Europe vs US

Americans are much bigger than Europeans.

The problem isn’t with Europe - it is with the US’s arrogance and sense of entitlement. “Why should I care if my ute gets 2 miles/gal?”. Also - try driving a Navigator through Rome and see how far you get.

Okay, this is a very biased take on it.

Firstly, those are both basically the same trucks. Secondly, not all cars in America are trucks. If the picture was taken on an American highway like the beltway around Washington D.C., the Audi Q7 would still be a large vehicle in comparison to the others on the highway, and you wouldn’t see very many of those big trucks.

And how could buying a large car possibly be considered overreacting? Overreacting to what, exactly?

Thanks.

Those Ram and Ford pickups are absolutely massive, and used for towing (as evidenced in the picture)…

If gas prices in the USA were the same as they are in Europe you’d see the size of vehicle in the US change pretty quickly!
The argument was always that people in the US cover bigger distances but the fact remains that the size of the car doesn’t effect how quickly you get there - just how much metal you drag around!

I admit, maybe the big US trucks aren’t used as often as the Q7, but still, in Europe people also carry stuff around, but not with those giants.

And yes, intensive is right, if gas prices climbed in the US, I also think the cars’ size will decrease

The problem is that people forget the size difference between the countries.
Honestly, how far does the average European have to drive on a daily basis? I live in the states and I have a 1+ hour commute each way every day. I don’t have the luxury of driving 5 mins to my job. Plus all of my driving is freeway travel. When I spend multiple hours a day on the road, everyday, I don’t want to spend it in some little ass euro-crackerbox that I have to put on like a pair of shoes in the morning. Don’t get me wrong, those euro cars are cute, but look at the differences between a sub-compact euro car and my Buick Regal. The Regal is an absolute land yacht in comparison.
The size issue can also lead to the differences in gas pricing. How many miles a week does someone in England drive to get to work, the grocery store, etc? Everything here is so much more spaced out. If I lived in New Your city proper I would want a very small car too, easier to drive the crowded streets and I won’t need to be in it very long. I hope my comments make sense. It’s been a long day already.

4 Rewire :
Try driving a european mid size car (like Renault Laguna, Citroen C5 or VW Passat) few hours on highway. Youll never want to sit in your Buick again. American cars are cheap because they are cheap. I was driving a Lincoln Town Car for about a year. I felt more comfortable in my C5.
And, afaik, Towncar is more “highway cruiser” than Regal.

That’s so true. I work in the furniture industry, and a customer of mine exports to USA. They have an oversized model recliner chair just so that an American backside would fit in it. The European one is slightly smaller. And have a look at this one: http://www.pubfoto.com/albums/gioxx-comics/difference_european_vs_american_girls.sized.jpg

But seriously speaking, I believe that the American cars in general are made for covering long distances in a straight lane. Try an American car in Europe (curves and hills), and it bounces straight off the road in the end.
Still, due to low petrol prices, American enginges haven’t developed much since the 1940s. How can you possibly make an Excursion with a 7.3litre engine, and only 250bhp????? If that was the size of an European engine it would have more than 2,000bhp - I’m sure!

So large, fat cars for large, fat distances for large, fat drivers? AND with an ineffective engine, polluting more in one mile than I do in a lifetime? The better car is European - no doubt.

I like small cars in principle, what with their economy and (in the case of the nicer ones) handling. However, I can’t seem to find one with a Rear-Wheel-Drive configuration, no matter where I go.
I know many will argue, but FWD is to me just a great big trick played on the public by lazy automakers. Rather than refine their engines and build lighter cars they just cheat by driving the wrong wheels.
Until someone offers me a small car that can actually corner, I’ll stick to my larger car.

@ Jack H
So u drive and american rear wheel drive car because it can corner ? LOL americna cars don’t go around corcors.. everyone knows that… IF u want a nice small car, with a incredible mpg compared to an american car, check out VW range of 4motion (4 wheel drive), or Audi’s quattro cars. Basicly Audi/vs/skoda.. are the same firm, so share a lot.. VAG (VW audi group).. SO why look for a rear wheel drive when u can have 4 whell drive …

Ya all just mixing all up.Pick up trucks based vehicles are made for heavy duty job and towing.Of course are used as daily driver,but…I love american cars.I love muscle V8 5 liter or more.Extreme horse power.I love Mustang.But I can handle Vette or viper without problems.Ya there just compare smal car and big car.Buy 3 cars and you got it.I have Ford F 150/5.4 Liter,4×4.I have Mustang 5.0 liter.But as daily driver Honda Civic.And i look at Nissan GTR as my next car.Supercar for people price.70 000$ and 0-60mph 3.3 seconds.
Wawa wiwa!!!

One man wrote:Still, due to low petrol prices, American enginges haven’t developed much since the 1940s. How can you possibly make an Excursion with a 7.3litre engine, and only 250bhp????? If that was the size of an European engine it would have more than 2,000bhp - I’m sure!
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Dude.Try to make with any european small engined car 500 000 km or 300 000 miles as is regular for big engined american cars.American engines are simple.Lot of cc,low RPMs,no turbos etc etc,less electronic.
If they want,they can make 7.3 L 1000 horses.For what?You ve got 2 powers.horse power and pounds of tourque.
And yes,they did one big mistake in the past-automatic trnsmision with 3 speeds only.Since they are not do it anymore,they are good.GMs Cadillac Northstar engine shut of 4 cylinders if do not need em.28 mpg on highway is better than european premium cars.

Ezop:fox saw grape…because couldnt reach it,say Grape is bad.So is for europeans american cars.Mustang,Magnum,Charger etc etc.

I agree that the photo is a little unfair due to the SUV vs American trucks, but i drive one of those big trucks, one just like that Ram. In America we use our vehilces for WORK not just to get from point A to point B. and for the people who buy these big vehicles, they are buyin them for a reason and it isn’t to save fuel. yeah your little euro cars may be able to squeeze in small places and get you 35 mpg, but American Trucks can Tow Four of your little euro cars acroos the country. Show me a Euro car that can tow around a Tractor trailer w/o hesitant…then we’ll talk

What’s the point? The Q7 is an euro-Suv, like the Range Rover, and the two trucks are heavy duty vehicles made for hauling.
As said, in the USA everything is bigger. You like it or not it’s your opinion. And as long as I’m concerned, size matters.

And someone said driving a Laguna is better than a Regal. How is that? I drove one in France for one year and it wasn’t great. I felt like my head touches the cealing, and if i had to sit in the driver’s seat no one could sit behind. The equipment was basic: no leather seats, no sunroof, no auto transmission, don’t even think about on board computer or cupholders, not even a propper trunk. This car is a joke, unless you’re under 1m80 and live in Europe. Even a Taurus is better.

@Jack H

Try the new BMW 1 series, real wheel drive, small-medium sized and superb handling. I drive it everyday and it kicks ass. (1 liter to 16 km - 1 gallon to 40 miles)