Are the most popular cars in the UK getting bigger?

Over the past few decades, Britain’s roads have witnessed a quiet but noticeable transformation – cars are getting larger.

What was once the era of compact hatchbacks and nimble city cars has gradually shifted toward bulkier, taller, and wider vehicles, such as SUVs.

This change isn’t just about aesthetics – it reflects evolving consumer preferences, safety regulations, and lifestyle demands.

Although the roads haven’t increased in size with them, there are no signs of cars reducing in size anytime soon.

What cars will we analyse?

Our data will investigate five of the UK’s most popular vehicles, which have been an almost ever-present on our roads.

Take the Ford Fiesta, long celebrated as Britain’s quintessential small car. Once prized for its agility and affordability, even the Fiesta has grown in dimensions over successive generations.

The Volkswagen Golf, another staple of British motoring, has similarly expanded, offering more interior space and a sturdier road presence than its earlier incarnations.

Meanwhile, the Honda Civic, once a modest family car, now boasts a sleeker, elongated profile that rivals mid-sized saloons.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Nissan Qashqai and Range Rover epitomise the SUV boom.

The Qashqai, often credited with popularising the mainstream family SUV segment, has become a fixture on suburban driveways, while the Range Rover continues to dominate as a symbol of luxury and size.

This article explores Britain’s favourite cars that are increasing in size, what this means for drivers and the future of urban mobility.

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Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai has grown steadily since its launch in 2007.

It started at 4315mm long, 1780mm wide, and 1615mm high with a boot space of about 400 litres.

By 2024, it reached 4425mm long, 1848mm wide, and 1625mm high, with boot space expanded to 479–504 litres (depending on the model).

Each generation has added length, width, and practicality, reflecting the broader SUV trend in the UK.

The first generation Nissan Qashqai (2007–2013) measured 4315mm in length, 1780mm in width, and 1615mm in height, with a boot capacity of 400 litres.

The second generation Nissan Qashqai (2013–2021) grew slightly longer at 4394mm and wider at 1806mm, though its height dropped to 1595mm. Boot space also increased to 430 litres.

By the third generation Nissan Qashqai (2021–2024), the Qashqai reached 4425mm in length, 1835mm in width, and 1625mm in height, with a much larger boot capacity of 480 litres.

The latest facelifted version (2024–present) maintains the same length and height but expands further in width to 1848mm, while boot space ranges between 479 and 504 litres depending on the model.

Overall, the Qashqai has grown by 110mm in length and 68mm in width over its lifespan.

Its height has fluctuated slightly but remains taller than the earliest version, and boot capacity has expanded from 400 litres to over 500 litres.

^{Source: automobiledimension}

Read our Nissan Qashqai review.

Ford Fiesta

The latest Ford Fiesta (2022 model) is classified as a small, compact car, measuring 4040mm long, 1476mm high, and 1735mm wide (1941mm with mirrors).

It offers 311 litres of boot space and seats five. Its dimensions are unchanged from the 2017 model, while earlier versions (2010 and 2013) had slightly smaller boot capacity at 290 litres.

Ford Fiesta experienced modest growth in size across its recent generations, while maintaining its reputation as a compact and practical car.

In 2010, the Fiesta measured approximately 3950mm in length, 1720mm in width, and 1460mm in height.

By 2013, the car had grown slightly to 3969mm long, 1722mm wide, and 1468mm high, showing incremental increases in both length and width.

A more noticeable change came with the 2017 model, which reached 4040mm in length, 1735mm in width, and 1476mm in height.

The latest 2022 version retained these dimensions.

Overall, the Fiesta has grown by around 90mm in length and 15mm in width between 2010 and 2022, while height has remained relatively stable, fluctuating only slightly between 1460mm and 1476mm.

These changes have given the car a slightly larger presence, increased safety features, and improved cabin space, yet it continues to sit firmly within the small car category, balancing practicality with compact proportions.

Although these modern models are still seen on the roads, the Ford Fiesta has steadily grown across its generations, reflecting changing needs for space and practicality.

The first generation 1976–1983) measured about 3,565mm long, 1,560mm wide, and 1,360mm high, with a modest 200-litre boot.

By the third generation (1989–1997), dimensions expanded to 3,740 mm length, 1,620 mm width, and 1,360 mm height, offering a larger 245-litre boot, making it more family-friendly.

The fifth generation (2002–2008) marked a significant leap, stretching to 3,918 mm long, 1,683 mm wide, and 1,463 mm high, with a 284-litre boot.

^{Source: automobiledimension}

Read our Ford Fiesta review.

VW Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has evolved steadily over the years, maintaining its reputation as a practical and versatile compact car while gradually increasing in size and capability.

It has shown steady but modest growth in size over the years.

In 2008, the Golf measured around 4250 mm in length with a boot capacity of 350 litres.

By 2012 and 2017, the car had grown slightly to 4282 mm long and 1789 mm wide, with boot space expanded to 380 litres.

The 2020 model kept the same footprint at 4282 mm long and 1789 mm wide but stood 1456 mm tall.

Finally, the latest 2024 Golf remains 4282 mm long and 1789 mm wide, yet is taller at 1483 mm, with boot space increased to 381 litres.

In total, the Golf has grown by 32 mm in length, 10 mm in width, and 27 mm in height since 2008. Boot capacity has risen by 31 litres.

Overall, the Golf has not grown dramatically in length or width, but subtle increases in height and boot capacity reflect Volkswagen’s effort to balance compact proportions with improved interior comfort, safety, and storage.

Electrified versions, such as the GTE, sacrifice some boot space.

The Volkswagen Golf was initially launched in 1974 and Mk1 lasted until 1983.

It measured around 3,705mm long, 1,610mm wide, and 1,410mm high, with a boot capacity of about 300 litres.

By the third generation (1991–1998), dimensions expanded to roughly 4,020 mm length, 1,695 mm width, and 1,445 mm height, while the boot increased to about 330 litres.

This growth reflected the Golf’s shift from a compact hatchback into a more spacious, family‑friendly car.

^{Source: automobiledimension}

Read our Volkswagen Golf review.

Range Rover

The Range Rover is a large luxury SUV measuring 5052 mm long, 1990 mm wide (2209 mm with mirrors), and 1870 mm high, with a boot space of 575 litres.

Compared to the 2018 model, it is 52 mm longer and 34 mm taller, while width remains the same.

Earlier versions offered slightly less boot capacity: 550 litres in 2018 and 2013, and 535 litres in 2010.

This shows that the Range Rover has steadily grown across generations.

The 2010 model measured 4972 mm long, 1956 mm wide, and 1865 mm high, with a boot space of 535 litres.

By 2013 and 2018, length increased to 5000 mm, width to 1990 mm, and height dropped slightly to 1836 mm, while boot space rose to 550 litres.

The 2022 model expanded further to 5052 mm long, 1990 mm wide (2209 mm with mirrors), and 1870 mm high, with boot capacity reaching 575 litres.

^{Source: automobiledimension}

Read our Range Rover review.

Honda Civic

The Honda Civic has grown longer and wider over successive generations, though boot space has fluctuated. The latest 2023 Civic measures 4551 mm long, 1802 mm wide, and 1408 mm high, with a 410‑liter boot.

Compared to the 2017 model, it is 33 mm longer and 26 mm lower, while earlier versions (2009–2015) were slightly shorter but offered larger boot capacities of 477–485 litres.

The vehicle has steadily evolved in size and proportions across its generations.

The 2009 model measured 4250 mm in length, around 1770 mm in width, and 1460 mm in height.

By 2015, the Civic had grown longer at approximately 4520 mm, while width remained similar and height increased slightly to 1470 mm.

In 2017, the car measured 4518 mm in length but widened to 1802 mm, with height reduced to 1434 mm, giving it a broader and sleeker stance.

The latest 2023 model continues this trend, stretching to 4551 mm in length, maintaining the 1802 mm width, and lowering further to 1408 mm in height.

Overall, the Civic has become longer and wider over time, while gradually adopting a lower, sportier profile.

^{Source: automobiledimension}

Read our Honda Civic review.

Why are cars getting bigger?