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Car statistics and trends, 1920–2026
How cars changed decade by decade - power, engines, drivetrains, gearboxes, EV range, size and model lifecycles. Every chart is computed from the 1CARS catalog and comes with the data table, a note on the method and a free CSV download. The figures describe the cars in our catalog, not the whole market.
Data updated 12 November 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Power and engines
The median new car generation of the 2020s makes 250 kW (340 PS) in its most powerful version, against 89 kW (121 PS) in the 1920s.
Car horsepower over time: average and record power by decade How much power new car generations made, decade by decade: the median, the average and the record holder. Figures come from the 1CARS catalog, which leans towards sports cars and American V8s, so read them as the catalog, not the market. 0 500 1000 1500 2000 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s Median, kW Average, kW Record, kW Car horsepower over time: average and record power by decade How much power new car generations made, decade by decade: the median, the average and the record holder. Figures come from the 1CARS catalog, which leans towards sports cars and American V8s, so read them as the catalog, not the market. 0 500 1000 1500 2000 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s Median, kW Average, kW Record, kW Open chart and table→
Median specific output rose from 37.7 kW per litre in the 1950s to 89.6 kW per litre in the 2020s - 2.4× more power from every litre.
How much power engines make per litre, 1950s–2020s Specific output - kilowatts per litre of displacement - of petrol and diesel engines in new car generations, by the decade production started. Hybrids and electric cars are left out because their system power is not comparable. 0 50 100 150 200 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Median, kW per litre Top 10% from, kW per litre How much power engines make per litre, 1950s–2020s Specific output - kilowatts per litre of displacement - of petrol and diesel engines in new car generations, by the decade production started. Hybrids and electric cars are left out because their system power is not comparable. 0 50 100 150 200 1950s 1970s 1990s 2010s Median, kW per litre Top 10% from, kW per litre Open chart and table→
The median largest engine peaked at 4.9 litres in the 1960s and is 2.0 litres in the 2020s.
Average engine size by decade: the downsizing story Displacement of the largest and the smallest engine offered in new car generations, by the decade production started, and how many generations made do with engines under 2.0 litres. The 1950s–70s figures lean on the many American V8 cars in our catalog. 0 2 4 6 8 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Largest engine (median), litres Smallest engine (median), litres Average engine size by decade: the downsizing story Displacement of the largest and the smallest engine offered in new car generations, by the decade production started, and how many generations made do with engines under 2.0 litres. The 1950s–70s figures lean on the many American V8 cars in our catalog. 0 2 4 6 8 1950s 1970s 1990s 2010s Largest engine (median), litres Smallest engine (median), litres Open chart and table→
Eight cylinders dominated the 1960s: 60.1% of generations had an eight-cylinder engine as their biggest.
1940sn = 8 75% 13% 13% 1950sn = 54 24% 24% 41% 1960sn = 158 22% 12% 60% 1970sn = 129 31% 16% 50% 1980sn = 71 38% 28% 24% 1990sn = 103 33% 27% 29% 2000sn = 188 23% 26% 35% 14% 2010sn = 340 45% 15% 23% 2020sn = 175 9% 51% 20% 12% Open chart and table→
Median peak torque of petrol and diesel engines: 300 Nm in the 1950s, 409 Nm in the 2020s.
Car torque over time: median and average engine torque by decade Peak torque of petrol and diesel engines in new car generations, by the decade production started. Electric motors and hybrid systems are left out - their torque figures are not comparable with combustion engines. 0 200 400 600 800 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Median, Nm Average, Nm Car torque over time: median and average engine torque by decade Peak torque of petrol and diesel engines in new car generations, by the decade production started. Electric motors and hybrid systems are left out - their torque figures are not comparable with combustion engines. 0 200 400 600 800 1950s 1970s 1990s 2010s Median, Nm Average, Nm Open chart and table→
Drivetrains and gearboxes
In the 1920s, 100% of car generations were offered with rear-wheel drive.
RWD, FWD or AWD: how car drivetrains changed since the 1920s Which share of new car generations was offered with rear-wheel, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, decade by decade. A generation offered with several layouts counts in each of them, so shares can add up to more than 100%. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s Rear-wheel drive Front-wheel drive All-wheel drive RWD, FWD or AWD: how car drivetrains changed since the 1920s Which share of new car generations was offered with rear-wheel, front-wheel or all-wheel drive, decade by decade. A generation offered with several layouts counts in each of them, so shares can add up to more than 100%. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s Rear-wheel drive Front-wheel drive All-wheel drive Open chart and table→
Manual gearboxes were offered on 71.9% of 1990s generations and on 18.2% in the 2020s.
Manual vs automatic vs DCT: gearbox share since the 1990s Which share of new car generations was offered with a manual, a torque-converter automatic, a dual-clutch (DCT), a CVT or a single-speed transmission, and how many gears the top gearbox had. Our gearbox data starts in the 1990s; earlier decades have too few records. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Manual Automatic Dual-clutch (DCT) CVT Single-speed (EV) Manual vs automatic vs DCT: gearbox share since the 1990s Which share of new car generations was offered with a manual, a torque-converter automatic, a dual-clutch (DCT), a CVT or a single-speed transmission, and how many gears the top gearbox had. Our gearbox data starts in the 1990s; earlier decades have too few records. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Manual Automatic Dual-clutch (DCT) CVT Single-speed (EV) Open chart and table→
Fuel and electric cars
Petrol was offered on 100% of 1920s car generations and on 56.3% in the 2020s.
Petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric: fuel types offered by decade Which share of new car generations was offered with petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric versions, by the decade production started. These are shares of models on offer in our catalog, not shares of sales. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s Petrol Diesel Hybrid Electric Petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric: fuel types offered by decade Which share of new car generations was offered with petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric versions, by the decade production started. These are shares of models on offer in our catalog, not shares of sales. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s Petrol Diesel Hybrid Electric Open chart and table→
Median range of new electric car generations grew from 299 km in 2010–14 to 441 km in 2025–26.
Median range, km
EV range and battery size by year - range Median driving range, battery capacity and range per kWh of new electric car generations, in five-year periods. The sample is small - the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure. 0 200 400 600 800 2010–14 2015–19 2020–24 2025–26 EV range and battery size by year - range Median driving range, battery capacity and range per kWh of new electric car generations, in five-year periods. The sample is small - the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure. 0 200 400 600 800 2010–14 2015–19 2020–24 2025–26 Median battery, kWh
EV range and battery size by year - battery Median driving range, battery capacity and range per kWh of new electric car generations, in five-year periods. The sample is small - the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure. 0 25 50 75 100 2010–14 2015–19 2020–24 2025–26 EV range and battery size by year - battery Median driving range, battery capacity and range per kWh of new electric car generations, in five-year periods. The sample is small - the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure. 0 25 50 75 100 2010–14 2015–19 2020–24 2025–26 Open chart and table→
Size and weight
Median kerb weight of new car generations: 1,380 kg in the 1950s, 1,870 kg in the 2020s (+35.5%).
Are cars getting heavier? Kerb weight by decade Median kerb weight of new car generations by the decade production started. Beta: kerb weight is known for only part of our catalog, so every decade rests on a small sample - the table shows how many cars. 0 500 1000 1500 2000 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Median, kg Average, kg Are cars getting heavier? Kerb weight by decade Median kerb weight of new car generations by the decade production started. Beta: kerb weight is known for only part of our catalog, so every decade rests on a small sample - the table shows how many cars. 0 500 1000 1500 2000 1950s 1970s 1990s 2010s Median, kg Average, kg Open chart and table→
Median width: 1,788 mm in the 1950s, 1,865 mm in the 2020s (+77 mm).
Length and wheelbase, mm
Are cars getting bigger? Length, width and height by decade - length Median length, width, height and wheelbase of new car generations by the decade production started. Beta: dimensions are known for only part of our catalog, so the samples are small - the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure. 2000 3000 4000 5000 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Length, mm Wheelbase, mm Are cars getting bigger? Length, width and height by decade - length Median length, width, height and wheelbase of new car generations by the decade production started. Beta: dimensions are known for only part of our catalog, so the samples are small - the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure. 2000 3000 4000 5000 1950s 1970s 1990s 2010s Length, mm Wheelbase, mm Width and height, mm
Are cars getting bigger? Length, width and height by decade - width Median length, width, height and wheelbase of new car generations by the decade production started. Beta: dimensions are known for only part of our catalog, so the samples are small - the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure. 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Width, mm Height, mm Are cars getting bigger? Length, width and height by decade - width Median length, width, height and wheelbase of new car generations by the decade production started. Beta: dimensions are known for only part of our catalog, so the samples are small - the table shows how many cars stand behind every figure. 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 1950s 1970s 1990s 2010s Width, mm Height, mm Open chart and table→
SUVs and crossovers: 0% of 1920s car generations, 51% in the 2020s.
SUV, sedan or hatchback: body styles offered by decade Which share of new car generations was offered as an SUV, a sedan, a hatchback, a wagon, a coupé or a convertible, decade by decade. Our catalog is rich in sports and classic cars, so coupés weigh more than they do on the road. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s SUV / crossover Sedan Hatchback / liftback Coupé Wagon Convertible / roadster SUV, sedan or hatchback: body styles offered by decade Which share of new car generations was offered as an SUV, a sedan, a hatchback, a wagon, a coupé or a convertible, decade by decade. Our catalog is rich in sports and classic cars, so coupés weigh more than they do on the road. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s SUV / crossover Sedan Hatchback / liftback Coupé Wagon Convertible / roadster Open chart and table→
Heaviest: the Cadillac Escalade IQ I, 4,082 kg.
Heaviest
Cadillac Escalade IQ I 4,082 kg Chevrolet Silverado EV I 3,870 kg Hummer H1 I 3,559 kg ZIL-41047 3,400 kg BMW X5 G05 3,275 kg Hummer H2 I 3,000 kg Lucid Gravity I 2,800 kg BMW XM G09 2,795 kg Mercedes-Benz EQS V297 2,794 kg Mercedes-Benz GLS X167 2,785 kg Lightest
Caterham Seven I 440 kg Citroen Méhari I 525 kg Porsche 356 №1 Roadster 585 kg Citroen Dyane I 594 kg AeroMobil 3.0 I 600 kg Ariel Atom 4 612 kg Fiat 850 saloon 670 kg Fiat 850 Coupé and Spider 720 kg Skoda 110 R 720 kg MG Midget Mk I-Mk III 735 kg Open chart and table→
Model life and brands
A car generation launched in the 1920s stayed in production for a median 8 years; for the 2010s it is 8 years.
How long a car generation lasts How many years a car generation stayed in production, by the decade it was launched. Generations still on sale are counted up to this year, so the latest figures are a lower bound. 0 5 10 15 20 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Median, years Average, years How long a car generation lasts How many years a car generation stayed in production, by the decade it was launched. Generations still on sale are counted up to this year, so the latest figures are a lower bound. 0 5 10 15 20 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s Median, years Average, years Longest single generations
Volkswagen Beetle I 66 years Hindustan Motors Ambassador I 58 years Caterham Seven I 54 years Peugeot 504 I 39 years Renault 4 34 years Land Rover Defender I 34 years Jeep Wagoneer SJ 30 years Fiat 126 / 126p 29 years Lotus Esprit I 29 years Zastava Koral / Yugo 29 years Open chart and table→
The Rolls-Royce Phantom has the longest continuous run: 102 years (1925–present).
Rolls-Royce Phantom 102 years Rolls-Royce Wraith 86 years Volkswagen Beetle 82 years Nissan Patrol 76 years Chevrolet Corvette 74 years Toyota Crown 72 years Nissan Skyline 70 years Chrysler Imperial 68 years Mercedes-Benz SL-Class 64 years Chevrolet Impala 63 years Ford Mustang 63 years Porsche 911 63 years Toyota Corolla 61 years Chevrolet Camaro 59 years Toyota Hilux 59 years Open chart and table→
The oldest brand still active in our catalog is Skoda, founded in 1895.
When car brands were founded - and which disappeared The founding year of every car brand in our catalog and, for brands that are gone, the year they closed. The chart counts foundings and closures per decade. 0 10 20 30 40 1880s 1900s 1920s 1940s 1960s 1980s 2000s 2020s Brands founded Brands closed When car brands were founded - and which disappeared The founding year of every car brand in our catalog and, for brands that are gone, the year they closed. The chart counts foundings and closures per decade. 0 10 20 30 40 1880s 1910s 1940s 1970s 2000s Brands founded Brands closed Open chart and table→
Ford has the most generations documented in our catalog: 226 across 74 models.
Ford 226 Chevrolet 155 Toyota 149 Mercedes-Benz 110 Volkswagen 107 Nissan 107 BMW 99 Ferrari 94 Audi 83 Renault 73 Honda 72 Hyundai 64 Dodge 61 Opel 59 Kia 55 Open chart and table→
