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Will a Full-Size SUV Like An Aviator Durango or Telluride Fit In My Garage?

Here’s how to know if a full-size SUV like an Explorer, Durango, Tahoe, Telluride, or Sequoia will fit inside your garage.
Image by John Goreham

SUVs seem to creep up in size every model year. For 2021, the average width of a full-size SUV is now almost 80 inches without mirrors factored in. Automakers want to obscure the massive width of these big vehicles, so we have created the chart below to let you know how wide your garage bay will need to be in order to fit one inside. We have added five inches to each side beyond our estimated width with the ears open.

Width is usually the main challenge. If you have a foot or more of space in front and in back, the vehicle will fit ok, but you won’t be able to open the tailgate. Add four feet to be safe if you plan to open the tailgate while the vehicle is parked in the garage for loading and unloading.

As you can see, a garage with an opening about 104-inches wide is usually enough to swallow even the widest of the full-size SUVs popular today. If you opt for an XL-sized SUV like the GM Suburban/Tahoe/Escalade/Yukon SUV, plan to add a couple of inches to that.

How To Measure a Garage For Size
We understand it’s not rocket science to measure a garage door. However, we will add that laying a tape on the ground and measuring between the innermost trim is the way we do it.

With SUVs costing upwards of $70K these days, protecting tour investment only makes sense. Before you buy, it is worth knowing if the SUV will live its life taking up a substantial part of your driveway or filling one garage bay.

Related Story: Will a Sienna Odyssey Pacifica Sedona Model X Minivan Fit In the Garage - Your Answer Here

One last tip: Most vehicles with automatic power tailgates allow you to adjust the height to which they will open. If you park nose-in it is worth setting the maximum opening height to less than the top f your garage door opening. Your owner’s manual will have instructions on how to set the height.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. Following his engineering program, John also completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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Comments

Mark Day (not verified)    March 9, 2021 - 5:02PM

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Thanks for the good info re garage size. My third house garage I got right, and practically have tours for folks who are blown away by its usefulness. My garage specs: 36ft wide, 28ft deep. Rule of thumb: 12ft of width for every vehicle – I’ve got three vehicles. Also: 9ft of garage door width for every vehicle. A proper 2-car garage should have an 18ft garage overhead door – not 16ft. Probably 99.5% of garages are too small – blame builders and consumers. Never heard anyone declare “my garage is too big”.