how wide are most cars

[HaydenFitz]

Most cars on the road today have a width, excluding mirrors, that falls between 70 and 80 inches (approximately 1.78 to 2.03 meters). The most common width for a standard midsize sedan or SUV is right around 75 inches. However, this isn't a one-size-fits-all answer; vehicle width varies significantly by type and class. Understanding this measurement is crucial for everything from fitting into a garage to navigating tight parking spaces safely.

This width is primarily determined by the vehicle's track width (the distance between the center of the left and right tires) and the design of the body panels. Here’s a quick look at how vehicle width typically breaks down by class:

Vehicle Class	Typical Width Range (inches)	Typical Width Range (meters)	Example Models
Subcompact Car	66 - 70 in	1.68 - 1.78 m	Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent
Compact Car	70 - 72 in	1.78 - 1.83 m	Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic
Midsize Sedan/SUV	73 - 77 in	1.85 - 1.96 m	Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Explorer
Full-Size Sedan/SUV	76 - 80 in	1.93 - 2.03 m	Chevrolet Tahoe, Ford Taurus
Heavy-Duty Pickup Truck	79 - 82+ in	2.01 - 2.08+ m	Ford F-250, Ram 2500

When you're considering a vehicle's width, remember that the spec sheet lists the width without mirrors. The side mirrors can easily add another 6 to 8 inches on each side. So, a car listed at 75 inches wide is actually closer to 87 inches wide when you account for the mirrors. This is the critical measurement for judging if you can squeeze into a tight parking spot or a narrow garage door. Always measure your garage's clear opening width, not the frame, to be sure a new car will fit comfortably.

[DeBraxton]

From my experience, if you're worried about fitting into a standard parking space, you're golden with most cars. They're designed to fit. The real trouble starts with the big guys—full-size trucks and SUVs. Those can push 80 inches or more, and let me tell you, that makes a difference when you're trying to park in an old downtown garage or a cramped supermarket lot. The mirrors are what really get you.

[DelMaximus]

As an engineer, I look at the standards. The common width of around 75 inches isn't arbitrary. It's a balance between interior cabin space, stability, and the standardized dimensions of infrastructure like traffic lanes and parking spaces. Exceeding 80 inches often places a vehicle in a different regulatory category, which can affect things like lighting requirements. So, most manufacturers optimize for that sweet spot under 80 inches without mirrors to ensure universal drivability.

[MartinFitz]

I just helped my daughter buy her first car, and width was a big deal for her. We looked at a lot of compact cars, which are mostly 70 to 72 inches wide. It feels much more manageable for a new driver than my husband's pickup truck. She feels more confident knowing she's not going to scrape a curb or have a hard time judging where her car ends in a lane. For a daily commuter dealing with city traffic, a slimmer profile is a huge advantage.