this post was submitted on 26 Oct 2023
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So, are they bigger and heavier, or are they equivalent?
Bigger and heavier vehicles (more specifically “trucks” which aren’t legally defined by their beds and encompass virtually anything larger than a simple sedan) are exempt from the majority of fuel economy standards. As a result many auto makers have just straight up stopped making “cars” and shifted entirely to larger vehicles because they can get away with more emissions. Yes, a 2023 SUV is slightly more efficient than a 2013 SUV, but so many more of them are being sold instead of cars that the overall emissions are way higher. I love my Ford Focus from 2017 but Ford literally cancelled every single sedan, coupe and hatchback other than the Mustang and now exclusively makes SUVs, trucks and a single sports car.
The Lexus RX350 convinced consumers that crossovers are cool and SUVs/CUVs are great for daily driving. But, the real culprit behind the transition was the Plymouth that CAFE classed as a light truck: the PT Cruiser, the wringer that lifted the Ram's fleet fuel economy overnight
Except crossovers aren’t cool and SUVs/CUVs suck for daily driving. God I miss my 2004 Volvo wagon.
Power wagons FTW. Love my hatchbacks and my VW B6 wagon 2.0t, although the fuel economy is not as good as my wife's 2014 2.5l Mazda3 hatchback.
I had a 6 speed V70R. So much regret.
That's the whole point, what good would it be to compare equivalent vehicles, when people don't drive equivalent vehicles? They drive bigger and heavier vehicles on average, negating efficiency gains of newer vehicles.