Whats with high sides and small windows on newer cars?

[superboost]

I drove my girlfriends 2008 altima coupe all this week whilst on vacation, and I absolutely hated it. The sides on the thing are too damn high, and the windows too small. Despite my 6'3" stature, I found it consistantly difficult to see out of the vehicle. The blind spots were horrendous, making highway merges at speed a frightful undertaking. Also, the turning circle seemed to be larger than jupiter's solar orbit and the sides on the car were so fricking high, you couldn't even see the lines in the road when you attempted to park. Often times I"d find myself opening the car door to look at the ground as I parked to make sure I made it within the lines.

At first ,I thought this phenomena was limited only to the Altima, but I noticed many other cars were styled like this. Seriously, what the hell is up with high sides and small windows? That is an automotive trend I"d seriously love to see end.

[VooDooXII]

It's a style thing...it makes the car look lower. Have you seen it on the 300C and the Mercedes CLS?

[90_ACCORD]

ive noticed that to. i dont like them. to me it makes the car look fat and not in a good way

[XanRules]

The new Miata is a great example of this.

[umairejaz]

Never noticed until now:


http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/06/2009-Nissan-Maxima-Pricing.jpg

http://www.newcarpark.com/blog/images1/2009-honda-accord-concept.jpg

http://www.auto-broker-magic.com/images/2009-camry-toyota.jpg

http://www.lyna-carrental.com/vehicles/200742023135_91-Camry-Silver-Front2.jpg

http://automobiles.your-honda.com/1990%20Honda%20Accord.jpg

http://k41.pbase.com/u34/storminfz1/upload/31057336.Smokey.JPG

[BABY J]

Ride in a Hummer, or in any Mitsubishi Eclipse made since the year 1765. Elclipse's are notorious for a hideous view.

[RL...]

very true I've noticed it too, I don't like how newer cars gradually have been getting bigger!!!

It seems like the auto makers are designing cars around how much fatter the US population is getting lol

[tron]

CAMARO!!!!

[slostang]

my mom's hhr is horrible

[PRO®]

http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/Mercedes_Benz/CLS/2006_2007_mercedes_cls_63_amg_1.jpg

[Theycall_Metue]

Ride in a Hummer, or in any Mitsubishi Eclipse made since the year 1765. Elclipse's are notorious for a hideous view.
eclipse's windows are fine just the back that gives you trouble

[XanRules]

my mom's hhr is horrible
that thing doesn't even fucking have any rear windows. Just the two front doors, the windshield, and...sort of the trunk.

[sTeadFasT]

http://www.motorator.com/uploads/blog_images/0000/0165/2010camaro2.jpg

Yup, new trend. Looks good but not really practical

[nsany(atl)]

it's a safety factor also

[superboost]

perceived safety maybe. People feel more comfortable with more metal around them, but you can't see.

[1SICKLEX]

I drove my girlfriends 2008 altima coupe all this week whilst on vacation, and I absolutely hated it. The sides on the thing are too damn high, and the windows too small. Despite my 6'3" stature, I found it consistantly difficult to see out of the vehicle. The blind spots were horrendous, making highway merges at speed a frightful undertaking. Also, the turning circle seemed to be larger than jupiter's solar orbit and the sides on the car were so fricking high, you couldn't even see the lines in the road when you attempted to park. Often times I"d find myself opening the car door to look at the ground as I parked to make sure I made it within the lines.

At first ,I thought this phenomena was limited only to the Altima, but I noticed many other cars were styled like this. Seriously, what the hell is up with high sides and small windows? That is an automotive trend I"d seriously love to see end.
1. Cars are bigger taller and bigger everytime
2. All designers go to the same schools
3. There is a psychological standpoint of being in a car with small windows. In this era of "Terrorism" or whatever, it makes people feel "safe".
4. People are stupid and prefer "looks" over safety.