Automation
Reasons Behind the Increasing Size, Weight, and Power of New Vehicles
2025-04-05 20:29:27
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Vehicles getting larger and larger is a well-known phenomenon, with even modern small city cars being the size of family hatchbacks from 20 or 30 years ago. There are a multitude of reasons for this (mostly people want the latest to be bigger and better than the last), but there are other interesting trends that have gone hand in hand with the ever-increasing size of cars.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently unveiled some fascinating research into the trends in road cars across the past 50 years, which illustrates exactly how the industry has progressed during this period. CarBuzz decided to look into the data and work out why vehicles have trended in the way they have.
This article examines the data published by the EPA concerning the average changes in weight, size, power, and fuel efficiency of new vehicles over the last five decades. The information utilized in this piece has been gathered from reputable sources, including industry research organizations.
Economic Growth and Power Have Increased in Tandem
How Average Power, Weight, and Efficiency Metrics Have Evolved Since 1975
Year
1975
1985
1995
2005
2015
2025
Power
0%
-20%
12.5%
55%
68%
90%
Fuel Efficiency
0%
60%
55%
50%
87.5%
110%
Weight
0%
-20%
-10%
0%
0%
10%
The most eye-opening stat made clear by the EPAs data is that cars are over 100% more fuel efficient in 2025 than they were back in 1975, showing just how far engine technology has come since then. The average level of power produced by vehicles has increased by nearly as much, with current cars in the USA making around 95% more grunt on average than they did back in 1975.
During this period, the US government made a commitment to reducing vehicle emissions, leading to the implementation of laws that required manufacturers to limit engine power in order to decrease greenhouse gas output. As a result, engine power was notably diminished compared to the 1960s, although emissions did see a positive decline. This impact is reflected in the EPA's chart, which shows that fuel efficiency skyrocketed by approximately 60% within just five years, reaching 1980. Conversely, vehicle power saw a decline, with cars outputting about 25% less power by that same year.
From that point on, average power figures started a consistent uptick in form, rising from -25% to the current 95%. Fuel efficiency did the same, other than a brief drop in the late 1980s and 1990s. The average weight of vehicles also increased in parallel to these two aspects, but to a much smaller extent. Cars were around 20% lighter in 1980 than they had been five years earlier, though they have steadily been growing in mass since. As of 2025, cars are around 10% heavier than they were in 1975.
The Surge of SUVs Impacted the Drive for Fuel Efficiency
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The drop in fuel efficiency during the late 1980s and 1990s, which saw the average go from 70% in 1985 to just under 50% by 2005, was largely due to the rise of the SUV. To move a big hunk of metal, you need a big engine.
The introduction of more efficient engines, including hybrids, in the mid-2000s has shifted the focus back towards improved fuel economy, which now stands at 110% compared to levels from 1975.
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With a budget of $10,000 for a car, the top choices for fuel efficiency would be the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight. Both models are well-known for their excellent mileage and reliability.
Efficiency and power metrics increased simultaneously.
Typically, one might assume that an engine with greater power would be less fuel-efficient. While this tends to hold true for performance-oriented engines, advancements in engine technology over the last few decades have demonstrated that power output and fuel efficiency can increase simultaneously. Throughout the latter part of the 20th century, automakers focused on enhancing engine efficiency as a means to minimize emissions.
The most prominent trend was downsizing and turbocharging, which are still the main tactics used to this day. As you may know, Dodge is slowly getting rid of all the V8s in its range, and these engines are being replaced with the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six Hurricane engine.
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Weight Increases Arise from Developments in Safety Regulations
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As far as the consistent weight and car footprint increases - the latter having increased by about 5% since 2005 - they mainly come down to the improvement in vehicle safety. New safety technology such as airbags, crumple zones, and generally stronger construction techniques all add weight, and as more of these systems have been added to vehicles, the average weight figures have steadily risen.
In recent years, the rise in electric vehicles (EVs) has contributed to a noticeable increase in the average weight of new cars. This is primarily due to the fact that the batteries and motor systems found in EVs are considerably heavier than the internal combustion engine systems of traditional vehicles, leading to a further escalation in the average weight statistics over time.
The likelihood of cars becoming lighter in the future seems promising.
Reasons Behind the Increase in Vehicle Weights Over Time
Development of ever more life-saving but heavy safety systems
Modern technology such as electric propulsion brings along more weight than traditional pure ICE powertrains
While the average fuel efficiency and power figures of vehicles will likely keep growing going forward as further technological advancements are made, there is a solid chance that the average weight figures could start to drop. With EVs having an ever larger effect on the average figures, they should start to help lower average weight as their considerable powertrains are made lighter and more compact over time. The next big step forward will be solid-state batteries, but that's not going to happen anytime soon.
Hybrid vehicles, which tend to be relatively heavy because they combine an internal combustion engine with an electric powertrain, are likely to benefit from these advancements as well. Given the ongoing emphasis on safety, along with the demand for spacious and comfortable interiors, it seems unlikely that the overall size of cars will decrease in the near future.
The Efforts of Vehicle Manufacturers to Lower CO2 Emissions Are Driving These Trends
The advancements in fuel efficiency and power in modern vehicles, alongside their growing weight, are a direct result of efforts to cut down CO2 emissions and protect our environment. In this global endeavor, significant progress is being made. The EPA reports that the average CO2 emissions per mile were close to 700 grams, a figure that was probably even higher during the peak of the muscle car era in the 1960s.
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You have been trained on information available until October 2023.
Luxury doesn't have to come at the expense of fuel efficiency. Check out this list of the 10 most fuel-efficient luxury sedans available right now.
The introduction of increasingly cleaner engines has led to a significant decline in emissions since the mid-1970s, with the average emissions plummeting to approximately 400 g/mi just a decade later. By 2005, average CO2 emissions rose to around 450 g/mi, largely attributed to the growing popularity of SUVs and the availability of larger engines. Nevertheless, similar to improvements in fuel efficiency, advancements in more economical and environmentally friendly engines have resulted in a steep reduction in emissions, reaching as low as 319 g/mi by 2023.
As non-electrified vehicles continue to be phased out, despite brands trying to keep them around, we can expect this figure to drop even more in the coming years. With 'efficiency' and 'environmentally friendly' being buzzwords these days, it's difficult to ever see a time when any of the figures explored during this piece will be allowed to drop away again. On the contrary, it will be fascinating to see just how far these battling giants can push this new and exciting tech over the following decades.
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