why americans love big cars

Lately, as I drive my low-sitting car, I've observed a noticeable trend. When I find myself stuck in traffic, I'm either unable to see beyond the cars in front of me, or I feel dwarfed by the towering presence of the vehicles surrounding me. This shift has a significant cause: the production of passenger cars like sedans and wagons for sale in the United States has been steadily declining since 1975. In their place, we've witnessed a continuous surge in the production of SUVs. Last year, SUVs and trucks accounted for 80% of all new car sales, a stark contrast to the 52% figure in 2011.

While the preference for larger vehicles among Americans may not come as a surprise, the transformation has deeper roots than merely cultural factors. It traces back to a 50-year-old policy that ignited a significant transformation in the design of U.S. automobiles. On a journey from my Brooklyn home to a Rhode Island beach for a summer vacation, I aim to unravel the reasons behind the dominance of big cars in America.

According to a Washington Post analysis, New York became the 45th state to officially embrace the SUV and truck dominance in 2014, with Alaska leading the way in 1988. I'm curious if you have any insights on what to observe on the road—specifically, the ratio of SUVs to passenger cars at rest stops and other locations.

As I make observations, it becomes increasingly clear that big cars are ubiquitous. People have various motives for choosing larger vehicles, and the U.S. infrastructure strongly supports this choice. Our country's built environment revolves around automobiles, offering wide roads, ample parking spaces, and homes with extensive parking facilities.

During my journey, I reached Connecticut, a state that succumbed to the dominance of light trucks in 2016, and had a conversation with Thomas Bochenek, who was on a cross-country road trip with his wife. He highlighted the comfort and sense of security that come with driving a larger car. He emphasized that bigger cars feel safer, reducing concerns about accidents and injuries. Moreover, larger cars like SUVs have no trouble towing heavy trailers, thanks to their robust engines.

While high gas prices deter big car purchases in some countries, the low gasoline taxes in the U.S. make fuel extremely affordable compared to other nations. However, there's an often-overlooked bias favoring big cars, stemming from the historical context of SUVs. In the 1970s, the U.S. faced an oil shortage crisis, leading the government to impose stringent rules on automakers to improve fuel efficiency. These rules primarily applied to passenger cars, while other vehicle categories, such as pickup trucks, were exempted. The goal was to ensure that working vehicles used by farmers, construction crews, and freight haulers could perform their duties without being burdened by emissions controls and unrealistic fuel efficiency standards.

This regulatory distinction provided carmakers with an incentive to transform light trucks into everyday vehicles. By adding features like radios, ample cargo space, and comfortable seating, SUVs were born. Ralph Gilles, the head of design at Stellantis, which includes Jeep, explained how early SUVs like the Chevy Blazer were built on truck frames, marking the traditional definition of SUVs. They were rugged, powerful, and utilitarian. The Jeep Grand Cherokee, however, was crafted like passenger cars, with a unibody construction, a distinction that defines traditional SUVs from the increasingly popular crossover category.

This bias toward light trucks has led car manufacturers like Volkswagen to discontinue many passenger cars and focus on SUVs and crossovers. Even Ford has stopped producing most of its passenger cars, except for the iconic Mustang.

During my visit to a car dealership, I learned that Buick, which was traditionally associated with sedans, no longer sells sedans and exclusively offers crossovers. This shift reflects the industry's commitment to providing what customers want. The preference for SUVs has become so pronounced that passenger cars are becoming increasingly rare on dealership lots.

This trend aligns with the historical context. In 1975, fuel economy standards were introduced for sedans and wagons, but these standards weren't as strict for SUVs and trucks. Automakers have marketed SUVs more favorably, invested in SUV research and development, and made it more enticing for consumers to choose SUVs over passenger cars.

As of 2016, fuel economy standards have evolved further, still distinguishing between passenger cars and light trucks, but with additional nuances. Vehicles are classified based on their wheelbase and width, and larger cars within each category face less stringent regulations. This setup not only encourages carmakers to phase out passenger cars but also compels them to increase the size of their vehicles.

One consequence of the prevalence of big cars is the heightened risk they pose to pedestrians. Research indicates that replacing SUVs with cars could have prevented over a thousand pedestrian deaths, as SUVs and trucks tend to hit pedestrians higher and in more vulnerable areas.

Before heading to the beach, I visited a friend who drives a Honda Fit, a car that was discontinued in 2020. Despite the trend toward larger vehicles, he values the fuel efficiency and lower environmental impact of his compact car. He also mentioned opting for an e-bike as a second vehicle to reduce his carbon footprint.

While the transition to smaller cars may not occur overnight in the U.S., there is growing interest among younger and politically active individuals in changing the default choice of SUVs for American families. The desire for change stems from concerns about the environment, oil dependence, and safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

Ultimately, the shift to big cars in America was not solely a result of consumer preferences but was significantly influenced by policy decisions. If we wish to reshape our roads and vehicle landscape, addressing these policies is a key starting point.