WCBS 880 Interview: Are Americans Too Big To Drive Small Cars?

NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - Here's a question for you.

Are Americans simply too big to drive small cars? The answer might surprise you.

So many people want to buy smaller, more fuel efficient cars to save money, but some think they just can't fit.

David Kiley is editor-in-chief of aolautos.com and says even if you are, well, big, don't rule out a small vehicle.

"I should say, for full disclosure, I'm about 5'11" and about 285 [pounds]. So, I'm a big guy," he tells WCBS 880's Pat Farnack. "Some of this is in the minds of the consumer, because they look at a small car and they say 'Oh, I could never drive that.' But, in fact, I can tell you, since I test drive almost everything, some of the smaller cars, like the Honda Fit and Nissan Versa are actually quite roomy and quite friendly for larger people. Now, the interesting flip side of this is that bigger cars can be much more limiting and cramping, like a Ford Taurus for example."

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Pat Farnack With David Kiley

(Download the full interview HERE)

"So, my advice - don't write off a small car. Make no assumptions because it all has to do with how they've designed the cockpit," says Kiley.

RELATED: WCBS 880 Health & Well Being Report

Kiley says you really need to test drive these small cars. Renting one for the weekend might even be a good idea because the consoles are all different and you want to see where the "touch points" are in each cockpit.

He says he was even comfy driving the Smart car and a Mini!