2014 Mazda MAZDA3 S Long-Term Road Test
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2014 Mazda MAZDA3 S Long-Term Road Test
The 2014 Mazda 3 S offers loads of cargo room and versatility, enough to wonder why more automakers don't offer hatchbacks.
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The problem is American culture combined with low fuel prices compared to the rest of the world. A European recognizes the versatility and usefulness of hatchbacks and wagons, to meet most of life's transporting needs. Americans value bigger as better, and would rather have a separate truck, van, SUV, or now CUV to do their hauling. Low fuel prices mean that could be the driver's only car, or they can afford a sedan for daily use and another utility vehicle, where the rest of the world for fuel and tax reasons can afford only one, versatile vehicle. I always had a hatchback when I was younger, now I can borrow or rent a truck if needed for larger hauling. But if something like SAAB 9000 was still on the market, that would be my drive today. CUVs are just too clunky to drive, and too fuel inefficient, compared to that sort of hatchback, for my tastes.
Marketing is largely to blame for my lack of affection for hatchbacks and small cars in general. In my youth, the
I recently drove a top-shelf Mazda3 GT up here in Canuckland. It was fun to drive, but it was also 5k$ more than a loaded Corolla S or Civic Touring. And it's that 30k$ Mazda3 they only show in the ads...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Lastly, I rarely ever find myself in the situation where I need to haul a bunch of stuff in my car that doesn't fit in the trunk (I can probably count how many times in a year on 1 hand) so the additional utility and cargo space doesn't appeal to my needs.
If CUVs are American wagons:
What's the point of this article?
If CUVs are not:
For down market, with gas at the present price, why bother with a compact with two trunks if you can pay minimal penalty and get a CUV?
The sweet spot is setup by the policy, not by the people.
Further, if looking up market, why settle for a Swiss Army Knife if you can have a saw, a knife, and a pair of scissors? So the garage will have a sedan, a C/S-UV and maybe a toy car. Anything that doesn't fit in the 3, just call for someone to get the work done.