Why Americans Are Obsessed With Big Cars

America is a big country, and Americans have always favored big vehicles to traverse it. America gave the world Cadillacs with massive tailfins and oversize pickup trucks.

While in Western Europe or Japan cars are often small - quite small - American automakers churn out big SUVs, full-size pickup trucks. Even our sporty cars - like the Ford Mustang and the Dodge Challenger, are big and are often called “muscle cars” as a nod to their larger size. Research shows consumers like bigger vehicles when they can get them. Researchers say regulatory loopholes favoring trucks have helped the shift. But there are downsides: Big cars are more expensive. If they burn fuel, they usually require more of it, and are thus more harmful to the environment. Some research indicates they are also more fatal in car accidents.

Chapters:
America’s passion for big cars - 1:32
Size Creep - 3:24
Effects of regulation - 5:52
Downsides - 7:59
The future - 10:37

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Why Americans Are Obsessed With Big Cars

[zhangwei]

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

[yerbamate]

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

[fivefive]

Americans: these gas prices are so high!

Also Americans: My next vehicle will definitely be bigger, heavier and use more gas.

[gabedarrett]

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

[babyblue]

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

[ubonrat]

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

[cameronh]

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.

[randomrahul]

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

[stefanossmitty]

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 🤔

[RemnantSRT]

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.

[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.

[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.

[WillGalea]

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.

[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.

[ccohen]

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.

[Momowowo]

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

[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.

[IgniteIntellect]

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

[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.

[alexismiller]

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.