Revved Up With Itu Motoba
How does that saying go again? Go big or go home, right? Well, that got me thinking, does size really matter? Hey hey hey, get your mind out of the gutter! I’m talking about the size of your car.
I have two friends with very opposing tastes. One is a die-hard Mini Cooper fan, I think she’s probably on her third generation of Minis and she swears by them. She’s sometimes forced to drive her husband’s SUV, and she’ll complain non-stop about how much she hates that car. She’s even convinced the car hates her back.
On the other hand, my other friend doesn’t like small cars at all. She’s either in an SUV or a bakkie. The most miserable time in her life was when she got into an accident and had to drive around in a Fiat 500 as a courtesy car (which I personally love obviously, petrol head things). She felt claustrophobic in that tiny car and couldn’t wait to get back to her giant Ford Ranger bakkie.
Now, I’ve driven everything from a small VW Up to a Toyota Quantum, to an enormous BMW X6, I’ve even driven a Kia flatbed truck and I’m comfortable in all of them for different reasons. In the streets of South Africa, where traffic can be a challenge and we’re also plagued by potholes, it got me wondering: based on size, which car actually seems like a better buy in our lovely and sometimes dusty Mzansi?
Small cars definitely have their place, especially if you’re mostly zipping around town. They’re light on fuel, affordable to maintain, and parking them in the chaotic CBD is a breeze. Plus, with the current price of petrol, a compact ride really helps stretch your budget. But of course, they come with trade-offs. When the roads are rough or the rain’s been a little too generous, the low ground clearance makes driving feel like an obstacle course. And if you’re packing for a family weekend away or giving a friend a lift to the airport? The lack of legroom and that tiny boot space suddenly becomes your worst enemy. It really is just big enough for a couple of pairs of shoes.
On the flip side, larger vehicles like SUVs and bakkies offer that raised confidence on the road, literally and figuratively. You feel safer, more visible, and far more prepared to take on dodgy gravel roads or unexpected potholes in the suburbs. Long-distance travel is more comfortable too, especially if you’ve got kids or lots of luggage. The downside? Let’s just say you’ll feel it at the pump. Fuel consumption is no joke, and trying to squeeze a big car into tight parking spots will test your patience, your turning circle and earn you a side-eye from an overzealous parking attendant.
So, I guess it all depends on where you stay. If you’re all about city life, then maybe get something small and nimble. And if you’re a traveler or live in a more rural area, then get yourself some big wheels. Or just be like the rest of us in between and get yourself either a sedan or a subcompact crossover SUV. I don’t really care about the size of the car. For me, it’s about the size of what’s beneath the bonnet and that’s another story for another day. For now, each to their own. Don’t worry class, there’s no wrong answer here.
