Why aren't hatchbacks more popular?

maxtdi said:

^^^should have used diet coke.

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LOL

Anyway I was at MaDonlad the other day, A Big lady ordered a double big-Mac meal and super-size but order diet coke... I giggle a bit.. and think in my head... does it really matter after what you just order...

Cool Story Bra... just thought I share

Dunno, because they are everywhere in europe, esp Germany. Saw more 2 and 4 dr VW hatches oer there than i could count.

Because this is 'Murica! Land of 10 gallon hats and big truckssssss hehehehey. In 'murica if u dont drive a big truck your car is not worth alot! KEEL THE ENVIRONMENT ! YEEEEEHAWW

I've known I wanted a hatchback or liftback since I was a kid. I fell in love with MK III GTIs and the Ford Escort cosworth, which we never got over here.
My mom always had wagons, so hatchbacks were just the natural step of wagon, but sportier.
I don't think I can drive anything else other than a wagon or hatchback. I have been driving these types of car so long, I find a sedan with it's trunk disorienting. To this day I still don't trust my depth perception backing up in a sedan.

lon888 said:

I've only seen about 7 GTI's since I first became interested in them in July 2011. Like another poster stated Golfs/GTI are more popular on East and West coasts.
Like the other members, I am confused about Americans and hatchbacks. My first car was a hatchback (73 Datsun 240Z) and I have always preferred them over coupes and sedans. I think they're a more efficient people and stuff hauler.

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Move to orange county, i see about 10 min everyday to and from work! Coastal states seem to have more hatchbacks then midwest but I still see more sedans than hatchbacks as a ratio here.

Heck, here I rarely see American cars unless they are trucks or SUVs

Tarwheel said:

Given the huge popularity of SUVs in America, I am surprised that hatchbacks are not more popular. Where I live at least, hatchbacks are greatly outnumbered by sedans among small cars. I have owned several hatchbacks over the years (Honda Civics, VW Golf, Toyota Tercel) and always found them more useful than sedans. I also like their styling. The only downside, from my viewpoint, is they do tend to collect dirt and grime on the hatch, more so than a sedan.

I am also surprised that VW Golfs are not more popular among hatchback drivers. The most common hatchbacks around here are the Toyota Prius, Honda Fit and Mini Cooper followed by Mazda 3, Toyota Matrix, Nissan Versa. The new Ford Focus seems to selling well among new models. However, Golfs are few and far between. I do see more Golfs in downtown neighborhoods but seldom on interstates, which is sort of ironic because it is probably the best riding hatch on the highway.

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Here's why

I really think style is lost on a lot of people. I had an '05 Outback xt - sharp looking for a wagon, I thought. With the next model Subaru made it rounder, boxier, more like a Hyunde Santa Fe (e.g. hideous) and guess what? Sales went up tremendously. A lot of Americans seem to only want cars that look like they came out of a box at Payless Shoes.

Personally I see a lot of hatches around here. Tons of Honda Fits and Toyota Yaris', mostly driven by younger people, which is encouraging. I get the "your car is cute" a lot (actually today when talking about my GTI), whereas when I drive my Mercedes people are somehow impressed (same person said "wow this is my first ride in a mercedes!" in it today) never mind the fact that the GTI is worth 6x more than the MB. Its all about perception.

I will probably buy a sedan next. I've been driving my GTI for the last 2 years daily and love it. I went back up to my parents' place where I picked up my 1990 E-class (not large by today's standards) and I was totally blown away by the size of the trunk. I used to drive that car daily a few years ago but gave it to my parents. A sedan has better reception, just as much space, roughly equivalent mileage, and space. The difference comes in when you compare large-height objects. I can fit my bike in the GTI with the seats folded and one wheel off. I can fit the bike in my MB with no folded seats (they don't fold, gas tank in the way) but with both wheels off. :iono: as much as I love my hatch, I still see the point of sedans. Now SUVs, that's a different story.

Tarwheel said:

There are plenty of people driving small cars around here, so your point about SUVs doesn't really apply. My question is why are most small car drivers choosing sedans over hatchbacks? And why aren't more hatchback drivers choosing Golfs? When I test drove various hatchbacks, the Golf was a slam dunk compared to other brands from my viewpoint ... in every respect except for gas mileage.

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because some americans think vw's are unreliable and girly in their point of view

maxtdi said:

because small cars=cheap in customers views still.
And because fat american heffalump mom of 2 needs suburban to get more fat by going through drive through to feed the fat kids that just got picked up from fat camp.

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^^^^
That's it really.
American still equate small hatchbacks with the economy cars of the late 70's and early 80's.
They view them as ground level cars.
Americans also think bigger is better. Partially because so many of us are so damned fat.
They don't realize that a car like the GTI is as refined as their giant or mini SUV, and probably handles all of their need while outperforming it.

I should add that Americans actually are driving hatchbacks.
Oversized, overpriced, and ill handling hatchbacks.

the way this forum talks about hatchbacks is the same way the rest of the country talks about crossovers. if they're looking for a vehicle that drives like a car but has space like an suv, they can go cr-v/cx-5/escape/equinox/etc. and now they're coming in more powerful, fuel efficient designs. sale forecasts challenge sedan sales and i think it'll overtake them personally.

plus i don't like hatch styling, and i think most of the country shares my sentiments. feels like i'm driving a station wagon.

Yep, some people just hate hatchbacks. My buddy was looking for a car, because his sedan trunk wouldn't hold his huge hockey gear bag. Took him for a test drive of the gti (and a wrx), he had a blast, but wouldn't even consider buying one because it is a hatch. He considered the jetta, but ended up with an accord. Because it is not a hatch. Doh.

Zillon said:

Damn right.

Americans thrive on 'Bigger is Better.'

Cars, meal sizes, waistlines, egos, you name it. If it's not big, it's not American.

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I must have one hell of an American penis













oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Lou Maiuri said:

I must have one hell of an American penis













oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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Does that mean fat and sedentary??