Rise in ‘bigger’ cars

[Hannahblueberry]

Driven by women specifically. Prompted by a conversation between my friend and I today after witnessing a woman trying (and failing) to park a ridiculously large car in a shopping centre car park.

What do you think the rise is driven by? Cars being made bigger in general?

My friends theory was that due to Covid and hybrid/WFH policies, couples sold one of their cars and in the main, the man kept their car which tended to be the bigger one.

I agree completely. My favourite of all the cars I have ever owned was my beloved Mazda MX-5. I would love to have another one day, but for now my BMW 4 series coupe is fine, if a bit bigger than I would prefer.

as well as all the consumer demand for types of cars, all cars a getting much bigger and have been for a long time. Oddly, they are getting smaller on the inside. I have a 3 series estate 2024 and used to have a 1998 and 2005 3 series saloon. My current is so small in the boot and the rear passenger area despite being much bigger

? A smaller car going at a normal speed (which this tank was, it wasn’t speeding), would have been stopped by the kerb then the fence .. but then even if it had gone on hit to the children (unlikely), they’d not have been flattened as they were with the huge powerful inappropriate tank like car.

its horrific and they should be banned in buildup areas

I drive a medium sized car - a mini clubman. I must admit big cars get on my nerves . Makes parking harder for everyone.

Someone once suggested I parked in a different space as opposed to next to her big car. I felt like asking her why she needed such a size of car.

I dont think a kerb would stop my car if it was travelling at 30mph. Ive knocked over my own fence in my driveway before just maneuvering the car, although that was a picket fence style, I think in this example it was a solid fence, so perhaps that would be a lot harder. I was under the impression that the fit she was having meant her foot was maintaining pressure on the accelerator (from other threads I read)
In any case, big sized cars like this arent suitable in most areas I agree.

I am from the US and I think they have nicknamed this phenomenon "SUV creep" or something like that. Basically, people who only drive notice bigger cars more so they internalise that to keep their families safe they must have a bigger car. As a cyclist (who also drives), it is getting really tiresome being close passed by people who don't realise just how much bigger and wider their new cars are. And the losers, yet again, will be child pedestrians, who are more likely to die being hit by them.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/06/the-observer-view-on-suvs-they-are-too-dangerous-and-too-big-their-drivers-should-be-made-to-pay

And more chance of killing someone else

Comedy post of the day.

SUVs arent illegal because of free market economics. What will you make illegal next?

Big houses?

As for parking - small cars just as easily have been seen to park over more than one bay. Gonna ban those as well are you?

Your logic is completely flawed. Thank God you're not in charge of motoring or economic policy!

Comfort! DH is waiting for a hip replacement and can't get in and out of small, low cars easily so has a Mazda CX-5. I have a small car, a shitty Mazda2 Hybrid (badged Toyota Yaris) and it's so uncomfortable in comparison. The sooner I can get rid of it the better!

I loved my MX-5! I really, really want another one but can't see it happening somehow unfortunately

SUVs aren’t illegal for a number of reasons, including the fact that making them so would be electoral poison. That doesn’t mean they’re not a complete menace.

Small cars are equally a menace.

Lets not kid ourselves that small cars are somehow immune from motoring criticism.

They are not.

Cars in general get bigger with iteration due to basic human nature as it’s naturally equated to increased comfort, luxury, affluence,power etc. I mean can you imagine the opposite - cars getting smaller with each iteration? They simply wouldn’t sell.
The only way to prevent the growing size is to
legislate against it.

Definitely seeing more of them. And definitely seeing a lot that think they’re driving a double decker and can’t drive them.

Good luck with that.

Yeah those drivers make me laugh, they drive the hulking great cars but also have zero spatial awareness.

Small cars are not equally a menace. Compared to SUVs, they’re less polluting, less hard on the roads and less damaging to anything they collide with, due to their lower mass.

I see plenty of idiots driving SUVs.
I see plenty of idiots driving small cars also.
Plenty of people who simply suck at driving full stop. The type of car is irrelevant.

It's not a problem if your SUV of choice is a Range Rover it will be in broken down and waiting for parts. That's why they're the most stolen, you have to nick 2 to go anywhere.

I have a big 7 seater car, DP and I have four kids so it’s a necessity.

I have 3 children that require 3 car seats!

Modern SUVs, particularly hybrids and plug in hybrids are very efficient and have lower emissions than most smaller cars. So your argument there holds no water.

As for damage to the roads - suggest you petition to ban EVs, lorries and other juggernauts first. They do far more damage than SUVs.

All of my tiny female friends have a huge car for ferrying about their tiny children. You can barely see them over the steering wheel.

They all claim it’s because “we live rurrrrrally.”

No you don’t Lauren. I’ve been to your house, it’s in a village 10 minutes away from the M25. Has roads and everything.

We have a VW Tiguan all space and VW ID BUzz. We need big cars.

My mum has always had big cars. She needs a big car for her business as she carries a lot of stuff around.
Once, she had a courtesy car that was tiny, and she likened it to trying to drive a club foot.