Why do cars get bigger

[Rouxenator]

Has it occurred to anyone else that car models get bigger, more complex and more expensive? This seems to be the trend with all manufacturers and they usually introduce smaller models to fill the gap left by older ranges getting bigger. Here are some examples :

The Toyota Corolla E10 has a 40cm shorter wheelbase than the current 11th generation E170. Since the Corolla was introduced as a small affordable little car Toyota had to re-enter the the entry level segment three times with cars like the Yaris and Aygo and Etios.

The Golf was in affordable modern replacement for the Beetle, yet if you look at what happened between then and the new Mk7 you see they had to introduced the Polo and then Lupo/Up to have an entry level car.

Obviously it is a goof thing that cars improve, but why don't model ranges stay focussed on it's target audience? Richard Hammond's Gauteng sourced Kadett A (Oliver) is a far cry from the 9th generation Astra J we have today. Even the Corsa that was introduced in the 80s to fill the void left by the Astra in the entry level spot has become bigger and more complex and Agila/Splash stepped in to yet again fill the spot.

So why is it that manufacturers keep bloating their models?

 

[Heisenborg]

A part of it is to deal with safety standards, crumple zones and all that. But yes, they are getting fancier too in general as tech improves

 

[LinuxMan]

Bigger cars need bigger prices?? = profit

 

[SykomantiS]

Mini... Show me a new Mini. It's a Midi in my opinion.

 

[Vegeta]

Only one mainstream manufacturer's cars stay the same or get lighter and/or smaller. Only one I know of at least.
Mazda MX-5
Mazda 2

Even their SUV CX-7 was replaced by the smaller CX-5

I find it interesting that they go against the trend

 

[Lord Farquart]

To allow lardasses to fit in them.

 

[gfmalan]

Another example is the VW Jetta. In 1980 it was the same shape as the Golf one with a boot. Then they renamed it to Fox, and then the Jetta Start growing till where it is today.

It is as if the world or people aren't happy with something, they try to apply the IT/Phone mentality to everything. Every year they want a new model, with more features. I miss driving cars that "feel" nice driving them, and not operating a computer.

 

[Heisenborg]

It boils down to profit like the one guy says. If the perception is that the car hasnt improved over the old model, why would anyone buy. Latest and greatest = human nature

 

[WaxLyrical]

American cars from the 80's were huge.

They've actually become smaller.

 

[Rouxenator]

A lot of American cars have been discontinued and replaced with European / Korean badge engineered options. For some companies bigger cars just did not work, remember the Record / Omega? They just stopped making those.

 

[dj_jyno]

Interestingly enough, the VW Jetta Mk IV was slightly shorter than the Mk III. From there it started bloating again.

 

[HAL 9000]

Thankfully, some cars have managed to stay almost the same size in the last 50 years or so.



However, some have bloated up to such an extent over the years, that their model designation is no longer an indication of their actual size.





BMW could just as well have revived the MAXI badge for their current Countryman model.

 

[Kix]

When a new model is launched, a manufacturer loves to bleat about how much more space there is, how much more legroom, head room etc.

You get the more room not because the car is cleverly designed / packaged, but because it has grown in all directions.

 

[Colin62]

Why do cars get bigger? Because size is important - technique will only get you so far...