It's true even if you don't consider EVs. People buy more SUVs, for one thing, but a 2025 VW Golf is also larger and heavier than a 2005 Golf, which is larger and heavier than a 1985 Golf.

Compact cars in 2025 are the size mid size cars used to be a couple of decades ago.

Meanwhile, the average family size is getting smaller and smaller and the average occupancy is ever closer to 1.