Cars come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For some motorists, a smaller, more nimble vehicle is desirable; others prefer something that’ll tower over road users and conquer a range of terrain.
With increased size, of course, comes increased weight. But it isn’t just a trend toward off-road vehicles that’s driving weights up: the average electric vehicle must carry around enough battery to get it from one place to another. Among the biggest barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption is range anxiety, and thus manufacturers are pulling out every stop to improve capacity. But more charge means weightier batteries. In his Autocar column, Matt Prior recently bemoaned the eye-watering 2520kg weight of the latest Audi E-tron, of which 715kg was provided by the battery.
The Cons
Handling
Have you ever driven your car when it was heavily loaded with passengers and luggage? Did it feel a little on the sluggish side? It’s more or less a law of nature that heavier cars will not respond as rapidly – there’s only so much, after all, that power steering can achieve.
Affordability
This is the big one. More weight means more energy required to shift the car, and that means you’ll be putting more fuel into it. In some cases, it’s a lot more. This is especially so if you’re doing a lot of stop-start urban commuting. If you think that a vehicle will make a more economical long-term investment, but you lack the necessary cash, then it’s often worth looking to specialised online lenders like Go Car Credit.
Parking
If you’re driving something huge, then you’ll find it more difficult to park. This difference may be especially egregious if you’re moving from something very compact, which can be nestled just about anywhere. So, if you’re going to make the switch, make sure you have a tennis ball hanging in your garage.
The Pros
Space and Comfort
Heavier cars tend to be larger ones, which offer great room to stretch inside, and, often, superior upholstery. If you’re planning on taking the entire family out on long trips into the countryside, then you might find the journey goes easier if it’s a comfortable one. Similarly, if you’re having to travel long distances for work, then the level of comfort in the driver’s seat might make a big difference. Heated and vibrating seats, after all, tend to weigh in slightly heavier.
Safety
If you’re ever in a head-on collision, the smaller vehicle will usually come off worse. This is a concern that’s usually overstated: your chances of being involved in a collision of this sort are very slim. Heavier vehicles tend to offer more distance between the passenger compartment and the front bumper, which means better shielding in the event of a crash.
