Roadfly.com - 2008 Subaru Outback 2.5 XT

"Most of Europe is like our big cities... small, crowded, and very busy."

Where did you get that impression from?

We are also taking about "SUV" not pickup trucks!

Sorry, I have over stated, when I said Europe I meant the UK. The guy asked why so many American cars get bad mileage. We have a lot of SUV's and pickup trucks is one. Our own stupid government is the biggest. Our EPA makes the pollution standard so high. There are almost NO diesel cars in the USA. maybe .5% The best comparison would be to check the average miles driven a year. in the USA its about 15,000 lots of highway miles = big cars.

"in the USA its about 15,000 lots of highway miles"

Thats low!

I drive over 120,000 per year and can prove it - Volvo's are indestructible!!!

Sorry.. but that is not the AVERAGE for Europe. your obviously in a transportation related job.. as am I. The discussion was about the average driver. and why they buy big heavy cars in the USA.

"your obviously in a transportation related job"

I'm a Network administrator based in an office block 5 miles down the road, there is nothing transportation about it, all my mileage is made up in my leisure time.

I've heard of 'sedan' cars in America with 5 litre engine, whats the point of that?

Most of those are the domestic makers. Chrysler has a 2.7L 3.5L, 5.7L, 6.1L in the 300 sedan & all get about 25MPG on the highway except the 6.1 that is a special model. The 300 is a big BRICK of a car too. The point of it is WE LIKE IT! or at least a lot of people like it. Big engines are smooth, and quiet, but have good low end torque. The 5.7L HEMI from Chrysler uses cyl deactivation on the hyway but makes 360HP. There is a Diesel model in Canada but we don't get it here.

Just hauled 453 lbs of steel FROM the scrap yard last week in my 98 Outback and it gave me no hassle :)

Doesn't surprise me. They rock.

We mainly drive on motorways at 80mph and our trucks are allowed to carry a heavier load, thats why we have triple axle trailers as standard and one tonne of timber isn't allot of weight.

We were talking about cars.. not big trucks.. which BTW I drive one... Class A 80,000 lb gross.
I was talking about 1 ton of timber in a personal vehicle.. like a pickup truck. There are more people than you would think that do construction, plumbing, electrical etc for a living as independent contacters
Just trying to explain why are cars are bigger.
I personally HATE SUV's.. cause they suck at everything... the Subies are a good ballance. And Subaru sales are up 30% this year.