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.

Non-SUVs have these technologies too. And, because they weigh less, they consume less energy overall. Can you really not grasp this concept?

But they aren’t “all laughing at you” as per the OP sales of SUVs are increasing and increasingly women are buying them so by definition the number of people “laughing at you” is getting smaller by the day.

Quite. Clearly the only logical comparator is a hybrid non SUV. There are plenty of those to compare a hybrid SUV to.

Cars in general are bigger. My DH is keen on old wrecks classic cars and his pride and joy is what would have been considered a big, executive saloon when it was new in the 80s. We recently parked it between a Mini and a Fiat 500 in a motorway service station and we were looking up at both of them. Those would be viewed as "small" cars now, but they are massive compared to the original cars that carried those names. I had a Mini as my first car and it really was tiny. There isn't really a comparable car now - everything has got bigger. We've got friends who own a series 1 land-rover and it looks like a toy compared to modern off road vehicles. But of course cars have also got safer. If you want side impact bars, curtain airbags and so on then cars have to get bigger to accomodate them. I was joking to DH the other day that there's probably more steel in just the A pillars of my current car than there was in the whole of my first little Mini. I don't think many people would want to be in a crash in an original Mini though. If we want improved safety then bigger, heavier vehicles are inevitable unfortunately.

You missed the underlined part of my cited post.

I'll post it again for you.

"The use of both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine, along with technologies like regeneratove braking and engine stop-start systems, reduces fuel consumption and emissions compared to conventional vehicles."

And what about non-conventional ie hybrid, non-SUVs? Do you not realise such vehicles exist?

I mean, as PP has said, this is not true. But even if it were, do you think I would care? I’m happy in my nice car, if someone unknown person in a small car laughs as I drive by, do you honestly think that has any effect on me? I think laughing at others is a *bellend trait, but again, this has no effect on me.

Nor the thousands of other big car drivers.

I never claimed that once in this thread.

Grateful if you dont put false words here and wrongfully attribute them to me. Thanks.

So why, as @moresoup mentioned above, aren’t you comparing hybrid SUVs with hybrid non-SUVs?

?? I'm reading that phrase a lot on Mumsnet tonight. Hit a nerve, did I? I can't see why you'd have a problem with me sharing my view otherwise

This thread is about SUVs 🙄

You want a comparison? Do it yourself.

Enough resources for anyone to do any comparison they wish.

No, this thread is about people needlessly driving SUVs.

Crikey.
i have a Hyundai Tuscon, if that counts as a big car.
we gave our small car, Toyota Yaris, to DD as DP mainly works from
home.
i have a big cat because- it’s our only car and so needs to be good for tip runs, bikes, big shops, holidays, and very occasionally putting three adult DC in the back, two of whom are over 6 foot.
it costs a bit less in fuel than the Yaris.
its really safe.
its great found here - lanes with grass growing down the middle
i can park it and reverse it really well
I don’t care at all what anyone thinks of it, or me in it, or anything.

Oh I don't laugh. I just feel smug when they are all driving round and round the car park because they can't find any spaces they are capable of parking in, and meanwhile I have nipped my car into a space and am on my way.

@OnlyMabelInTheBuilding i have front and rear cameras so can park anywhere!

I have a Ford Kuga. It’s the newer style which is slighty lower in height than my previous one, but I have it because it fits my mobility scooter in the boot and it’s easier for me to get into. DH has an BMW i4 edrive40 which is so low and I struggle to get in and out!

I can park in any space in a car park. Tbh they basically park themselves now. Lovely.

I have an SUV with a brilliant parking camera so I’m certainly not struggling to park it. It’s the family runaround with an excellent safety record. DP does have the bigger version but his car is pristine whereas mine is filled with crap.

Most women I know with massive cars are either driving the one family car or else they are driving the family car when the husband is driving the work van.

Yes, and you argued when it was pointed out that SUVs were more polluting than non-SUVs. And to prove your point, you started citing articles that describe the efficiency of hybrid SUVs, and how they’re more efficient than conventional vehicles. No shit, Sherlock.

I quite like my SUV thank you very much.

It’s shorter in length than my old estate car, slightly smaller and easier to park. It’s more fuel efficient and does nearly 50mpg on average. It’s got a more efficient engine so it’s cheap to tax. It’s got two pop up seats in the boot and will comfortably carry seven which is a godsend. We often have family and friends over and it saves taking two cars. It’s lovely to drive, comfortable, well equipped and because it’s a gnats breath higher I can spot it in the car park.

I think I might copy and paste that response for the inevitable snide car bashing thread next week from the people that can’t keep up with modern car design.

Funny how many times I see a line of SUVs all waiting for a big enough space while I can nip into the space they are all avoiding then

Same. Actually the least sexiest of all my 4x4’s, my current XC90 has 360 degree cameras so I’m sure my 5 year old could park it.

Well, I mean if this is true, what’s your issue? Seems like a great option for you 👍

No number of cameras is going to get you into a space your car can't physically fit in. Unless they are magic cameras that shrink your car.

Oh it is. That was my point. It's why I love my car.