Have you ever tried squeezing into a tight shopping-centre car park and wondered, “Have cars always been this big?” Well, average car dimensions in Australia have quietly grown in every direction over time. It’s most apparent when you compare a moniker that has been around for at least a decade or two, like the Toyota Corolla or Porsche 911.
Knowing the typical length, width, and height of cars sold in Australia is not just a mathematical curiosity but also important when you’re buying one. Car dimensions give you a benchmark about how it might be to park, tow, or accessorise. Let’s look at the average dimensions of a car in Australia for each car category.
Average dimensions of a car in Australia
There is no official standard average available for the size of a car in Australia, but we can find out that number based on readily accessible information. We have analysed the car dimensions data from various Aussie publications like the FCAI and AADA to find out the average car dimensions. Average dimensions of a ute/LCV also include the bigger American utes like the Ford F-150.
| Category | Average Length (mm) | Average Width (mm) | Average Height (mm) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microcar | 3710 | 1650 | 1490 | Kia Picanto |
| Small car | 4470 | 1790 | 1440 | Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30 |
| Medium car | 4860 | 1850 | 1450 | Toyota Camry |
| Large car | 4990 | 1890 | 1480 | BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 |
| Small SUV | 4190 | 1810 | 1600 | MG ZS, Hyundai Kona |
| Medium SUV | 4550 | 1850 | 1690 | Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 |
| Large SUV | 4880 | 1910 | 1820 | Ford Everest, Toyota Prado |
| Upper large SUV | 5110 | 1980 | 1920 | Toyota Land Cruiser 300, Nissan Patrol |
| Ute/LCV | 5510 | 1960 | 1880 | Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux |
| Overall average car dimensions | 4700 | 1850 | 1640 |
Note: These figures are for the new cars sold in Australia and are rounded to the nearest ten millimetres.
Biggest and smallest cars in Australia by dimensions
Let’s take a look at the opposite ends of the car size spectrum offered in Australia. The tiny city runabout, Kia Picanto, is widely considered the smallest car in Australia, which is 3595mm long, 1595mm wide, and 1485mm tall.
While the absurdly huge RAM 2500 Laramie Crew Cab American-style ute is one of the largest cars in Australia, measuring 6066mm long, 2630mm wide, and 2037mm tall.
If you consider vans in Australia, things get even bigger. For instance, at over 8m long, 2.05m wide, and around 3m tall, the IVECO Daily 70C might be one of the biggest “cars” in Australia.
Aussies are buying bigger cars
For years now, Aussies have been leaning toward the bigger car categories of SUVs and utes. The car sales data also reflects the dominance of SUVs, LCVs (Light commercial vehicles), and utes in Australia.
Moreover, modern cars are huge now, and they’re getting bigger with time. For instance, the iconic 1978 Holden Commodore family sedan had a width of 1722 mm and a height of 1371 mm. That’s narrower and shorter than a modern Volkswagen Golf (1789mm wide, and 1456 mm high), which is considered a compact hatchback today.
MORE: Average weight of a car
What is the average width of a car in Australia?
The average width of a car in Australia is around 1850mm or 1.85 metres, based on our analysis of the figures available. This includes compact cars like the Suzuki Ignis to wider US-style utes that literally dominate an entire lane.
It is also a variable figure from manufacturers, as not all of them clearly state that the width is for the outside rearview mirrors opened or closed. This can make the difference between squeezing through a gap and adding scratches to your car.
Typical width of a car in the mid-size category, which includes rides like the Toyota Camry and Mazda 6, is also 1850mm. The average car width in Australia for the popular SUV category is 1890mm.
The SUV range is wide too, after all, Aussies love their SUVs and carmakers know it. It goes from smaller ones like the Toyota Yaris Cross (1765mm wide) to bigger ones like the Nissan Patrol (1995mm). Moreover, at 2235mm width (excluding mirrors), the Ram 1500 TRX (Final Edition) ute looks like a beast.
How to find out the width of a car?
You’ve got a few options depending on how precise you need to be and whether you’re tech-savvy or old-school. Here are a few methods to find out the width of a car:
1. Check the specifications section in your owner’s manual
2. Find the car dimensions on the manufacturer’s official website
3. Grab a tape measure and do it the old-fashioned way
4. Use the online VIN decoders
MORE: How to calculate your car’s mileage correctly?
What is the average length of a car in Australia?
The average length of a car in Australia is around 4700mm or 4.7 metres, as per our calculations. The average length of the SUV in Australia sits at around 4680mm and it’s interesting that it’s only 2cm more than the average length of the mid-size/medium car category (4860mm long). Those sedans in the mid-size class make them longer.
How to find out the length of a car?
It’s the same deal as measuring its width, yet somehow less complicated. Use any method that suits you best.
What is the average height of a car in Australia?
Based on our calculated estimates, the average height of a car in Australia is around 1640mm or 1.64 metres. Height is a crucial dimension for car park clearances, garage doors, and roof racks.
The average height of an SUV in Australia is 1760mm or 1.76m. Toyota Land Cruiser 78 Series Troop Carrier wagon is one of the tallest cars in Australia at 2115mm or 2.115m.
Typically, you can expect this figure to vary for most Aussie buyers as we love to accessorise and modify everything from the roof design to the ride height, either for added practicality or for potential off-road expeditions.
How to find out the height of a car?
Follow the same steps as you did for the length and the car width. However, keep in mind that the factory specs usually list height without accessories. If you’ve added a roof rack, a rooftop tent, or a CB antenna, add those dimensions separately.
If you’re unsure whether your car will fit the car park clearances, most multi-storey car parks have clearance height signs at the entrance (usually 2.2 metres). If your car is stock and under 2 metres, you’re fine. If you’ve lifted it or added accessories, measure first.
Why do the dimensions of a car matter?
Googling “average car dimensions” or looking up the car specs on your mate’s new Ranger is never without a purpose. Here are a few reasons dimensions of a car matter:
1. Garage compatibility
You might have heard about the Australian standards, like the AS/NZS 2890.1 for off-street car parking facilities. You can expect most car parking spaces to be at least 3m wide and 5.4m long for single garages, and 5.4m wide and 5.4m long for double garages, with doors around 2.1m high. It might seem obvious, but it’s always better to measure your car and the garage before you buy either, and don’t forget to add up the extra inches for bull bars, tow bars, or roof racks (if any).
2. Is it suitable for your needs?
You need car dimensions to consider whether it actually fits your and your family’s needs. Think about the car room, boot space, wheelchair aids, etc., before you buy it.
3. Multi-storey and underground car park clearances
No one wants a loud scrape as they’re driving into a shopping centre car park. It’s wise to read the standard car park clearances in Australia and estimate your car’s height beforehand. For instance, off-street car parking has a minimum height clearance of 2200mm (Australian Standard AS 2890.1).
4. Towing, caravans, and boat trailers
Aussies love adventure, but you must note what you can legally and safely tow. Australian towing regulations say the maximum combined length of the vehicle + trailer is 19 metres for most states, not including heavy vehicles.
5. Car ferry and shipping costs
Rates vary, but it’s certain that you get charged by vehicle dimensions. Car width and height also matter for fitting your car into ferries and car transport trucks.
6. To buy bike racks, roof racks, and accessory fitment
It’s always smart to check your car’s exact dimensions before buying fitting accessories like a roof rack, bike carrier, or rooftop tent.
7. Used car value and market appeal
Oversized used cars are generally harder to sell. For instance, a 6-metre-long RAM truck is impractical for many urban buyers in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane. Many inner-city apartments have parking space size limits, and those larger cars are costly to run.
Conclusion
The average car dimensions indicate that the Aussies are driving bigger cars now. While small hatchbacks and microcars still exist, Australian buyers find comfort in SUVs and utes, which may have pushed the overall average size upward.
Dimensions vary widely by category, from micro cars like the Picanto to massive American-style utes and commercial vans. It’s also hard to ignore car dimensions, as they directly decide whether a car fits in a garage or is towing legal and how expensive it is to run.
FAQs
How wide is a car in cm?
The overall average car width in Australia is estimated to be around 185cm.
What’s the typical width of a car in Australia?
The overall average car width in Australia is estimated to be 1850mm or 1.85m.
What is the typical width of an SUV?
The average SUV (all categories) width in Australia is typically around 1890mm or 1.89m.
What are the average dimensions of a car in cm?
The average dimensions of a car in cm in Australia (as per our estimations) are:
Length: 470cm
Width: 185cm
Height: 164cm
What are the average car dimensions in feet?
The average dimensions of a car in feet in Australia (as per our estimations) are:
Length: 15.42ft
Width: 6.07ft
Height: 5.38ft
What are the average dimensions of a car in inches?
The average dimensions of a car in inches in Australia (as per our estimations) are:
Length: 185in
Width: 72.83in
Height: 64.57in
Comments
New Comment