I also wonder if the increase in Americans' weight over the years has played a role. Big trucks and SUVs are often more comfortable for larger people.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/small-cars-are-getting-huge-ar...
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/10/how-cafe-killed-co...
> Under CAFE, vehicles can be labeled “passenger cars” or “light trucks”, with the latter category required to meet less stringent standards for fuel economy and CO2 emissions. A decade ago, the Chrysler PT Cruiser was the most egregious example of this.
This plays some part in it. I am fairly tall, and have longer legs, and there are sedans that I simply cannot fit into because they do not have enough room for my legs. Nevermind a coupe of any kind.
I do have a pet theory that part of the problem with bad drivers, especially inattentive drivers is that they're far too comfortable in their cars. They sit in a big cushy drivers seat with gods-knows-how-many adjustment zones, in-seat heating, cooling..massage even. Driving becomes a time to relax rather than a time to concentrate.
I prefer sedans, but longer distance traveling is very nice in my wife's mid-sized SUV.