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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89 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

The first generarion accord (77-82), which is honda’s largest sadan (and 2 door hatchback offering then) is the same length, and smaller width and height, as honda’s smallest offering in the us up until 2020 (the fit). Now, it is significantly smaller than the smallest honda (the hrv). The accord now (2018 model) is more than 1.5 times the weight.

Anonymous 0 Comments

The first generarion accord (77-82), which is honda’s largest sadan (and 2 door hatchback offering then) is the same length, and smaller width and height, as honda’s smallest offering in the us up until 2020 (the fit). Now, it is significantly smaller than the smallest honda (the hrv). The accord now (2018 model) is more than 1.5 times the weight.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Because people like (buy) bigger cars.

There isn’t some deep hidden answer. Car companies make what their customers want to buy. People kept buying bigger cars so car companies kept making bigger cars.

It’s like for some reason, whenever we start talking about cars, everyone forgets that cars are just a consumer product like any other consumer product. You could just as easily ask “why are tvs so much bigger today?” Well because people buy bigger tvs. So manufacturers made them bigger.

Anonymous 0 Comments

US car companies have done a ton of research and figured out that bigger models are more profitable.

In many places they only sell enough small cars to bring their fleet average within government mileage standards.

In countries where gas is more expensive (I e. nost of the rest of the world) smaller cars are relatively more popular.

P.S. have you ever driven a 1960s or early 1970s “land yacht”? Those things were huge.

P.P.S. while it’s probably not a huge factor, smaller cars take proportionately more damage in accidents with big trucks. This is partly but not completely counteracted by the massive safety improvements across the board. There are still people who feel that bigger cars are safer.

Anonymous 0 Comments

US car companies have done a ton of research and figured out that bigger models are more profitable.

In many places they only sell enough small cars to bring their fleet average within government mileage standards.

In countries where gas is more expensive (I e. nost of the rest of the world) smaller cars are relatively more popular.

P.S. have you ever driven a 1960s or early 1970s “land yacht”? Those things were huge.

P.P.S. while it’s probably not a huge factor, smaller cars take proportionately more damage in accidents with big trucks. This is partly but not completely counteracted by the massive safety improvements across the board. There are still people who feel that bigger cars are safer.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Because people like (buy) bigger cars.

There isn’t some deep hidden answer. Car companies make what their customers want to buy. People kept buying bigger cars so car companies kept making bigger cars.

It’s like for some reason, whenever we start talking about cars, everyone forgets that cars are just a consumer product like any other consumer product. You could just as easily ask “why are tvs so much bigger today?” Well because people buy bigger tvs. So manufacturers made them bigger.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Because people like (buy) bigger cars.

There isn’t some deep hidden answer. Car companies make what their customers want to buy. People kept buying bigger cars so car companies kept making bigger cars.

It’s like for some reason, whenever we start talking about cars, everyone forgets that cars are just a consumer product like any other consumer product. You could just as easily ask “why are tvs so much bigger today?” Well because people buy bigger tvs. So manufacturers made them bigger.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Small cars have very strict emissions regulations, while larger vehicles have much less restricted rules to be legal to be sold in the states. Also larger vehicles have larger profit margins which also reduces the incentive to build smaller cars.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Small cars have very strict emissions regulations, while larger vehicles have much less restricted rules to be legal to be sold in the states. Also larger vehicles have larger profit margins which also reduces the incentive to build smaller cars.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Small cars have very strict emissions regulations, while larger vehicles have much less restricted rules to be legal to be sold in the states. Also larger vehicles have larger profit margins which also reduces the incentive to build smaller cars.