The 1998 Buick Riviera, the latest model year on record, is 207.1″ long, 75.2″ wide and 55.1″ tall on a 113.4″ wheelbase, and weighs 3,726 lb. At 17.3 ft it fits a standard garage but overhangs an 18-foot street space.
Every Buick Riviera generation, measured
The biggest change in length came in 1974, when the new car was 7.1″ shorter than the 1973 one. The biggest change in weight came in 1977: 813 lb lighter than before. The current car, sold since 1995, is 351 lb heavier than the 1989–1993 one.
| 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 |
| 1974–1975 | 226.4″ | 79.9″ | 53.5″ | 122″ | 4,731 lb |
| 1977 | 218.1″ | 77.2″ | 55.1″ | 115.7″ | 3,918 lb |
| 1981–1984 | 206.7″ | 71.7″ | 54.3″ | 114.2″ | 3,677 lb |
| 1985 | 206.7″ | 72.8″ | 54.3″ | 114.2″ | 3,854 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
| 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
| 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
Among the 455 cars within 10″ of its length, the Riviera is lighter than 80%.
| Measure | This car | Typical of 455 cars within 10″ of its length | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 75.2″ | 75.6″ | −0.4″ |
| Wheelbase | 113.4″ | 119.3″ | −5.9″ |
| Curb weight | 3,726 lb | 4,440 lb | −714 lb |
Riviera against its rivals
Next to the Lincoln Mark and Chevrolet Lumina, the Riviera is the widest of the three.
| Model | Model year | Length | Width | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick Riviera (this car) | 1998 | 207.1″ | 75.2″ | 3,726 lb |
| Lincoln Mark | 1998 | 207.1″ | 74.8″ | 3,768 lb |
| Chevrolet Lumina | 1999 | 200.8″ | 72.4″ | 3,300 lb |
Specs vary by trim. Yours decodes from the VIN.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Riviera bigger than the 1997?
No. The 1998 and 1997 Riviera are the same size, within half an inch and 5 lb of each other.
Which is bigger, the Riviera or the Lincoln Mark?
The 1998 Lincoln Mark is about the same length as the 1998 Riviera.
How much does a used Riviera cost?
In our listings collected since June 2026, the average asking price runs from $2,642 for the 1989–1993 car to $4,013 for the 1995–1998 one, across 18 listings.
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