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: 👍11.2% and 👎88.8%
Curious to know the trend of opinions elsewhere?
👍11.9% - 👎88.1%
👍7.5% - 👎92.5%
👍7.9% - 👎92.1%
👍29.4% - 👎70.6%
👍25.6% - 👎74.4%Latest opinions
London, 04-07-2025 👎
Bad trend. Everything is too big and too heavy!
Bad trend. Everything is too big and too heavy!
Southend-on-Sea, 01-07-2025 👎
Larger cars are not necessary for most people. They’re only bought for image. Y
Larger cars are not necessary for most people. They’re only bought for image. Y
Ilkley, 27-06-2025 👎
Unnecessary wide for a lot of European towns (and the rural roads in ???????? ☹️)
Unnecessary wide for a lot of European towns (and the rural roads in ???????? ☹️)
Brussels, 27-06-2025 👎
Parking space doesn't increase. Our streets don't grow either.
Parking space doesn't increase. Our streets don't grow either.
Bristol, 25-06-2025 👎
I don't think I'll be buying the new 2024/25 Citroen C3 Aircross - it has so much larger dimensions than our current C3 Aircross. In fact, the footprint is bigger than the Citreon C4! Disappointing. The new Citroen C3 Aircross is exactly the same width as the Jaguar XE - 1800mm.
I don't think I'll be buying the new 2024/25 Citroen C3 Aircross - it has so much larger dimensions than our current C3 Aircross. In fact, the footprint is bigger than the Citreon C4! Disappointing. The new Citroen C3 Aircross is exactly the same width as the Jaguar XE - 1800mm.
Courtenay, 25-06-2025 👎
Its awful. Companies dont even offer their small cars in canada because of the trend of dummy big truck and suv
Its awful. Companies dont even offer their small cars in canada because of the trend of dummy big truck and suv
Piazza Armerina, 24-06-2025 👍
wider cars on the same old narrow roads, ferries and parking spaces.., doesn't work well
wider cars on the same old narrow roads, ferries and parking spaces.., doesn't work well
Shrewsbury, 20-06-2025 👎
Like the population, cars need to go on a diet.
Like the population, cars need to go on a diet.
Bristol, 20-06-2025 👎
I am not in favour of larger cars and always seek out more compact vehicles - they just make life easier! No wonder 'compact SUV' is one of the fastest growing segments in the UK car market.
I am not in favour of larger cars and always seek out more compact vehicles - they just make life easier! No wonder 'compact SUV' is one of the fastest growing segments in the UK car market.
Trieste, 18-06-2025 👎
No more enlargement, please. Old garages are not usefull any more and you don't need bigger cars if average 1-2 peaple are diving in them.
No more enlargement, please. Old garages are not usefull any more and you don't need bigger cars if average 1-2 peaple are diving in them.
Bournemouth, 17-06-2025 👎
Streets aren't getting wider, so why are the cars getting bigger and heavier. It makes no sense for parking or weight, tearing up tarmac!
Streets aren't getting wider, so why are the cars getting bigger and heavier. It makes no sense for parking or weight, tearing up tarmac!
Lublin, Poland, 13-06-2025 👎
My 2010 RAV4 (long wheel basis variant) may be long for a C-segment SUV but it still manages to have more usable cargo space than some new D-segment SUVs, always larger cars. And for my old 1999 Yaris - it is shorter than the new Aygo (which is a crossover now, because the tiny city car has to be one apparently) and it still manages to be much more spacious in the back. Also the width growth is the worst - European parking places are just not wide enough to park a few modern SUVs next to each other and have place to get out without having to barely squeeze through the door (and it comes from a thin person). I understand that safety regulations are a thing and that legal loopholes in emission standards are often to blame but the trend is really doing more harm than good.
My 2010 RAV4 (long wheel basis variant) may be long for a C-segment SUV but it still manages to have more usable cargo space than some new D-segment SUVs, always larger cars. And for my old 1999 Yaris - it is shorter than the new Aygo (which is a crossover now, because the tiny city car has to be one apparently) and it still manages to be much more spacious in the back. Also the width growth is the worst - European parking places are just not wide enough to park a few modern SUVs next to each other and have place to get out without having to barely squeeze through the door (and it comes from a thin person). I understand that safety regulations are a thing and that legal loopholes in emission standards are often to blame but the trend is really doing more harm than good.
Portsmouth , 13-06-2025 👎
No. I dislike the trend for larger cars. They impact visibility and are a danger to vulnerable road users. It just seems excessive.
No. I dislike the trend for larger cars. They impact visibility and are a danger to vulnerable road users. It just seems excessive.
Stuttgart, 11-06-2025 👍
I prioritize safety, a higher seating position with a panoramic view to enjoy the landscape and luxury.
I prioritize safety, a higher seating position with a panoramic view to enjoy the landscape and luxury.
Fareham, 10-06-2025 👎
I am an aging driver having to change my car so that I can carry my wheelchair and my grandchildren. One of my concerns about changing cars is the difficulty I will have with parking a substantially larger car in the same small parking spaces I have been using for the past 50 years.
I am an aging driver having to change my car so that I can carry my wheelchair and my grandchildren. One of my concerns about changing cars is the difficulty I will have with parking a substantially larger car in the same small parking spaces I have been using for the past 50 years.
Dorking, 09-06-2025 👎
Wider cars are a right pain in narrow country lanes. Plus they won't fit in my garage.
Wider cars are a right pain in narrow country lanes. Plus they won't fit in my garage.
Gothenburg, 09-06-2025 👎
A larger car is a heavier car. Heavier cars have worse breaking performance, carry more mass in impacts, uses more energy to move and produces more damage to road surfaces. If everyone drove lighter and smaller vehicles safety would also improve without needing any changes to current car design.
A larger car is a heavier car. Heavier cars have worse breaking performance, carry more mass in impacts, uses more energy to move and produces more damage to road surfaces. If everyone drove lighter and smaller vehicles safety would also improve without needing any changes to current car design.
Stavanger, 07-06-2025 👎
Big car sucks.
Big car sucks.
Athens, 07-06-2025 👎
Not ideal for cities. Maybe for zombie apocalypse.
Not ideal for cities. Maybe for zombie apocalypse.
Paris, France, 07-06-2025 👎
Larger cars are more dangerous, take up more public space that's precious in dense cities, eat up more resources and energy. They are bad. I hate them with a passion.
Larger cars are more dangerous, take up more public space that's precious in dense cities, eat up more resources and energy. They are bad. I hate them with a passion.
Annecy, 07-06-2025 👎
Ecological nonsense.
Ecological nonsense.
Paris, 07-06-2025 👎
It's an horrible trend. It goes against all logic.
It's an horrible trend. It goes against all logic.
Athens, Greece, 06-06-2025 👎
It doesn't make a lot of sense. I understand that enlarging the car has structural and safety advantages. But our cities and parking spots are not designed for so big (and heavy for electric) vehicles.
It doesn't make a lot of sense. I understand that enlarging the car has structural and safety advantages. But our cities and parking spots are not designed for so big (and heavy for electric) vehicles.
Wisconsin U.S., 06-06-2025 👎
People in the U.S. seem to want larger cars and pickup trucks, seemingly reversing a trend since the mid-'seventies. Some believe larger cars are safer, generally true of monocoque cars, but not necessarily frame-based vehicles. Some of the desire for larger cars may stem from an aging population, some from a more conservative population of all ages less concerned about ecological damage and care for others and the future.
People in the U.S. seem to want larger cars and pickup trucks, seemingly reversing a trend since the mid-'seventies. Some believe larger cars are safer, generally true of monocoque cars, but not necessarily frame-based vehicles. Some of the desire for larger cars may stem from an aging population, some from a more conservative population of all ages less concerned about ecological damage and care for others and the future.
london, 04-06-2025 👎
tax cars according to size and weight. They have 3 negative effects - Vehicle life CO2 is higher, They are more damaging in accidents to other road users esp. pedestrians and They cost the rest of us a lot of money taking up space and damaging roads.
tax cars according to size and weight. They have 3 negative effects - Vehicle life CO2 is higher, They are more damaging in accidents to other road users esp. pedestrians and They cost the rest of us a lot of money taking up space and damaging roads.