Older Article : Why Don't Pint-Sized Cars Get Better Gas Mileage?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by Sven7

Compact cars are generally compact for a reason- to fit in tight places where space is at a premium. You start lengthening a compact car and it becomes a midsize.

How so? We have for the CRX:

Wheelbase 90.6 in
Length 148.0 in
Width 65.9 in
Height 50.1 in

and for the Spark:

Wheelbase 93.5 in
Length 144.7 in
Width 62.9 in
Height 61.0 in

So the CRX is 3.3 inches longer, but almost a foot shorter (and has a nice aerodynamic slope to the hatch). Can't see how that bumps it up to a "midsize" car, can you?

PS: And just as a comparison, the dimensions of a Lotus Elise:

Length 146.7 in
Width 67.7 in
Height 47.3 in

So do a rough calculation (width * height) of frontal area (the A in CdA):

Spark: 3837 sq in
CRX: 3302
Lotus: 2958

So even if all else is equal, and you're just dragging a flat plate through the air, the Spark is going to use more gas.