Understanding Car Size and Dimensions

If you’re leasing a car for the first time, one question you’ll be thinking about is what size of car you want. 

The size of a car is a very important factor when choosing your next vehicle, and if you don’t choose wisely, you may find it’s too big to park in your garage or too tall to fit into car parks with low ceilings. 

To ensure you choose a car that’s perfect for your lifestyle and environment, this guide compares car sizes and dimensions and who’s best suited to each class. 

We discuss:

Cars are measured by their exterior dimensions, using the length, width and height to help you figure out whether the car is right for you. 

Over the years, the size of cars has significantly increased, for example, the Mini Cooper has evolved since the 1950s when lorry drivers struggled to see the motor in their side view mirrors. Thanks to safety regulations it’s now 61 per cent bigger than the original. 

National Car Parks (NCP) say they have widened some parking spaces in London, Manchester, and Bournemouth and will continue to increase the width of the spaces in their car parks. The reason the spaces are being altered is to accommodate modern cars which are getting wider.

A rise in car park accidents has been attributed to drivers having to use car park spaces that are too small for their cars.

In this guide, we discuss: 

A typical car in the UK measures around 4399mm long, 1821mm wide, and 1534mm tall. This is roughly the same size in height as a Fiat 500 and the length and width of a BMW 1 Series. This might seem a little on the smaller side, but it shouldn't come as a surprise given that the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, and Volkswagen Golf are some of the most popular cars in the UK.

Unsure if a car is too big or too small for your needs? To give you a general idea of the different car sizes on the market, here is a rough guide to the average width, length and height of different car types.

Average Length: 2695mm to 3665mm

Average Height: 1460mm to 1610mm

Average Width: 1475mm to 1665mm

There are some great city cars on the market, ranging from the Hyundai i10 to the Toyota Yaris and Fiat 500 Hatchback, all of which have some great features to make city car driving as fun as possible.

There are many benefits to owning a city car, such as good fuel economy, low road tax, low insurance and service costs and the freedom to personalise. Thanks to their compact size, they are also incredibly easy to park and navigate around the urban jungle.

City cars are best suited to young professional or older drivers who work in major cities and tend to travel to work alone. Their compact size make them idea for driving around busy city streets and small towns where the roads are often tight. 

Browse our selection of city cars with road tax, breakdown recovery and free GB mainland delivery (exclusions apply) included in the monthly rental.

Average Length: 3821mm and 4084mm

Average Height: 1414mm to 1578mm

Average Width: 1665mm to 1780mm

Superminis are small cars that are larger than a city car but smaller than a hatchback. Choices vary from the , to the Renault Clio and MINI Hatchback, to the Audi A1. 

Superminis provide enough practicality to satisfy a small family with their compact dimensions offering increased manoeuvrability and reduced fuel economy. There is also a wide range of electric superminis on the market, including the new MINI Electric, which allows drivers to experience electric, in easier to handle sized car.

Superminis are best suited for drivers carrying more than one or two passengers who need more space for comfort than a city car. They tend to be popular with younger drivers who commute in and out of the city and don't require too much space for cargo.

Browse our great selection of superminis with a selected number of models in stock for quick delivery via our Fast Lease service. 

Average Length: 4425mm to 4726mm

Average Height: 1418mm to 1575mm

Average Width: 1703mm to 1871mm

The hatchback remains one of the most popular cars on the market, their medium size making them perfect for growing families, giving them just about everything they could need in a car. Current hatchbacks on the market include the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, the Honda Civic and the Kia XCeed.

Advantages of owning a hatchback include excellent build quality, economical engines and lots of space, meaning they can be parked easily on driveways and in supermarket car parks. 

Hatchbacks are best suited for young families, couples looking to have kids, or drivers who might have to carry the odd passenger. Hatchbacks offer the flexibility of most crossovers and SUVs but without the fuel economy of bigger vehicles

Browse our selection of hatchbacks with road tax, breakdown recovery and free GB mainland delivery (exclusions apply) included in the monthly rental.

Average Length: 4236mm to 4966mm

Average Height: 1429mm to 1550mm

Average Width: 1693mm to 1895mm

Large cars, such as Saloons and Estate cars, are extremely popular with bigger families and business professionals, as they are reliable, economical, practical, and far sharper to drive than an SUV with almost all models offering a generous amount of boot space.

With plenty of sleek estates and saloons available, there is bound to be a large car to suit your needs and budget. If you are business executive looking for a bit of luxury and style, there are options such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. If you are a bigger family looking for decent fuel economy and good reliability, consider the Seat Leon Estate, Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Passat.

Large cars are best suited for families carrying multiple passengers and all their luggage, such as the school run or weekend sports activities. However, there are also popular with business professionals who carry cargo when commuting up and down the motorway, covering plenty of miles. 

Browse our saloon lease deals and estate lease deals with flexible mileage, contract duration and initial rental terms available. 

Average Length: 4068mm to 5130mm

Average Height: 1530mm to 1860mm

Average Width: 1695mm to 1928mm

The best way to transport people and their stuff at the same time is with an MPV. They are a practical option and offer great value for money. There are some great MPVs on the market, including the Citroen e-Berlingo, Volkswagen Touran and the Dacia Jogger.

Typically, large MPVs contain seven-seats, which work well for larger families. You can also get smaller versions of MPVs with five seats. Even with these smaller versions, they still tend to be more spacious for passengers and cargo than other types of cars. Other benefits include more safety features as well as a high driving position providing great for all-round visibility.

An MPV is best suited for drivers who might have a large family but who also require a lot of vehicle space for their job. MPVs can facilitate multiple passengers and carry a fair amount of cargo thanks to their large interior and massive boot space. 

Browse our range of MPVs and take advantage of inclusive road tax, breakdown recovery and free mainland GB delivery (exclusions apply).

Average Length: 4662mm to 5130mm

Average Height: 1624mm to 2035mm

Average Width: 1760mm to 2008mm

SUVs are one of the best family cars on the road, as they can cope with the school run as well as tackling wintery conditions, mildly rugged terrain, trips to the tip, towing duties and long-distance motorway cruising. SUVs currently on the market include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Jaguar F-Pace and Land Rover Discovery Sport. 

Style, safety and space rank well with an SUV, and there is often room for seven occupants in some, along with an expansive boot and roomy interior. They also have great fuel efficiency and towing capabilities, making them an increasingly popular choice over trucks for towing the likes of caravans, boats or trailers. 

SUVs are ideal for families who live an active lifestyle, such as the school run, sports activities and the odd weekend trip. An SUV's versatility and safety features make it perfect for any family looking for their next car.  

Browse our SUV and 4x4 lease deals today with selected models in stock via our Fast Lease service. 

Have a question about car leasing? Call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0345 811 9595 to speak to one of our experienced advisers to find the right car lease special offer for your needs.