Why are americans obsessed with hrsprs?

I take road trips across Europe in a Citigo or Fabia with a 1.0mpi 6-9hr stints at a time. In the US it was the same in a V6 CUV. Maybe it depends on the person, but both trips felt equal to me in comfort. Difference was I get 50-55mpg in the Citigo vs the 20mpg in the V6 CUV. Still am able to go faster here thanks to autobahn next door.

We still have massive lorries, and recently more and more SUVs unfortunately. Traffic isn't only US thing, and yes we also have questionable highway engineering with exit ramps.

Larger cars also don't require such massive power, current Passat (MQB) comes with 123hp, 7 seat SUV Kodiaq 4x4 has 148hp, and so on... Point is, US vehicles tend to have more power because they want it; not out of necessity.

The largest difference I've noticed between the two is how pervasive awful drivers are in the US. Maybe a side effect of driving being absolute necessity. Driving schools should do better. (not directed at you of course)

/r/cars Thread Parent