Why are our cars getting bigger?

The size of the average car is changing, with our vehicles getting larger — it’s a fact. Every car redesign makes the model that little bit bigger. The MINI is a prime example; the car no longer resembles its name and a current three-door MINI hatchback is approximately 800mm longer than the original model that was produced in 1959. The same can be said about a host of cars that grace our roads today. The Honda Civic is another example, currently standing at 819mm longer and 560mm wider than the original product released in 1973.

Of course, there are many reasons why cars are getting bigger, and here we run through the main points:

Finance

Firstly, it’s important to point out that with so many finance deals available to drivers nowadays, many of us are benefiting by ‘purchasing’ cars that had previously been out of our reach. With the likes of personal loans (PL), hire purchases (HP), personal contract purchases (PCP), personal leasing/contract hire (PCH) all readily available, the British public have the option to significantly enhance their original budget. This means they can drive away with a better vehicle. Because of this, manufacturers are creating a larger number of bigger and higher spec models.

The SUV revolution

While SUVs have been around for a long time — dating back to the 1963 Jeep Wagoneer —the Nissan Qashqai can claim to have begun the SUV revolution. Before the Japanese manufacturer introduced the Qashqai to the public in 2007, we were happy to opt for an estate or hatchback. Now though, it has become a popular trait to plump for a product that resembles a 4x4 in look, even if it doesn’t have the exact capabilities as its lookalike.

In 2016, the Qashqai was the best-selling medium-sized car in the UK, representing almost one in seven sales in the class, and it represented the fifth best-selling car overall in the country. The design’s popularity has encouraged other manufacturers to follow suit and create models that look suitable for off-road adventures, even if they aren’t actually built for this.

We expect more from our cars

Small cars used to be used for simply getting from A to B. Short distances, like going to the shops, would be carried out in the family’s ‘runaround’. But nowadays it’s expected that even the smallest motor should be able to complete long distances at ease; it’s now a case of modern day small cars being required to do ‘big car things’.

This has led to the typically smaller models growing in stature while still offering the benefits provided by smaller models. The statement ‘bigger is better’ is often bandied about and because of that, manufacturers are slowly upping the size of their models.

Better suited for families

For many car owners, the boot space is crucial. Typically, a UK household spends £4,635 on food throughout the year. In 2017, the average weekly food shop cost £89 – up 4% from the previous year. Transporting these goods from the shop to your home is much easier with a large boot, especially if you have your kids in tow. But it’s not just shopping trips that benefit from bigger cars. Those much-loved family trips out are made a lot easier when there is enough space in the back to allow the bigger kids to withstand long periods in the car without throwing a tantrum.

Tougher safety standards

The laws and safety features that cars and automobiles face these days are intense. We are no longer able to drive about in a ‘shell’. Crash tests have shown that smaller cars aren’t as protective to its driver and passengers as the larger and heavier models. By creating larger vehicles, manufacturers are able to adhere to such changes. Other benefits include lower fuel economy and emissions targets.

James is an Outreach Executive at Mediaworks Online Marketing and covers a number of clients across a wide range of business sectors, helping them to grow their online portfolios through engaging content.