Why aren't small luxury hatchbacks sold in the US?

freakystyly · 08-02-2019, 10:32 AM

There was a hot hatch hype resurgence that some media outlets emphasized the last few years but the SUV train had already left the station.

Fiesta / Focus (ST, RS) - Rest in peace, the childish interiors killed the mood.

Golf / GTI - The more mature choice. I still see a lot of Rs popping up, more than GTIs here probably for the AWD.

Civic (Si, R) - Though not traditional hatches, and very polarizing styling.

I would've loved to see those older 1 series hatches here tho. Even mini is a disappointment when the SUV model gets the performance priority.

nakamuru · 08-02-2019, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Fiesta / Focus (ST, RS) - Rest in peace, the childish interiors killed the mood.

Ford Focus RS is no longer being made now? I know someone who had this, and it drove nice.

Red Bread · 08-02-2019, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nakamuru

Ford Focus RS is no longer being made now? I know someone who had this, and it drove nice.

In the US. The Focus and Fiesta are both unavailable to us. We're not getting the next Golf or Golf Wagon either.

nakamuru · 08-02-2019, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

In the US. The Focus and Fiesta are both unavailable to us. We're not getting the next Golf or Golf Wagon either.

Where you live?

mkoesel · 08-02-2019, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nakamuru

Ford Focus RS is no longer being made now?

The Focus RS went out of production with the rest of the third generation last year. A new fourth generation RS model will arrive in a few years, but since Ford is no longer selling passenger cars (except for the Mustang) in the US, it won't be available here even when it does finally come to market.

rlmesq · 08-02-2019, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redd

Europeans prefer hatches. Americans prefer coupes and trucks.

Coupes don't sell particularly well in the USA. There are very few US made coupes... unless you want a Camaro, Mustang or Challenger. For me, the only American made option is the new Corvette.

c1pher · 08-02-2019, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicolas74

Yes Europeans prefer it

Only real reasons they prefer them is you get some utility out of them but fuel costs are higher there, plus road taxes and much more difficult to park an F150. Otherwise trucks would make tons of cash in Europe.

Germanauto · 08-03-2019, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Don't worry. VW USA is killing that too. Just the GTI and R will be coming here for the Mk8.

billnchristy · 08-03-2019, 11:28 AM

I like wagons and hatchbacks too but we have such limited choices. It's pretty much why I went with the X2, it was the closest thing.

10" · 08-03-2019, 08:31 PM

The A3 used to be. I bought an A3 Quattro 2.0t 5 door as my first 'new' car when I got my first job. Fantastic car....even left years of driving a manual just to get it! Unfortunately I got bored of the DSG gearbox after 2 years and traded it In. Did love having a 'euro' hatchback though. Was expensive almost $40k sticker that I paid $36k for.

08-02-2019, 10:32 AM	#23
freakystyly Colonel 3716 Rep 2,047 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	There was a hot hatch hype resurgence that some media outlets emphasized the last few years but the SUV train had already left the station. Fiesta / Focus (ST, RS) - Rest in peace, the childish interiors killed the mood. Golf / GTI - The more mature choice. I still see a lot of Rs popping up, more than GTIs here probably for the AWD. Civic (Si, R) - Though not traditional hatches, and very polarizing styling. I would've loved to see those older 1 series hatches here tho. Even mini is a disappointment when the SUV model gets the performance priority.
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08-03-2019, 11:28 AM	#31
billnchristy Major 1705 Rep 1,494 Posts Drives: 2022 M440xi GC Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 1966 Ford Mustang [2.75] 2022 BMW M440ix GC [8.33] 2022 Ford Bronco [10.00]	I like wagons and hatchbacks too but we have such limited choices. It's pretty much why I went with the X2, it was the closest thing.
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08-03-2019, 08:31 PM	#32
10" Colonel 5111 Rep 2,297 Posts Drives: orange BMW 1M. Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: world iTrader: (0)	The A3 used to be. I bought an A3 Quattro 2.0t 5 door as my first 'new' car when I got my first job. Fantastic car....even left years of driving a manual just to get it! Unfortunately I got bored of the DSG gearbox after 2 years and traded it In. Did love having a 'euro' hatchback though. Was expensive almost $40k sticker that I paid $36k for. __________________ don't read this. too late...
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