Vehicle Weight Limit: What is the maximum load for a car?
In the world of passenger vehicles, large SUVs are making a significant impact when it comes to payload and towing capacities. The 2024 Toyota Sequoia and 2023/2024 Jeep Wagoneer stand out as examples of this trend.
These vehicles offer impressive payload capabilities, with the Sequoia boasting a hybrid V-6 powertrain that delivers a maximum towing capacity of 9,520 pounds, and the Wagoneer achieving towing of up to 10,000 pounds [1].
While exact payload figures for passenger cars are not always explicitly published, large SUVs like the Sequoia and Wagoneer have implicitly high payload capacities due to their size and towing ratings. Electric SUVs, such as the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ, also have high towing capacities but specific payload ratings are less emphasized in available sources [3].
In contrast, passenger cars like sedans and coupes have considerably lower payload capacities compared to these SUVs and vans.
It's important to note that if a driver exceeds the permitted payload of their vehicle, they may face increased costs, higher vehicle wear and tear, and potential fines. In Germany, for instance, drivers who overload their vehicles by more than 5% may be subject to fines ranging from €10 to €235, depending on the degree of overloading, with additional demerit points [2].
In Germany, if a driver cannot demonstrate compliance with the permissible total weight during a traffic check, they may have to pay for weighing the vehicle and unloading it if necessary. The indicated unladen mass already includes the weight of the driver, tool kit, first aid kit, warning triangle, and a 90% full tank [2].
Utility vehicles, such as pickups, minivans, and SUVs, can handle larger loads. However, station wagons and sedans can also be load carriers. Utility vehicles under 3.5 tons total weight can be driven with a regular passenger car driver's license (Class B) in Germany, but they may still be subject to fines for overloading [4].
The permitted payload of a motor vehicle can be found in the vehicle registration certificate Part 1, under point F.2. For more specific payload numbers, consulting manufacturer weight plates or manuals would give precise maximum permitted payload figures [2][4].
Transporters with a maximum total weight of up to 3.5 t can have a payload range of just under one ton to just under 1.4 tons. Pickups and bus or transporter models can handle even larger loads within this weight range [4].
For instance, the Nissan e-NV200 Evalia has a trunk volume of approximately 2,000 liters, while the Mercedes EQV Extralong offers a trunk volume of approximately 1,000 to 1,400 liters, depending on the type [5].
In summary, large full-size SUVs like the 2024 Toyota Sequoia and 2023/2024 Jeep Wagoneer have some of the highest payload and towing capacities among passenger vehicles [1]. It's crucial for drivers to be aware of their vehicle's permitted payload to avoid potential fines and maintain vehicle safety.
References:
- Car and Driver
- German Federal Highway Research Institute
- Cadillac
- German Automobile Club (ADAC)
- Nissan and Mercedes-Benz websites.
The impressive payload and towing capacities of large SUVs are comparable to some vehicles in the transportation industry, such as transporters and utility vehicles. For instance, the 2024 Toyota Sequoia and 2023/2024 Jeep Wagoneer, making significant waves in the automotive industry, display capabilities on par with certain commercial vehicles. In the realm of finance, drivers pay close attention to vehicle weight ratings to avoid penalties, including increased costs, wear and tear, and potential fines, as demonstrated in Germany. As technology advances, electric SUVs like the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ are also emerging as leaders in payload capacity, albeit with less emphasis on specific payload ratings compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
