Knowing how much a car weighs can be important when deciding what car to buy or whether you want to sell. It can affect fuel economy, safety, and, by extension, even insurance rates.
Tanveen VohraManager of Content and Communications
Tanveen Vohra is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in writing about property and casualty insurance, focusing on market and pricing trends in home and auto insurance. Through her work, she helps consumers better understand the components of their insurance policies so they can make smarter purchase decisions. She received a bachelor's degree from SUNY Buffalo. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
3+ years producing insurance and personal finance content
Main architect of the Insurify Quality Score
Courtney’s deep personal finance knowledge extends beyond insurance to credit cards, consumer lending, and banking. She thrives on creating actionable content.
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