Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
...US consumers came to equate hatchbacks with econoboxes, with the result that there's a lingering "practical car" = "cheap car" sentiment ...
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Metro, I agree with you and Bill. This is probably why.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mentalic
...my wife disliked them. Her thinking was that all your shopping stuff was in plain site and someone would want to break in...
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Not really. The Golf can store about half of its trunk content under the included rear cover that hides thet contets of its trunk. Of course if you want to competely fill the trunk cargo area, half your contents would then be in view (your rearview mirror would also have limited view). Many SUVs are the same way. You can usually fill half your cargo area and no one would know whether its full or empty (unless your rear shocks were sagging).
Personally I hated hatchbacks (guess I never liked the look) until a friend bought the Golf. It would hold LOADS of cargo and surprisingly even give my 4Runner a run for its money. It was SOOO practical that I now would not mind a hatchback. Unfortunately, I dont think that the rest of America has changed their views. America is a spoiled country that has too much spending power for its own good. The price of gas continues to rise and the unpractical SUV market is flourishing. There is too much purchasing power for people to act practical. I have no issues with SUVS, but there are too many soccer moms and individuals with VERY LARGE SUVS (were talking Expeditions and 8 seaters) that get below 15mpg for individuals that are single and families with just two kids that never utilize the space and the capabilities of these capable vehicles. Yes they can trudge through two feet of water and pull bnoats the size of houses, buit it seems that people who buy these rarely need such functions. Such individuals who love these status symbols would never buy something as practical and efficient as a hatchback. Itsthe way of thinking that has to change in America. Each year our 'economy' car gets bigger and bigger and bigger. The same model Corolla that sells overseas in 1.2, 1.4 and 1.6 L engines START in the USA wityh 1.8 L engines with much reduced fuel economies. It would take $5+/gal gas to REALLY change the attitude that Americans have in the car market. Its sometimes unfortunate. My two cents.
My next car just MIGHT be a hatchback.
Hybrid Mode
