The current Buick Electra is 196.9″ long, 72.4″ wide, on a 111″ wheelbase, weighing 3,296 lb. At 16.4 feet it fits a standard garage and fits a street parking space.
Every Buick Electra generation, measured
One row per generation. Watch the weight column — that is where most of the change happens, and it is the number that decides fuel use, tyre wear and how far the car takes to stop.
| Generation | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972–1973 | 228″ | 79.9″ | 53.9″ | 127.2″ | 4,669 lb |
| 1974–1976 | 231.5″ | 79.9″ | 55.1″ | 127.2″ | 4,841 lb |
| 1977 | 222″ | 77.2″ | 55.9″ | 118.9″ | 3,944 lb |
| 1980–1984 | 222″ | 77.2″ | 55.9″ | 118.9″ | 3,977 lb |
| 1985–1987 | 197.2″ | 72.4″ | 54.3″ | 111″ | 3,250 lb |
| 1988–1989 | 208.7″ | 75.6″ | 57.1″ | 113.8″ | 3,750 lb |
| 1990 | 196.9″ | 72.4″ | 54.3″ | 111″ | 3,296 lb |
Electra year by year
Measured every model year, not just at generation changes — 17 years on record. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are new platforms.
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 196.9″ | 72.4″ | 111″ | 1 | |
| 1989 | 209.1″ | 76″ | 113.8″ | 2 | |
| 1988 | 208.7″ | 75.6″ | 113.8″ | 2 | |
| 1987 | 202″ | 73.6″ | 112.2″ | 5 | |
| 1986 | 200.8″ | 73.2″ | 111.8″ | 7 | |
| 1985 | 200.8″ | 73.2″ | 111.8″ | 7 | |
| 1984 | 220.9″ | 77.2″ | 118.1″ | 3 | |
| 1983 | 220.9″ | 77.2″ | 118.1″ | 3 | |
| 1982 | 221.3″ | 76.8″ | 118.5″ | 5 | |
| 1981 | 221.3″ | 76″ | 118.1″ | 5 | |
| 1980 | 222″ | 77.2″ | 118.9″ | 2 | |
| 1977 | 222″ | 77.2″ | 118.9″ | 2 | |
| 1976 | 233.5″ | 79.9″ | 127.2″ | 2 | |
| 1975 | 233.5″ | 79.9″ | 127.2″ | 2 | |
| 1974 | 231.5″ | 79.9″ | 127.2″ | 1 | |
| 1973 | 229.9″ | 79.1″ | 127.2″ | 2 | |
| 1972 | 228″ | 79.9″ | 127.2″ | 1 |
Will a Electra fit
The practical question behind every dimensions search. A single-car garage in the US is typically 20 feet deep; a street parking space is about 18. We allow a foot of clearance in both — nobody parks to the millimetre.
| Space | Typical size | This car | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single garage | 20 ft deep | 16.4 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 16.4 ft | Fits comfortably |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 6 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Compared with 819 vehicles within ten inches of the same length — a fair proxy for «cars of this size», regardless of what the marketing calls them.
| Measure | This car | Typical car of this length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 72.4″ | 74″ | -1.6″ |
| Wheelbase | 111″ | 113.4″ | -2.4″ |
| Curb weight | 3,296 lb | 4,109 lb | -813 lb |
A longer wheelbase for the same overall length means shorter overhangs — usually more cabin space and a steadier ride. Lighter than typical for its size generally means better fuel economy and shorter stopping distances.
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
- Exact build, engine and factory options for one VIN
- The original window sticker as it left the factory
- What that specific configuration is worth today
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
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- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we measure
Dimensions come from NHTSA vPIC and Transport Canada vehicle records — manufacturer-declared figures, held in metric and converted to inches and pounds for display.
One row per generation, not per model year: manufacturers rarely change the body between facelifts, and a table of forty near-identical rows helps nobody. Where a generation offered several body styles, the figures are the base measurements for that generation.
Related tools
Frequently asked questions
How long is a Buick Electra?
196.9″ (16′ 5″) in its current generation, 72.4″ wide and 54.3″ tall.
How much does a Buick Electra weigh?
3,296 lb at the kerb.
Will a Electra fit in a garage?
At 16.4 feet it fits a standard 20-foot single garage with room to spare. A street parking space of 18 feet is comfortable.
Has the Electra got bigger over the years?
Not materially, by the generations we hold.