• GreyBeard@lemmy.one
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    11 months ago

    They are essentially a rebranding of minivans. Minivans were seen as soccer mom vehicles, but were incredibly practical. So they rebranded them to SUVs, raising the height, reducing cargo space, increasing blind spots, and over all making them less functional, but they sell much better.

    • robolemmy@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Yeah, it’s “mom car creep.” First sedans were mom cars, then station wagons, followed by minivans. Somehow the stupid huge SUVs are avoiding the stigma so far.

      Also, the Tesla model X is literally a minivan, not an SUV. I know that’s off topic but I had to say it. :-)

    • Malfeasant@lemm.ee
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      11 months ago

      rebranding of minivans

      Except minivans are at least good at the one thing they’re made for, hauling people and their stuff. SUVs try to do everything, so they do everything badly.

    • anachronist@midwest.social
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      11 months ago

      Minivans actually sold really well. And apparently the most searched-for car on automobile websites is still “Honda Odyssey.”

      My understanding is that car companies started pushing SUVs over minivans due to threading loopholes in CAFE rules or import tariffs. Minivans get classified as “big cars” while SUVs can get classified as “small trucks.” It seems like these loopholes are being abused and should be closed but the car companies lobby to keep them open.