For a recent example, the previous gen Honda HR-V was 171” long, the new one is 180”. That brings it to about 2” shorter than last year’s 182” Honda CR-V, but the new model of that grows to 185” long. Every time a car gets redesigned it gets bigger.
Recently disappointed with the Chevy Equinox EV announcement, it takes the name of their small SUV but makes it 11” longer. Still at least impressed by the target price, but wish it were smaller.
And you’d say “Oh well they have to put the batteries somewhere,” meanwhile on the same day Jeep announced their Avenger EV. It’s a proper subcompact with 250 mile range, but it won’t come to the US because apparently no one here wants small cars.
Also waiting for more info on Mazda’s plug-in hybrid models. The CX-60 was announced for Europe, but we have to wait for a special fat version (CX-70) for the USA.
Overall disappointed with the car manufacturers lately, and with the consumer spending habits that have pushed things this way. Would greatly increased taxes on large vehicles reduce it? Maybe, but then you’re basically saying “it’s OK to kill pedestrians as long as you’re rich.”
Correction, Equinox EV is only 7" longer than the previous one, not 11". Not great, but not as bad as I thought.
Interestingly, the Equinox has previously been an exception to the "Cars always get bigger" rule. First gen was 188.8", second gen shaved off an inch to 187.8", third gen moved it from midsize to compact at 183.1.
EV version will put that back up around 190, back into the midsize segment and larger than the original gas version.
Recently disappointed with the Chevy Equinox EV announcement, it takes the name of their small SUV but makes it 11” longer. Still at least impressed by the target price, but wish it were smaller.
And you’d say “Oh well they have to put the batteries somewhere,” meanwhile on the same day Jeep announced their Avenger EV. It’s a proper subcompact with 250 mile range, but it won’t come to the US because apparently no one here wants small cars.
Also waiting for more info on Mazda’s plug-in hybrid models. The CX-60 was announced for Europe, but we have to wait for a special fat version (CX-70) for the USA.
Overall disappointed with the car manufacturers lately, and with the consumer spending habits that have pushed things this way. Would greatly increased taxes on large vehicles reduce it? Maybe, but then you’re basically saying “it’s OK to kill pedestrians as long as you’re rich.”