Why Americans love big cars

It’s not just a consumer choice; it’s a policy choice.

It’s no secret that big cars dominate American roads. But even so, some of the stats are staggering: Last year, 80 percent of all new cars sold in the US were SUVs and trucks. That’s compared to just 52 percent in 2011. Meanwhile, many automakers are phasing out passenger cars as consumer demand for them has disappeared.

Not all of this is a result of consumer choice, though. A huge factor in why SUVs and trucks are so popular in the US is hidden in a 50-year-old policy decision. In this video we cover the history of the SUV, and how its origin story and popularity is rooted in US fuel economy standards.

The Washington Post data visualizations are from this story:

For more of Bob Sorokanich’s work on how regulation changed car design:

I interviewed economist Mark Jacobsen, who studies fuel efficiency and vehicle safety:

For a history of fuel economy for both light trucks and cars:

This article explains how the footprint model made cars bigger:

Here is the study on pedestrian fatalities and big cars:

Correction: 2:50 a label on the x-axis of a chart misspells “Australia.”

[Vox]

And join us next week when Christophe is back on the channel to explain the skyscraper-sized boats known as cruise ships.

[Rdebo_]

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

[rackmarkus]

As a German I can tell you: Never underestimate the questionable influence of the automotive industry lobbyists on policy and legislation.

[MiguelHernandez-hcui]

I hear a lot of people say they buy SUVs/trucks because they like to be able to "see further ahead" or what have you. Except now that everybody is doing that, thereby the view from up there is now blocked further.

Ironically, nowadays I can see a good 3-4 cars ahead of me when driving my Fiero by looking *under* the cars ahead of me.

[LockFPV]

As a dual US-EU citizen (US born/raised with French parents) I'm always impressed by the size difference between both countries. I grew up with a Jetta and Golf in the garage 😂 Here in Colorado we have a ton of SUVs. Really the only people who need those vehicles are those in the construction industry or who recreate deep in the mountains and need a 4WD vehicle to access rough dirt roads. Those categories are easy to spot with the latter having lifted bodies, winches and tow hooks, maxtraks etc, and 90% of SUVs in Denver don't fit either category.

Some people claim you need a big car to drive in the snow but after driving a Subaru Impreza and manual Fiat 500 I feel they are lying or don't know how to drive... winter tires are way more important than car size. Sad to see so many of these models go, the Impreza is thankfully still around and unrivaled as an AWD compact car.

[FieryToast]

As a European, it was interesting seeing most of the cars you listed as discontinued are still on sale and getting new models on our side of the pond

[skop]

When your goal is to reduce emissions but instead you end up making things way worse by encouriging everyone to replace sedans/small cars with SUV and trucks..

[laydsimba]

When she spoke about driving in a small car and not being able to see anything, that resonates with me so much! I even find the grocery store parking lot dangerous because, in my small car, I’m surrounded by huge SUVs and have to use extreme caution when pulling out of spaces to make sure no one plows into me. And don’t get me started on highway driving—I have to be so much more defensive because these SUVs have blind spots which drivers seem oblivious to. I think that feeling of “safety” makes SUV drivers more reckless.

Also, I have always preferred the handling and fuel efficiency of a car. Whenever I have a rental car these days, it’s usually an SUV and I hate the way they feel. My car hugs the road and of course it’s much easier to squeeze into limited parking spaces in the city.

I really hope cars aren’t completely phased out!

[vanhalenman]

I have a honda fit and a silverado 1500. I love them both. I do my hvac side jobs and haul all my camping stuff with my truck and daily drive my fit. What i dont understand is all the people who buy pickups to drive around in the city and never use them.

[jaydenhann]

The regulation that means bigger vehicles get less strict emissions is wild

[johnchessant]

I can understand car companies starting to make SUVs because the emissions regulation didn't apply to them yet, but as the video says, the reason for that was vehicles of that size were mainly used on farms and construction sites. Once everyday consumers began driving SUVs, the regulations really should have been updated.

[shibapatrol]

I really had no idea how big American SUVs and trucks were until I saw one in person here in Japan. Unnecessarily big, super inefficient and I'm sure, very costly. I thought the popularity of SUVs in Japan was getting out of hand but most of the SUVs here will be considered compact SUVs or crossovers in the US. I personally drive a Honda HR-V which is a compact SUV and is a hybrid. Fuel efficient and super practical without being 'big'. Really no point going larger unless you're transporting groups of people on the daily.

[PandaNomsBamboo]

I love my sedan. The ease of sliding into a parking space without the need for adjustments. Navigating a roundabout and effortlessly overtaking trucks and SUVs is is something I like doing.

[TheExecutiveBanana]

I am often told by people who love their giant trucks that i can just go buy a small car if I prefer, but it is increasingly frustrating that manufacturers literally are discontinuing those models.

[jmr]

The irony of safety in big trucks is that while you’re better protected in a lot of crashes, you’re at a bigger risk of getting into a crash, given the longer braking distances and poor handling compared to sedans.

[ollihakala]

I ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND WATCHING NOT JUST BIKES'S VIDEO ABOUT SUVS AND

[Ven]

8:33 The size of new pickup trucks/SUVs are ridiculous. The hood is so high, it obstructs a lot of frontal view. Then all it becomes is an arms race to see who can buy the biggest/heaviest vehicle.

[erikwithak]

The first thing I noticed moving from Japan to the US was the size of vehicles all around. I could probably fit 2 or 3 kei cars into the back of an F-150.

[vegas_mapletrees]

NotJustBikes made an amazing video on the rise of SUVs and trucks. Also this is practically a vehicular arms race that puts anyone not in an SUV at risk…

[supermegaguy]

Nothing I love more then parking my Sedan, alone, in the grocery store parking lot only to come out 10 minutes later and see 2 unnecessarily large pickups now positioned on both sides of my car. Guess ill pray before i back out.