Differences Between American and European Vehicles

We hear a lot about driving differences between American and European vehicles, but other than the driving personality, not much is covered until now.

Why do some drivers prefer driving methods and qualities found in vehicles sold in Europe? There must be a reason for it. European and American vehicles differ in size, handling, efficiency, and design, which is a reflection of the market. Does this mean that American vehicles are generally larger? It does because America has a lot more wide open spaces than many other countries in Europe.

Here are a few significant differences between American and European vehicles.

Which cars are more fuel efficient?

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that European cars are more fuel efficient. This results in lower cost for fuel when fuel is the same price in both markets. There are some stricter standards for efficiency in Europe, which makes for better fuel mileage. American vehicles tend to be much larger and many American still love their big V8 engines, which aren’t efficient. This means most Americans are paying much more for fuel than Europeans, but many might not care.

Which market embraces practicality?

This is a tricky one. When you look at the differences between American and European vehicles, it’s easy to see American models are much larger. This leads to more space for people and stuff, which could be the definition of practicality for some people. Others might lean more toward smaller vehicles that can fit on narrow city streets while providing some space for cargo as being more practical. This could be more of a personal choice than size over fit.

Which vehicles embrace bolder design elements?

Some would say American vehicles tend to be bolder, with muscular exteriors, large grilles, and impressive size. That said, most of the boldest and most daring vehicle designs come from boutique European brands. Still, the vast majority of European models embrace sleek and refined designs with clean lines, compact sizes, and impressive luxury elements. When it comes to elegant design, European models hold that crown, but American models seem to be bolder and more aggressive. Both styles are impressive and provide excellent qualities, but many drivers will lean toward one style over the other.

Which cars deliver better performance and engineering?

This is where you see some strong differences between American and European vehicles. America is famous for the Muscle Car era, and some muscle cars have made it to the modern age. The V8 engine is ubiquitous in America as one of the most iconic engine layouts in the entire market. European vehicles tend to lean more toward precision engineering and driving dynamics. The engine size matters little, but the ability to hit corners at high speeds and hold a strong line is a fundamental aspect of European driving.

Does one market embrace a specific transmission type?

It might seem odd that America, with the old-school appeal of the V8 engine, is where you’ll find more cars with an automatic transmission as the standard setup. In fact, manual transmissions are nearly gone from the American market. The opposite is true in Europe. If you don’t know how to drive a stick shift, you won’t be able to do much driving in Europe. Most vehicles come with a manual transmission and have an automatic as an optional choice for a premium price.

Which cars have better performance and speed?

When you’re looking at the differences between American and European vehicles, the overall performance and speed title would likely go to European models. These cars are known for better handling and cornering. Europe is also home to most high-end supercars and supercar brands such as Porsche, McLaren, Lamborghini, and Ferrari. The raw power of American cars hasn’t been able to match the consistency of European models, with the exception of the C8 Chevrolet Corvette and Ford GT.

How are these markets advancing car technology?

There are differences with these two markets in terms of technological advancements. It seems American automakers tend to focus on infotainment and connectivity while European automakers prioritize AR head-up displays, advanced navigation, and intelligent voice assistants. American cars also feature advanced sound systems, but you can find this feature in European models as well, which shows that drivers in both markets enjoy their music and want to enjoy their time behind the wheel.

There are some significant differences between American and European vehicles, and these differences tend to reflect the markets, priorities, and driving styles of the people living in those areas.