While this is true, not all of the exterior volume increase resulted in more passenger space. Crumple zones and other crash protection force automakers to add what is effectively a lot of dead space in the frame and body, and since shrinking the interior is generally frowned upon that extra volume instead causes the exterior to balloon outward.

Yes, but I'd say the old Accord is still closer to a new Civic than a new Accord. For example:

1990 Accord (source: https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/releases/relea...)

Legroom 42.6/34.3 Hiproom 52.4/52.4 Shoulder: 54.8/54.8 Passenger volume: 93 cu ft Cargo volume: 14.4 cu ft

2022 Civic (source: https://owners.honda.com/vehicles/information/2002/Civic-Sed...)

Legroom: 42.2/36 Hiproom: 51.2/49.8 Shoulder: 52.6/52 Passenger volume: 91.4 cu ft Cargo volume: 12.9 cu ft

2021 Honda Accord (source: ) Legroom: 42.3/40.4 Hiproom: 55.3/55 Shoulder: 58.3/56.5 Passenger volume: 102.7 cu ft Cargo volume: 16.7 cu ft

Though granted - too lazy to do the calculations right now, but I imagine a 1990 Honda Accord might be priced closer to a 2002 Honda Civic than Accord too.

I feel like this is the same argument on HN regarding memory in laptops. Every argument insists that 8GB is useless, and shame on a company for selling that config (or not offering 32GB).

And how many child seats did you fit in your 80s and 90s cars?