Trend of larger cars: for or against
Many new generations of the same car model are larger than the previous one. For this reason we open a place for debate here to give your opinion on this trend of larger cars. So, what do you think? are you for or against?
Larger dimensions mean greater interior space, greater boot capacity and greater confidence on the road, but it also means less ease of parking, greater consumption and less agility in the city.
If manufacturers offer new generations of larger cars to the market it is because there is demand for it. If so, why do we need bigger cars now than before? Or is it that there is less variety of small models and we buy cars larger than what we need? How to manage the two types of uses of a car in the same size: contained dimensions during the work week and larger sizes for weekends and holidays?
Examples:
• The second generations of the BMW X2 in 2024 and the Peugeot 2008 in 2020, significantly larger than the first ones.
• The current generation of the Volkswagen Polo is larger than the first generation of the Volkswagen Golf.
• The second generations of the BMW X2 in 2024 and the Peugeot 2008 in 2020, significantly larger than the first ones.
• The current generation of the Volkswagen Polo is larger than the first generation of the Volkswagen Golf.
Percentage for and against larger cars: 👍11.3% and 👎88.7%
Curious to know the trend of opinions elsewhere?
👍11.4% - 👎88.6%
👍8.2% - 👎91.8%
👍8.5% - 👎91.5%
👍26.6% - 👎73.4%
👍26.3% - 👎73.7%Latest opinions
mannheim, 30-11-2025 👎
Streets and garages remain as they were. Only cars get5 bigger. STUPID!!!
Streets and garages remain as they were. Only cars get5 bigger. STUPID!!!
wales, 30-11-2025 👎
cars appear to be large or small where are the medium sized cars
cars appear to be large or small where are the medium sized cars
delfzijl, 25-11-2025 👍
perfecte grootte zeker met verschuifbare achterbank (18cm)
perfecte grootte zeker met verschuifbare achterbank (18cm)
Hawick, 24-11-2025 👎
People buy what the car industry advertise/promote. It is not a case of more demand for larger cars, it is simply people buying what the industry is putting before them, as the industry makes more profit from larger cars. The downside of this is as above, plus less space for on-street parking. We have a lot of narrow country roads and they are being made even smaller by people driving ever larger vehicles. If Government or Council proposed making all the roads narrower there would be uproar, but do it by using bigger cars and it is "trandy". It is long overdue that cars be taxed on the basis of their footprint (physical, not carbon), and weight. Then, at least, people may have more reason to sonsider what they buy.
People buy what the car industry advertise/promote. It is not a case of more demand for larger cars, it is simply people buying what the industry is putting before them, as the industry makes more profit from larger cars. The downside of this is as above, plus less space for on-street parking. We have a lot of narrow country roads and they are being made even smaller by people driving ever larger vehicles. If Government or Council proposed making all the roads narrower there would be uproar, but do it by using bigger cars and it is "trandy". It is long overdue that cars be taxed on the basis of their footprint (physical, not carbon), and weight. Then, at least, people may have more reason to sonsider what they buy.
Hagerstown, 23-11-2025 👎
The trend for cars to become larger feels something like an arms race. People like buying larger cars to feel "safer" not considering that their increased safety directly results in the decreased safety of everyone else on the road. A lot of people buy giant pickup trucks because they're huge and "safe" but every other car on the road is liable to be flattened by their truck. Space in the drivers seat is mostly decided by seat design rather than the outer dimensions of the car (might be super wide but a huge console could still make it cramped). Also, for me at least, I'm not so worried about cargo space and barely concerned about passenger seats since 99% of my use is commuting to work. Plus, I have never seen a non-novelty car that couldn't fit a load of groceries in the trunk/ backseat
The trend for cars to become larger feels something like an arms race. People like buying larger cars to feel "safer" not considering that their increased safety directly results in the decreased safety of everyone else on the road. A lot of people buy giant pickup trucks because they're huge and "safe" but every other car on the road is liable to be flattened by their truck. Space in the drivers seat is mostly decided by seat design rather than the outer dimensions of the car (might be super wide but a huge console could still make it cramped). Also, for me at least, I'm not so worried about cargo space and barely concerned about passenger seats since 99% of my use is commuting to work. Plus, I have never seen a non-novelty car that couldn't fit a load of groceries in the trunk/ backseat
Athens, 16-11-2025 👎
Stupid trend. No space for anything
Stupid trend. No space for anything
Douglas IOM, 16-11-2025 👎
Why our all cars going bigger more roads will have to go one way
Why our all cars going bigger more roads will have to go one way
Leicester , 13-11-2025 👎
Hard to park and not enough space on roads
Hard to park and not enough space on roads
Leicester England , 12-11-2025 👎
In the uk many of our rural road are not wide enough to be able to drive down them safely.
In the uk many of our rural road are not wide enough to be able to drive down them safely.
Epsom, 07-11-2025 👎
I much prefer small cars. I realise that big cars have better safety features, but on the other hand they are less safe for other road users. They take up more space both when driving and when parked, are less environmentally friendly and cost more to run.
I much prefer small cars. I realise that big cars have better safety features, but on the other hand they are less safe for other road users. They take up more space both when driving and when parked, are less environmentally friendly and cost more to run.
Liverpool, 05-11-2025 👎
Larger cars are mostly used as snobbery, status symbols, power plays, bragging rights. Most people do not need large cars, just the respect they think people give them. On large cars, The headlights blind other drivers and the car driver can’t alter full beam, relying on the auto controls. It is rare to see a large car parked straight in a parking bay, and usually, the drivers of large cars expect more modest cars to give way to them on country or narrow roads. They have powerful engines which are excessive in a country with a 70 mph speed limit. You may realise that in my humble opinion, large cars are unnecessary.
Larger cars are mostly used as snobbery, status symbols, power plays, bragging rights. Most people do not need large cars, just the respect they think people give them. On large cars, The headlights blind other drivers and the car driver can’t alter full beam, relying on the auto controls. It is rare to see a large car parked straight in a parking bay, and usually, the drivers of large cars expect more modest cars to give way to them on country or narrow roads. They have powerful engines which are excessive in a country with a 70 mph speed limit. You may realise that in my humble opinion, large cars are unnecessary.
Apricale (IM), 04-11-2025 👎
Don't like larger cars. Less efficient, more difficult to maneuver and park.
Don't like larger cars. Less efficient, more difficult to maneuver and park.
London, 03-11-2025 👎
Wider wheel base is likely safer but in the uk parking spaces are not big enough for newer wider cars
Wider wheel base is likely safer but in the uk parking spaces are not big enough for newer wider cars
Birmingham, 01-11-2025 👎
Not suited for narrow roads, narrow parking spaces, modern garages.
Not suited for narrow roads, narrow parking spaces, modern garages.
Reading, 01-11-2025 👎
Many people think SUVs offer more interior space but real world comparisons show that most don't. A medium sized estate car will beat most SUVs for luggage space while still occupying a modest amount of road space. Many SUVs have narrower door openings making them harder to get into and out of. There a few very good SUVs e.g. Skoda Kodiak which is big inside without being massive outside but if practicality is an important consideration don't be taken in by impressive looks. There's no evidence to show that SUVs are safer than other types of car: see Euro NCP ratings.
Many people think SUVs offer more interior space but real world comparisons show that most don't. A medium sized estate car will beat most SUVs for luggage space while still occupying a modest amount of road space. Many SUVs have narrower door openings making them harder to get into and out of. There a few very good SUVs e.g. Skoda Kodiak which is big inside without being massive outside but if practicality is an important consideration don't be taken in by impressive looks. There's no evidence to show that SUVs are safer than other types of car: see Euro NCP ratings.
worcester, 31-10-2025 👎
In one word: STUPID. When was the last time you saw one of these large vehicles with multiple passengers or carrying large loads. I for one generally see only one or two at the most travelling in these monstrosities. Unusually they also tend to be driven by people of small stature, like they are trying to compensate for their lack of height. These vehicles are purely a status symbol, people trying to show off, I've got a bigger one than yours if you excuse the crude reference. Yet these cars are ruining ours roads and are totally unnecessary. Vehicles dimensions should be controlled and limited otherwise kids of today will be driving around in "trucks" not cars in the future.
In one word: STUPID. When was the last time you saw one of these large vehicles with multiple passengers or carrying large loads. I for one generally see only one or two at the most travelling in these monstrosities. Unusually they also tend to be driven by people of small stature, like they are trying to compensate for their lack of height. These vehicles are purely a status symbol, people trying to show off, I've got a bigger one than yours if you excuse the crude reference. Yet these cars are ruining ours roads and are totally unnecessary. Vehicles dimensions should be controlled and limited otherwise kids of today will be driving around in "trucks" not cars in the future.
taunton, 31-10-2025 👎
WHy make cars so wide that you cannot get them into your garage , not everybody wants to drive a 2 ton vehicle when there are only 2 people in transit?
WHy make cars so wide that you cannot get them into your garage , not everybody wants to drive a 2 ton vehicle when there are only 2 people in transit?
Bridgnorth, 28-10-2025 👍
Far safer and it is good to have room for emergency moving of items.
Far safer and it is good to have room for emergency moving of items.
London, 28-10-2025 👎
They're pathetic, they add nothing but danger to everyone else.
They're pathetic, they add nothing but danger to everyone else.
Buckley, 27-10-2025 👎
Fed up with them taking up too much space in car parks. Too heavy and clumsy - damaging the road surface.
Fed up with them taking up too much space in car parks. Too heavy and clumsy - damaging the road surface.
Kirknewton, 27-10-2025 👍
I'm generally in favour of bigger cars. Obviously it depends on the car, but the feeling of "safety" in a larger car cannot be overstated.
I'm generally in favour of bigger cars. Obviously it depends on the car, but the feeling of "safety" in a larger car cannot be overstated.
london, 25-10-2025 👎
Do not like the trend for wider car
Do not like the trend for wider car
Stevenage, 20-10-2025 👎
Too many BIG cars. I'm now looking at an EV. They tend to be very big or quite small. I want a sie of car similar to my Vectra. So I can get it in my garage. Too many EVs won't fit!
Too many BIG cars. I'm now looking at an EV. They tend to be very big or quite small. I want a sie of car similar to my Vectra. So I can get it in my garage. Too many EVs won't fit!
Dorchester, 20-10-2025 👎
Garages , parking bays and roads are not getting wider, until taht occurs e need slimmer cars!
Garages , parking bays and roads are not getting wider, until taht occurs e need slimmer cars!
southampton, 19-10-2025 👎
nothing but a waste of space, fuel, world resources
nothing but a waste of space, fuel, world resources