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The average American automobile now weighs over 2 tonnes and takes up almost 5 square meters of space.
(europe.pub)
this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2026
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The point being made is that a lot of that 'extraneous bulk' is actually crumple zones and structure. You can't eliminate it without losing crash protection, and that includes pedestrian crash ratings.
Exception rear trays.
I was with you until pedestrian. Lots of dead pedestrians found themselves the one doing the crumpling. And more so because it's so much harder to see them. I've had several times when it's only because I leaned way forward and back to check that I suddenly realized there's been someone walking or scooting or biking right along with my left pillar, thinking I could see them coming out into the crosswalk/intersection. (And I always back into parking places because I can see with the rear camera much better than down the front hood.)
It's a 50-50. I believe it's mostly lower hoods that improve pedestrian safety, not necessarily just shorter hoods.
European compliant cars have a bunch of requirements for pedestrian collisions, particularly trying to improve head safety - the bonnet dents downwards, rather than either the bonnet being solid or the head hitting the windscreen.
My Honda Odyssey hood curves down, but then it seems to stick out farther than I can see over the curve. This may also be a "design for a big man driver" problem because my seatbelt cuts across my throat at its lowest adjustment and the airbag will probably kill me. But we needed a vehicle that could take a passenger in a power wheelchair plus two kids.
An extra seat cushion can help lift you up; my mum used to drive that way.
I assume your seat is fully up already?
I'm already using an extra cushion. I have the seat up and forward as much as possible with 8 inches between me and the airbag.