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: 👍12.1% and 👎87.9%
Curious to know the trend of opinions elsewhere?
👍11.7% - 👎88.3%
👍6.6% - 👎93.4%
👍10.1% - 👎89.9%
👍31.3% - 👎68.8%
👍25.9% - 👎74.1%Latest opinions
Wrexham, 21-10-2024 👎
Would have updated my 2014 Tiguan if the size had remaind the same or slightly smaller
Would have updated my 2014 Tiguan if the size had remaind the same or slightly smaller
edinburgh, 20-10-2024 👎
it is a well known trick to try and get drivers who are loyal to a model to buy a more expensive car. in my case it doesnt work because anything wider than my present car wont fit into the garage so i wont buy it!
it is a well known trick to try and get drivers who are loyal to a model to buy a more expensive car. in my case it doesnt work because anything wider than my present car wont fit into the garage so i wont buy it!
paris, 20-10-2024 👎
even the small cars are getting larger...
even the small cars are getting larger...
exeter, 19-10-2024 👎
Many urban roads are barely wide enough for a car to be parked and traffic to flow in both directions, so do not like the trend for wider cars. Bad for car parks --- either the spaces must be widened, or parked cars are so close that access is impeded. Unnecessary for couples who rarely have passengers
Many urban roads are barely wide enough for a car to be parked and traffic to flow in both directions, so do not like the trend for wider cars. Bad for car parks --- either the spaces must be widened, or parked cars are so close that access is impeded. Unnecessary for couples who rarely have passengers
Ashill, 19-10-2024 👎
Ridiculous sizes. Too big for current parking spaces, particularly in multi story car parks and for domestic garages.
Ridiculous sizes. Too big for current parking spaces, particularly in multi story car parks and for domestic garages.
London, 19-10-2024 👎
I think it is a disaster both in terms of the same model increasing with every new version but also the trend for ever-larger SUV models.
I think it is a disaster both in terms of the same model increasing with every new version but also the trend for ever-larger SUV models.
Paris, 15-10-2024 👎
It's an aberration that an Opel Mokka from 2022 has a worse habitability and barely more boot space than my phase 2 Twingo I while in use. To use that rental car of Vauxhaull make in a British gateway I had to fold my toddler's stroller about as much as I would in my Twingo... Suffice to say the poor employee has to reattach the boot shelf for the next client. Therefore I definitely believe we are worse of: why make bigger cars on the outside if they shrink on the inside. Especially in the UK you'll admit it's a bit of a joke when a blue police phone box is more hospitable than a car.
It's an aberration that an Opel Mokka from 2022 has a worse habitability and barely more boot space than my phase 2 Twingo I while in use. To use that rental car of Vauxhaull make in a British gateway I had to fold my toddler's stroller about as much as I would in my Twingo... Suffice to say the poor employee has to reattach the boot shelf for the next client. Therefore I definitely believe we are worse of: why make bigger cars on the outside if they shrink on the inside. Especially in the UK you'll admit it's a bit of a joke when a blue police phone box is more hospitable than a car.
VILLAGE near Stevenage, 13-10-2024 👎
A large car like ours is comfortable and spacious, which is useful for my husband's mobility equipment, as well as his overall comfort. However, to me the car is impractical and the wrong choice since our habitation is reached by winding lanes without pavements, often too narrow even for a central marker. The width and length of the car require super-alertness and impeccable driving to avoid both collision with oncoming larger vehicles or alternatively being scratched by poorly-pruned hedges. To enjoy a car this size, I would be driving longer distances on open roads and motorways, and only very rarely having to manipulate into inconveniently cramped parking spaces.
A large car like ours is comfortable and spacious, which is useful for my husband's mobility equipment, as well as his overall comfort. However, to me the car is impractical and the wrong choice since our habitation is reached by winding lanes without pavements, often too narrow even for a central marker. The width and length of the car require super-alertness and impeccable driving to avoid both collision with oncoming larger vehicles or alternatively being scratched by poorly-pruned hedges. To enjoy a car this size, I would be driving longer distances on open roads and motorways, and only very rarely having to manipulate into inconveniently cramped parking spaces.
Manchester , 12-10-2024 👎
These modern cars do not fit properly in parking spaces and also do not fit into most home garages!
These modern cars do not fit properly in parking spaces and also do not fit into most home garages!
Porto, 11-10-2024 👎
European cities are not adapted to larger cars, and it is often a struggle to fit a larger model on an apartment's garage.
European cities are not adapted to larger cars, and it is often a struggle to fit a larger model on an apartment's garage.
Zurich, 11-10-2024 👎
Larger cars need to much space on narrow streets abnd in parking lots. Especially wide ones.
Larger cars need to much space on narrow streets abnd in parking lots. Especially wide ones.
Fareham , 10-10-2024 👎
Unfortunately car parking spaces are not increasing. In many city multi storey car parks there’s barely enough space to manoeuvre let alone park a standard family car.
Unfortunately car parking spaces are not increasing. In many city multi storey car parks there’s barely enough space to manoeuvre let alone park a standard family car.
Exeter, 10-10-2024 👎
Ridiculous- we need carbon quotas to help eliminate them.
Ridiculous- we need carbon quotas to help eliminate them.
Coventry , 09-10-2024 👎
Cars are getting far to big for city roads and is not necessary.
Cars are getting far to big for city roads and is not necessary.
Rotterdam, 09-10-2024 👎
My main concern is that cars are getting wider, but streets are not. And somehow the people driving the wide cars are not instilled with a sense of humility for taking up so much of our common space, instead, they seem to assume that since their car is biggest it is everyone else's job to get out of the way, leading to a cascade of ever bigger sizes. A key driver for increasing average car sizes seems to be improved fuel economy of bigger cars, especially hybrids. You can now drive a much bigger car and use the same or less fuel than say a 2000-2005 model. I think size taxes on all cars (including electrics) should go up and be more progressive to stimulate smaller cars again.
My main concern is that cars are getting wider, but streets are not. And somehow the people driving the wide cars are not instilled with a sense of humility for taking up so much of our common space, instead, they seem to assume that since their car is biggest it is everyone else's job to get out of the way, leading to a cascade of ever bigger sizes. A key driver for increasing average car sizes seems to be improved fuel economy of bigger cars, especially hybrids. You can now drive a much bigger car and use the same or less fuel than say a 2000-2005 model. I think size taxes on all cars (including electrics) should go up and be more progressive to stimulate smaller cars again.
glasgow, 09-10-2024 👎
Too large for garages, our narrow country roads and parking bays. They often look more intimidating and in my view less attractive. If it means th e weight if the car hs increased so toohas the chance of a more serious injury if a pedestrian/cyclist is hit.
Too large for garages, our narrow country roads and parking bays. They often look more intimidating and in my view less attractive. If it means th e weight if the car hs increased so toohas the chance of a more serious injury if a pedestrian/cyclist is hit.
Merseyside UK, 07-10-2024 👎
Modern cars are made, longer and wider. But parking bays, are not. Side roads are usually narrow. So modern cars. When parked upon a narrow road/street, become a hazard/obstruction to pass.
Modern cars are made, longer and wider. But parking bays, are not. Side roads are usually narrow. So modern cars. When parked upon a narrow road/street, become a hazard/obstruction to pass.
Hemel Hempstead, 07-10-2024 👎
I have a 1960's built garage and want to stay below 1.8m width for a family car. For the moment a Toyota Auris estate is the right size.
I have a 1960's built garage and want to stay below 1.8m width for a family car. For the moment a Toyota Auris estate is the right size.
Crowborough, 07-10-2024 👎
British lanes have a finite width. People driving bigger and bigger cars down roads which aren’t fit to take them erodes the countryside and is likely to adversely impact on road safety. Look at the latest RAM being imported by circumventing the rules for vehicle safety and using dérogations for vehicles like hearses.
British lanes have a finite width. People driving bigger and bigger cars down roads which aren’t fit to take them erodes the countryside and is likely to adversely impact on road safety. Look at the latest RAM being imported by circumventing the rules for vehicle safety and using dérogations for vehicles like hearses.
Solihull, 05-10-2024 👎
Many of the reasons against larger cars have been covered in the previous comments. Cars are an essential part of our lives but the clutter created by cars parked on streets and inadequate driveways have ruined the aesthetic appearance of most cities, towns and villages around Britain. Like other comments I would not purchase a car that will not fit in my garage and that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Car models which were once quite small have now joined the ranks of Compact SUV which for my purpose has become too large.
Many of the reasons against larger cars have been covered in the previous comments. Cars are an essential part of our lives but the clutter created by cars parked on streets and inadequate driveways have ruined the aesthetic appearance of most cities, towns and villages around Britain. Like other comments I would not purchase a car that will not fit in my garage and that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. Car models which were once quite small have now joined the ranks of Compact SUV which for my purpose has become too large.
oslo, 05-10-2024 👎
Hate it
Hate it
Uckfield, 03-10-2024 👎
If you want a larger car then just go to the next model up. Vauxhall Corsa to Vauxhall Astra or Ford Fiesta to Ford Focus, it's simple. How much room do people want? It's getting really stupid especially as the parking spaces are not increasing to suit.
If you want a larger car then just go to the next model up. Vauxhall Corsa to Vauxhall Astra or Ford Fiesta to Ford Focus, it's simple. How much room do people want? It's getting really stupid especially as the parking spaces are not increasing to suit.
Oxford, 01-10-2024 👎
Cars are stupidly wide - too wide for UK roads, too wide for parking spaces, too wide for most home garages. Quite unnecessary.
Cars are stupidly wide - too wide for UK roads, too wide for parking spaces, too wide for most home garages. Quite unnecessary.
ΓΕΡΑΚΑΣ ΑΤΙΚΗΣ, 01-10-2024 👎
NO I DONT LIKE IT. WE HAVE ENOUGH TRAFFIC, NO PARKING SPACES ANDB VERY BIG EGOS!
NO I DONT LIKE IT. WE HAVE ENOUGH TRAFFIC, NO PARKING SPACES ANDB VERY BIG EGOS!
COLERAINE, 29-09-2024 👎
Apartment blocks with their own spaces in a communal garage - designed to accommodate the slimmest of vehicles. Old style garages at 1970s houses - tight fit all round. Business premises with customer and staff parking lined out years ago...... in short your comfortable big boot super safe car can find no room at the inn!
Apartment blocks with their own spaces in a communal garage - designed to accommodate the slimmest of vehicles. Old style garages at 1970s houses - tight fit all round. Business premises with customer and staff parking lined out years ago...... in short your comfortable big boot super safe car can find no room at the inn!