Why does it seem most americans hate hatchbacks yet love CUVS?

I really don't get it. What am I missing? I was looking on CL for a Mazda3 hatch the other day, and there basically aren't any. But there sure are a lot of CX-3's out there for sale. But why would someone choose the CX-3 over a Mazda3 hatch? Especially when you look at them on paper.

CX-3

• $24,300
• 88 ft3 Passenger Space
• 16 ft3 Cargo Space
• 34mpg hwy
• 146HP

Mazda3 5 Door

• $23,120 msrp
• 96 ft3 Passenger Space
• 22 ft3 Cargo Space
• 37mpg
• 155HP

So the car is cheaper (similarly equipped), more HP, more fuel efficient, more cargo room and passenger room.. Why are people buying CUVs?

It's also, not like you're taking your CX-3 on the backwoods trails with only 6.1" minimum ground clearance (which is the same as the Mazda3 btw).

I just don't get it...

Several things. One, we are enthusiasts, and time has shown again and again that what we want isn't what the general market wants. Two, all or most CUVs tend to be available with AWD, a big selling point here in the frozen north. And three, people like sitting higher in cars these days. It provides better visibility, and it also makes the cars easier to get into and out of, especially for older folks.

1) Image.
2) Image.
3) Image.

I remember this image being posted here on GRM once before (and I found it.)
Not much real difference:

I see a fairly significant difference in headroom and overall visibility. Which is an important thing when you're driving a car. Basically, CUVs have the tall packaging that's more space efficient than something low.

Heck, people bought the New Beetle when it was significantly worse in packaging than the Golf that was underneath. That's okay, it means that VW has more money to spend on fun vehicles. I used to be disappointed in Porsche for making the Cayenne, but it's what lets us have GT3s and GT4s. Well, not all of us. But at least they exist.

If you're just going to run numbers, why would anyone ever buy a Miata? It loses out to a similarly-priced CX-5 in almost every way.

Keith Tanner wrote: I see a fairly significant difference in headroom and overall visibility. Which is an important thing when you're driving a car. Basically, CUVs have the tall packaging that's more space efficient than something low.If you're just going to run numbers, why would anyone ever buy a Miata? It loses out to a similarly-priced CX-5 in almost every way.

I guess the visibility thing is something I don't get. I alternate between my K1500, Mustang and the wife's Mazda3. I don't feel like I'm suddenly not able to see anything when I'm not in the truck, I don't feel my ability to drive or safety while driving is affected.

On the Miata thing, it's an entirely different class of car, I would have to compare roadsters to roadsters for that. Though if it was for an only car, I don't see how anyone could pick a Miata over a Mazda3 Guess I'm to practically minded.

Ssshhh! Manufacturers are slowly tricking the average driver into buying the hatchbacks they actually need rather than the giant SUVs they think they need. Don't tip them off

Attempting to figure out the logic of the average American car buyer is a fruitless task for most of us.

t25torx wrote: I guess the visibility thing is something I don't get. I alternate between my K1500, Mustang and the wife's Mazda3. I don't feel like I'm suddenly not able to see anything when I'm not in the truck, I don't feel my ability to drive or safety while driving is affected.

If you drive two similar vehicles and one puts you in a driving position you prefer, you're going to be more likely to buy that one. That's all.

t25torx wrote: On the Miata thing, it's an entirely different class of car, I would have to compare roadsters to roadsters for that. Though if it was for an only car, I don't see how anyone could pick a Miata over a Mazda3 Guess I'm to practically minded.

The mistake you're making is that you're not looking at the Mazda3 and the CX3 as being different classes of car, whereas much of the driving public does view them as different. I think a large part of it is the availability of AWD.

I've used a Miata as an only car. It was more fun than the equivalent 323 would have been at the time

Why does anyone buy a BMW X1 when it's just a Mini underneath? Now that's a harder question to answer, especially if you've been forced to drive a new X1. Or why buy a Jeep Renegade when it's just a Fiat 500? Actually, I think the answer to that question is "how about neither?"

Different yardsticks. Ours: Does it make my face hurt from smiling too much? Theirs: Does it haul my kids & junk while not distracting me from my distracted driving?

I think it's more related to the "bigger is safer" mentality. Although they are about the same size, the CX3 "looks" bigger and subconsciously is bigger because it's an SUV/CUV. People think that anything listed as compact is automatically unsafe and dangerous.

-Rob

Taller = more upright seating position = more comfortable, somewhat proportional to increasing age.

Taller = perceived better visibility, but that's negated by all the other taller vehicles.

Taller = perceived better safety, but obviously not necessarily true.

SWMBO, who loved her 09 Fit since we bought it brand-new, has decided she wants a small SUV for generally those reasons. I'm convinced, given how she drives like a bat out of hell, that she'll hate it long-term, but I'll let her make the decision - and live with it.

Ian F wrote: Attempting to figure out the logic of the average American car buyer is a fruitless task for most of us.

But the corollary is that if you can figure it out you will be quite rich.

Towing capacities?

Seat height and AWD. My wife loves her Xterra because it sits high and she can see well out of it. I like it because it's 4X4 with serious off road capabilities.

John Welsh wrote: I remember this image being posted here on GRM once before (and I found it.) Not much real difference:

Note to self. If planning on buying the Mazda3, opt for the sunroof to make room for your head and hope it doesn't rain...giggity

Because hatchbacks are for poor people.

Some of that "feeling more safe" thing is being visible. I was constantly getting bro-dozers changing lanes on me when I owned my Jag XJS. Even before smart phones became ubiquitous. Around here, the bigger the truck the bigger the douche driving it, which is scary.

I like the idea of a CUV now that I have a kiddo. The Sonata is massive in the backseat, but bending down so far to put him in his car seat is a bit of a pain. Plus my wife would not be well suited for an actual SUV.

In addition to upright/sitting up high comments above:

The cx3 gets better city mileage than the 3.

The loading height is lower (going off that pic), and roof line is higher meaning taller stuff fits in the back.

Its shorter in length and has a shorter wheelbase - a plus for a number of reasons.

To me, those cars are so close that if you have no performance aspirations for it, you pick whichever one your wife likes more.

Furious_E wrote: Because hatchbacks are for poor people.

Ouch. I'm going to drive my Focus ST out to the corner so I can beg for change. Back in a while...

Furious_E wrote: Because hatchbacks are for poor people.

TIL: Am a poor person.

I don't understand why any CUV is purchased. They are pointless and stupid vehicles. As stated in the original post, you give up, space, utility, mileage, money, and everything else to gain nothing but a feeling of being up higher that somehow placates the masses.

What is that quote about people being smart but groups of people being completely irrational? That applies to these small SUV that cannot go off road, cannot tow things, cannot carry more poeple or stuff than a small car. In a logical world, they would simply not exist. (the CUVs not the people who buy them

There is a awful amount of hate for a car design in here. Personally, I'd love a Ford Flex. The new Explorer isn't bad either. Both of which are CUVs, albeit full sized versions. Both have reasonable towing capacities.

The smaller ones are less useful to me, but given the choice between the two in the OP, I'll take the one with the more vertical seating position every time because it's more comfortable to me. That's probably not going to be the hatch.

Wifey just got a shiney new Lincoln MKC. It's​ very good. I'm very anti CUV and Ford but this thing is changing my mind rapidly. I like it.