How Heavy Is an SUV?
It is no secret that cars, trucks, and SUVs have increased in size, especially in the last few years. These sport utility vehicles from popular brands like Ford, Jeep, and Toyota can carry many passengers and plenty of cargo, but that does come at a heavier weight. How heavy is an SUV? Though the weight of any vehicle will vary, some average SUV weights are listed below.
How heavy an SUV is depends on the type of vehicle
SUVs come in all sorts of sizes these days, from subcompact options on the smaller side all the way up to large and full-size vehicles that have room for nine passengers. J.D. Power says that some features of a sport utility vehicle include a shared platform with light-duty pickup trucks, body-on-frame construction, and off-road capability.
While SUVs are popular for families and comfort, these vehicles were primarily made to handle off-road terrain. That might mean decreased fuel economy and other negatives, but SUVs have a lot more to offer than a sedan in many cases. There aren’t many other options besides an SUV for drivers who need to seat seven passengers or more regularly.
There are a few different types of SUVs, and this helps determine how much it might weigh. These are:
- Subcompact (mini, extra-small)
- Compact
- Midsize
- Full-size
- Extended length (XL)
How much does a midsize SUV weigh?
Manufacturers are not necessarily held to any weight restrictions when building SUVs. There are restrictions on vehicles for commercial use, but the general weights of different sport utility vehicle sizes are below. Midsize SUVs are one of the most popular types on the market and generally weigh around 5,000 pounds.
| SUV type | Typical minimum weight | Typical maximum weight |
| Subcompact | 2,000+ pounds | |
| Compact | 3,000 pounds | 3,500 pounds |
| Midsize | 3,500 pounds | 6,000 pounds |
| Full-size | 5,300 pounds | 6,000 pounds |
| Extended-length | 5,400 pounds | 6,000 pounds |
The SUV weights above are just a general guideline, as each vehicle varies greatly. Even things like tires and a full tank of gas can change the weight of a vehicle.
| Subcompact | Compact | Midsize | Full-size | Extended-length |
| Honda HR-V | Kia Sportage | Hyundai Santa Fe | Cadillac Escalade | Chevrolet Suburban |
| Nissan Kicks | Toyota RAV4 | Kia Telluride | Toyota Land Cruiser | Lincoln Navigator |
| Jeep Renegade | Honda CR-V | Jeep Wrangler | Chevrolet Tahoe | GMC Yukon XL |
Typically, most SUVs you come across will be under 6,000 pounds. Vehicles over 6,000 pounds are sometimes restricted from driving on certain roadways.
Sport utility vehicles are built to last
Most SUVs on the road are going to weigh between 2,000 and 6,000 pounds. The average midsize SUV will clock in around 5,000 pounds. Since these automobiles are built to last a long time, many SUVs can go 200,000 miles or more.
The Toyota Sequoia is a durable SUV aiming to go 300,000 miles or more. iSeeCars looked at cars, trucks, and SUVs sold for at least 10 out of the last 20 years. Over the previous two decades, one percent of vehicles on the road had between 230,000 and 297,000 miles on the odometer. One percent of Toyota Sequoia SUVs have 296,509 miles on the odometer.
Unsurprisingly, the Toyota Land Cruiser is the second vehicle on the list providing the most significant potential lifespan of 280,236 miles or more. Toyota built the SUV to be essentially indestructible and made for heavy use in terrains that other vehicles couldn’t traverse. The Chevrolet Suburban follows these with a potential lifespan of 265,732 miles or more.
