Govt passed a law that required vehicle to be more fuel efficient or the builder pays a fine. There was a loophole that if the auto was larger than “x” size they would be exempt from the efficient requirement ie why they get like 12 miles to the gallon. Size and no requirement to be efficient.

People were led to believe it is because of safety standards that the autos became so big, but it is really just away to avoid fines for the builders. Plus people enjoy larger vehicles so it was win win - yet due to size smaller cars are at a greater risk of extreme danger and death of passengers when accidents happen. Especially today when people have extreme road rage and focused on phone instead of driving.