People may not but the manufacturers have to meet CAFE targets. CVT is regularly rated better mpg than manual, it may not be a huge difference but if those 2 or 3 mpg helps you meet the target then so be it (note "rated" not necessarily the same as "gets").

Love my Outback, never had any problem with it, solid as a rock, top safety rating, tons of space. It's American made if that makes a difference (Indiana).

It's not just 2-3 mpg, it's .2-.3mpg or even less. The switch from 10w30 to 10w20 oil, which is slightly thinner, was based not on engineering considerations, but on fuel efficiency because on a bench test you can get slightly better mileage from an engine with 10w20 oil in it, and that affects your "fleet" mileage. The possibility that thinner oil might shorten the life of the engine is not a consideration!

Impreza still offer MT/CVT choice here are the 2016 specs

Subaru Impreza Reviews - Subaru Impreza Price, Photos, and Specs - Car and Driver

Manual 25/34

Subaru Impreza Reviews - Subaru Impreza Price, Photos, and Specs - Car and Driver

CVT 28/37

That's not an insignificant difference.

I just hate the look of those Subarus. They look like Kia Ronda's. Seriously.

Most Toyota's in the US now require 0w-20 oil and have for the last 5 or so years. It's not just about fuel savings, but a lot of it is. As far as I know that weight oil is only available with fully synthetic oil. Bobistheoilguy has countless pages about everything motor oil if you're really interested.

Top out the new Landy? Sure, not to reliable but the new LR4 is the last before they get rid of that body style and fully loaded, it's got some nice toys. And you'll get proper, shit mileage

2016 Golf GTI :-0

I loved both my Impreza's, but without the spoiler they look like a dog without a tail.

Sounds ok.

OK, he's cute.

A labrador without a tail then.

I have that currently. Love it.

I asked this on another forum some time ago. Hatchbacks are beginning to get made here (note the 2017 Chevy Cruze) but in the past they have been considered unnecessary because a lot of Americans have pickups for hauling stuff (that's what I've been told by a few people).

Take the Ford Mondeo/Fusion as an example. Now they are identical cars, but the Mondeo is available as a hatch with the same body style and also as an estate, neither is an option in the US which is annoying because I love the shape of the Fusion, but couldn't tolerate the impracticality of a 'Sedan'

I put it down to the culture of US society, just like 3000 mile oil changes, those habits will be hard to break.

"Hatchbacks are cheap cars, driven by students."

I think Scions are hatchbacks