Hi Stu
Not sure why were seeing small engine cars but the green-washing could be one reason for sure but another reason comes to mind and its Direct Line takes over the insurance of Motability car the end of this year so could be something in that to giving Motability a more competitive price over RSA in return for less risky cars, we don’t know.
Your right about having power on board when travelling with a lot of weight in the car, its something I have to do 100% of the time with scooters and lifting aids.
My current car has a 138 bhp diesel engine and handles the weight very well (nothing gets passed me at legal speed limits? ) and my next car (if it ever arrives) will have the VW 1.5 150 bhp petrol engine and reading reviews and user forums I’d say about 80% of them say its a worthy engine power wise however they may not be user who pull a lot of weigh around with them. Would be nice to have test drives but even in better times its not possible for me so have to take others word.