---
title: "Car vs hippopotamus — size, weight and speed compared"
description: "Car and hippopotamus are near enough identical on weight. Compared on 4 measured properties, with the full range and a source for each."
url: https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-hippopotamus/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Car vs Hippopotamus

**Car vs hippopotamus: Near enough equal on weight**

Car and hippopotamus are near enough identical on weight.

A car and a hippopotamus can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

## Side by side

*Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.*

|  | Car | Hippopotamus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weight | 1,100–2,100 kg | 1,300–3,200 kg |
| Height | 135–155 cm | 1.3–1.65 m |
| Length | 370–520 cm | 3.3–5 m |
| Typical lifespan | 8–20 yr | 40–55 yr |

## What the numbers say

- Car and hippopotamus are near enough identical on weight.
- Car and hippopotamus are near enough identical on height.
- Car is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on length — about 1.3×.
- Hippopotamus is 3.8× car on typical lifespan.

*Weight compared.*

- Car: 1,100–2,100 kg
- Hippopotamus: 1,300–3,200 kg

## Car

A four-wheeled passenger road vehicle, most commonly a five-seat sedan or hatchback.

## Hippopotamus

A semi-aquatic grazer, the third-heaviest land mammal and among the most dangerous to people.

> This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

## Common questions

### Which is bigger, car or hippopotamus?

Car and hippopotamus are near enough identical on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

### How do cars and hippopotamuses compare on height?

Car: 135–155 cm. Hippopotamus: 1.3–1.65 m. Car and hippopotamus are near enough identical on height.

### How do cars and hippopotamuses compare on length?

Car: 370–520 cm. Hippopotamus: 3.3–5 m. Car is somewhat greater than hippopotamus on length — about 1.3×.

## Related pages

- [Giraffe vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Car vs SUV](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-suv/)
- [Hippopotamus vs white rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Car vs pickup truck](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-pickup-truck/)
- [American bison vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Black rhinoceros vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Asian elephant vs hippopotamus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Car vs minivan](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-minivan/)
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- [Car vs tractor](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-tractor/)
- [Car vs orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-orca/)
- [Car vs motorcycle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/car-vs-motorcycle/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)