How to Save Small Cars in The US

#ACwJ
The Small Car is nearly dead in America, but it can be revived. I've come up with a 5-point plan on what needs to happen to bring back joyful and fun small cars to the US.
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[@terencehawkes3933]

Manufacturers have lost the script of what people need and can afford. People need simple, RELIABLE, and inexpensive cars. Jon, you are absolutely spot on.

[@davinp]

GM, Ford & Chrysler built small cars to cheaply and they weren't very reliable. They gave up and left it to Japanese automakers. Also, since they don't make enough profit, they don't to make them as they want to sell high profit SUVs & trucks. They don't understand people can't afford or don't want huge and expensive SUVs

[@bh2155]

Auto makers did not lose sight of the significance of inexpensive small cars. If anything they encourage the demise of the small car in favor of SUV and trucks because they get better profits and they are greedy! These automakers are happy to get rid of the sedan and replace them with crossovers. Take Ford for example when they got rid of the Fusion it was still selling 250k units per year. The Fore Focus and the Fiesta were each selling 100k+ units. That is still pretty impressive sales but Ford still cancelled them.

[@davinp]

@@bh2155 yes, Ford, GM & Chrysler are just interested in making higher profits

[@stickynorth]

VW shot itself in the foot by screwing up and overpricing their base models... Here in Canada? A Jetta starts at mid 30's... Way overpriced for what it is...

[@adrianmonk4440]

The Vehicle buying experience IS LIKE BEING AT THE AIRPORT. While waiting for your plane, you purchase a $4 large soda & a $9 Turkey Sandwich. No economical, budget choices are offered.

[@rt_goblin_hours]

Yaris/echo is an amazing example of functional tiny cars Subcompact but so much back seat space

[@diydrivenGA]

My 09 Honda Fit was on of my favorite cars. They really should have converted it to EV with a small pack to give it 200hp and 250 tq and it would have been legendary.

[@mongo64071]

I remember in the 80s when the Honda civic was small. It’s morphed into basically a mid size car. Everything has gotten bigger and more expensive leaving nothing small and simple behind. All I need is a basic civic from the 80s. 88-90 would be awesome. Those things drive like go-karts. Cheap, simple, reliable, comfortable.

[@rp9674]

80s cars look like lowriders by comparison

[@Poopsticle_256]

I mean, that’s sorta why they introduced the Fit, because they continued to make the Civic bigger and bigger

[@Novusod]

Civic is pretty much a full sized car now. The 2024 Civic is as big as 1985 Crown Victoria.

[@rp9674]

"Mini" vs real mini

[@Jeymez]

you gotta make the fat wales happy lol

[@richardchiriboga4424]

My 2010 Yaris was just totaled . It was the best car I ever had.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

That is why tou dont file a claim. I was in a front end collision with my 98 Sents 5 speed manual last year....drove it like that to pull a part, rebuilt it in the parking lot, and took it to a shop to have them put in the new radiator and have them pull the frame back straight

[@hondofourfivetwo9347]

I personally miss the “Compact Car” segment as it was from the 90’s back when the current Civic was not bigger than the midsize Accord from the 90’s the fact that the current Civic is on the same platform of the current Accord just shows how big the cars in that segment have become too.

[@rp9674]

Boss new vehicles are fat bloated obese pigs. People buy these beasts and can't keep them in their own lane

[@knuckles1206]

You'd think they'd make the legend even bigger too, but NOOOO, "large sedans are for old people" despite the fact that crossovers sell partly because they are easier to get in for those with sensitive backs.

[@rjladd2787]

What you talking about, reminds me of the 70s. Gas shortage , economic downturn. And who is ready to fulfill our needs? The small, well made, high mpg Japanese cars. That was how Japanese auto manufacturers we're able to make such inroads to America's automobile market

[@diydrivenGA]

China is waiting on the wings having spent decades letting other countries take advantage of their cheap labor to accelerate their own capabilities. Our 100% tariff is protection against them entering the market and forcing manufacturers to change, and eventually we'll have to relent or risk ending that labor relationship.

[@blue_lancer_es]

Civic is bigger than a 20 year old accord. Its insane

[@allanloiselle7290]

I've been thinking along similar lines since before I bought my Impreza in 2022. By abandoning cars, GM, Ford, and what's left of Chrysler are forcing those who want cars to go Korean and Japanese. When the market comes around, as it will, those who are buying Korean and Japanese will never come back to the Big 3. Their short sightedness will doom them.

[@mrmay50]

The Suzuki Jimny is pretty interesting.

[@rp9674]

I remember an advertising poster for

[@muznick]

Aside from commuting to work, the Miata is not a very practical car. There is one extra seat and not much of a trunk. If you can only have one car, having more room that isn't always needed is more appealing, than needing more room and being SOL. A four seat hatchback, like GTI is a better option. Or was. The new ones look like plastic junk.

[@luigi55125]

I have a Ford Festiva, and the interior size is baffling. The ouside is miniscule compared to everything else around it, yet it's like the Tardis in there.

[@rp9674]

I think a lot of people have never been in a small car, made up their mind.

[@warrenny]

This is a little harsh but I don't understand this thing about buying a car to impress other people, Means zero to me. I start with, are you a decent nice person? If no, I probably will barely speak with you. If yes, then is it genuine or fake nice? etc, I filter people out on a genuine nice person scale. Nice genuine people and mean fake people drive any and every style of vehicle. Means nothing.

[@PeterWiernicki]

I couldn't agree with you more! I'd love to own a Rivian R3. Or a Suzuki Jimny. Something small and practical, not a road behemoth.

[@stackchn]

With the roadways being dominated by large suvs and trucks I just hate being in a tiny car where your field of vision and line of sight is too obstructed being surrounded by much larger, taller vehicles.

[@stevendashley6209]

I miss my 1994 ford tempo with a 5 speed. Bigger is not always better. I need a grocery getter with a touch more space with maybe awd for snowy conditions.

[@rp9674]

Alt title: how to deprogram a cult

[@adrianmonk4440]

WELL SAID !!!

[@rp9674]

Sentra and Civic used to be small cars, they upsized everything so much they brought the Versa and fit. Fat consoles have been annoying me for a while, big waste of space

[@lostlandmarks8305]

Jon speaks the truth 👋🏼

[@johnoberle9750]

I lived through this so many times with the shift. Now the large vehicles are getting respectful gas mileage. On price only will a small vehicle sell. I don’t think gas mileage will be much of a factor in future small vehicles. The companies only care about profit per unit. They can charge a premium for a large vehicle. Americans have gotten large too.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Americans have gotten large and dumb, and dumber people prefer SUVs.

[@Skittleman2341]

It's kind of sad that the United States does not want any small cars. I recently watched a video from Hoovie's Garage and he went to the "American" brands of car dealerships near where he lives and on the lots were all these super expensive mid and full-size SUVs and pickup trucks that were super overpriced sitting on the car dealership lots. Hoovie mentioned that all of the "big" vehicles on the lots were overpriced and not many people could afford a $70,000 Suburban or Silverado. Instead we have all these super expensive SUVs, crossovers, and pick trucks no one can afford. I've always like going to car shows and looking at all the small Japanese vehicles.That is something I would buy if they sold some type of small vehicle from any Japanese car company.

[@fortheloveofnoise]

When I move to Sweden I am buying some forbidden fruit, either a new VW Polo or first gen Ford Puma.

[@BenjaminBerry-r3b]

I rented a 2019 Versa in Puerto Rico and loved it due to its small size, cavernous interior, and great visibility. The doors were huge so ingress and egress was easy for my tall frame, but the car was narrow enough not to make them an issue in tight parking spaces. When I saw the newer ones, I was disappointed to see styling had started to take away from the charming functionality of the old one.

[@mattwolf7698]

While it's not super small, the Kia Soul is still popular.

[@wildbill9919]

$7 a gallon gas will do it.

[@raw7504]

Government needs to get rid of gas subsidies or at least lower it people aren’t buying more economic cars because of artificially low gas prices plus the subsidies substantially raise the deficit

[@mrgurulittle7000]

Yeah, like you said I don’t think the small car market is coming back like it was back in the 80s/90s. The American automotive culture is too lavish for small efficient cars to sell. This is the opposite to markets like Japan where space and mileage efficiency is prioritized over looks and comfort. The only reason I could see automakers continuing to sell small cars is kind of as an insurance for when a downturn comes. The Mirage is my current favorite little car because it just looks so darn handsome, but I think the power train is way too pathetic for the American market. Mitsubishi dropping the old Lancer 4 banger and a proper automatic transmission was a missed opportunity with the otherwise very handsome Mirage.

[@TheCrazyMoparDude68]

Japan would love to own bigger, more lavish cars/trucks but they get taxed too much by the government when buying/owning a bigger car.

[@mrgurulittle7000]

@@TheCrazyMoparDude68They also don’t quite fit on the narrow streets.

[@ryanglass2778]

Agree with you 100% on this Jon. I've always been an advocate for small cars. In fact, the only brand new cars I've ever purchased were a Chevrolet Aveo, Honda Fit, and Chevrolet Sonic. (Plus I've had a pre-owned Geo Metro, Ford Aspire, Subaru Justy, Daihatsu Charade, Chevrolet Spark....) Even to this day, I own a Toyota Echo to compliment my larger car, a Toyota Mirai (a weird car in itself) They can all do 98% of what I need and don't have a large footprint, drink less fuel, costs less to run, abd despite being 6'4" tall, I'm comfortable (thanks to that open console design you mentioned) It makes me sad where the market has gone and there's no small cars. I don't want a crossover. I don't care about image. I just want something affordable and honest-to-goodness. What makes the reality harsh is when I travel overseas, specifically South Africa, and there's no shortage of small, simple cars. How I would love to have the Renault Kwid in the US!

[@AllCarswithJon]

Thanks for the comment, and what an interesting lineup of cars you've owned! A real life Charade owner? :) And yes, I had to look up what a Kwid was!

[@s99614]

Bring back the Dodge Omni.

[@chadwahl9085]

Please no, I had one and it was a death trap. But I understand the want, so I have a Hyundai Elantra GT . I love the hatchbacks !

[@janderson8401]

My wife had a Plymouth Horizon when we got married. Functionally it was great, efficient, great traction, etc. Quality was a different story.

[@adrianmonk4440]

IN A WAY, we went from LITTERALLY the horseless carriage to the Model T (covered Quad cycle / carriage) hybrid to the Model A (two box design) to the Sedan (3 box design: engine front section, middle interior section, & rear trunk section) to the Golf Hatch, a loose evolution, if you will. AS YOU SAID, we may not make it back to sedan or hatch, but something intermediate like the early Toyota Venza (slightly taller) that is a basic runabout; but not off road, not a rock climber, not a stump puller, race car, or boat or trailer puller. SOMETHING PRACTICAL. Wow, what a concept.

[@adrianmonk4440]

Jon, THE REASON, Germany 🇩🇪 did not go thru as bad a market contraction as our 2008 housing bubble (IMPLOSION) is they required a 20% down payment on housing purchases. Their mortgage financing system WAS NOT A TOTAL HOUSE OF CARDS.

[@matthew1973]

Great video! I believe you nailed it. New vehicles have gotten ridiculous in price and very large.

[@MichaelSteger-dl2js]

They're killing them off in Canada and USA, but the rest of the world gets to keep them. I would love 2024 Suzuki Jimny for my daily driver. Way more fun than a fucking fun than a Chevrolet Trax.

[@fearlesssquatcher5737]

Great commentary about this situation! I did want to say that about the transmission tunnel disappearing on the front wheel drive unibody cars, most of them still had a much smaller tunnel. It was often used to run brake lines or the exhaust system in it.

[@mustasheolll2020]

They came back in the late 2000s to mid 2010s due to the recession back in 2008, but then after that we went back to our traditions

[@glennvernes8305]

The first last and only new vehicle I ever bought was a 1996 Honda Civic. Back then the market wasn't flush with low mileage, warranted used vehicles, and buying a used car was still considered a gamble. But with the rise of certified preowned vehicles, you don't need to buy new anymore. Those on a budget can get a better, safer, more comfortable car with a warranty for the same money, without eating all that new vehicle depreciation. I think that's the biggest factor explaining the decline of small, inexpensive vehicles.

[@LifeAfterLosing]

There is a brand that makes interesting and affordable cars that we should get here. Dacia. Those are the cars we need at prices everyone can afford and I think they would sell well.

[@drewjansen7825]

I still miss my 1990 Eagle Summit ES 5-speed. I loved the styling, the seats were Temu Recaros, and it handled beautifully. It also had so much interior space, especially headroom and legroom in the back seat, that it was classified as a "compact." I kept thinking of that car throughout this great video! Wonderful job. As always.

[@wildbill9919]

My 2017 Fit is only 100 pounds lighter than my first car-a 1980 Ford Fairmont. And the Fairmont is a mid sized car.

[@Tiersmoke92555]

CAFE, NHTSA, CHICKEN TAX

[@andrewh88]

I know about the CAFE standards and the chicken tax but how does the nhtsa regulate cars?

[@Tiersmoke92555]

@@andrewh88 the safety standards that manufacturers have to meet... If I'm wrong correct me.

[@MrSloika]

I had a 1989 Ford Probe. The car was a front drive, two door, hatchback. The Probe was not 'squared off', on the contrary when it was released it was the most aerodynamic car offered in the US market. The car had a very large trunk. With the rear seat folded down I used that car to haul 2X4s, furniture and even a water heater. Many of the 'truck's sold today can't haul a water heater unless it's hanging over the open tailgate. That Probe handled really well, got over 30mpg on the highway and it was reasonably reliable. I scrapped it at 240K miles because the body was badly rusted by that point....I live in the salt belt. If someone offered a new car of that type today I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Today everyone wants all-wheel drive or a true 4X4. For what? Almost no one goes off road. Down South it almost never snows. For most people a front drive car is perfectly serviceable. All-wheel drive takes up a lot of space, adds weight, complexity AND COSTS A LOT MORE. Unfortunately the car companies have convinced nearly everyone that they NEED a big heavy four-wheel drive pickup or SUV. I can't imagine why? Can't be because big pickups and SUVs have the highest profit margins. Nope, the small car is never coming back, no matter how practical it is.

[@markbader31]

I own a 1996 Lexus LS400. Was in the large car segment in its day. Parked it next to a newer volkswagon jetta 4 door at the grocery store last week and the Jetta made the LS look like a compact. The wheel size was a big factor too, all these new cars have 19 inch wheels as standard. Back when the LS400 was new in 96 standard was 14 inches, If you were lucky your car had fifteens lol.

[@k.b.tidwell]

And just try finding 14" tires today! Outside of utility trailers, it's a rare thing. I knew a guy with a Ford Festiva or Fiesta, can't remember which, late '80's model, that had 12" wheels lol. Brutal on potholes.

[@warrenny]

Jon, great video. 💯 % agree with you about the Ionq5. I do want to say this: people, please don't let others dictate what you buy. The smartest people out there buy cheap cars because cars are inherently a poor investment of capital.

[@tonychasey7990]

Good morning, Jon! Keep up the Great content! Wow I was never a fan of small cars, I do really appreciate basic. I think what is needed these days is something that you pretty much already stated. Smallish, reliable cars that are not a ruling laptop on wheels. I have noticed with newer cars that they are not even bothering to integrate the infotainment screens into the dash. They simply just tack on a iPad on the dash as if it were an afterthought and it was just attached with velcro. I don't want screens. I want knobs and dials like the old school way. My newest car is now a 2002 Cadillac DHS. As I've told you before, it's been an absolutely incredible car. Yes it has the north star. No it has had no issues, ever. It has over 235,000 miles on it. No leaks. Does not burn oil. Just an amazing car. While at the time, it was kind of a Marvel of technology. Today, it is very very outdated as far as technology, and I don't care in the least. You know I've ran a small automotive repair shop, and still do. I know how to fix my own cars for the most part. And people are stunned when I tell them how old the car is and how many miles are on it. And I think that's where basic Transportation needs to go. Crank Windows just an AM/FM radio maybe you CD player, along with air power brakes and Power steering. And that's really all you need. I do not drive the Cadillac in the winter, as I am in Northwest ohio. For that use I have a '96 Dodge Ram with the bulletproof 318. It too has been an absolutely amazing vehicle, rust and all. Haha. I could go on and on about how you and I share the same viewpoints. But, what you said I believe is true. I don't care that people know that my newest car is 22 years old now. I know that I'm not in debt for any vehicle and I have extra money in the bank to play around with. As you said, people are much too busy keeping up with the Joneses

[@iternityhuman1782]

Looks like Canoo was going in that direction, small with tons of interior space etc. R.I.P Canoo!

[@WilliamBrown-vf9ou]

Great video! I agree with everything you said. I hadn't thought about the center console thing before this video, but you're right and now I'll never forget the point that you raised. I kinda miss steering column shifters. The Chinese automakers would fill that small/cheap space, if they were allowed -- much like the Japanese and Korean cars have done in the past.

[@RedRider-mb3wt]

Don't forget that the US manufacturers also killed off the large cars too (I'm still standing in line to buy a Mercury Grand Marquis like the rest of my family did years ago). But it is odd when all the younger folks I know coming out of college buy mostly midsize sedans (Kia/Hyundai, Honda, Toyota). There are a few that get a Mazda SUV, or a Toyota RAV4, and still others (the "manly" crowd) have bought (used) trucks. But younger folks with money buy and large seem to buy the smaller, entry level vehicles. It's the millenial moms buying the SUVs.

[@davestvwatching2408]

The 2007-2009 "Great Recession" really didn't increase sales of low end cars. You're correct in that it usually works the way you said. A late 1950s recession led to cars like the Corvair and Falcon (and various imports trying their hand at sales in the US) A 1969 downturn led to the Pinto and Vega. The Oil Crisis/ Stagflation/ High interest rates of the 1980s made the Ford Escort and Chevy Cavalier the best selling cars.

[@MacPoop]

I don't think there is any way to save small cars in the US as long as the overwhelming majority choose to drive lifted sedans ("x-overs" but really they're just lifted ugly sedans) and pickup trucks as commuters. That market hasn't been allowed to exist since the 80's when small cars options were still fairly limitless - I'm talking huge variety of makes and models, not gross number of units sold from the 2 or 3 companies left that sell ONE model each

[@adrianmonk4440]

JUST REMEMBER !!! The Ford Falcon Sedan with 3 on the tree & front & back BENCH SEATS SAT SIX PEOPLE for a SONG. You did NOT have to spend $60,000 for it !!! !!!

[@jedlevron]

I liked the Jeep Patriot because it was squared off but the center console was a bit tight for a big dude. We went to the Caliber hatchback and then now the Journey. Didn't pay more than $20k for any of them new. My first car was a 91 Geo Prism and then had a Pontiac Sunfire. I liked the simplicity but I agree about the center console squishing you in. Bring back Bench seats.

[@michaelmartin2276]

I own a 2012 Subaru Impreza,A 2011 Nissan Versa but i also have a 2011 Ram. Love all 3. My Impreza gets great mpgs, unstoppable in bad weather and had a lot of interior space with leather heated seats and is quite fast and sporty.

[@Hobotraveler82]

I used to own a 98 Taurus and a 99 Sable. Both column automatics with bucket seats and a console box. Very open space to put a mini trash can. Love those cars. Consol automatics are nice if in practical for most use. I've learned these past three yrs driving a 96 Toyota Rav4 that small SUVs are nice and practical to point. But without the capability of towing a small trailer. Are useless. I look for practicality and usefulness. Why I am a fan of hatchbacks and wagons. Plus I like vans for the same reason. Some trucks can fit the bill, but only to a point as well. Awesome video. 😊

[@johnmadow5331]

I love small and simple car. I was told back in 1970 when I moved to the US that US is very rich and large country, small car especially Japanese car will not survived the accident in the US. When we have oil embargo in October 1973, the US began to produced a small car like Chevy Monza, Chevy Chevetts, Ford Escort, etc but the quality is not up to snub with the US customer expectation. French LeCar and German Opel that sold in the US was not capture the US market. I brought Toyota Trecel and Corolla and Yaris are the high quality Japanese car that can be brought for 13K in 1997. that I can affort as a homeless as a former jobless middleclass Americans engineer.

[@tumbleweedtommy4626]

My parents bought a 2025 Chevrolet Trax about 3 1/2 months ago after replacing their 2014 spark and they love it. It’s priced right, has great features, lots of value and it’s very roomy inside. The back seat feels as roomy as my grandpa’s 99 Buick Lesabre he used to have

[@aaronpatterson7703]

Small cars are not coming back. Companies would rather much larger trucks higher profit margins . + These SUVs are STILL selling at 60 and 70k. NO profit insentive to sell something priced at 20k or less. It's the people's fault for continuously buying more and more, not Companies folowing the market. Stop buying at OVER MSRP. You'r telling Companies more!

[@Airpang100]

The mid console is a way to limit front row numbers of passengers to 2 for safety (airbag operation).

[@stickynorth]

City/kei cars are needed now more than ever! Vinfast VF3, Smart Fortwo are all good urban options if you ask me!

[@chadwahl9085]

One other issue there is quality issues across vehicle manufacturers . Even Toyota is having huge issues with it's truck power trains. Another thing is manufacturers don't make huge profit margins off of small cars, they just keep making huge SUV's or trucks because of the profit margins and of course 'Merica. I absolutely love a hatchback, I bought a Hyundai Elantra Gt hatchback in 2018 .Hyundai doesn't make this or any other hatchback anymore. The only 3 small hatchback cars I can think of sold new today are the Volkswagen Golf GTI , Mitsubishi Mirage and Toyota Corolla hatchback. The Volkswagen will have a check engine lights soon as it's out of warranty, the Mirage is hot garbage and it leaves only the Corolla hatchback as a viable option.

[@robertallan4489]

I think the 'fundamental buying habit' you mentioned is simply price and affordability. Can we ALL afford to pay $54K (the average cost of a new car) indefinitely? All manufacturers have hit the wall of affordability which is why all have slow sales now. Small cars mean small prices. The global recession necessitates the manufacturers to have something to sell or go out of business. A cheap, low priced, small car line would be that item to sell. As you have said. The most far seeing model that I like is the Venue by Hyundai. It is the small SUV that is a 'cross' between a SUV and a small car. Very much liked your video . Perfectly timed and well seen issue.

[@leonb2637]

Most countries encourage small cars/CUV's/SUV's by a sliding scale of annual 'road taxes' and registration fees based on the engine size, pollution output (CO2 grams/mile), overall physical size (like the Kei class in Japan). This encourages small cars/vehicles from new and in later years. Most countries did it to limit oil imports, especially after WWII. Here the value or weight of the car is mostly used. Part of the problem of small vehicles for makers is that the cost to engineer, develop, produce a vehicle is higher per unit in proportion than for a larger vehicle. The narrows the price difference between a 'small' vs. 'medium' vehicle. Then you have the reality of the need for room due to work, family size that isn't good for a smaller car. We could also find ways to cut commuting time and frequency, encourage more flexible and available mass transit.

[@adrianmonk4440]

Marketplace is an American radio program that focuses on business, the economy, and events that influence them. The program was first broadcast on January 2, 1989. Hosted by Kai Ryssdal since 2005, the show is produced and distributed by American Public Media. Marketplace is produced in Los Angeles with bureaus in New York, Washington, D.C., Portland, Baltimore, London, and Shanghai. It won a Peabody Award in 2000. Marketplace is aired on many NPR stations.

[@charlespapineau5428]

Interesting thoughts, Jon. I like the simplicity of small cars, but to get the packaging efficiencies you want, there is a TON of electrical content that would have to be removed. I work as a packaging engineer in the industry so I know of what I speak. Customers are addicted to so much tech, it is ridiculous. However, if the car is priced aggressively (under 15K), then people will consider it. Price is the biggest concern, but you also have to convince a risk-averse management team that people will buy a car that is pure function only. There is also the issue of platform sharing. Cars like the Trax give people what they want with mileage of a small car. I've had small cars before and loved their practicality with cost effectiveness. However, I think the market has moved on.

[@GregariousAntithesis]

Been driving VW Beetle Diesel for over 20 years

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

I always had an affinity for small cars, and every point discussed here, I wholeheartedly agree. There is a list of cars/crossovers I personally like now that fits in the category of small cars that are not a large SUV. Here they are: Hyundai Kona Kia Niro Nissan Kicks Honda HR-V Toyota C-HR Hyundai Venue Chevy Trailblazer Subaru Crosstrek Hyundai Ioniq 5 (they should make a hybrid version) Even the known compact cars have become bigger in size, particularly the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. I also have an affinity of the Corolla Cross, which is a smaller version of the RAV4 I'd say.

[@itsyaboybob5132]

All my cars are small and manuals. My daily is a BJ generation Mazda 323 familia/astina/protege/ford laser. I used to daily my 2nd gen mx5 the past 5 years. I wouldn't call my 323 (the mazda 3 predecessor) or the civic small cars. Relative to the American sense of size, yes, but these are compact and midsize-from-compact sedans, respectively now.

[@royperry2859]

The sixth thing is behavior modification. Cars in general are put at a disadvantage to large trucks and suv.. 1. Have dedicated car only lanes on freeways and highways..Tax credits for poor and working people to buy or lease fuel efficient compact cars. Subsidized insurance. Prepaid maintenance and repairs. Incentives now favor large trucks and sub's for business owners. Where are the incentives for working class people who need affordable reliable safe cars to go to and from work.

[@zaidkidwai7831]

Would love to have the Suzuki Swift and Jimney in the states

[@gordonwallin2368]

There's no small anything! I love my mint 2004 TJ (Wrangler) and when it's parked beside anything especially a new Jeep, it looks like a toy. Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@stickynorth]

Smart Fortwo would beg to differ... It sold really well here in Canada for a few years and we both know why... It's the smallest car yet it can fit the tallest Teutonic passengers because of its upright cabin design.... If we had consistent marketing and support from M-B it would have continued to sell well into the electric age... Alas... Dropped int North America...

[@StopWhatYerDoing]

I have a Corolla hatchback and enjoy smaller cars as opposed to SUVs and CUVs. However, it can be frustrating at times how bad the packaging is. The rear seats are cramped and it's overall pretty small on the inside. The rear hatch sloping looks nice, but cuts down on what and how much you can put in the trunk, which is already pretty small. Ideally, I would love a wagon for my next vehicle, but they just don't make and sell them here in the states anymore. I think the Trax and new Crown Signia are great alternatives to the standard SUV/CUV. The EPA classifies them as wagons, but they're a little taller with a little more ground clearance than a traditional wagon. The US demand for SUVs/CUVs is too great for wagons to shine, but finding this middle ground with slightly taller wagons is great, I think, and allows manufacturers to market them successfully. The longer length affords more interior room, allowing for more practicality and comfort. Hopefully we will continue see more wagon-like offerings from other manufacturers. As for standard hatchbacks, with modern safety standards and their small exterior size, the interior suffers. I don't think they need to be huge, but I think making them a bit larger would help them be better on the inside. The Nissan Versa Note and Toyota Matrix/Vibe were taller and slightly bigger hatchbacks. I think a return to this size would make these smaller cars more appealing and comfortable. Either that, or making them more wagon-like, as the K4 hatchback will be, since it appears to have the same wheelbase as the sedan, making it longer and more comfortable than the current small hatchbacks on the market. Overall, I think we're finally starting to see more wagon-like vehicles and hope the trend continues to help fill the space needed for good, small vehicles.

[@samcooper430]

Consoles can be handy but honestly I wish there was other options. I don’t like feeling trapped in a little space because of the huge consoles. If an accident happens you can’t just slide over to get out the other side, you’re pinned. The other thing I dislike about consoles is their use in minivans. I drive a minivan and the console eliminates easy access to the back. In my older van the console was removable and was great it gave you options. My current van you can’t do that & I don’t think there is any that you can now😢.

[@ThomasReese9648]

Domestics were left off balance by truly small cars that could be made profitably and of quality/durability. This goes back decades. GM tried several times and gave up after the J car, turning to Isuzu, NUMMI, and Daewoo. 1981+ Ford Escort was a world car effort that needed quick fixes like a larger engine, 5-speed, and a turbo but they gave up on it by adopting a Mazda platform in the 90s. Chrysler had a good run with the Omni/Horizon and had they made the car more crash-worthy and vested in quality manufacture (fix those water leaks and the peeling paint and the head gasket issues), they could have kept it going. Instead they placed a bet on a K-car derivative that was small but not loved. Later, Ford made technical and management mistakes with the dual clutch in the 2011-generation Focus, gm put their eggs in the Daewoo basket with the Cruze’s 1.4L meh engine, and Chrysler with a Fiat 1.4L turbo where the turbo had to be removed to change the oil filter.

[@johnrobinson5156]

The EPA car footprint and auto Safety requirements killed the small car. Want something small, get a motor bike, or a side by side & stay off road. No easy solution except buy an older car. Far cheaper to buy as well

[@timgt5]

It comes down to expectations. For a frame of reference, I grew up in the 1980s. During that time people bought Civics, Corollas, and Sentras because they were the cheap to buy, cheap to feed and cheap to insure, and the advantage over used cars was having a full warranty and the new car smell. Of course there were a lot of compromises with these cars. They were all noisy, with poor insulation, if they had the optional AC it worked about as well as an asthmatic blowing through a straw at you. The stereos all sounded like a broken Alexa speaker from the bottom of a well. Options included power windows, AC, and maybe a tape deck, and that was about it of course. The ride quality was brittle and zero to 60 was a suggestion measured by the calendar not the stopwatch. People put up with all this because again they were cheap and reliable cars. In 1990s all this began to change starting with the 1992 Civic economy cars stopped being little tin boxes and added refinement and more performance. By the end of the 90s several of these cars could be had with nice fake wood inserts, leather seats, decent stereos etc. Of course, the tradeoff is an increase in the asking price. People also wanted more room along with safety features like multiple airbags, traction control, blind spot monitoring etc, all of which add size, weight and costs to the production of the car. People also wanted something that could actually get out of its own way on the interstate, which meant bigger and more powerful engines. Consider these days you can get a Mazda 3 with AWD and 250 Horsepower and that is not even a dedicated sports model, just the top trims of the standard car. The same 3 is far more polished, safer and quieter than any compact could have been from that era. Gas Mileage? The 2025 Civic Hybrid gets 50 MPG and has 232 Lbs of Torque. In the end it is not that automakers cannot make subcompact cars it is that they cannot make them and sell them for a profit. The Sentra, Civic, Corolla, Impreza, all have very slim margins. The American companies Ford, GM and Stellantis, cannot not even build a compact that would break even that is why there are no more cruises, focusses or darts on the new car lots. Until a super low cost automaker like Tata motors or one of the Chinese firms gets approval and dealer network, what you see is what you are going to get for now.

[@cameronmills8453]

Preach Jon!

[@fortheloveofnoise]

Here is a great example of the modern mentality. Enterprise Rent A Car treats the VW Golf GTI as an economy car and you can rent one cheap...I asked why and they said the average buyer does not see trim, or specs, but they only see size so they see any little hatchback as an economy car....it is mind boggling

[@matttravers5764]

I've always loved big cars (seventies and earlier) but we need CHOICE and that doesn't seem to be available anymore? Cafe?

[@vertik7]

Current manufactures in America don't seem to bring the small cars to customers. If Chinese cars come, they might make small, beautiful, simple, inexpensive and reliable cars. I think it's our only hope, however the government might be against this. Don't expect Honda to bring back Honda Fit, or Mitsubishi make better Mirage - not happening.

[@jamiebaker6691]

Bring back the dodge k car design. I don't like the huge consoles in cars it takes away from the leg space. The k car's had plenty of space for a small car. Build the k car more dependable than the last.

[@colinschmitz8297]

The company who is most likely to make such a vehicle is Kia. They are the most willing to take chances. I could also see Chrysler attempting this (IF Stellantis will let Chrysler be Chrysler).

[@thndr_5468]

Imagine if the government allowed people to import kei vehicles instead of making them illegal. That'd be a start for one lol

[@markbader31]

I have been saying this for years now. You take a relatively young buyer/person in today's car market and the first thing they go to on a new car is the center screen. Does it have android auto etc.. They tend to miss looking at the quality of the car and other important features . I'm not saying all but most. Also because of all the tech now in days I am seeing manufacturer's cheap out in other areas to fit it in. I recently had a 2019 civic sport touring hatchback top of the line for civics excluding the type R. After owning a few months, I noticed the carpet was cheap and thin as felt, lots of plastics and the doors were paper thin. Didn't have a spare tire even.

[@markbader31]

I blame the designers of the 1986 Ford Taurus for this rounded off look that's still previlent today.

[@k.b.tidwell]

The spare tire has become a paid option on a LOT of brands. My son's 2017 Malibu has one, but we discovered he's in the minority. Most of them come with a can of Fix A Flat!

[@jnyerere]

As someone that prefers 4 door sedans, I know that from now on whenever I'm on the market for one I will basically only have Honda and Toyota as my options. I would add Mazda to that but they recently just got rid of their Mazda 6 and who knows if the Mazda 3 will meet the same fate soon? The sedan is all but extinct.

[@snek5596]

You say it looks like a Dodge Omni, but I think a closer comparison for the Rivian R3 is the old Lancia Delta Integrale.

[@IamGroot786]

Love your videos Jon, they tickle the mind and jog good memories. That's an interesting take. I never thought of FWD vehicles as maximizing interior space but more as automakers trying to cut down manufacturing costs by not having to build drive shafts, rear differentials and other components.

[@AllCarswithJon]

Don't know your age, but the move to FWD was reducing weight (no driveshaft, etc) but the benefit was also bigger inside with a smaller outside, and thus saving more weight for new fuel economy standards. Think back in the 80s when some of the larger RWD cars switched to FWD, and customers howled how small they were outside even if they were largely the same size inside. Manufacturers revelled in the space inside, but it's slowly been taken away from us.

[@IamGroot786]

@@AllCarswithJon I'm in my mid 50s and when manufacturers and their big sedans went to FWD, I won't deny that I was one of those folks losing their minds! 😂😂

[@Alan-lv9rw]

The Versa is a great car.

[@karoltakisobie6638]

I love how you completely missed or avoided giant elephant in the room that is government regulators. Small economy cars were and are needed and popular but they were legislated out of existence by regulations . I'm sure not a single car from 20 years ago would pass even half of current requirements yet we know those cars were safe and perfectly adequate for purpose. What changed?

[@mattlawrence7130]

In the late 1980s I bought my father a Geo Metro. Rated at 50mpg. Could run down the road at 80 mph with the A/C on. At 6'2" I could drive it comfortably and so could my 4'9" girlfriend. Minimal electronics. All this with a 3 cylinder, 1 liter, 60 HP engine. We need cars like this again. And I'm sick and tired of people saying that no one wants a manual transmission, when the manufacturers and dealers don't sell them, so nobody ever wants to learn how to drive them.

[@k.b.tidwell]

I bought a 1991 model new for a work car and thoroughly enjoyed it! $6700 out the door, 5-speed, a/c, and all the power steering your two arms could muster, which actually felt easy enough for my wife to drive it comfortably. We drove it on an anniversary trip to the nearby Smoky Mountains in 1991 (we had no children at that time), ran the a/c the whole way for 3 days, and came back home on a grand total of $20 and a little change lol. I drove it for about 5 years, my work changed so I got a larger car, and sold that one to my dad who drove it for quite a few years on a sales route. Then he sold it to a preacher who drove it a few years and then gave it to a parishioner who destroyed it in a wreck. That was in the mid-oughts, and all we ever did to it was change the oil and the timing belt every 70k as recommended. I'd love to have another as a bang-around vehicle, and if they still built them I'd buy a new one today.

[@markbader31]

Like you said- Scramble once again. Just like they had to when bringing the X cars to the market in the early 80s.

[@MrHugemoth]

Looking into the past to see what succeeded in turning the US to small cars, it was the 1973 oil embargo. All it would take would be a shortage of gas.

[@brian0410]

One of the EV’s I currently like is the new Fiat 500e. It has basically no center console between the seats. I also think it’s 150 ish miles of range is ideal for most people commuting to work. I wouldn’t mind the 500e or Mini Cooper SE for a daily commuter since it’s just me in the car going 12 miles round trip to the office. I also get the benefit of charging at work since my company designed the parking lot to have charging stations in a good number of the parking spots. But the 500e is $34k and that is too expensive. If it was closer to $20k I would be all for it.

[@jeffr0]

Jon, I think you missed a big issue that must change: The NHTSA, EPA, etc need to back off. They continue to add more requirements which add cost and remove space, lower mpg while requiring higher mpg. Those Dodge Omnis, etc were not as burdened down with these inefficient & expensive bureaucratic bludgeons.

[@vapsa56]

I love small cars. Always have. And I have one now. A Nissan Juke 6-speed manual.

[@UncleJoeLITE]

Well Jon, you can't complain I never generated engagement by playing Devil's Advocate! Some people forget it's just KZbin & get weirdly personal, but that's water off a duck's back in 2024. =)

[@AllCarswithJon]

I hope you know I appreciate you being here. And a thoughtful "Devil's Advocate" always gets me thinking and sometimes leads to a future video! :)

[@UncleJoeLITE]

@@AllCarswithJon Thanks.

[@michaelwilliamson4060]

As long as gas is cheap people will keep buying big vehicles. Cars ride so much better. I hate screens on the dash. SUVs turn over too easily. I'm old.

[@brian0410]

I think part of the reason why people buy bigger cars and not the small compact cars is because they buy what they think or dream that they will do with a vehicle. Most people I talk to got an SUV or truck because they might need to tow or haul something in the future. When they hardly use it for what it is designed for. I have a coworker that wants to get a Jeep Wrangler that is lifted with all the off road equipment. But she will never take it off road or to Moab. She just wants it for the looks and to feel like she can drive over anything. I like small cars and have owned many. I think most single people don’t need a truck or an SUV. They just need a Honda civic or Corolla. I think people should buy more sports cars and less cross overs and trucks when they complain about gas. I’m not saying a big V8 Mustang. But get a Miata or some small sporty car that you can enjoy driving. I understand having a family and needing space for kids. But most people don’t need a Chevy Suburban to haul 3 kids. They just need a station wagon.

[@ericcue49]

I have a 2013. More usable interior space than a Corrolla. Possible, peppy and still a great trunk.

[@timstrobel9220]

My Pontiac vibe clicked all the boxes ..roomy, good fuel economy and rear window opened/front seat folded if you had longer items ..wish they had a new version of it

[@MylesV]

I want a small, simple EV. No gigantic screen, no power controlled charge port door or pop out door handles. 200 miles of range and 30 minute 10-80% fast charging is adequate. My Kona EV is close to what I want but it’s trying too hard to look like an SUV. Automakers are making EVs complicated and big with ginormous batteries. Small cars need smaller batteries to go the same distance.

[@janderson8401]

The American vehicle market is broken. My wife traded in her 2008 Prius on a Rav4 because she was getting tired of looking at the tires of passing SUVs. As a contractor I’m hoping my 2022 Ford Transit will hold up as well as my 2002 E250 did. I do notice that other contractors who used to work out of pick up trucks now have to pull a trailer because all you can find at the dealerships are 4 wd, 4 door cab trucks with 5 1/2’ beds.

[@luisvelasco316]

Not car/ not tall SUV/ relatively large interior space sounds like a Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix.

[@robertallan4489]

Jon, you are the best KZbin channel. You insights are so well thought out and timely. A BIG thumbs up to you and your channel.

[@AllCarswithJon]

I appreciate that! Please tell about 300,000 of your closest friends! LOL

[@fortheloveofnoise]

I would buy a Dodge Omni if they remade it exactly as it was, no upgrades. .as....it...was....and manual transmission, I am in my 20s for example. I only like 3 types of cars....small/tiny economy cars, sports cars, and vintage cars

[@L4sleeko]

I think the Invista does all this at a relatively reasonable price point without getting all squared off and coming off looking quite stylish. No?

[@AllCarswithJon]

Absolutely, and since it's based on the Chevy Trax that I did talk about, I didn't want to belabor the point. :)

[@jeffking4176]

Long time subscriber here. I think it would take another “fuel crisis “, or something. Ie: 1958, 1973, 1979, …. Seems the only times we Americans turned to small cars. And now, I think we are much more Spoiled. Especially when it comes to “features “. Yes , part of it has to do with legislation, and the Automakers. But take 1958. We were so used to Huge aircraft carriers, it took a turn in the economy AND, a George Romney to get us to buy small cars. I believe, NASH was the only car company that year to turn a profit. So,we are dealing with a diehard mentality. [ we are a Car Culture]. Don’t know how else to change “human nature “. Most of the rest of the world has narrow streets, and they see cars more utilitarian than Status, and whatever. [ I’ve been an Auto Detailer for over 25 years, and I deal a lot with “Car Cultured “ people. I do a lot of exotics, show cars, etc. As well as “common “ vehicles.]. It’s, how do you change how people think about cars❓ But you bring up a lot of great points. Great video. ( as for Fiat, they also have had, and still have, very low build quality, that, in part, also helped kill the cars here). I’ve been writing this as I’ve been watching, so, some of what I said , you talked about later. 🚗🙂

[@SecretlySeven]

It would take dissolution of the American government.

[@rp9674]

A good old 70s style gas shortage would be a huge boost for EV sales. Hi gas prices will just make people grumble a little more

[@rp9674]

I have a 2015 Fiat 500e electric, the body feels well-made, you can open and close the doors and hatch with a light touch, fun to drive. Chevy Trax is a fat bloated pig, over 4000 lb come on my Chevy Bolt EV only weighs 3,600 lb, a tallish not- SUV

[@Hardcopy2362]

We're also now very accustomed to having everything in our possession via debt and having payments on it for years. The fact you can get a 7 year finance loan on a vehicle is insane.

[@rp9674]

A car loan cost several thousand, a mortgage doubles the price of a house. Having money saves money