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Yeah, that's how I remember it too. Back then I wondered why some people I knew bought SUVs even though they were only needing to commute to/from work. In the

Yeah, that's how I remember it too. Back then I wondered why some people I knew bought SUVs even though they were only needing to commute to/from work. In the early 2000's my own situation changed, I was needing to haul relatively heavy/bulky items. I acquired a Honda Pilot because of its rated 1300 lb payload, better than a small pickup. After a while that need ended, but I kept the Pilot and still drive it. However since then it's used <3000 mi/year, a good thing with price of fuel being what it is now. The Pilot was/is built on the same platform as the Honda minivan, albeit with slightly modified drive train. Pilot and minivan have essentially identical mileage ratings. So with these models switching from minivan to "SUV" makes no difference in fuel usage. Can't disagree that old-style "station wagons" were more fuel-efficient than minivans and similar size vehicles. However, station-wagons seem to have disappeared from the scene at least to my observation. Out of fashion I suppose. And from the fuel usage point of view that's unfortunate. EVs are the future but expense factors will keep ICE in the picture for some years to come. Do you suppose the current increased fuel prices will inspire a resurgence of smaller vehicles for routine transportation? In the interim that would be a good thing.

steveBK123 4y ago
Exactly - its minivan to SUV swaps mostly. And its the same vehicle under the hood. Increased safety standards, crumple zones and side curtain air bags add some girth.. Station wagons I think also partially fell out of fashion because you can't do a 3 row wagon safely anymore as there's no way the rear facing vomit seats are going to survive modern safety tests. Also don't forget how ginormous modern kids seats are in cars, and how many more years kids are legally supposed to sit in safety seats compared to when we grew up. Few sedans are comfortably able to take 2 of these kid seats and still leave you with room for much cargo or a 3rd adult (grandma or grandpa) at the same time. The market for 7 seaters (of which 4-5 may be occupied at any one time) is fairly large.
- tootie 4y ago
  They've improved a lot and are no longer tarted up pickup trucks. I live in a city with very limited street parking though and it's nuts that people who live here don't always opt for the shortest wheel base.
- travisb 4y ago
  Station wagons died in North America mostly due to fuel economy standards, just like all the other full-size sedans. They still exist in Europe/UK (as "Estate Cars") where the fuel economy standards, vehicle and fuel taxation work differently and don't advantage SUVs/light trucks as much.
nostrademons 4y ago
I wonder why the truck rental market isn't bigger. I occasionally have to haul heavy or bulky items too, but when I do, I walk a mile to the nearest U-haul, pay about $30, and have a pickup for the day. For the rest of the time, my primary vehicle is a Honda Fit that gets 40mpg, can fit into the Compact spaces in all the local parking lots, and easily pulls a U-turn even on narrow roads. I wouldn't want a pickup as my daily ride - it wouldn't fit in my (relatively small) garage, it burns gas like you wouldn't believe, and parking options are much more limited. Dropping $30 for the couple times per year that I need one is way more cost-effective than spending the upfront cost for them + additional gas & maintenance.

steveBK123 4y ago

Exactly - its minivan to SUV swaps mostly. And its the same vehicle under the hood. Increased safety standards, crumple zones and side curtain air bags add some girth.. Station wagons I think also partially fell out of fashion because you can't do a 3 row wagon safely anymore as there's no way the rear facing vomit seats are going to survive modern safety tests. Also don't forget how ginormous modern kids seats are in cars, and how many more years kids are legally supposed to sit in safety seats compared to when we grew up. Few sedans are comfortably able to take 2 of these kid seats and still leave you with room for much cargo or a 3rd adult (grandma or grandpa) at the same time. The market for 7 seaters (of which 4-5 may be occupied at any one time) is fairly large.

tootie 4y ago
They've improved a lot and are no longer tarted up pickup trucks. I live in a city with very limited street parking though and it's nuts that people who live here don't always opt for the shortest wheel base.
travisb 4y ago
Station wagons died in North America mostly due to fuel economy standards, just like all the other full-size sedans. They still exist in Europe/UK (as "Estate Cars") where the fuel economy standards, vehicle and fuel taxation work differently and don't advantage SUVs/light trucks as much.

nostrademons 4y ago

I wonder why the truck rental market isn't bigger. I occasionally have to haul heavy or bulky items too, but when I do, I walk a mile to the nearest U-haul, pay about $30, and have a pickup for the day. For the rest of the time, my primary vehicle is a Honda Fit that gets 40mpg, can fit into the Compact spaces in all the local parking lots, and easily pulls a U-turn even on narrow roads. I wouldn't want a pickup as my daily ride - it wouldn't fit in my (relatively small) garage, it burns gas like you wouldn't believe, and parking options are much more limited. Dropping $30 for the couple times per year that I need one is way more cost-effective than spending the upfront cost for them + additional gas & maintenance.