The current Buick Riviera is 207.1″ long, 75.2″ wide, on a 113.4″ wheelbase, weighing 3,770 lb. At 17.3 feet it fits a standard garage and overhangs a street parking space.
Every Buick Riviera 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971–1972 | 217.3″ | 79.9″ | 53.9″ | 122″ | 4,429 lb |
| 1973 | 233.5″ | 79.9″ | 53.9″ | 122″ | 4,647 lb |
| 1974 | 226.4″ | 79.9″ | 53.5″ | 122″ | 4,731 lb |
| 1975 | 222.8″ | 79.9″ | 53.5″ | 122″ | 4,680 lb |
| 1977 | 218.1″ | 77.2″ | 55.1″ | 115.7″ | 3,918 lb |
| 1981–1985 | 206.7″ | 71.7″ | 54.3″ | 114.2″ | 3,677 lb |
| 1986–1988 | 187″ | 71.7″ | 53.5″ | 107.9″ | 3,309 lb |
| 1989–1993 | 198.4″ | 71.7″ | 53.5″ | 107.9″ | 3,419 lb |
| 1995–1998 | 207.1″ | 75.2″ | 55.1″ | 113.4″ | 3,770 lb |
Riviera year by year
Measured every model year, not just at generation changes — 23 years on record. Small moves inside a generation are facelifts; the jumps are new platforms.
| Model year | Length | Width | Wheelbase | Curb weight | Body styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 207.1″ | 75.2″ | 113.4″ | 1 | |
| 1997 | 207.1″ | 75.2″ | 113.4″ | 1 | |
| 1996 | 207.1″ | 75.2″ | 113.4″ | 1 | |
| 1995 | 207.1″ | 75.2″ | 113.4″ | 1 | |
| 1993 | 198.4″ | 71.7″ | 107.9″ | 1 | |
| 1992 | 198.4″ | 71.7″ | 107.9″ | 1 | |
| 1991 | 198.4″ | 71.7″ | 107.9″ | 1 | |
| 1990 | 198.4″ | 71.7″ | 107.9″ | 1 | |
| 1989 | 198.4″ | 71.7″ | 107.9″ | 1 | |
| 1988 | 187.4″ | 71.7″ | 107.9″ | 1 | |
| 1987 | 187.4″ | 71.7″ | 107.9″ | 2 | |
| 1986 | 187″ | 71.7″ | 107.9″ | 2 | |
| 1985 | 206.7″ | 72.8″ | 114.2″ | 3 | |
| 1984 | 206.7″ | 74″ | 114.2″ | 2 | |
| 1983 | 206.7″ | 74″ | 114.2″ | 2 | |
| 1982 | 206.7″ | 72.8″ | 114.2″ | 1 | |
| 1981 | 206.7″ | 71.7″ | 114.2″ | 1 | |
| 1977 | 218.1″ | 77.2″ | 115.7″ | 1 | |
| 1975 | 222.8″ | 79.9″ | 122″ | 1 | |
| 1974 | 226.4″ | 79.9″ | 122″ | 1 | |
| 1973 | 233.5″ | 79.9″ | 122″ | 1 | |
| 1972 | 218.1″ | 79.9″ | 122″ | 1 | |
| 1971 | 217.3″ | 79.9″ | 122″ | 1 |
Will a Riviera 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 | 17.3 ft | Fits, with room to open the door |
| Street parking space | 18 ft | 17.3 ft | Overhangs — expect a tight squeeze |
| Standard parking bay width | 8.5 ft wide | 6.3 ft | Room to open doors both sides |
Against cars of the same length
Compared with 439 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 | 75.2″ | 75.6″ | -0.4″ |
| Wheelbase | 113.4″ | 119.3″ | -5.9″ |
| Curb weight | 3,770 lb | 4,425 lb | -655 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
- No ads, on every page
- 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 Riviera?
207.1″ (17′ 3″) in its current generation, 75.2″ wide and 55.1″ tall.
How much does a Buick Riviera weigh?
3,770 lb at the kerb.
Will a Riviera fit in a garage?
At 17.3 feet it fits a standard 20-foot single garage with room to spare. A street parking space of 18 feet will be a squeeze.
Has the Riviera got bigger over the years?
Not materially, by the generations we hold.