Length, width, height and cargo by vehicle class — find the right footprint.
Vehicle dimensions decide what fits in your garage, your parking spot, and your life. This guide breaks down every major class by length, width, height, wheelbase, and cargo — plus head-to-head comparisons (SUV vs sedan, compact vs full-size) to help you pick the smallest car that does the job.
Typical exterior dimensions and cargo volume per class.
| Class | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Cargo | Examples | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City / Kei | 133–151 in (3.4–3.8 m) | 59–66 in | 59–63 in | 95 in | 8–12 cu ft | Fiat 500, Smart ForTwo, Mini Cooper | Tight urban parking, lowest footprint |
| Subcompact Hatch | 157–166 in (4.0–4.2 m) | 67–69 in | 58–60 in | 98 in | 17–22 cu ft | Honda Fit, VW Polo, Toyota Yaris | City driving with real cargo room |
| Compact Sedan | 180–185 in (4.6–4.7 m) | 70–72 in | 55–57 in | 106 in | 13–15 cu ft | Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 | Daily commuting, fuel economy |
| Midsize Sedan | 192–196 in (4.9–5.0 m) | 72–74 in | 56–58 in | 111 in | 15–17 cu ft | Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, BMW 5 Series | Family use with sedan handling |
| Full-size Sedan | 200–207 in (5.1–5.3 m) | 74–76 in | 58–60 in | 120 in | 16–19 cu ft | Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series, Audi A8 | Maximum rear legroom and ride comfort |
| Compact SUV | 175–184 in (4.4–4.7 m) | 72–74 in | 63–66 in | 105 in | 25–30 / 65–70 cu ft | Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 | Best balance of footprint and cargo |
| Midsize SUV | 190–200 in (4.8–5.1 m) | 75–77 in | 67–70 in | 112 in | 38–45 / 80–87 cu ft | Toyota Highlander, Ford Explorer, Kia Telluride | 3-row family transport |
| Full-size SUV | 210–226 in (5.3–5.7 m) | 79–81 in | 75–77 in | 120 in | 40–50 / 120 cu ft | Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator | Towing, 8 passengers, road trips |
| Midsize Pickup | 210–225 in (5.3–5.7 m) | 75–80 in | 70–76 in | 128 in | 5–6 ft bed | Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado | Truck capability in a manageable footprint |
| Full-size Pickup | 230–250 in (5.8–6.4 m) | 80–84 in | 75–80 in | 145 in | 5.5–8 ft bed | Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, Ram 1500 | Maximum payload and towing |
| Sports Coupe | 175–185 in (4.4–4.7 m) | 72–76 in | 51–54 in | 105 in | 8–12 cu ft | Ford Mustang, BMW M4, Porsche 911 | Performance with everyday usability |
| Supercar | 175–192 in (4.4–4.9 m) | 76–80 in | 44–48 in | 104 in | 3–5 cu ft | Ferrari SF90, McLaren 750S, Lamborghini Huracán | Pure performance, lowest visual mass |
A midsize SUV is typically 8–12 inches taller and 3–5 inches wider than a midsize sedan covering the same passenger count. The SUV gains 20–30 cu ft of cargo with seats up but costs ~3–5 mpg and noticeably more parking space. If you rarely fold seats down, a wagon or sedan is the smaller, more efficient choice for the same family.
A Honda CR-V is roughly the same length as a Civic but 8 inches taller and 2 inches wider. You gain a higher seating position and double the cargo, but lose 4–6 mpg and gain a higher center of gravity. For city parking, the sedan wins; for hauling gear weekly, the crossover earns its size.
Full-size trucks are usually 10–20 inches longer than their SUV cousins (e.g. F-150 vs Expedition) because of the open bed. SUVs offer enclosed cargo and 3rd-row seating; trucks offer payload and the ability to haul oversized items. Both demand similar parking — neither fits in a standard compact spot.
Under 13 ft (158 in): Smart ForTwo, Fiat 500, Mini Cooper. These slot into parallel spots traditional sedans can't and turn within a single lane — but offer minimal cargo and limited highway comfort.
Honda Fit, Kia Soul, and Honda CR-V consistently top space-efficiency tests. Their tall, boxy shape converts external footprint into usable cabin volume more effectively than sloped-roof sedans or coupes of similar length.
Bumper to bumper. Determines parking fit and turning circle. Most standard parking spots are 18 ft (216 in) long.
Body width excludes mirrors; add ~8 in with mirrors out. Garage doors are typically 8 ft (96 in) wide — most full-size trucks need careful clearance.
Affects garage clearance and center of gravity. Most parking garages cap at 6'8" (80 in). Many full-size SUVs and lifted trucks won't clear.
Distance between front and rear axles. Longer wheelbase = better ride and rear legroom; shorter = tighter turning radius.
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