I'm currently driving around Iceland. I have seen a Renault Megane, a plethora of newer Yaris', one Yaris Cross (I lost my damned mind) and a crap ton of Suzuki Jimnys. Now, I've driven in some awful conditions in the states. Blizzards in Montana, Tornadoes in Texas, hail storms in the South and ridiculous wind in Arizona. I have driven in all of that in this tiny country, all in a short wheel base Kia Sportage. I was also outpaced by a fucking Yaris today, absolutely bombing down the mountain in 1c weather. Mind you, it was not a GR so AWD was out of the question.
I am so impressed by this Kia and all of the insanely capable Jimnys I am seeing coming off of F-roads.
If a harsh place like Iceland can coexist with RAM 2500s and modern Yaris', why can't we?
Oh, and when I say around I don't mean poking around Reykjavik, I am literally driving the Ring Road around an entire country. Coolest experience ever.
But why would we want smaller cars? We have room for bigger cars, and they feel better to drive.
Smaller cars are better in terms of fuel efficiency, road durability, handling, and not starting an arms war with bigger and bigger cars. Large trucks and SUVs are far more dangerous to pedestrians and people in smaller cars, but I guess if they "feel better to drive" it doesn't matter if you smash some people in a compact, right?
True
Wtf does that even mean? Bigger cars are usually more durable in general.
Mate youre talking about tiny cheap cars, they dont handle well, theyve never handled well.
Cars and trucks have been the same max size for decades. Hell, have you seen the land barges from the 70s? The '74 Caddilac El Dorado was 21 feet long! The ford trucks maxes out at 20 1/2 feet with a crew cab and long bed. Cars are smaller these days. Not by much, but smaller.
Modern safety rating make that point moot. And pedastrations, if you get hit by car, youre going to die no matter if its a Kona or a Silverado.
This is pretty much what I expected from someone who likes large cars. The idea that their car does damage to the road doesn't even enter their mind. Note the immediate jump to "my property is more durable, fuck your/public property".