As per a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released in 2020, the average weight of a vehicle in the United States is 4,156 pounds. In addition to keeping yourself and others safe on the road, knowing the weight of your vehicle can also help you ensure you comply with certain laws and ensure you are compliant with certain rules. Vehicle weight is determined by a number of factors, such as the vehicle’s class and the materials used in its construction. The weight of a coupe varies from the weight of a sedan, while the weight of a sedan varies from the weight of an SUV.
What is the weight of your car? Have you ever wondered how much it weighs? Find out what the average weight of different types and models of cars is by consulting our guide. You will also learn where you can find the weight of your vehicle
Like many other people, you probably don’t think much about the weight of your car unless you are experiencing some kind of emergency. If, however, you are going to tow your car or drive over a bridge that is weakened, knowing the weight of your car can be very helpful. It can also be helpful to weigh your car before making any modifications or changes to it, which can guide you in the right direction.
However, what is the actual weight of your car? Can you tell me what factors influence the weight of a car?
Here we will discuss the average car weight by type and model to provide you with a better understanding as to why you might find different weights in the specifications of your car. Our next topic is how to find the weight of your car without having to weigh it on a scale, as well as the best way to do that.
Table of Contents
What’s the weight of a car?
Approximately 4,090 – 4,156 pounds is the average weight of an automobile, according to the Environmental Environmental Protection Agency. A small car (such as a Nissan Micra) weighs an average of 2600 pounds, while a large car (such as a Audi A8) weighs an average of 4400 pounds.
The average weight of a car has generally decreased over the years, even though the size of newer models is generally larger in terms of size and weight. Modern car models are designed to be as lightweight as possible in order to be as aerodynamic as possible, which is one reason why cars weigh less now than they did a few decades ago.
As the weight of the vehicle decreases, it requires less force to stop and start, so the vehicle is more safe to drive and more maneuverable. Moreover, it means that the engine of a car is not forced to work as hard in order to move, which means that the fuel consumption of the car will be reduced.
Car weights according to the type of vehicle:
There are a variety of sizes and shapes of cars available on the market today. The weight of cars may vary slightly depending on the type of vehicle and the materials used in its construction, but they tend to be around the same ballpark in terms of weight for that type of vehicle.
Listed below are some average weights based on some of the most common car types that are available out there on the market today:
| Car Size | Weight (KG) | Weight(Pounds) |
|---|---|---|
| Small Sized Cars(eg Nissan Micra): | 1200 | 2600 |
| Midsized Cars (eg Audi A4): | 1600 | 3500 |
| Large Sized Cars (eg Audi A8): | 2000 | 4400 |
| Small Trucks/SUV (eg Kia Soul): | 1500 | 3300 |
| Midsized Trucks/SUV’s (eg Nissan Navara): | 2400 | 5300 |
| Large Truck or SUV’s:(eg Chevrolet Tahoe): | 3000 | 6600 |
Car weights based on the model of the vehicle
In order to be even more specific about the average car weight of the different car models, not just the type of car, here is a list of some of the most popular car models and their average weights.
In order to get a more accurate measure of the weight of these models, you must take into account the model year, the engine type, and the accessories installed on your car.
| Car Model | Years | Weight(Kg) | Weight(lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Mustang | 15-19 | 1700 | 3700 |
| Honda Accord | 94-97 | 1295 | 2854 |
| Honda Civic | 96-00 | 1143 | 2519 |
| Toyota Camry | 90-94 | 1260 | 2770 |
| Toyota Corolla | 2019 | 1301 | 2870 |
| Dodge Charger | 06-10 | 1887 | 4160 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 87-02 | 1523 | 3357 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 93-15 | 2300 | 5100 |
| Jeep Wrangler | 17-18 | 1770 | 3900 |
| Ford Explorer | 18- | 2215 | 4900 |
| Mercedes Benz E-class | 16-18 | 1723 | 3800 |
| Honda CR-V | 18- | 1523 | 3358 |
| Mercedes Benz C-class | 15-18 | 1550 | 3417 |
| Nissan Altima | 12-18 | 1430 | 3153 |
| Chevrolet Malibu | 15-18 | 1526 | 3366 |
| Chevrolet Silverado | 14-18 | 2200 | 4800 |
| Toyota Tundra | 00-06 | 1900 | 3940 |
| Cadillac Escalade | 02-06 | 2600 | 5800 |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 92-00 | 2000 | 4500 |
| Toyota Highlander | 13-18 | 2045 | 4508 |
| Subaru Outback | 18- | 1650 | 3642 |
| Mercedes Benz GLC-class | 15-18 | 1790 | 3950 |
| Ford Fusion | 13-18 | 1554 | 3427 |
| Toyota Tacoma | 95-04 | 1451 | 3200 |
Weights of different types of cars
Whether it’s in the owner’s manual or by searching your VIN, you may find that there are many different weights listed in your car’s weight specifications. Which one do you need to pay attention to and what does all this mean in terms of weight? Let’s look at it in more detail!
Below is a list of the most common types of weight with a brief explanation of what they are:
- Curb Weight: This is the weight of a vehicle before it has been loaded with the driver, passengers, or cargo.
- Gross Weight: The weight of a vehicle when it is loaded with the maximum amount of cargo and when it has the driver and all passengers.
- Gross Combined Weight: This is a unit that you will have to take into consideration when you have a trailer. It is the total weight of the trailer as well as the car as a whole.
- Payload: This is the total weight of the car, the cargo and passengers (gross weight), and anything you are towing behind the car.
- Gross Weight Rating: This is the maximum weight that a car is capable of handling with the driver, passengers, and cargo.
- Gross Axle Weight: This is the amount of weight that is being carried by each axle of your car.
- Maximum Load Trailer Weight: This is a very similar rate to the gross combined rate. In addition to the weight of the trailer itself, there is also the weight of the trailer when it is fully loaded.
- Gross Axle Weight Rating: This is the maximum weight that one axle of your car is capable of handling.
How can I find my car’s weight?
There are some even better methods for finding your car without having to weigh it on a scale if you cannot find the model of your car in the above list. Listed below are a few easy ways that you can use in order to find out the weight of your car quickly and accurately.
VIN decoder
I would suggest that you use a VIN decoder or lookup to find out how much weight your car has. It is the easiest and fastest way to do this. It is possible to find free or paid versions of VIN decoders on the web. This is a free VIN decoder that you can use on Mechanicbase as many times as you wish, all you need to do is provide us with the VIN number.
Your car’s VIN code can be found in a variety of locations on the vehicle. On the driver’s side, the underside of the windshield is the most common place to find hidden items. There is also a possibility that it may appear on the door pillar on the driver’s side. Many car models have a label with VIN attached to the door lock area at the rear of the car around the area where the lock latches onto the door. In the event that you are not able to find it there, you may be able to find it inside of the engine compartment, usually right in front of the engine.
Check the owners manual
Another good place to find the weight of your car is in its owner’s manual which you received when you bought it. The instruction manual of your car is usually kept in the glove compartment, so if you still have the instruction manual for your car, you can check there to find out how much your car weighs.
Wikipedia
The Wikipedia website also gives you the option to find out your car’s weight since there are many models of cars listed there with their specifications, so it is also an easy option. It must be mentioned, however, that the disadvantage of this method is that there are so many different types of cars available, each with a different engine and accessory, that the result you get may not be correct because cars are available in so many different types. In some cases, however, it can be a good alternative if you do not need to know the exact weight of something, but just want to get an idea of what that weight is.
Driver side door
It is common for almost all car models to have a sticker that contains the VIN as well as other information, such as tire pressure, tire size, and even the car weight. It is common to find a sticker like this on the body of your vehicle behind the driver’s door. There should be a label near the central locking bracket near the driver’s door if you open the driver’s door.
Call your manufacturer
Having your registration number or VIN number may allow you to contact your authorized dealer and ask them if there are any specifications pertaining to your specific car model if you have that information. There may not be an easier or more efficient way for you to do this, but you will surely get accurate results this way.
Car scale
As obvious as it seems, the best way to find out your car’s exact weight is by weighing it on a scale. Although it is probably easier said than done to find a scale that is large enough to weigh a car, this is not always the case. It is often possible to find a scale for weighing your car at scrap yards and car inspection sites if you really want to weigh your car on a scale.
If you have a large sound system, a dog cage, or any other heavy accessories installed in your car, you may need to weigh your car on a scale if you have installed many heavy accessories in your car.
Car Weight Frequently Asked Questions
You can buy a Mitsubishi Mirage in the United States for an affordable price today as it is the lightest new car available in the market. It is estimated that the weight of this small car is approximately 917 kilograms or 2018 pounds. You can also find lighter cars out there, but not if you are looking to buy a new car that is ready to go on the road right away.
If you are looking for a modern vehicle in the US market, you cannot go wrong with the Ford F450 Super Duty Crew Cab. It is the heaviest car that can be purchased there. It is estimated that this Ford weighs 8600 pounds or 3900 kilograms.
There is an average weight of 1857 kg for a car, which is the weight of a car in kilograms. Generally, a small car (e.g. Nissan Micra) weighs approximately 1200 kg, while a large car (e.g. Audi A8) weighs approximately 2000 kg, which is an average weight for a vehicle of that size.
Generally speaking, this is true. In the event of a collision, a heavier car is more likely to survive. There is a stronger steel used in the construction of this vehicle, as well as higher crash ratings. The fact that there is greater weight on each axle also gives a vehicle more stability when braking, making it more safe as well.