Cars in the UK are getting wider

The average width of UK cars has grown almost two centimetres in the past four years, according to statistics compiled by DrivenData.

The ever increasing waistline of the modern car now stands at an average of 1,798.2mm, up from 1,780.9mm in 2006.

The figures reflect a trend that has continued apace during the past few years. The Volkswagen Polo has expanded 32mm since 2006 while a Ford Ka is 19mm broader. New Vauxhall Astras are 61mm wider than 2006 models.

Broader vehicles, designed to accommodate extra safety features and enhance comfort, have recently been blamed for an increase in scrapes and minor accidents, especially on minor rural roads and in narrow urban areas.

Main roads have been widened to counteract the problem. Rules on lane sizes were changed in 2005 so that major A roads and motorways are now 3.65 metres wide. But smaller rural and urban roads are just 2.43 metres wide on average, making it nigh-on impossible in such areas for two wide vehicles to pass each other.

The minimum size required of car parking spaces – 1,800mm – is also only just big enough to accommodate the width of the average UK car.

DrivenData compiled the statistics using its new car database, which provides comprehensive and accurate data specifications for every current model on sale in the UK.

The models currently boasting the largest girth are:

1. Land Rover Range Rover (2034mm)
2. Land Rover Discovery 4 (2,022mm)
3. Cadillac Escalade (2,008mm)
4. Land Rover Freelander 2 (2,005mm)
5. Audi Q7 (2,000mm)

So if size matters in your area, it may be better to seek out something smaller.

The cars that can name themselves as the most svelte on Britain’s roads are:

1. Daihatsu Copen (1475mm).
Mitsubishi i-MieV (1475 mm)
3. Perodua Kenari (1490mm)
4. Chevrolet Matiz (1495 mm)
5. Morgan 4/4 (1500mm)