It's annoying that for the past 20 years, cars have gotten bigger and meaner looking, while the roads haven't really changed much (at best, deteriorated)

Need an unbundling cycle where cars get smaller, cuter, and more humane

I think country of origin kinda counts on this.
Both economic and law perspectives can answer to this.

For instance, on the whole Japanese cars are smaller, compact but feature filled. Roads are smaller and speeds are lower, which can attest to this.  Where as, I feel American roads are sprawling and higher speed limits sort of create an allure for larger vehicles.  Fuel prices being cheap in America kind of also fuels the fires for gas guzzler car economy.

Once a fuel supply crisis hits America (if ever), then people would be like "hey, maybe I need a smaller car that is fuel efficient and not burning a hole through my wallet".

From the law perspective, I present to you the "Kei Truck" from Japan. Super easy and quite economical with good practicality for tradesmen and workers. But it's outlawed in America as it doesn't meet road safety requirements.

friendly neighborhood shitcaster // working on @pinetree

I think country of origin kinda counts on this.
Both economic and law perspectives can answer to this.

For instance, on the whole Japanese cars are smaller, compact but feature filled. Roads are smaller and speeds are lower, which can attest to this.  Where as, I feel American roads are sprawling and higher speed limits sort of create an allure for larger vehicles.  Fuel prices being cheap in America kind of also fuels the fires for gas guzzler car economy.

Once a fuel supply crisis hits America (if ever), then people would be like "hey, maybe I need a smaller car that is fuel efficient and not burning a hole through my wallet".

From the law perspective, I present to you the "Kei Truck" from Japan. Super easy and quite economical with good practicality for tradesmen and workers. But it's outlawed in America as it doesn't meet road safety requirements. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-03-24/japan-s-tiny-kei-trucks-find-fans-in-us-cities-dmvs-are-less-enthused

Host /videogamemusic - Warpcast Peeps Podcaster - Weekly Comic Fwarkast! - Mod /justbuild /ogiri - Casts in ENG/JP

Definitely an American lamentation 

Wish we could slow down (literally) but the economics get in the way like you said