How we measure

Last updated October 2026

Every number on CarRuler comes from a named source. This page lists them and explains each calculation, so you can check our work.

Dimensions

• Source: manufacturer specifications from a licensed vehicle-data provider (CarAPI), per model year, trim and body style.
• Cross-check: lengths and widths are compared with measurements from NHTSA crash tests. Large disagreements are flagged for review.
• Body styles: one car can come in very different sizes (a crew-cab pickup with a long bed is over two feet longer than a regular cab), so dimensions are shown per body style.
• Typical and largest: we show the value of the most common trim, plus the largest across trims. Fit checks always use the largest, so a verdict holds for every trim.
• Width is the body without mirrors, as manufacturers publish it. Where mirrors matter we add an estimated 9″ (mirrors typically add 6–12″) and say so on the page.
• Height includes roof rails where the manufacturer counts them.
• Generations group model years that share a body; "current" means the generation is still sold and the model appears in recent EPA data.

Size comparisons

Both cars are drawn to the same scale by length, with front bumpers aligned. The numbers are exact; the car images are computer-generated renders, so their shapes are close but approximate. Comparisons are generated for close rivals and cars of similar class and length.

Garage and parking fit

We check four things against your garage, and the overall verdict is the worst of them:

• Length: 3 ft or more of spare depth lets you walk past the car; under 1 ft is very tight.
• Room to open doors: width left on each side with the car parked in the middle, mirrors included. About 2 ft opens a front door enough to get out; 1 ft is a squeeze.
• Door opening: width with mirrors against the door opening; if only folded mirrors fit, we say so.
• Door height: tallest trim against the door height (add 16″ for a roof box or bike rack).

Preset garage and parking sizes are common US sizes; see standard garage sizes. Real garages vary, so measure yours.

Fuel economy and range

MPG, electric consumption (kWh per 100 miles), EV range and trunk volume come from the US EPA (fueleconomy.gov). For current cars we use the latest two model years; where a model has several versions of one powertrain, we use the median.

Cost to drive

• Gas, hybrid, diesel: miles ÷ combined MPG × fuel price (premium where the EPA lists premium fuel).
• Electric: miles × kWh per 100 miles ÷ 100 × home electricity price.
• Plug-in hybrid: split by the EPA utility factor, the share of miles typically driven on electricity.
• Miles: 13,500 a year by default (close to the US average per driver); the calculator lets you change it.
• Gas and diesel prices: weekly retail prices from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). EIA publishes weekly prices for 9 states; for the others we adjust the regional weekly price by how the state compared with its region in EIA's latest annual state data, and mark those prices as estimated.
• Electricity: EIA's latest monthly average residential price by state. Public fast charging usually costs more.

These are fuel and charging costs only: insurance, maintenance and depreciation aren't included.

Updates and corrections

Each cost page shows the date of the prices it uses; vehicle data is updated as new model years are published. If you find a number that's wrong, email hello@carruler.com with a link to the source and we'll fix it.