One Thing I Don't Understand About Car Reviews

"Jcarr" (jcarr) 01/13/2016 at 11:47 • Filed to: Ramblings

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I’ve read thousands of car reviews over the years and one thing in particular has always baffled me.

When comparing vehicles or highlighting differences between a new and old model, the subject of dimensions almost always comes up. The writer will mention that, for example, a new model has a 0.4" longer wheelbase, or 0.3" more rear leg room.

What is the point of this? Can anyone without a tape measure actually tell the difference when the change is such a tiny amount?

HammerheadFistpunch > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 11:51

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In short - yes - it makes a big differences. 1 inch of interior space is a big deal, even though it doesn’t sound like it.

450X_FTW > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 11:53

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Ask her, an additional inch can make all the difference......

Needmoargarage > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 11:56

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I think it’s mostly just the best way anyone knows how to quantify that information. Seems better than, “This leg room is great!” or “This car is really cramped” which is very subjective.

Jcarr > HammerheadFistpunch 01/13/2016 at 11:58

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In what ways? It just seems strange to me that going from 103" to 103.4" (a 0.38% increase) can have a significant impact.

jariten1781 > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 11:58

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I get dimensions, they’re noticeable in fractions of an inch if you’re familiar with whatever they’re comparing it to. There are other metrics they tout which are totally useless to me though.

Biggest example would be ‘torsional rigidity’. Like, I know what it is, I know generally how a vehicle responds with greater rigidity, but ~10% more resistant to flex than competitor X is just not a noticeable quantity to me. Plus all cars are super rigid now, it’s not 1985. Same thing with skid pad g’s. I get it, but the difference between .98 and 1.0 is unnoticeable to me.

Jcarr > Needmoargarage 01/13/2016 at 11:59

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I get the point of providing measurements. What I’m specifically confused about is reporting changes in those measurements when they’re so minute.

HammerheadFistpunch > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 11:59

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because its a linear component of a volume equation.

Needmoargarage > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 12:13

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Yeah, a difference that small seems somewhat inconsequential. Maybe for the people that buy a new model each couple of years so they can really contrast to their current vehicle?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 12:17

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It can mean that the platform/setup has been reevaluated, which tends to indicate that the room available has been optimized in some way. So, that extra .6" of shoulder room may indicate a much larger practical difference. Apart from that, I don’t know.

MikeP3 > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 12:20

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A 0.4" increase on the entire car length is nothing, but if all that extra length is in the right place, your rear legroom just went up 0.4", which does not sound like a lot, but if you fly on a plane a lot, you will know that every fraction of an inch counts!

Jcarr > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/13/2016 at 12:24

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Interesting point, hadn’t thought of that.

Andrew P. Collins > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 12:24

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Like everything else, it depends on the metric and context.

A taillight 1" taller than another? Maybe not that significant.

An extra 1" of rear seat room in an extended cab pickup would be huge though.

fennelbreath > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 12:27

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I’ve reviewed new cars and attended press launches. The manufacturers make a big deal about such changes, and anything that the manufacturer thinks is a big deal tends to end up somewhere in the review. Take from that what you will.

Some people might think those tiny changes make a big difference in the car’s functionality or usability; others might not. But part of the purpose of a review of an updated model is to mention the updates, and changes to the car’s dimensions definitely qualify.

fennelbreath > MikeP3 01/13/2016 at 12:28

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I was going to make this point as well. A plane seat’s an excellent example.

FrankAtlanta > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 12:31

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Also provides context - for example, if length increased and weight decreased, then it helps articulate the benefit of other changes (use of aluminum, etc.).

mcseanerson > HammerheadFistpunch 01/13/2016 at 12:55

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Also packaging can make a big difference to usable space. The trunk on the pontiac solstice was 5.4 cubic feet but it’s usable space was 0.0 cubic feet.

Jcarr > Andrew P. Collins 01/13/2016 at 13:07

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Like the difference between being able to cram that pick’n’pull Torqueflite 727 in the back seat or having to leave it behind.

Baeromez > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 13:13

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You’re complaining that they give you too much information?

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 13:41

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Paid by the word. Cheap filler.

Berang > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 14:22

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It just proves that the new car is actually new, and not the same thing they were already making.

Jcarr > Baeromez 01/13/2016 at 14:29

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No, just don’t understand the significance.

duurtlang > Jcarr 01/13/2016 at 14:56

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When talking about rear legroom it can be the difference between touch the front seats with your knees and FREEDOM!@