Skyrocketing gas prices have led to a trend that some Americans might have seen as unthinkable – an appetite for small cars. Figures compiled by USA Today indicate that car owners everywhere are downsizing, even if that just means the next class of vehicle down. What that means for the long-term is that small and compact vehicles will become ever-more popular. This is good news for the environment, but also for drivers – small vehicles are at the forefront of affordability and innovation in both reliability and driver experience.
Creating affordability
Supply chain issues have caused the price of cars to jump, even before considering the price of gas. According to CNBC, this has led car companies to start jumping into the compact space – such as Polestar. Compacts are cheaper to make, cheaper to run, and are often more straightforward to maintain, too. Whether compact cars or compact SUVs, they are one of the more reliable categories on best buy guides, and are also a sure bet when going for a second-hand or otherwise preowned vehicle. Europe loves compact vehicles, and that’s for a good reason. As streets in the USA become as packed as the urban spaces of the European continent, they’ll be even more useful – especially with innovation to add into the equation.
Safety and reliability
Innovations in technology have enabled small cars to be even safer, and more reliable, than before. US News highlights the Honda Insight as one fantastic example of this principle. Honda already has a sterling reputation for reliability, and now, with the advancement of smart tech in its safety features, the compact has been rated as the most safe car by the IIHS in 2021. Compact cars may end up on the losing side in a full front-on collision with a huge truck, but for day-to-day driving, their features make them some of the most safe and reliable cars to be in.
Embracing the electric change
The move towards electric vehicle (EV) usage has been quiet but determined in recent years. Now, according to McKinsey, the charge is unstoppable. EVs and hybrids are simply better for manufacturers to make, assisting with carbon credits, modernizing factory lines, and opening up their business to new, progressive markets. As it happens, small and compact cars are also the most innovative when it comes to renewable energy. Larger vehicles that are making the conversion to electric drivetrains come with a lot of research and development times; conversely, smaller cars were some of the first on the market, and are light years ahead in innovation. The best quality of ride available today are in those vehicles, and that’s good news for anyone looking to get involved with the EV revolution.
Small and compact cars are the future. Americans are in love with their big vehicles, but the reality of running them is starting to become clear. Moving into the compact car field makes sense, and it saves money to boot.