Most affordable cars over 4 meters: here are the models for 30 thousand euros

Over the years, the size of cars has grown significantly. But prices have also increased with them. From SUVs to vans to station wagons, here are some wallet-friendly models over 4,5 metres

Le cars are growing, not in age but in length and width. Over the past few decades, we have witnessed a remarkable increase in size of cars, exceeding 4 meters in length and growing ever wider. This phenomenon, known as "automotive gigantism", has been studied by Transport&Environment, a non-governmental organization focused on the European zero-emission mobility system. According to their data, over the course of fifty years, cars have seen an increase in11% in length, from the 18% in width and even of the 57% by weight. This trend has led to the average width of new cars rising to 180,3 cm in the first half of 2023, compared to 177,8 cm in 2018.

In addition to the phenomenon of "gigantism", there is another significant trend underway: the diffusion of automotive models originally conceived for a certain type of use which are now used in different contexts. For example, i SUVs, initially designed for use outside the city, have become extremely popular among Italians, both in urban and extra-urban settings. Likewise, i pickup, originally intended for work purposes and associated with the imagery of American streets or deserts, are gaining ground on the market. Furthermore, i van, created for commercial use, are increasingly used as main vehicles for families.

Large cars: a challenge for cities too

This trend, however, is putting on cities are put to the test, many of which may not be ready to accommodate such impressive cars. And some are already taking preventative measures. This is the case, for example, of Paris which recently decided, through a referendum, to charge higher parking fees for SUVs: starting from September, the cost of parking for large cars in the center of Paris will be 18 euros per hour, while it will be 12 euros in the rest of the city.

Prices also increase with size

Parallel to the increase in the size of cars, too prices have risen significantly over the last 20 years. According to what reported by Autoscout24, the prices of new cars are even doubled (+99%). This means that to buy a new car today, families must allocate an income share equal to 7,7 average monthly incomes, compared to just 4,7 in 2003.

Cars over 4 meters cost 30 thousand euros

So, if you want to buy a large car over 4 metres, which cars are most affordable for your wallet? With a budget around 30.000 euros, you can choose from a variety of car models with length between 4,5 and 5,5 metres. These include both established brands and new offerings from Asia, including a growing presence of Chinese brands on the European market.

Among the SUVs there are models like: