[tootie]

There was a brief and futile anti-SUV movement in the 90s. Manufacturers generally got much better about size and safety compared to what they were, but they still sell based primarily on looks. For anyone who actually needs all that interior space, you're always better off with a minivan. And really most people, even families, can make do with a regular sedan. I've got a wife and two kids we can fit ourselves and enough junk for a 4-day vacation in a compact pretty easily (which I rent as needed because I live in a walkable city).

[masklinn]

> And really most people, even families, can make do with a regular sedan.

That’s still the norm in Europe. Every summer you see the Dutch migrating through France in station wagons.

A roof carrier or a small trailer does wonder (when you don’t just go with a camper).

[Scoundreller]

Even the same sedans are built with different engine options between North America and Europe.

Europe models will start with smaller engines that are just unavailable in US models.

No idea why given Europe has mountains too and 120 and 130km/h speed limits are the highway norm but often with shorter on-ramps.

[masklinn]

American cultural sensibilities making small engines a hard sell?

Historically the torque converter gearboxes were a big problem for small euro engines, but nowadays I’d assumed the gearboxes either are DCT or have lock-up clutch so it should be a non-issue.

[mrguyorama]

Americans are just terrible and inattentive drivers in general, because the culture is that driving is a necessary thing, and therefore a right. They also like to merge onto highways in the stupidest possible ways, so you "need" 200 horsepower even in a damn corolla so you can accelerate to 80mph from 30 because you don't understand the concept of an on-ramp or smooth merging.