How Regulation Killed the Station Wagon and Created the Minivan

from the article wrote:

It's ironic, because there might have been less fuel consumed had the government just left station wagons alone rather than instead effectively pushing consumers into even bigger minivans. The unintended consequences of regulations can be hard to predict, but it's not hard to predict that there will be some, because there almost invariably are.

Yep. And the question which must always be asked is "is it absolutely necessary for the government to mandate this, or will the market move in that direction anyway?" Given the size of today's pickups, SUVs and minivans and that they've become the vehicle of choice (Obama-era wheelbase-related standards no doubt helped), it's very valid to wonder if the government had simply regulated emissions, would people still be in large cars that were more aerodynamic and fuel efficient than what we have now.

I've always thought one of the biggest reasons people got away from wagons was the fact that they are rear wheel drive. Piloting a car that big, with no weight in the back, takes some skill, and you will still probably get stuck at some point. I always had company front wheel drive cars when I worked, and no matter how deep the snow, I never got stuck. Now that I'm typing this, are all mini vans FWD? I think they are. Anyway, just my 2 cents.