Why are cars today so big compared to their older models?

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I’m not just talking about pickup trucks that have gotten huge, but rather cars in general. Take a look at the 5th generation Honda Civic hatchback and compare it to the newest Honda Civic Hatchback model. Not only did the car gain approximately 1,000lbs/453Kg, but its length, height, and space drastically changed. Sure it’s a 30 year difference but even other car models from the early 2010s compared to their same models today are way bigger and heavier in just under a decade Why is this?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

There are two factors at play.

One, stricter safety standards and increased horsepower from better engines leads to heavier cars all around.

Two, is the effect of marketing. Honda has the accord. Every year, the marketing people want to say the accord is slightly better. Better, in the eyes of americans, is just a little roomier, just a little more feature-packed. Over time, this means the accord keeps getting slightly larger and more expensive. This opens up room under the accord, first the civic, then the fit. If you’re comparing the 1976 accord to a more modern Honda car, you would properly compare it to the smallest Honda car available. Comparing the 1976 accord to the modern accord is misleading at best, simply inaccurate at worst.

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