Why Americans Are Obsessed With Big Cars

[@yerbamate86]

You didn’t even mention how much more deadly pickups (and SUVs) are to pedestrians. The weight, height of the hood and ridiculous blind spots are a lethal combination

[@anonanon1879]

The excessive exhaust or most trucks. Smells terrible and causes brain damage to others

[@strafniki1080]

That is why they should have bomb in hood

[@ClickLikeAndSubscribe]

Right!? The bigger heavier vehicles in many countries require a higher grade of driving license. If there is a license to ensure people understand how to safely drive trucks, there would be less of them causing risks.

[@SJRS700]

What about pedestrians and cyclist just coming out on streets? Europe is way more dangerous to walk because of teeny tiny roads

[@jayhezexel]

@@SJRS700 it is? I thought America was much more dangerous cause it's wider roads to cross and it only catering to cars

[@zhangwei4622]

The dilemma is people buy big cars for safety from people driving big cars. it's a vicious cycle.

[@MrMarcodarko]

I was a passenger on a fiat on a highway going from Boston to St.Paul and it was terrifying'

[@nishiljaiswal2216]

ban cars in cities

[@iluvcamping]

It's an arms race for the biggest car. There was a study that showed uncertain drivers tended to drive bigger cars in order to feel safer in them. "I can see better" is what I hear often from people I know who like bigger cars.

[@travisfeld97]

Some small electric cars will weigh more than trucks now!

[@philippecr]

There are some drivers buy big cars just to be a road bully in the name of "safety", they simply drive recklessly and don't care about other drivers.

[@ubonrat8653]

Living in Thailand, I'm quite content with my 100cc scooter, gets me around, $1.50 to fill and $15 a year to register

[@blueeyedwolf2205]

Yeah, and it smells like gasoline everywhere and noise pollution is off the charts.

[@gabedarrett1301]

@@blueeyedwolf2205 Noise pollution from cars also exists and is actually quite problematic

[@dgd865]

@@gabedarrett1301 not if it is thousands of them driving on the same street per minute.

[@irving.kuhauluajr.5392]

I’m curious to go there and all and would love to take a truck or suv even to retire would love that reaction lol ❤ 🎉 it’s like hurry honey me and girls are trying to live here! Lol we looking for that best bar and places for a picnic 😮 I would say the beach but I am so sorry to read about how tourist treat they beaches like where I’m from really sad. But all Asians gottah stick together.

[@kashkoi]

You forgot that majority of USA have thing called "winter" have fun driving in you scooter when it's 0 degrees Celsius outside:)

[@89five3five]

Americans: these gas prices are so high! Also Americans: My next vehicle will definitely be bigger, heavier and use more gas.

[@mrcactus245]

As a US citizen (who doesnt own a 15 mpg 4000lb truck) I can confirm this lmao

[@TFSIChristmas]

Toyota Sienna

[@SJRS700]

the gas prices should be low its dems misdoings, why should we drive tiny cars we aint europe

[@lmao2351]

Here in sweden gas is 8$ oer galon lol. Americans are not allowed to complain

[@mrcactus245]

@@lmao2351 I heard it’s much pricier in Europe

[@randomrahul5221]

It is insane to think that passenger vehicles have to meet stricter rules than trucks even though they spew out fewer emissions...

[@hahahahahahahahaha-ef6qm]

Trucks have to meet the same emissions standards in the US.

[@Boris80b]

Yep, that's what lobbying does.

[@NoName-gv6nm]

​@hahahahahahahahaha-ef6qm wrong. It's the CAFE standards that our government mandates on fuel efficiency for cars, but does not apply to trucks and SUVs. SUVs and trucks are also exempt from the gas guzzler tax. It's backwards.

[@SamBao]

that's the reason passenger vehicles spew out fewer emissions: stricter rules. Car manufacturers will happily make higher emission passenger vehicles if they could

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Big Ass Car USD SGD

[@stefanossmitty3318]

Americans: We like big cars and the payments are $1000 a month Also Americans: We can’t figure out why so many of us live paycheck to paycheck 🤔

[@RGR2155]

For real though. I have friends who complain about not being able to buy a house but also pay almost $1000/mo. For a truck payment but live in an apartment in downtown Tacoma so…it’s not like they need a big ass truck they just chain their sense of masculinity to it for some reason.

[@gnnascarfan2410]

As a fellow American you also need to mention the lack of affordable housing due to suburban sprawl and inefficient or nonexistent public transportation.

[@RGR2155]

@@gnnascarfan2410 I agree the housing situation is a cluster-f*** right now, but doesn’t make my point any less significant. People spend way too much money on cars they don’t even need. Actually in general I’d say Americans spend a profound amount of money buying stuff they don’t need and doesn’t even make them happy.

[@stefanossmitty3318]

@@gnnascarfan2410 I’ve been to countries where a family of 4 gets around on a motorcycle. Debbie the soccer mom doesn’t need a Denali to go to Target or get Timmy from school. Public transportation is dreadful or nonexistent in many parts of the country but unless you’re running a moving business, you still don’t need a tank to get to the grocery store.

[@seismic6435]

My car note is less than half that, and up until I quit my last job for a better one and got $7k in PTO payout, I was living paycheck to paycheck. Your example is sh!t. Doesn't excuse the absurd cost of living in the US

[@WillGalea732]

I’m an American living in central america, and I feel like I’m the states we lack having the option of buying small, cheap, gas efficient hatchbacks and compact cars. Wish there were more in the states.

[@mathisnotforthefaintofheart]

@@coledotson3171 I think you are correct

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

You can get them. If more people bought the ones we have their would be more options brought in.

[@peppapigthekiller7539]

There would be if y’all bought them in the first place.

[@oppenz3723]

Nobody sold it because no one buying it because nobody sell it.

[@ElGuerreroMaya]

​@@coledotson3171 Central America is definitely not considered overseas 🤦‍♂️

[@ineedtoeatcake]

I love my 2-seater Mazda Miata. It’s more fun to drive, easier to park, takes less gas, gives great views with the top down, and draws some attention.

[@godemperor7166]

I think a 2-seater is too impractical even if you live alone. I rather have a 2 door-4 seater for you homies to cuddle on the backseat

[@NickVetter]

I agree, but I don't want to get hit by a truck in one of those. I also enjoy being able to fit 4-5 people in my car. 95% of the time though a miata is probably the most fun csr to drive.

[@hueyfreeman7010]

@@godemperor7166 and how often does grown men have their homies in their cars when they drive.?? It's very likely that your homies got a car too.

[@vaderwashere365]

Once my eldest can drive, I am going for a 2-seater. My wife has a 5 seater, and we won't need two of those anymore. Looking at the Lotus Emira, Porsche Boxter S/Cayman S, or a Corvette 2LT. However, the Miata is the best bang for the buck of the 2-seaters and is a Autocross champ.

[@godemperor7166]

@@hueyfreeman7010 no, only two of them have a car. We usually travel by bike or bus or one of them picks us up. They both drive small old Golfs, so it really doesn't matter for fuel efficiency and space.

[@cameronh5442]

I think the problem is 1. People tie their vehicle to their personality. 2. If you need a utility vehicle or truck, a smaller one is marginally better. They get about the same mpg and are about the same cost, but are usually much more limited in towing etc.

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

Yeah.. alot of people buy their truck according to the tow capacity they need to tow their boat or camper on thr couple trips a year they take. Then they can't afford a second vehicle so they drive the truck, pretty simple.

[@rich7447]

If you are considering a truck you are better off to get one that will have more payload and towing capacity than you thing that you need. I have been running a Ram 2500 diesel for the last 12 years and often found myself near or over the rated payload and/or towing capacity. A pallet of concrete or retaining wall stone would have ne over payload and I always had to be careful when it came to tongue weight when loading my 30' enclosed trailer even though the trailer was only rated to 14,000 lbs. I recently sold the Ram and am waiting on an F-450 factory order.

[@robertreinoehl2805]

I ended up getting a 2500 diesel due to being a full time camper. My job takes me all over the country. Saves on hotels, BNBs and VRBOs

[@dbclass4075]

@@chickenfishhybrid44 What about renting a truck? That way, they do not have to deal the higher operating costs of a truck everyday, and just isolate them to those couple of days a year. Note: this is assuming the pickup truck is rarely used.

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

@@dbclass4075 for cases like just taking stuff to the dump or buying some bark to do some landscaping renting a truck makes sense. When it comes to towing most places don't rent trucks that are up to the task of bigger trailers. You don't really see like 3/4 ton or 1 ton trucks for rent. Alot of people want like a 4 door 3/4 or 1 ton diesel truck so it tows well, gets better mileage and will fit their family. For some people with smaller setups the common gas 1/2 ton trucks that are most commonly for rent would probably work fine. I think a no towing policy is pretty common at rental places as well. I guess there's suppose to be some "commercial" rental places that have bigger trucks for rent but I've never seen one before, definitely don't have one in area. Plus, then you're stuck without a way to even move your trailer around at all like at your house or where you keep it stored without going and renting a truck. I'm also not saying that people are only buying a truck to tow a trailer a couple times a year, I'm saying people buy bigger trucks than what they'll need a majority of the time with towing a trailer in mind. Like the person might do enough work or hobbies to justify buying like a standard 1/2 ton but they just upgrade to a 3/4 ton since they also have a goose neck camper.

[@gabedarrett1301]

Many Americans: gas is too expensive! Also Americans: drive SUVs and trucks (which consume lots of gas)

[@paulgeorge1699]

Gas is pretty cheap in America compared to much of the developed world

[@dbclass4075]

@@paulgeorge1699 Still doesn't prevent Americans from complaining anyway, nor even consider other vehicles if the fuel price is that problematic. To be fair, American residents of car-dependent areas are left with little choice and are likely to be at the mercy of fuel prices.

[@johnsmith-cw3wo]

@@dbclass4075 gold fish memory... as soon as gas price go down... LOOK AT THAT BIG A$$ PICKUP TRUCK !!!!

[@dbclass4075]

@@johnsmith-cw3wo At today's market, they will complain on the price of the truck itself instead. Not even used market is spared.

[@FordHoard]

Maybe manufacturers should stop not making sedans. They either make tiny compact cars now, or crossovers and SUV's.

[@RemnantSRT440]

I never understood why we Americans bought big vehicles. It makes no sense to me to have a truck that is never used for it's intended purpose. These vehicles are not made for cities and commuting with large engines that get 8-12 mpg makes no sense to me. I often hear people say "it's safer". Often times I see people struggle to park these behemoths. Idk people are weird to me.

[@thiagolima5932]

@@collinbacklund3582 That's silly. A Toyota Camry is also extremely comfortable, smaller and much cheaper. "Comfort" is what people use to justify their purchase, lol

[@Jazc350]

@@collinbacklund3582 A Truck or SUV will never get good gas mileage.

[@reynardrouser7863]

@@thiagolima5932 just accept the fact that some people prefer bigger cars than others

[@bigdavedayday1581]

Real men drive trucks big trucks

[@RemnantSRT440]

@@bigdavedayday1581 nope. Real men actually use their trucks for work. Construction, landscaping, hauling loads around, and towing stuff. Not see some guy can't find a parking/or struggle to park so they park all the way in the back of a parking lot. Listen I like off-roading and carrying stuff in my truck, but all these bozos just lift it and do coal rolls.

[@74babyblue]

My theory is a little different. I just assumed people were buying bigger cars cause they just keep getting fatter and fatter.

[@TC-lk2ev]

Came here to say this

[@Acteaon]

Right! The vehicle needs to be even sturdier. 😅

[@peterbelanger4094]

I'm sure that is a major factor, they just can't talk about it because it's not politically correct to highlight weight problems in society. But I've known several larger size people that being able to comfortably fit in the vehicle is a major factor in considering a purchase. OH!, but nooooooo... according to CNBC, people don't make decisions on their own, considering personal factors, they are manipulated by the advertising and regulations, and will in the long run, just buy whatever is pushed upon them by the all knowing and wise establishment. And now it is time for the holy technocrats to dictate that we are to drive smaller vehicles, "for the good of all"...... FFS, I hate the 21st century.

[@BillyT531]

I agree. Same thing with airline seats. 75% of the population is obese or overweight. Disgusting.

[@richardibarra4688]

Like your mom?

[@ohhsoofreeman]

I live in NY and drive a Fiat 500 Abarth. I'm 6ft tall, 200lbs and love small cars! Where I live, it's gotten to the point that spotting anything that ISN'T an SUV on the road is pretty rare. The Civic and Altima are probably the last few sedans really holding on...including the luxury brands.

[@siddhantdhanve5111]

Did you fit comfortablely, any issue when in/out

[@7Fields16]

Great fun choice. You are having all the fun in the world.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

Small SUVs have a smaller footprint than sedans. This is why they are popular in crowded cities.

[@ohhsoofreeman]

@@siddhantdhanve5111 Not at all. You sit quite a bit higher in the car than I prefer, but I fit just fine. Same for passengers of all sizes.

[@ohhsoofreeman]

@@user-tb7rn1il3q True. Compact crossovers are basically the modern "economy" hatchback.

[@ccohen1965]

I drive a 2013 scion FRS. It gets 40mpg on the freeway. I love when one of these huge trucks tries to take a corner while tailing me. Brings a smile to my face every time.

[@PANDA-lw3mp]

u dont even have 200 hp! Chill the f down

[@NazriB]

Lies again? Lot Of Ass USD SGD

[@rainbowdragon1872]

Amd they mesz with you on purpose BECAUSE you're in a small car

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Think you would be smiling while being punted to the curb?

[@Isaiah-ft5nx]

@@scrambler69-xk3kvI found one of those truck drivers. 😂

[@Momowowo8]

tried to park my suv among a bunch of gigantic pickup trucks in a tiny underground garage of a ski resort....the experience was very interesting lets put it this way

[@IgniteIntellect]

Over consumption has always been the norm in America. Nothing really news worthy there

[@LuisPJ]

but there an expiation to why when given the option will gravitate to something bigger

[@lejeilat200]

The video illustrates how authorities that create laws and build cities in the USA have supported and incentivized larger vehicles. These same authorities can push in a different direction.

[@IgniteIntellect]

@@lejeilat200 they are servants to their corporate donors. So they won’t change a thing

[@Dr.HouseMD]

From Maryland and just got back from Spain. Biggest culture shock: the cars are all the size of a decent washing machine.

[@redwhite_040]

People in Spain dont care about cares. They rather pay less for a car and work less so they can enjoy the sun and free time. Who's more wise?

[@ylstorage7085]

washing machines to wash super sized clothes or washing machines to wash normal person sized clothes?

[@jdenino6022]

We rented a VW rabbit(?) when we visited Italy in the 80's terrible car. No catalytic converter or air conditioning.

[@elhoward7440]

Gas costs more then $6/gallon in Europe.

[@jimwu8532]

street parking spots are 1.5 size of a Smart car! :P

[@AliveInTucson]

Lyndon Johnson's Chicken Tax (look it up on Wikipedia) implemented a 25% tariff on light trucks from other countries and is still in effect. This chased away several manufacturers from other countries and has considerably reduced American access to smaller truck platforms. This is the reason we can't have smaller Toyota Land Cruiser Pickups in the USA, for example. There are literally dozens of us who would buy a smaller truck given the opportunity, dozens I say!

[@elhoward7440]

I love how Subaru put seats in the bed of the Brat and called it a passenger car to get around the tax! Hilarious!

[@pintificate]

Thanks for the info D.P. I've heard the term before, but I always thought it was levied against the chooks themselves...

[@BakuganBrawler211]

Had no idea that was still active that’s crazy considering most who buy pickups don’t need a full size they can make do with a Ranger or similar truck that can use far less fuel as they don’t need the weight capacity as much as bed space. Hybridization of these trucks make them far easier to daily versus a larger pickup that isn’t nearly as efficient.

[@noneyabiz0987]

"Literally dozens of us" kinda sums up why there arent many smaller trucks. Lol

[@LouisSubearth]

@@pintificate it used to be that way, but the levies on chicken and brandy were dropped but light truck taxes remained.

[@kimskce]

I haven't been through the school zone of my son's old elementary school (during dismissal) in years. This past week I got stuck going through it at dismissal time. I was absolutely shocked to see that almost ALL parent vehicles were trucks and SUVs. There was a very obvious change from when my son attended 8 years ago. With the rise in gas the last few years, this really isn't smart... I don't get it.

[@LlyleHunter]

As someone who experiences lower back pain I find that they are more comfortable. I often get in and out of my car ten or fifteen times in a day and their seat bottoms are higher so I don’t have to pull myself up out of the vehicle or drop myself into it. This also benefits parents of small children who deal with child safety seats. It’s much easier to secure children in them from a near standing position than almost bent down in a ninety degree angle. I think that’s why many families buy them as family cars. The seating position is closer to an early fifties sedan.

[@den_bla_gripen2080]

​@@LlyleHunter For that you can get the European option, a van, they sit higher, yet they're much more efficient and safer, plus sometimes can even carry more, you got the sliding doors, or normal doors etc

[@nutsackmania]

LOL my back hurts so I need a giant truck. What a preposterously comical excuse. There are differences in sedan/hatchback seating positions between models that are as great as there are between classes of vehicles, and--assuming you're even telling the truth and not just excusing your stupid, selfish behavior--you didn't even bother to try other models.

[@RMSTitanicWSL]

Our fellow Americans aren't very bright.....

[@SJRS700]

Gas will go down, when dems will go out, This is a communist strategy to get people driving small cars and feel low, its psychological. We need Bigger cars

[@ianamay]

Something neglected in this video was that the mass of electric vehicles are more than their internal combustion engine counterparts, at least at the moment, so the problem will be exacerbated. A Rivian R1T weighs 7000+lbs...Silverado EV about 8000lbs, Hummer EV 9000lbs...An internal combustion engine Silverado weighs 4400-5600 lbs, depending on trim. If you get hit by a Hummer EV, it's like getting hit by 2 Silverado's....and never before has a 9000lb vehicle been able to accelerate 0-60mph in 3.5s with no driver training necessary...in an era of increasingly distracted driver's. You'd better believe there's an arm's race.

[@cameronh5442]

That's a really good point

[@BrianGivensYtube]

Never thought about that! I still understand why cars have a top speed of 140 or more when the speed limit is like 70 maybe 80 if you can get away with it.

[@odinfatherofthor]

They are pushing the EV agenda so they will never mention this

[@nucle4rpenguins534]

I’ve heard of this. Another set of problems are miles/charge efficiency of EV’s and “charge station deserts”, if you’re off main interstates & dense urban regions, charge stations are pretty infrequent which can restrict any sort of long distance traveling. Some opt for hybrids instead, but I think those are comparable if not more heavy than EV’s as they are Hopefully this changes, and EVs are better engineered and we have more favorable policies in place

[@meejinhuang]

It's the same people obsessed with large portion sizes at fast food joints. They're too big to fit in small cars.

[@Zenrei940]

I have an SUV and a Sedan. I drive big and small. I have an active lifestyle than my generational peers glued to a smartphone screen 24/7. And I don't eat fries :)

[@AMNG1994]

@@Zenrei940 Translation: I'm faux-posh and nouveau riche. Oh wait sorry, nouveau-lower-middle-class.

[@dlazo32696]

I’m 165 lbs and drive a Heavy Duty Truck. Looks like you’re wrong 😂

[@Zenrei940]

@@AMNG1994 Thanks for assuming my financial class in this society, keyboard warrior :)

[@jimwu8532]

"The obesity rate for American Indian or Alaska Native adults (over 30 BMI) in the US in 2015 was 42.9%" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity_in_the_United_States

[@jlcii]

I personally would much rather have a Volvo station wagon over a big land yacht full size SUV any day. But unfortunately, guess which one is easier to find on the market 🙄

[@orangepotato4918]

The Volvo V90 is my dream Station Wagon

[@jbbeiser983]

I bought a 2007 volvo XC70 last year 135 k looks and drives like new not a mark on it I have no regrets not a gas miser unfortunately

[@redwhite_040]

But Volvo wagons are pretty big as well

[@costco_pizza]

The problem is who is going to respect you driving around in a used old Volvo?? Who will appreciate you? It is not a proper life driving a car like that. Now getting a proper SUV, that is something that tells the world you have made it, and that you are a somebody.

[@jbbeiser983]

@@costco_pizza thank you but I really don't drive a vehicle to impress others

[@davidbartel6823]

I owned a truck for 6 months until I thankfully traded it in for a Honda fit. Funny thing is the fit is nearly as practical as a truck for transportation of stuff, lots of cargo space. Over double the gas efficiency of the truck as well

[@Skzzlemister]

That's right! And if you really need a truck for a day, you can easily rent one from the local big box hardware store. People that spend 50k or more on a truck they will use for it's purpose once in a while is so silly to me.

[@cameronh5442]

I think too many people tie their personality to their vehicle choice. Truck owners want to be known as a truck guy or gal. If you can get by with a fit, and are comfortable with yourself, more power to you.

[@6955beniegn]

@Unvaccinated Anticommunist you could cut the tree in half, and make 2 trips though

[@JohnAudioTech]

I have a Honda Fit and had a Ford Ranger pickup I used to haul stuff for my business. Some kid on his phone ran into the truck as it was parked in front of my house. I decided not to replace it as I can carry a lot of stuff in the Fit with the back seats folded down and I rent a U-Haul a couple times a year for larger stuff.

[@6955beniegn]

@@JohnAudioTech there you go

[@benqurayza7872]

I've noticed some of these monster pickup trucks in a nearby parking garage. They're hazardous. They narrow the clearance for other cars passing by, even for my little Toyota Yaris. They're mostly driven by urban cowboys and cowgirls.

[@woxyroxme]

All hat no cattle - average pickup truck driver

[@crazykenbei]

There's also a bullying aspect when driving a sedan around a bunch of SUVs and trucks. So it's not uncommon to see someone upgrade to one of the bigger boys to not have to deal with that anymore.

[@aRYANz88]

Didn't know that's a thing

[@MrOiram46]

idk man, some of the most rabid drivers I’ve encountered on the road are either Prius drivers or motorcyclists

[@dudestir127]

I've switched to bicycle commuting, and from that point of view, you are right, the biggest assholes are those driving oversized pickups.

[@hellfreezer3037]

Honda Civic drivers want to have a word with u

[@iamsuperflush]

@@MrOiram46 Motorcyclists are not rabid, at least not most of them. It's just that the mentality needed to safely ride one is different when in traffic. Basically the only "tool" you have to keep yourself safe from other drivers is the instant acceleration, so any kind of slightly sketchy situation means that they will just move away as quickly as possible. Basically, it's hard to get by someone who you are rapidly moving away from.

[@MrJamesLuz]

My wife and I recently downsized from a 3 row SUV to a Subaru Outback. After a month of getting used to it, I don’t know that we would go back to a big SUV. Full disclosure our other vehicle is an F150, but we don’t use that every day.

[@jimbeam2705]

LOL, your wife wanted a Subaru to be green friendly. We know who wears the pants in your house and it isn't you. LOL

[@dlazo32696]

@@jimbeam2705 😂😂😂

[@cosmic_gate476]

@@jimbeam2705 Sometimes people like going fast and looking good in a smaller sports car. Not this guy, but plenty

[@drillingig2368]

@@jimbeam2705 😂 no need to do homie like that foo

[@MrSandvich03]

@@jimbeam2705 Who doesn't like strong or tall women, I want her to pass me the cereal box thats on top of the fridge

[@WitchyWhale]

I prefer smaller cars, they are more fun to drive, easier to drive and park and just less wasted space used on the road. I hate this obsession with large trucks and suvs when they are mostly empty and if I need something bigger I can rent a truck or van from U-Haul or Home Depot for a reasonable price.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

Its no obsession. Bigger trucks and SUVs are quite practical. Sadly people can't buy two or three vehicles to get a zippy small car in addition to a truck. So they get the truck because they need it. Not sure where you live, but in my area of East Tennessee, a 4x4 truck is essential for plenty of people that actually use it for towing and hauling all sorts of things on a frequent basis. You probably love your little car's little gas price, and it gives you more garage space. Renting a truck on occasion is a nice perk. You get to skip out on owning/maintaining it.

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

@Justin V ( 1993 ) Spoken like a true motor head. You love cars! 🙂

[@SK-lt1so]

@@Starry_Night_Sky7455 "East Tennessee" is one thing, but when you live in the urban/suburban NE USA, and you see a single driver with an empty bed commuting to work at 12 MPG, it's completely, utterly absurd. No argument about that

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

@@Starry_Night_Sky7455 how many really NEED a truck? What can a truck do a van can't do? Many people here would take a station wagon to do their everyday kind of stuff, from grocery shopping to going somewhere with the family, going on vacation etc

[@WitchyWhale]

@@crisyar3 Better visibility, you're kidding me, right. Less car length = Less to see and less anxiety to drive and park.

[@gentleboy]

I’m still driving my first car, a FIAT 500, and I love it! Cheap to fill & insure, easy to park, zippy in traffic, and fits in smaller openings. Plus it’s much more fun to drive to compared to my boyfriend’s Chevrolet Equinox!

[@alexismiller288]

The people who say they "need it for their jobs" most likely have never heard of cargo vans, which are far easier to drive and can carry just about as much, if not more than pickup trucks.

[@group555_]

I totally get not going for a van though. People like having nice cars and an suv is a lot more attractive than a cargo van

[@Parrotdise290]

A truck is more polyvalent and has better technology and is globally more appealing.

[@alpzepta]

@@group555_ Mercedes-Benz Sprinter: Am I a joke to you?

[@group555_]

@@alpzepta yes, still looks like any other van lol.

[@scanalyst492]

I own a Ford F-150 and I seriously considered a Cargo Van instead but they just don't compare for my purpose, which is towing a travel trailer. The most any of the current cargo vans can tow is 7,000 pounds while my F-150 is rated for up to 12,000 pounds. I addition, when not towing my F-150 EcoBoost gets 24-26 mpg highway, which is significantly better than my previous Toyota Sienna Minivan. The F-150 also has an aluminum body and high strength steel frame so it's very light. I think a cargo van is great for certain jobs, like plumbers, painters, electricians, and many more, but for towing the much larger wheels and tires of a pickup truck accomodate larger brakes which are essential when towing. Look at the tires on a cargo van, they are tiny and so are the brakes.

[@focused313]

I'm 6'4 so I'm not getting in a "small" car, but what I've learned is that some smaller cars have the same driver dimensions (headroom and legroom) as bigger vehicles.

[@jdrus6080]

I hope EVs fix this. With no engine there is more space up front for leg room

[@Propain4eva]

Same. I got myself a Toyota Avalon and it’s got some really good leg room and doesn’t sacrifice much rear seat room

[@JordanCorkins]

I mean im 6'4 and daily drive a Mazda 3 which is pretty small. You can fit and get in a smaller car no problem unless you have some medical thing that makes you lose mobility

[@KingJon513]

​@@JordanCorkinsI'm 6'5 . no way you believe that car is more comfortable to ride in than a suv

[@JordanCorkins]

@@KingJon513 I live in a major city where parking is a nightmare. Suvs are annoying to park and the amount of people who drive lumbering trucks and 3 row suvs to get groceries is crazy. I fit in my car no problem, so id say they are about the same tbh.

[@NickVetter]

I want the ability to move or tow stuff, but the 5% of the time that would happen doesn't justify the price.

[@ashish00007]

Yeah i would say just rent one when you need it

[@Intranetusa]

True. I wonder why companies don't make more small, low cost, and fuel efficient trucks like the Ford Maverick. It costs the same as a regular sedan at MSRP, has great gas mileage, and still has decent cargo space.

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

many peopel here would simply use their station wagon for that, or rent a van if it was really necessary

[@lynnmckenney1987]

I move tons of stuff in my 1989 civic wagon. Lumber, firewood, etc. If I need to tow, I'll rent a truck for the 1-32times a year I need to do so.

[@CooterELee]

@@lynnmckenney1987 I’m a farmer, a landlord, and diesel mechanic/tractor trailer driver. I am constantly hauling things so I really do need a pickup truck, a dump truck, and a semi truck with a flatbed. But when I can, I love to use my motorcycle to haul things. One saddlebag is full of a green overseas bag, bungee cords, and paracord. I like to see what I can haul home on a bike. If you ever visit the developing world, the scooter riders have hauling stuff down!

[@rcdriver107]

U.S. Regulations only protect American automakes at the expense of German and Japanese automakers. German and Japanese automakers make the right sized cars with finer tuning and quality involved.

[@TheBooban]

There was no mention of the chicken tax. This tax makes it expensive to import SUVs and trucks. So US car makers focused on that market since they were getting their asses whooped with regular cars.

[@danharold3087]

Germany cars used to stand for reliability. They have lost their way.

[@hectorcardenas2171]

@@danharold3087 Japanese cars are superior.

[@baronvonjo1929]

Toyota just became our mist popular automaker so they are really giving the finger to regulations.

[@danharold3087]

@@hectorcardenas2171 Yes but the hydrogen thing is putting them behind.

[@pmb6667]

I live in Canada, and over the many years when I used to travel to the US more, I admit I was stunned by how many large vehicles -- particularly pick-up trucks -- there were on the roads and in the shopping parking lots (same level of awe as food portion sizes served in restaurants). Whenever I think of the U.S. and vehicles, pick-up trucks always come to mind.

[@adamk4733]

F150 is the most selling car in Canada. Not much difference up there from what I’ve seen.

[@joshuaaguilera6864]

How is Canada any different. The same cars sold here in the US are everywhere in Canada, its basically America 2.0

[@postmodgent1499]

@@joshuaaguilera6864 I think that's recent change used to be Honda Civic/Toyota Corolla for years I believe

[@Hintonbro.]

@@adamk4733 Other than the Civic, pickups are probably the top 5 sold in Canada.

[@dlazo32696]

What part of Canada do you live in??? I’m from New York and have been up to Canada a few times. Saw plenty of trucks and SUVs. It really felt similar to America.

[@SimonGrayDK]

In Danish, we literally have a word that covers all oversized cars from the 50s and 60s: we call them "Amerikanerbiler" (American-cars).

[@scrambler69-xk3kv]

Well I think if you had big roads and cheap petrol you would drive them as well. Nothing like getting out on the open road in a nice comfortable car. People love to judge us from afar while at the same time we never bash the rest of the worlds way of living.

[@Mrbushbtalls837]

@@scrambler69-xk3kv Nobody would drive them, you guys literally bash other countries and races

[@Isa1ahL33]

Personally, I prefer mid-size or smaller. They can yield better maneuverability and gas mileage. I've bought a used 2015 Honda Accord V6 at under $350/month. Fits my lifestyle perfectly.

[@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789]

I drive a 98 Ford Ranger. When they were still considered small. While it doesn’t get the best mileage it still get me places

[@jbbeiser983]

You be shocked to learn how much these gas guzzling heavy trucks use. Good for you driving a 98 Ford Ranger

[@wrestlingandamusementparkl7789]

@@jbbeiser983 it doesn’t surprise me. My ranger is Awsome. It was given to me due to it was my grand fathers

[@chickenfishhybrid44]

@@jbbeiser983 newer half ton trucks pretty well on the highway, especially when you consider their features and tow capacity. Most small trucks, especially 4wd ones really don't get that great of mileage often times.

[@Lurch685]

That’s the proper size of a pickup truck.

[@LoveHandle4890]

“Everything’s bigger in America.” -Super Size Me.🍔

[@mikeboate208]

Fools are bigger in America, as well. I was one ,once . drove a monstrous Chevy crew cab ,until I got tired of walking the extra distance from the only spot big enough to park the truck ..

[@jessemoe727]

Its getting so bad being normal weight is skinny and unhealthy.

[@0c7ober7]

@@jessemoe727 not true lol atleast for men girls like skinny guys all around the world most celebrities are slim males especially Rockstars rappers pop stars kpop stars on and on now wemon are desirable now with more curvy body features like a black woman but beauty standards are definitely more pushed on wemon around the world in my opinion

[@othaniel_Hakeem]

Facts

[@bighands69]

Commies love criticizing America.

[@sleepyhorndog6004]

I wish the mid size single cab 8’ bed pickup would make a comeback. Had a V6 1996 Dakota a long time ago. Really miss that truck...

[@Bababui69]

I don't know about the trucks but the Lincoln Town car is my favorite of all time. It's more comfortable than anything I have been in.

[@irving.kuhauluajr.5392]

But honey one huge problem they don’t make em anymore only Continentals!

[@tomranum6]

He nailed it; USA has big open spaces and an exceptional HWY network, basically you are driving your living room. Me: Sport cars because that is the best for me.

[@j.l.salayao8055]

So, with your sports car your driving your own restroom/bathroom.

[@dogedude9537]

@@j.l.salayao8055 If you're driving a Smart car, you're driving your own kitchen cabinet.

[@MrHav1k]

My thing is that if you get into an accident with these big behemoth vehicles you're screwed... meaning you now need to get a larger vehicle to protect yourself. It's crazy, yet that's Merica today.

[@tuanas458]

Most accidents are non lethal and most people rarely get into accidents. Once its your time its your time. No truck will help you lol.

[@danielcarroll3358]

@@tuanas458 Still, car crashes are the major cause of death among children.

[@danielcarroll3358]

@ryan24287 That's just what the Hummer driver thinks about those little pickups and just what the dump truck driver thinks of those little Hummers and...

[@ac1455]

@@danielcarroll3358 not only expensive, big cars are just so inconvenient. Takes a lot longer to park anywhere due to less visibility around the car and the turning radius is much worse.

[@dbclass4075]

And anyone outside of any vehicle is screwed. The larger blind spot made it worse.

[@emcdavee]

Even in Europe I've noticed size creep. A lot of hatchbacks are huge compared to their predecessors. I no longer understand why you'd buy a VW Polo instead of Golf (if you take out the price factor).

[@user-pn3im5sm7k]

A lot of it has to do with strict environmental and safety regulations. Automakers have to pack lots of safety technology in cars now which also increases weight, which then inturn requires larger engines with higher power output, which leads to worse fuel efficiency, which is then attempted to solve with very untested technologies (Hybrid, AFM, etc) that are prone to breaking more often. Its honestly a mess what new cars must go through. I am a 6 foot tall man that is the same height as my 1998 Silverado however if I stand next to a brand new one I look like a midget and those weigh almost 75% more - it is insane. They're not as easy to fix because of the technologies I mentioned before. Personally I stay away from new cars now, they are also rip-offs.

[@thanakonpraepanich4284]

@@user-pn3im5sm7k If things keep going this way, Toyota Hilux will be the size of Ford F-Series in 15 years. No, I think Toyota would stop selling Hilux outside the US long before then and just sell Tundra.

[@sammadison1172]

This entire video seems convinced people don't really want big cars. Drive a full size pickup and you won't go back. Happened to me with F150. I never wanted a pickup until wife leased one, they're simply amazing.

[@emcdavee]

@@sammadison1172 Some of us don't though. Especially within cities, or new drivers

[@Gadottinho]

definetly, here in brazil too, you walk around and see SUV and stuff like that everywhere...

[@ozahmed4523]

I am a Cadillac man in Toronto Canada. I own a 2 door 6 speed manual ATS (2015 the first year for coupes), and am trying to take care of it to keep up its value. They did not make a lot of 2 door ATS's.

[@ljmorris6496]

You consider an ATS?.

[@ljmorris6496]

I meant CT4..

[@rich7447]

It's tough to keep a vehicle in good shape in Ontario. The salt eats everything.

[@ArniesTech]

I am German 🇩🇪 and I am perfectly fine with smaller cars (VW Polo size). BUT I absolutely love driving my "what-I-consider-big" BMW 523i E60 with the 2.5L Inline 6 and a torque converter transmission. Flows like a cruise ship. I am not a sporty or fast driver. I am very fuel efficient and enjoy smoothly flowing with the traffic. Especially after a long day I want to sink into the seats and float along. 🙏 So I totally get the comfort-minded US folks.

[@newua1252]

They are nice cars, I also like sedans, I had a 2012 BMW F10 535Xi in Ukraine, great car, now I drive a 2002 Lexus EC300 in the US, a little old car, but still good enough for me as a new immigrant.

[@NatureXwars]

I swear tall pickup trucks & SUVs are seemingly always behind me at night time driving blinding me...those headlights are operating like high beams no matter what distance I am from them!...

[@iLLustrious85]

Honestly speaking I want something small, I hate how BIG cars have gotten..

[@jbbeiser983]

True but have you looked ? Honda fit, Toyota makes some small vehicles others to

[@jbar_85]

I love my Mazda 3! Check them out!

[@MalfosRanger]

I get that. Not that I want a small car, I just don't care for how newer models have bloated year after year. I doubt I'll get a second or third gen Sequoia when my first gen's time comes.

[@ChristIsKing4ever-l9w]

Not everyone thinks it the same way as you do.

[@Crusader1984]

It’s because you have a small *^*^^*+##

[@vice.nor.virtue]

I live in Berlin, or basically Europe, and we NEVER See pick-up trucks. They are super rare this side of the pond. It's super odd every time I go to the states and everyone is basically driving land-yachts.

[@MrMarcodarko]

what do construction guys use though? They have practical reasons ( a word Americans are unaware of)

[@atlantasailor1]

In Spain there are no pick up trucks as far as I saw. Zero.

[@jeffs3119]

It’s actually pretty wasteful. There’s plenty of people who drive trucks, never hauling other people or payload. Maybe the occasional grocery. On top of that the average American family is smaller than it use to be.

[@FreshSmog]

In my country, companies use buses to ferry teams of workers to work sites. Lorries to ferry equipment. Tradesmen use vans. Yeah pickups are almost nonexistent as well.

[@JBoy340a]

Agreed. And most of the time in the US when you see a pickup it has one person in it and nothing in the back. Most people I know put something in the back once or twice a year.

[@Averagegunenthusiast]

My 72 GMC full size truck is a c20 which was a 3/4 ton truck. It is about the same size and lighter than my wife’s 2020 Colorado. A full size truck from before 1990 looks like a compact truck today.

[@RMSTitanicWSL]

My 2006 Silverado looks like a mid-size truck now......

[@shahzebnoorani6321]

I love japanese sedans, when driven calmly, they can be quite comfortable and smooth to get around town in.

[@Vettel2011]

I love Japanese cars too, but only the old ones (60's-90's)

[@deano2160]

Americans mostly are struggling with huge debt. Ridiculous car loans to buy American vehicles that are huge and offer no MPG, efficiency and break down a lot isn't helping. These cars are just unnecessary for roads where you have low speed restrictions. It doesn't matter really. America is in so much debt it no longer means anything.

[@for-real-tho]

I live in a European city, most of our roads and parking spaces are very narrow. Around 2.5 m, or 8.2 ft wide. Sometimes I can barely fit a Passat between the lines.

[@WitchyWhale]

I'm someone who lives in the States and has a Passat that sometimes I find too big.

[@jdenino6022]

We have a small Honda that we use when we have to drive into NYC because they charge a lot more money to park a truck in the parking lots. It costs less to park a compact car but I hate driving that car on the highway. It's so small and you fell every single bump in the road.

[@MrMarcodarko]

parking in europe is an art

[@brandonalfaro42]

But WHERE in Europe??? I hate when people don’t ever specify where, not all of Europe is the same. Germany is vastly different from Finland or Bulgaria for example. So WHERE

[@MrMarcodarko]

@@brandonalfaro42 germany, france, uk, austria, italy.Italy is by far the worst in the cities like milan

[@gmren14]

I live in South America and I could assure that all our countries also love big American cars, although our great inconvenience is the price of gas (it's not a problem in Venezuela but we already know how that goes) and because in many of our cities we don't have the space to park them either because they were made in a similar way to the European ones: with small vehicles or public transport in mind. For that reason, we obviously have that range of small cars that are leaving the US, except for Ford which, at least in my country, also retired the Focus and Fiesta. However, Chevrolet does have small models and one of them (the Onix) seems excellent to me because for 17,990 you have a car with six airbags, a touch screen, wireless charger, manual and digital air conditioning, a good trunk, generates its own Wi-Fi and it's 1.0-liter turbocharged.

[@ShaferHart]

In central america some people do as well. Problem is we don't have the infrastructure America has: big wide roads, huge parking lots, etc. It has to be a pain to drive those big trucks but heck, to each their own.

[@gabedarrett1301]

What is digital air conditioning?? AC is AC!

[@gmren14]

@@gabedarrett1301 Yeah, I meant that you could also manipulate the AC from the touchscreen. My bad.

[@alejandrosalazar8766]

"I live in South America and I could assure that all our countries also love big American cars" No we don't. They're big, stupid, wasteful, terrible on mileage, and just downright unnecessary. I saw an F150 driving around Bogotá the other day, and it was frankly just hilarious how terrible that thing looked to drive and turn on the city streets. Poor fatass had to take a good three minutes to make a single U-turn. Americans can keep their crappy urban sprawl and wasteful use of space. We neither want nor need that stuff down here. There's already *plenty* of useful actual utility vehicles on the market that are simultaneously sensible in regards to the cities and streets they're driving in.

[@hahahahahahahahaha-ef6qm]

You lost me at 1.0 liter... That's smaller than the motor in my lawnmower.

[@koyo1203]

I'm loving these medium-length documentaries :)

[@continentalaquatics2725]

You want them made bigger, don’t you? Part of the problem.

[@asdfghjkl-jk6mu]

medium-length? its jus 12 minutes ffs. most documentaries are many hours long

[@fosterandnava]

One place in America you don’t find too many cars this large is in certain cities that aren’t built for it. Im from SF in California and in San Francisco where gas is high, parking very limited, and streets narrow, crooked and steep. you don’t see too many people with large cars. But there are people from surrounding cities who come visit SF or drive through the city with their giant SUV or pickup truck, and cause all kinds of problems in the city. I kinda hate it lol

[@doragary3717]

Great video❤️ I hope everyone gets rich

[@adamsgreen4220]

What kinda investment are we really talking about please?!

[@annmannings1840]

A business partner told me about Warren T Sonia that he made $12000 in a week

[@josephfrys6969]

Life itself is a risk likewise businesses and investments,only the weak scares away and miss lifetime opportunities

[@Gabster1990]

I would like to have a big car but they waste so much gas. It blows my mind people still buy big cars with the way gas prices are.

[@Wasabi9111]

Same here. I always wanted a big car but could never justify the poor gas mileage. But now I got a big ev and am loving it.

[@jimbeam2705]

Yea, thanks to the democrats.

[@fbyi2940]

@@jimbeam2705 democrat doing a favor tbh High gas = more investment on public transportation or alternative to replace private automotors

[@st3pn56]

@@fbyi2940 no lmao. its just inconvenient

[@mathisnotforthefaintofheart]

Because a lot of those folks bought big gas guzzling car couple of years ago when gas was cheap. Remember, going into the pandemic, gas prices plummeted (and Trump got credit for it) and so people thought "hey, I am getting an SUV giving me 17 miles per gallon" and now the economy is trying to get back up and so is the gas price. Well.....

[@feliciapate7926]

If your vehicle can't fit onto existing roads or existing parking spots, it's too darn big. If your headlights are so high off the ground that they blind other drivers (and you're not driving an 18-wheeler or bus), your vehicle is too darn big. If other drivers can't safely see around you at intersections because you're driving Mt. Denali...can you see where I'm going? What sucks is that these rolling mountains are almost all of what's available. You can't buy a sedan if there are none.

[@josephcarland]

I drive a small car. As odd as this sounds. Buses and lorry don't blind but vans & suvs do blind me.

[@aaronhuffman4852]

Oh cry me a river Karen!

[@RMSTitanicWSL]

I remember driving a tractor-trailer through Illinois one day, and getting passed by a Suburban that had so much stuff piled on it, that it looked like a little Egyptian pyramid rolling down the interstate.....

[@GeliCarlosJ]

Americans do love things to be unnecessarily huge. From their food portions to their highways to their cars to themselves.

[@Xenomorph-hb4zf]

it makes sense why would you want small when you could just go for large?

[@r.yuksel9774]

@@Xenomorph-hb4zf Money

[@sahil002]

Highway 🛣️ is not unnecessary It's important for country s growth

[@byronjones4635]

I drive a mint condition 01 prelude and love it. My biggest fear is the knowledge that I’m dead if I’m hit by one of these giant land yachts (usually driven by people preoccupied with their cell phones)

[@thomasrhinehart6084]

The prelude is still a very safe vehicle, it has a steel safety cage, there is a strong likelihood in a collision you would most likely be "pushed" by kentic force of the impact, this is often cited fallacy that people make for safety concerns with regard to upgrading to larger vehicles. Case in point, in 1994 I was a rear passenger in a 1984 dodge Aires k that was rear ended by an f150 spinning on ice at highway speed, upon impact the truck sent the lighter vehicle hurling even faster into a guardrail and to a stop. Weight, speed, road conditions and many other variables are considerations, as well as engineering of which Honda is superior in the safety industry.

[@GNF54]

Land Yacht isn’t really a fair name for these. Land Yachts are traditionally long but low, like 1990s GM B-Bodies. A more fitting name is Fatfuck

[@jarlaxle3588]

Personally I have always preferred smaller cars and I come from a rural area where most people own trucks. I have always liked toyota, Honda, and Mazda 4 cylinders. Partly because I drive constantly as I enjoy driving so gas money is important to me, but also because they have better visibility, maneuverability, and are front-wheel drive. They can also be quite fast when done right, although sometimes I prefer a V6 for the extra power. All these things put together allow me to drive incredibly fast and pull off insane maneuvers that I could not do in a truck. I love taking a corner as fast as humanly possible, pushing it right to the edge where the tires start to slide out from underneath you, but if I did that and I pick up truck or SUV I'd flip it. Plus I can weave in and out of those big trucks and SUVs when I want to.

[@xcaret-ns3pb]

Cheers to you pal … There’s nothing like driving a small car fast!!👍👍🙏

[@keithwashington-o5c]

Front wheel drive is crap. It was introduced to save auto makers money. Not because its better.

[@alexcortez3007]

Here in the Philippines, anyone who can afford a SUV or Pickup truck will always choose it over a sedan. It's kind of a status symbol and you just get bullied a little less in traffic the bigger your car is. Lol

[@jancmaylo1192]

I live in the Philippines, I own a Ford Ranger because I enjoy hitting the trails and I tow/haul. plenty of pavement princesses out here 🤣

[@eduardgenardandalis1437]

@@jancmaylo1192 True. Also the majority of the pickups & SUVs in the Philippines were “pampapogi lang” or “mods that are looked “off-road”, but they’re aren’t.”

[@ljmorris6496]

It's the same in the states, when I had a car I got pushed around although I had a sport compact I've just whipped trucks in corners and acceleration..

[@dbclass4075]

Potholes and flooding are the bigger factors.

[@eduardgenardandalis1437]

@@dbclass4075 The potholes & floodings in the Philippine roads were caused by corupt politicians,sub standard materials,max volume of traffic + heavy & overloaded trucks, & garbage that were clogged in the drainage that was done by a undisiplined people.

[@JohnSmith-yr6je]

I never got into big cars. Too much fuel and I don’t need the extra space.

[@francosamericanmusings1560]

I went from a pontiac g6 to a kia spectra. I love my spectra way more. Smaller means more maneuverability, plus it's way better on gas

[@chief8079]

I promise you compact SUV's are just as easy to maneuver. Take it from someone who drives a boxy 2017 CR-V.

[@shplak508]

For rural America (and niche urban circumstances) pick up trucks make sense and should not be criticized. However, F-150 was the #1 most sold vehicle in 2022, and it's not like there was a huge demographic rise triggering people's demand for more cargo space, lol. It was just good ol' American marketing. The car industry has done a great job selling the idea to city dwellers that they need SUVs and pick up trucks. Now, light truck owners are mostly suburbanites who have no need for their intended and original function when they really came to market in 50s/60s. 75% of light truck owners go off-road / camping once or less a year. Just based off personal intuition, but 90% of the truck beds I see on a daily basis (I'm a delivery driver) are empty. You don't need a truck to satisfy your cargo fetish, there are station wagons and vans, the rest of the world gets along just fine.

[@ph11p3540]

Bigger vehicles give their drivers a sense of added safety in the form of a bigger safety cage and knowledge that extra mass usually passes the extra damage onto what they collided with regardless if it's true or not.

[@opensky1710]

In Japan, they love small car and getting more market share today like 50%! Even more surprisingly, their engin displacement is 660cc!

[@Atem_S.]

The M3 is a M5 now! The completely killed it!

[@thefpvlife7785]

U cant complain about gas prices if you love your big trucks

[@coachduke9323]

Trucks get gas mileage equivalent to a lot of mid sized cars .. it’s called cafe regulations

[@DavidHamster88]

We American citizens need to demand that our lawmakers modify regulations to remove incentives to make vehicles that are huge, heavy, and therefore dangerous. One citizen’s right to not die in a crash supersedes other citizens’ right to drive whatever the hell they want.

[@OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOok]

I'm not american, but i understand the americans, WE LOVE GIANT CARS, my dream is a F450 and a Chevrolet impala. Tiny cars? NAAAHH THANKS AMERICANS

[@nopybooja5495]

Why you may ask? For Americans bigger=better… end of story They apply that to almost everything

[@iluvcamping]

Even medical bills

[@sammythaangel9945]

I feel to some extent it’s like a rat race here. If you get a smaller car you are now put more in danger because bigger cars will flatten you in any accident. People get bigger cars to feel safer which makes the roads more dangerous leading to more people wanting bigger cars for safety. Ruthless cycle.

[@EnjoyFirefighting]

While some cars, like e.g. the 3 series, X3 etc keep getting bigger and bigger, the same brands often also launch smaller cars in their lineup, like the X1 and X2 for the SUV segment. Brands which used to have a a few vehicles in their lineup a dozen years ago they have twice the number of vehicles in their lineup today, like Skoda from the Czech Republic has. Not even counting the numerous trim levels which sometimes have quite an effect on the shape of the vehicle, like the Gran Tourer versions from BMWs Especially the USA and Germany are two real car nations with all their famous brands. But I think it's interesting that Mercedes-Benz has by far THE largest lineup of all brands, where even Ford can't keep up with at all

[@Fayt262]

As an American it seems people spend more money on vehicles they don't actually need but want just to make themselves look good. I just buy what works for me and my family. I have a 2008 Toyota Corolla for all my daily driving and a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer I use for going camping(tent camping) and hauling stuff when I need too. Also as a factor I live in rural area so the 4x4 helps a lot in winter on unplowed roads. At the end of the day it's your money and you should spend on what you want.

[@patthonsirilim5739]

you gotta love the americans they think the mustang is a small agile car while the europeans or the japanese think it a massive overweight muscle car.

[@arnoldrjs]

I doubt future EVs will be smaller. Automakers have the ability to make EVs more compact, but have you seen the new Hummer EV? It’s even more massive then the original V8-powered monster.

[@MalfosRanger]

EVs are heavier than a comparably sized gasoline vehicle. Batteries compared to a fuel tank.

[@HCkev]

The hummer EV really isn't representative of EVs as a whole, it's a vehicle that's proposely made to be ridiculous and they sold less than a thousand since it was released 2 years ago

[@instanoodles]

insecure? Thats what it seems like "look at me, please!! I need the attention, I need to feel IMPORTANT"

[@nderitos]

Everything incentives Americans to get large vehicles. Car companies, insurance companies and oil companies lobby to make sure our gas is cheap and portray larger cars as safer and more practical. Sure, if you need a truck or full size suv for a large familyor work, then it makes sense and those people shouldn't be punished... but most people don't. In other countries, the govt taxes the hell out of you for driving these boats. Even if people want large cars (Which I'm sure they do) it's economically prohibitive. That's how it needs to be here. We don't have worse weather than northern Europe, and we drive huge distances comparatively. It's damn time we start being practical and end that toxic part of US culture.

[@eclass96]

💯%

[@bymaco825]

We drive large cars because we want to and US road lanes are far wider than Europe's. How is wanting large cars toxic lol

[@nderitos]

@@bymaco825 Our housing, cities and businesses are made for cars. Zoning laws literally make it illegal to have anything else. That was by design, to make it practically necessary to own cars in order to live a normal life in the US, which benefits the large businesses (auto, oil and banking mostly) that lobbied for that. Large portions of land are set aside for parking lots and single family homes. Therefore, we pay for huge roads that are expensive to maintain and cars that are expensive to use and upkeep. Public transportation is also not taken seriously. And considering personal transportation amounts to the largest portion of co2 emissions in the US , that mindset is actually actually toxic to our health

[@RipCityBassWorks]

@@bymaco825 Really bad for cities and suburbs as they are incredibly unsafe for pedestrians. More blind spots when a vehicle is that big and that high off the road. Much lower chance that a pedestrian survives when hit if the impact is at the head instead of the legs.

[@LouisSubearth]

@@bymaco825 it's wasteful in terms that it needs more materials than its actually needed to move around people and stuff with a larger vehicle, as well as you need more fuel because of larger engines to move said larger vehicle.

[@koreanjaefish]

Small pickup trucks in Korea are really commonplace. I always wondered why there’s so many small trucks there but never why trucks are so big here.

[@rehsa2194]

Everyone keeps saying that "it should be for work", or "do most people even need one for their work etc." It's not abt work, it's abt fun and comfort. Can't pull your boat or RV with a sedan or small car.

[@agisler87]

Agreed. And who cares what it's about, nobody needs to justify driving a truck to an air condition office. Unless the whiners are going to pay the auto loan they should be quiet.

[@rehsa2194]

@@agisler87 Exactly! I drive an f150. Only avg abt 17mpg combined. My car before was an econobox Nissan Sentra that got abt 37 mpg combined. Back then I was a broke college student. I'm not now. I realized one day that it's only a difference of 60$ a week in gas vs 25$. I'll gladly pay an extra 35$ a week, for my 6'5" 300lb frame to drive my f150 than to pack into a Nissan sentra like sardines. I also now have a 23ft boat. My sentra couldn't pull that. Also, I own property that requires work and maintenance. Once I found myself renting uhaul trucks and trailers every other month, that got old quick! It's a shame, but in today's world of virtue signaling and shaming you almost do have to justify why you still would want to own and drive a v8 truck as your primary vehicle.

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

I would use a truck or SUV primarily for hauling materials instead of everyday driving. Now, I will say that if I want an SUV, these days, I would prefer to drive something considered economical like a Subaru Outback or a Nissan Kicks--the latter of the two is literally a slightly lifted Sentra. Otherwise, if I'm city or highway driving, I'll just drive a compact or hatchback. If I'm doing Uber/Lyft, I would rather drive either a midsize sedan, minivan, or SUV. What I miss the most is seeing more coupes on the road, which understandably it's a hard sell for the average car buyer UNLESS if they want a sports car.

[@NotoriousRawDogger]

Those big whips can't drive thru tiny European cities. Everything is bigger in the US

[@ToothlesstheNightFury510]

big people too 😭

[@Racko.]

@@ToothlesstheNightFury510 I’m not sure if it’s just me however Britain obesity rate especially for kids is climbing at an astronomical rate because of horrible eating habits like the US

[@ToothlesstheNightFury510]

@@Racko. I’m sure it is it’s so bad and sorta makes you wish there are some regulations for keeping the population healthy

[@Racko.]

@@ToothlesstheNightFury510 we need regulations like in healthy developed East Asian countries like South Korea and japan should be put in place, unless u have a genetic issue or thyroid problem that causes obesity, in other countries, being fat is generally looked down upon and more ppl should be taught to make healthy eating choices

[@dbclass4075]

@@Racko. It's more than that. The places you mentioned also have more opportunities for walking. It's easier to remain fit passively by just simply walking a lot. Such opportunities rarely exist in car-dependent North America.

[@BrandonHanson]

Americans need something to hold their body weight and how much stuff they can fit on it. Just like health issues they love spending more than they have. That's why they get the biggest gas guzkrrs they can while complaining about how high gas prices are.

[@cmdr1911]

I am 6'2", wife is 6'0" and kids are growing fast. I fall in the healthy wait range but can't drive small SUV or cars with car seats anymore.

[@shmookins]

OMG, 30-40% death risk in an SUV?! I honestly thought bigger cars were safer. But the weight + speed makes perfect sense. That much more weight has to go somewhere.

[@een_schildpad]

I heard those oversize pickups called "wankpanzers" and now that's officially the name that I think of whenever I see one 😂 (especially ones where it's clearly a vanity thing and it's not actually a work truck)

[@DeadAir21]

That’s the American way. We want big cars just in case we need the space one day, even though they only use the extra space maybe 10% of the time.

[@Kevin-438]

Exactly! I never tow with my truck, but I do haul stuff around sometimes. Pick up trucks--Better to have one and not need one, than need one and not have one. It's nice to not have to depend on someone else when needing to haul something large.

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

You are a great advertiser for auto manufacturers like GM Great job not even mentioning the enforcement of car dependency that they don't want known to the public because that would hurt their bottom line.

[@PeterPaoliello]

But theyre just not fun to drive..

[@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle]

@@PeterPaoliello sometimes they are, but man when you have to share with people that don't care about anything, it's stressful as heck 😓 not healthy nor productive to come into work after being stressed like sharing an interstate highway with people that drive recklessly.

[@tuanas458]

Yea but that doesnt change the fact that they are terrible vehicles for daily driving

[@vvprzz]

Simply the fact that : - Roads in Europe are way too small & narrow to be driving these large SUVs, - Gas in Europe is way more expensive than in the US, meaning driving these type of cars would cost alot of money, - Cars in europe are heavily taxxed on how much they pollute, meaning they'll also be way more expensive, and cars are generally more expensive in Europe than in the US. [ Example: Around 80,000$ for a Mercedes-Benz GLS base model in the US, and around 120,000$ for the same car in France without taxes.

[@erasmoestrada4260]

The obsession with huge vehicles here is annoying. Complain about gas prices when you get 1/2 the mpg by choosing a giant vehicle. Block views from smaller cars. dangerous as hell when you cant see pedestrians/cyclists. People seem to drive worse the bigger the vehicle. It's one thing when trucks are used for utility, but mostly theyre just used for regular folks commuting to whatever that doesnt require a truck at all.

[@loveforthegame3]

i love my chevy astro, Its comfy i feel like im driving my living room to work, I do alot of traveling and having a second wardrobe and tools in my van at all times helps greatly in my daily life. Some people NEED them some people like them. As far as im concerned, The more that are out there, The cheaper they are

[@Xenomorph-hb4zf]

yeah i see why if it feels like a living room then i see why people buy them. my car doesnt feel like my living room but thats because i dont want it to have too much space anyways

[@gjpizzo]

This is nonsense. Americans buy larger cars because we are incentivized to. The US transit & travel system is designed around the interstate system that came from Eisenhower. Americans primarily commute and travel via cars unlike other parts of the world which use rail. When my family (4 humans plus dog) have to travel to visit our family (about 5-6 times a year), the only cost affordable option is by car, but to fit everyone, plus luggage we need an SUV. Mind you I live on the NE corridor so rail is an option, but it would cost me well over $800 just to travel 250 miles on Amtrak roundtrip. Gas and Tolls is only $100. same with work commute. My major city killed its bus and transit routes during covid and now its near impossible to commute via public transportation. I ride a bike ( only 8 miles each way) but eventually as I age I will likely have to drive because the bus to train route is 1hr for an 8mile trip.

[@nathanielcarreon5634]

Oversize egos need big cars/trucks

[@fab8657]

Lmao classic stereotyped answer. Now go try pulling 30k with a civic or altima and tell me that trucks not have their point lmaooo

[@cmdr1911]

I live in a rural area and my house is on a private road. I drive lease and haul roads for pipelines and transmission power lines. Body on frame SUV or truck with 4X4 are required. Currently use a Jeep Wrangler since it is smaller than the expedition but I am looking for a reasonably priced full size truck. Range maters too. My 2018 F150 could go 700 miles on a tank. I average 150 miles a day and max out around 800 miles a day. Range, comfort and capability matter, fuel economy doesn't. Fuel is reimbursed by my clients.

[@jaywilliams8327]

You f150 doesn’t get 700 miles to a tank sorry. Bro

[@cmdr1911]

@@jaywilliams8327 5.0 liter will get 20 to a gallon and there is an option to purchase a 36 gallon tank for 500 bucks from the factory.

[@Dannyoung12]

@@jaywilliams8327 lol you dont know anything about trucks.

[@jimmaag4274]

@@jaywilliams8327 HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, beta boy

[@Mistro07]

@@jaywilliams8327 hahaha my diesel truck can travel > 1000 miles on one tank…learn something

[@WhatIsThis-zq4hk]

I plan to leave the US in the next few years because of cars. I hate cars. I hate driving. I hate that I am forced to own one and risk my life every time I want to go buy some groceries.

[@eatpigsnot]

motor vehicles / driving is one of the worst creations. the world would be so much better off without humans trying to operate motor vehicles of any kind

[@mardiffv.8775]

Well, come to the Netherlands, the Nr. 1 bike country. All you need is to start a business, like a shop and have 5000 Dollar in the bank at all time (American Dutch friendship treaty). 90 % of the Dutchies speak English. Also public transport is great.

[@CyborgZeta]

I hate big vehicles. They often feel like a hazard waiting to happen. Give me a sedan like my Honda Accord anyday.

[@jameswillett7186]

A 1977 Lincoln Continental weighed in at 5,200 pounds and was 232 inches long. That was a BIG car. They don't make big cars anymore. I miss those cars.

[@AJ_aayy]

I love driving lowered coupes and I've noticed that bigger trucks tend to not notice me in their blind spot or even right next to them because they are so tall compared to what I drive. And my car isn't a small car either, just low. I suggest companies that make these trucks add another components to the side mirrors that point down more without compromising the standard mirror vehicles come with. Yes, some newer vehicles come with light indicators when something is sensed next to the vehicle but those don't always work 100%.

[@HCkev]

And people always think you're tailgating because they can't see your headlights since they're sitting so high

[@acatfollowedmehome5115]

to quote my friend's mom who loves ford explorers "...cheaper than a mercedes and keeps my kids safe..." then my dad bought a fully loaded ford explorer with airbags over every window and a titanium forged roll protection and factory twin turbocharger among countless other features for $70,000

[@den_bla_gripen2080]

Don't ford explorers roll over like... In slight curves?

[@gregnixon1296]

@@den_bla_gripen2080 Nope. They don't roll over.

[@whatever77ism]

Because the government is not doing it's job. People should be paying tax based on the weight of the car. Heavier the car, more wear and tear on the roads.

[@perfectsplit5515]

I must be the oddball, because I prefer small cars. They get better fuel economy (in a time of crazy gas prices), their shorter doors are easier to open in crampt parking spots, they are easier to park, and they are cheaper. When you get a lucrative job, it will probably be in a big city with scarce parking. Who wants to parallel park a Ford Expedition in a crowded street? I have bought a ‘95 Honda Prelude, 2001 RAV4, and a CX3 - all small cars. The way I see it, big cars are just a luxury toy to get if you already have a practical small car that fulfills your basic transportation needs.

[@rileyanderson6146]

Also forgot to mention bigger cars bring in more revenue for automakers. Techonology and safety regulations also play a big part in car size increasing. A small car doesn't have a lot of room for all the new technology consumers consistently want in their vehicles. Larger vehicles have the room for many technological features.