The average weight of new cars has been steadily increasing over the past seven years, according to data from Autocar. Between 2016 and 2023, the mean average curb weight of new cars rose from 1553kg to 1947kg, an increase of nearly 400kg. One of the main factors contributing to this trend is the growing popularity of SUVs. In 2016, only 16 out of all the cars tested by Autocar were SUVs or crossovers, but they had a mean average weight of 1722kg, which was 169kg higher than the average for all models tested that year.
Furthermore, many of the SUVs tested in 2016 were heavier than their saloon or hatchback counterparts. For example, the Skoda Kodiaq weighed 1751kg, which was 246kg heavier than the Skoda Superb tested the previous year. Similarly, the Jaguar F-Pace was 180kg heavier than the XF with the same engine. In 2023, a total of 24 SUVs, crossovers, and pick-up trucks were tested, with a mean weight of 1985kg. This was only 38kg higher than the overall average, which is significantly smaller than the difference in 2016.
While the increased proportion of SUVs on the market does contribute to the overall rise in weight, it is not the sole cause. The average weight of SUVs and crossovers tested in 2023 was 1906kg, which was below the mean average for all models tested that year. This suggests that other factors, such as electrification, also play a role in increasing car weights. Battery-electric models tested by Autocar in 2023 had an average weight of 1991kg, while combustion-engined cars were almost 100kg lighter at 1897kg. Excluding hybrids and plug-in hybrids, the average weight of non-electric cars falls to 1841kg, which is 150kg less than the average EV.
The trend of increasing car weights is not limited to recent years. Analysis of Autocar’s data since 2000 shows that the annual average weight of cars has been steadily rising. It reached the 1700kg mark for the first time in 2018, dipped slightly in 2019, but has continued to increase since then. In 2022, the average weight was 1879kg, and in 2023 it rose to 1947kg. This trend shows no signs of reversal, as the average weight of cars tested in the first quarter of 2024 was 2087kg. The heaviest car tested during that period was the electric Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, weighing a staggering 2899kg.
Apart from SUVs and electrification, the erosion of the city car and supermini classes also contributes to the ongoing rise in car weights. There are fewer sub-1000kg models available each year to offset the weight of the heaviest cars in the market. In 2003, Autocar tested six cars that weighed less than 1000kg and another six that were between 1000kg and 1100kg. In contrast, in 2023, only one “car” under 1000kg was tested, which was technically a quadricycle rather than a car. The lightest proper car tested in 2023 was the Alpine A110 R sports coupé at 1065kg, followed by the Hyundai Kona petrol crossover at 1352kg.
In conclusion, the average weight of new cars has been steadily increasing over the past seven years, primarily due to the popularity of SUVs and the adoption of electrification. The average weight of SUVs and crossovers is higher than the overall average, but other factors also contribute to the rise in car weights. The trend of increasing weights shows no signs of reversal, and the erosion of smaller car classes further exacerbates the situation. As cars become heavier, it raises concerns about fuel efficiency, emissions, and the overall environmental impact of transportation.
