[Marc]

There's a new study into how the width of cars seems to be growing over the years.

I suppose it's fair to say there are more SUVs on the road than there were in, say, the 70s or 80s. From what I can just about remember!

Has anyone else noticed their cars getting wider with each new purchase?

(I can feel myself getting wider, but that's another story.....)

Here's a link to a news article about the analysis.

[Drivingforfun]

Definitely!

My parents sort of experienced this because they "downsized" by a model twice over the course of a few cars, yet the size of the car stayed roughly the same.

I believe they went from a Cortina, maybe a Sierra, to Focus, and now have a Fiesta which is roughly the same as the old Focus!

The way things are going they will have a little Ford KA in about 10 years and it will be the same size as today's Fiesta.

[NMNeil]

My problem with the size of new cars is how low they are to the ground.
We rented a Toyota a year or so ago and had to aim at the seat and rely on gravity, and getting out, that's worse as you almost had to crawl out.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

My parents sort of experienced this because they "downsized" by a model twice over the course of a few cars, yet the size of the car stayed roughly the same.

I believe they went from a Cortina, maybe a Sierra, to Focus, and now have a Fiesta which is roughly the same as the old Focus!

The way things are going they will have a little Ford KA in about 10 years and it will be the same size as today's Fiesta.

My folks went from Cortina to Fiesta via a Renault 5 and no doubt the Fiesta was as big as the old Cortina. (The Renault 5 was a square box)
And have you seen the new Ford Puma? Much, much bigger than the original Puma. In fact, it's a completely different type of car!

[Marc]

Originally Posted by NMNeil

My problem with the size of new cars is how low they are to the ground.
We rented a Toyota a year or so ago and had to aim at the seat and rely on gravity, and getting out, that's worse as you almost had to crawl out.

Not great for anyone with dodgy knees! The reason why I tend to avoid two-seaters..... 😅

[NMNeil]

Originally Posted by Marc

Not great for anyone with dodgy knees! The reason why I tend to avoid two-seaters..... 😅

One of the reasons I sold my Corvette 😎

[Rolebama]

Beside the point, I know, but the two posts above remind me of having to scuttle crab-wise into the Lotuses we used to work on.
Antway, back on point, it does not take rocket science to see how cars have got bigger over the years. Some to the point of ridiculous. It's not just the size though, it's the weight as well. Modern cars are grossly overweight.