Americans Love To Drive Hatchbacks And Don't Even Realize It

For years European automakers who also do business in the US, mainly Volkswagen, couldn't figure out why Americans had little to no interest in buying hatchbacks. A hatchback offers more interior space, cargo room and easier access to it all via a rear hatch, than any size sedan. Because they're built on the same platforms, hatchbacks are also just as fuel efficient as sedans. So what was the problem? Euro brands couldn't figure it out. For example, only a relatively small handful of Americans bought the Golf.

In Europe, by contrast, it was (and still is) one of the best-selling cars. Americans preferred Jettas. The GTI also has a loyal US following, but VW, or any automaker for that matter, can't rely on sales of a hot hatch for big profits. Thing is though, Americans have loved hatchbacks since around 1998, and that love affair is stronger than ever. In fact, automakers left and right have altered their entire product lineups (and effectively killed most SUVs in the process) in order to meet demand for this "American hatchback." What is the "American hatchback," you're asking? Simple. It's the crossover. That's right. The damn crossover. The Nissan Pathfinder, for example, used to be a cool body-on-frame SUV.

Now it's a unibody design. A more appropriate name for it is "Mallfinder." Yes, crossovers are hatchbacks, altered just enough to make millions of Americans think they're driving a stylish SUV with better fuel economy. Right, because those owners care about the environment more than looking good behind the wheel. But at least SUVs serve a purpose. Let's call it off-roading. Crossovers, by contrast, don't. If you need more space, buy a minivan or a wagon. Wait. No. Crossovers killed wagons, too. Think about it: crossovers are also built on platforms originally designed for sedans. All automakers had to do was jack up the ride height a few inches and redesign the body to make it more SUV-like. That's it.