It’s not news that Americans’ waistlines are much bigger than they used to be. What should or should not be done about it remains a continual subject of debate. But in the meantime, extra-large Americans get up and go to work like anyone else and they need vehicles to get them there and back. Is the auto industry paying attention?
“The auto industry tends to give customers what they say they want,” Sage Marie, Manager of Honda Product Planning, told AOL Autos. “But there is no overt policy. Cars are getting bigger, with more hip, elbow and shoulder room as time goes on, but that’s not a function of overtly targeting the marketing requirements of extra-large people.”
Honda’s 2011 Accord and Odyssey were voted the top two best vehicles for larger drivers by Consumer Reports last August, with Hyundai’s Azera coming in third. “The test was based on a the criteria of good visibility, comfortable seats, ease of access, and a tilt-and-telescope steering column,” said Jim Travers, Consumer Reports associate editor.
Amelia Ann, a 25-year-old student from Akron, Ohio, said her 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle is the ultimate little car, but with lots of interior room. “Just because I’m fat doesn’t mean I want to drive a huge car,” she said. “My friend’s Mom had a Volkswagen Bug and I always wanted one since I was a kid, but I figured it was a small car and I probably wouldn’t fit. But when it was time to car-shop, I tried a couple of other cars and my legs didn’t fit, or my hips didn’t fit or the seatbelt didn’t fit.”
“There weren’t too many places I could go online to find articles about which cars are good for people my size,” she said. “I met a couple of girls who were bigger than me who had Bugs and they loved them, too, so I was sold. I’m amazed at how roomy the Bug is inside.”
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