Trend of larger cars: for or against
Many new generations of the same car model are larger than the previous one. For this reason we open a place for debate here to give your opinion on this trend of larger cars. So, what do you think? are you for or against?
Larger dimensions mean greater interior space, greater boot capacity and greater confidence on the road, but it also means less ease of parking, greater consumption and less agility in the city.
If manufacturers offer new generations of larger cars to the market it is because there is demand for it. If so, why do we need bigger cars now than before? Or is it that there is less variety of small models and we buy cars larger than what we need? How to manage the two types of uses of a car in the same size: contained dimensions during the work week and larger sizes for weekends and holidays?
Examples:
• The second generations of the BMW X2 in 2024 and the Peugeot 2008 in 2020, significantly larger than the first ones.
• The current generation of the Volkswagen Polo is larger than the first generation of the Volkswagen Golf.
• The second generations of the BMW X2 in 2024 and the Peugeot 2008 in 2020, significantly larger than the first ones.
• The current generation of the Volkswagen Polo is larger than the first generation of the Volkswagen Golf.
Percentage for and against larger cars: 👍11% and 👎89%
Curious to know the trend of opinions elsewhere?
👍11.1% - 👎88.9%
👍8.2% - 👎91.8%
👍8.1% - 👎91.9%
👍26.5% - 👎73.5%
👍25.4% - 👎74.6%Latest opinions
Jersey, 10-04-2026 👎
Unfortunately roads are not wider and it’s too costly to change them. Especially in the country lanes, which SUV’s are made for. The car parks also have the same width parking spaces as before the upsizing began. So, driving is more difficult, parking is more difficult. The cars were just as comfortable before. Plus, so much waste of excess materials in a world where we need to consume less, not more.
Unfortunately roads are not wider and it’s too costly to change them. Especially in the country lanes, which SUV’s are made for. The car parks also have the same width parking spaces as before the upsizing began. So, driving is more difficult, parking is more difficult. The cars were just as comfortable before. Plus, so much waste of excess materials in a world where we need to consume less, not more.
Lancaster Uk, 04-04-2026 👎
Cars no longer fit drive at home. City Car Park Bays or country lanes
Cars no longer fit drive at home. City Car Park Bays or country lanes
Paris, 30-03-2026 👎
La question est : pourquoi les constructeurs proposent des voitures de plus en plus grosses alors que ce sondage montre qu'une très grande majorité des utilisateurs n'approuvent pas cela ?
La question est : pourquoi les constructeurs proposent des voitures de plus en plus grosses alors que ce sondage montre qu'une très grande majorité des utilisateurs n'approuvent pas cela ?
Paris, 30-03-2026 👎
Je suis très énervé par cette tendance, des voitures de plus en plus larges. Dans les parkings souterrains qui ont été conçus dans les années 70, ça devient de plus en plus compliqué d'entrer sans accrocher. Et même sur les parkings au sol, par exemple centre commercial, il n'y a souvent pas beaucoup de place pour ouvrir les portes sans toucher le véhicule voisin. Arrêtons de faire grossir les voitures !
Je suis très énervé par cette tendance, des voitures de plus en plus larges. Dans les parkings souterrains qui ont été conçus dans les années 70, ça devient de plus en plus compliqué d'entrer sans accrocher. Et même sur les parkings au sol, par exemple centre commercial, il n'y a souvent pas beaucoup de place pour ouvrir les portes sans toucher le véhicule voisin. Arrêtons de faire grossir les voitures !
Sofia, BG, 26-03-2026 👎
New models are growing in every dimension, while streets, garages and parking lots are not. We used to have nice compact cars here in Europe, but now even the Dacia Sandero is way too wide.
New models are growing in every dimension, while streets, garages and parking lots are not. We used to have nice compact cars here in Europe, but now even the Dacia Sandero is way too wide.
Manchester, UK, 25-03-2026 👎
The larger car is heavier, and less fel efficient, also causing road wear. Drivers can do most jobs wth their cars with a smaller version.
The larger car is heavier, and less fel efficient, also causing road wear. Drivers can do most jobs wth their cars with a smaller version.
GYMPIE, 24-03-2026 👎
the lack of manouverability and parking hassels for wider/longer cars is more of a problem than lack of cargo space
the lack of manouverability and parking hassels for wider/longer cars is more of a problem than lack of cargo space
Rochford, Essex, 23-03-2026 👎
Cars are getting too wide for standard parking spaces making it difficult to park at many hospitals and smaller supermarkets. Many seem unnecessarily wide
Cars are getting too wide for standard parking spaces making it difficult to park at many hospitals and smaller supermarkets. Many seem unnecessarily wide
Gold Coast, Australia, 23-03-2026 👎
What's the point of improved efficiency for the sake of of the environment if it gets "spent" on increasing the load we carry around? Car parks blamed for being too small or streets too narrow when it's the car that's gotten too big! Cities are now so much more dangerous to drive, ride or walk around. I believe this change is only partly driven by demand, because a lot of it is manipulated demand through aggressive marketing towards bigger cars because it has "more" to sell. ie. people regard bigger as better, and always want value for money, so if they are told they can get more car for their money, they would instinctively go for that because why should they get less car for their money?
What's the point of improved efficiency for the sake of of the environment if it gets "spent" on increasing the load we carry around? Car parks blamed for being too small or streets too narrow when it's the car that's gotten too big! Cities are now so much more dangerous to drive, ride or walk around. I believe this change is only partly driven by demand, because a lot of it is manipulated demand through aggressive marketing towards bigger cars because it has "more" to sell. ie. people regard bigger as better, and always want value for money, so if they are told they can get more car for their money, they would instinctively go for that because why should they get less car for their money?
London, 21-03-2026 👎
Too much space taken up by parking, hard to fit down small city and country road. Pointless.
Too much space taken up by parking, hard to fit down small city and country road. Pointless.
Zagreb, 21-03-2026 👎
Larger cars are bad for ecology, environment and old parking lots designed for small cars.
Larger cars are bad for ecology, environment and old parking lots designed for small cars.
Essex, 13-03-2026 👎
Maybe bad drivers need larger cars to feel protected? It really is nonsensical that I can't find a recent car that allows me to see over the dashboard and hood without adding a cushion to the seat.
Maybe bad drivers need larger cars to feel protected? It really is nonsensical that I can't find a recent car that allows me to see over the dashboard and hood without adding a cushion to the seat.
Brescia, Italy, 13-03-2026 👎
I strongly dislike obese 'Botero' cars, especially annoying in town and on narrow roads. I already downsized and I probably won't replace my VW Up until this madness ends.
I strongly dislike obese 'Botero' cars, especially annoying in town and on narrow roads. I already downsized and I probably won't replace my VW Up until this madness ends.
Budapest, 12-03-2026 👎
They are to big...
They are to big...
Malta, 11-03-2026 👎
In Malta streets are super narrow and parking spaces are tiny. I enjoy and have wrote reviews on larger cars I drove in cities abroad, but in Malta its impractical. Most people used to drive kei sized cars which all had decent interior space, 5 seats and not a tiny tiny boot. A 3.395 metre long and 1.4m wide perodua kancil could fit 5 people and men from my family comfortably and has a decent sized trunk. today's smallest cars eg. toyota aygo x only have 4 seats, and are tiny in the back and the trunk is smaller. Some even modern european countries need smaller cars. Wish eg Hyundai inster and leapmotor to3 were made smaller and with 5 seats
In Malta streets are super narrow and parking spaces are tiny. I enjoy and have wrote reviews on larger cars I drove in cities abroad, but in Malta its impractical. Most people used to drive kei sized cars which all had decent interior space, 5 seats and not a tiny tiny boot. A 3.395 metre long and 1.4m wide perodua kancil could fit 5 people and men from my family comfortably and has a decent sized trunk. today's smallest cars eg. toyota aygo x only have 4 seats, and are tiny in the back and the trunk is smaller. Some even modern european countries need smaller cars. Wish eg Hyundai inster and leapmotor to3 were made smaller and with 5 seats
brussels, 11-03-2026 👎
no it is ridiculus and does not bring any advantage
no it is ridiculus and does not bring any advantage
Ålesund, 10-03-2026 👎
De nye bilene er alt for store for standard parkeringsplasser i Norge.
De nye bilene er alt for store for standard parkeringsplasser i Norge.
skogås, 08-03-2026 👎
do not fit in old garage
do not fit in old garage
San Francisco, 05-03-2026 👍
I am for it.
I am for it.
Manchester, 01-03-2026 👎
Infrastructure is not designed for these cars. Larger cars are more danger to pedestrians.
Infrastructure is not designed for these cars. Larger cars are more danger to pedestrians.
LONDON, 01-03-2026 👍
not in favor as larger cars consume more energy in manafacture and running costs and CREATE MORE CO2 pollution OVERALL
not in favor as larger cars consume more energy in manafacture and running costs and CREATE MORE CO2 pollution OVERALL
Ipswich, 27-02-2026 👎
Larger frontal areas lead to more air resistance, and greater weight needs higher engine power for acceleration and climbing. Both negate engineering improvements in engine efficiency. Taller vehicles have higher centres of gravity, which is less stable even with electronic assistance. Before SUVs and wannabe SUVs became so widespread, it was possible to see brake lights several cars ahead in traffic. Now that vehicles have such a wide range of heights, this is no longer possible, worsening road safety. And you can't see past their huge bulk at junctions.
Larger frontal areas lead to more air resistance, and greater weight needs higher engine power for acceleration and climbing. Both negate engineering improvements in engine efficiency. Taller vehicles have higher centres of gravity, which is less stable even with electronic assistance. Before SUVs and wannabe SUVs became so widespread, it was possible to see brake lights several cars ahead in traffic. Now that vehicles have such a wide range of heights, this is no longer possible, worsening road safety. And you can't see past their huge bulk at junctions.
Cheddar, 25-02-2026 👎
Bad idea all around and especially uk roads and parking spaces. No problem with slightly taller cars or high wheelbase to negotiate potholes. More size=more fuel=worse for environment. Small are more fun to drive.
Bad idea all around and especially uk roads and parking spaces. No problem with slightly taller cars or high wheelbase to negotiate potholes. More size=more fuel=worse for environment. Small are more fun to drive.
Birmingham, 24-02-2026 👎
In my opinion the tendency to larger cars is not appropriate or necessary. For example, a model like the T-Roc fitted well into the range between the T-Cross and Tiguan. We had a VW Golf GTI in the 1990's and it was smaller than the current Polo.
In my opinion the tendency to larger cars is not appropriate or necessary. For example, a model like the T-Roc fitted well into the range between the T-Cross and Tiguan. We had a VW Golf GTI in the 1990's and it was smaller than the current Polo.
Douglas, 23-02-2026 👎
Parking spaces aren’t getting bigger
Parking spaces aren’t getting bigger