this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2023
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Australians are driving bigger, heavier, dirtier cars and it's alarming both climate and road safety experts.

A decade ago, sedans and hatchbacks were the most popular cars in Australia. Today, Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and American-style utes dominate new car sales and advertising.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

We bought an electric recently. Was very upset to have to choose the Kona in order to fit 2 tall people and 2 big dogs. It's a great car but being realistic there's no need for it to be so big.

It seems like the styles now being sold are small hatchback, sedan, and everything else is SUV. Very disappointing to see there's not much middle ground lile the station wagon space or slightly larger hatchbacks. Especially with EVs. Most of my trips are like 40 km at most. I don't need 500 km range with a full car...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Station wagons are excellent, my 2003 holden has more cubic space than these 'I need it for the space' SUVs

What a ridiculous argument. Hope their insecurities resolve after they back over their toddlers.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah absolutely. This silly car doesn't even have enough room for a suitcase and the dogs in the back but it's a good head an shoulders above my dad's holden station wagon.

Part of that is the battery sure (maybe the head part) a lot is also ground clearance. I need a bit of ground clearance sure but we used to manage with firm suspension just fine. If it's shaking the crap out of you just drive slower. No need to tear down lumpy roads at 80 km/h unless you're actually a farmer.

We are also talking 2 big greyhounds and 2 six foot people, one with back problems that prevent a more reclined seating position, living in the blue mountains. We're not your average family. This stuff is marketed to average urbanites who defs need to be able to fit an entire Holiday's worth of luggage and their whole family on those red pavement roads they take to the school in the morning?

Surely there's room for more practical stuff ffs.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Definitely need bigger boot space I find the front is quite a lot of waste space but decided it's better than hauling my aged hatchback WRX around with petrol price these days. I learn to live with it but roof rack is a must.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ours has the rack. Unsure on effect on range but I just did sydney to Canberra easily with one stop I needed to take for concentration anyway.

I've never had a roof rack before, where to look for a sturdy one that's aerodynamic for the car? It'd be good for a holiday

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Our is factory fitted and it shouldn't matter much in aerodynamic and range wise. Battery consumption would be more related to acceleraion and driving habit. in the city I get 11.7 - 12.5 kWh/100km so yes should be doable for Syd Can trip on an extended range. If you have luggage I would recommend an after market roof tray to make it easier loading unloading. Just finished its first 1000km so no idea how things will be.