I definitely agree that automakers are trying to replace "ability" with technology. I know that I very much rely on adaptive cruise control at this point (although, I was pleased to realize I can still maintain speed without it). And while I think that is mostly about safety, I also know I have swapped out my sunglasses or grabbed a beverage in ways I never would have fifteen years ago.

But also? A lot of the cabin stuff is about safety. When your driver's side window is at bumper height, you can't really rely on that glass to do much at all. So you need to make sure the frame can take an impact. Which means thicker metal, more airbags, etc. Which means thicker pillars and worse visibility.

Which gets back to the original point: Yeah... you kind of do need bigger (or tankier) cars to survive on the road these days.