SUVs and pickup trucks seem like peak overconsumption to me. Why would anyone drive a massive gas-guzzling vehicle to an office job when they could take a small, fuel-efficient car? I get that farmers or people with specific needs might require these vehicles, but for most people, they seem unnecessary.
I’ve always disliked them, but after reading this Vox article (Large SUVs are popular, but they kill pedestrians and people in smaller cars), it feels like we need more organizations pushing back against these oversized vehicles. Does anyone know of groups working on this? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
As a small car driver, it’s getting so hard to find actual small cars anymore. Most of what they call ‘small’ now are just tiny SUVs. I grew up with sedans, and we managed just fine as a family. Now, people look down on small cars. I even have friends who refuse to ride in mine. I don’t get the hate. It’s easier to park, and I spend way less on gas.
@Teagan
Even midsize pickups are massive now. A Ford Ranger today is the size of an F-150 from years ago, and F-150s are the size of older F-350s. When I visited Australia, I was amazed at the variety of truck sizes. They seem to have way more sensible options. I blame the Chicken Tax for messing up the U.S. market.
@Bliss
The Chicken Tax definitely contributed, but it’s also about CAFE standards. They allow manufacturers to average out fuel efficiency across their lineup, which incentivizes them to make bigger vehicles. It’s easier to hit fuel efficiency goals when your whole lineup is massive.
@Teagan
I’ve been driving the same small car for 14 years. It’s not great for snow, but if I absolutely need to get out, I’ll Uber or find another way. I once had to Uber to an emergency vet in a snowstorm and gave the driver a huge tip.
@Teagan
Fellow small car driver here. It’s not hate—it’s insecurity. Some guys think their masculinity is tied to the size of their truck, and they project that onto others. Ignore them. It’s pathetic.
@Teagan
Sometimes it’s about practicality. I camp monthly and need something that can tow a small camper. A sedan just can’t do that. Also, sedans aren’t great for carrying more than four people unless they’re small kids. We once crammed five adults into a sedan for a 45-minute trip, and it was miserable.
I have two kids and recently switched to a hybrid minivan. It gets the same fuel efficiency as my old car but is so much more convenient for car seats and strollers. I think the key is finding the right vehicle for your needs and keeping it for a long time.
@Arden
It took me a while to come around, but now I see the value in vehicles like the Honda CR-V. I used to think I’d always want a tiny car, but as life changes, so do your needs.
Fuel economy regulations have killed the small truck market in the U.S. Manufacturers are incentivized to make full-sized pickups instead. I have a GMC half-ton, but I’d have bought a smaller truck like a Toyota if they were still available.