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Think modern cars look bloated? Of course you do. Part of what you're seeing is the effect of European and Asian pedestrian-protection requirements that went live last decade. The idea is to leave enough space beneath the hood to keep a struck pedestrian's head from caving it in far enough to hit the top of the engine. So, you'd expect higher hoods and taller noses.
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Taking the Hit: How Pedestrian-Protection Regs Make Cars Fatter - Feature - Car and Driver
Okay, they make the hood taller, to prevent pedestrian heads from striking the engine, and then they need to shift the seats and roof upward. I thought that I had read they made the front of cars taller and straighter to prevent pedestrians from flying over, resulting in multiple impacts.