What is the NHTSA vPIC Database?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains the Vehicle Portal (vPIC) database, a comprehensive repository of vehicle specifications for passenger cars, trucks, and motorcycles sold in the United States. Every year, automakers submit detailed specifications covering engine parameters, body styles, transmission types, drivetrain layouts, safety features, and dimensions.

CarAtlas ingests this raw data and presents it in a clean, structured format that is easy to browse, compare, and search. Each model-year page is separated by configuration, so you see the exact specifications for the trim level you are interested in.

The data is organized around four main classification axes:

• Body Style — sedans, SUVs, trucks, vans, coupes, and more.
• Transmission — automatic, manual, CVT, dual-clutch, and others.
• Drivetrain — FWD, RWD, AWD, 4WD layouts.
• Electrification — from conventional gasoline to hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric.

Whether you are comparing family sedans or researching an electric truck, CarAtlas gives you direct access to the official specifications without sifting through PDFs or manufacturer brochures.