"cuts_off_prius" (cutsoffprius)
11/09/2014 at 23:59 • Filed to: None
3
10|
"cuts_off_prius" (cutsoffprius)
11/09/2014 at 23:59 • Filed to: None | 3
| 10 |
We've always complained that we never get the good stuff in America whenever we see news of a practical new European hatchback or wagon with AWD that comes in brown, diesel, and manual. But just how many AFFORDABLE (as in, under $25,000 ) European cars are actually available for us to buy in the Land of the Free RIGHT NOW? Let's find out. I've compiled a list with pictures.
Note: I've omitted $24,xxx cars since they will likely add up above $25,000 after all taxes and fees.
Fiat
500/500c/500L
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $17,145
500 Abarth
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $22,395
Ford
WAIT!!! Before you get your pitchforks, let me explain. This one can be tricky. The following cars were either developed by Ford of Europe or were co-developed by Ford U.S.A. and Ford of Europe as part of the global "One Ford" lineup.
Fiesta hatchback
The Fiesta is a longtime European nameplate. It was simply restructured to meet U.S. crash standards.
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $14,365
Fiesta ST
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $20,945
Focus hatchback
In 2010 Ford decided to reunite both international and North American models by releasing the international Mk3 worldwide. The previous North American version was discontinued, and the new model was launched simultaneously in North America and Europe in early 2011, both having started production late in 2010. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $18,625
Focus ST
photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $23,625
Fusion (Mondeo elsewhere)
For the 2nd generation Fusion, Ford basically decided to converge the existing European Mondeo sedan platform and styling into a new car for American and European markets. We've always clamored for the Mondeo here and we've finally got it.
Starting price: $21,910
Escape (Kuga elsewhere)
Again, just like the Fusion, the Escape is a rebadged Ford Kuga !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .
photo credit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $22,610
Mini
Cooper Hardtop
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $20,700 (2-door)
Coupe
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $22,000
Countryman
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $22,750
Paceman
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $23,550
Smart
Coupe
Starting price: $13,270
Volkswagen
Beetle
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $20,470
Jetta
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $18,995
(nobody buys the base 2.slow)
Golf
Unfortunately, the GTI broke our price limit.
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $17,995
Jetta SportWagen (Golf wagon elsewhere)
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $20,995
Passat
Granted, this is a U.S./Canada/China/Middle East-only model, it's still "German engineered," whatever that means.
photo source: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Starting price: $21,120
*All prices from respective manufacturer websites for the U.S., not guaranteed to be accurate, but at least close
**Cars pictured not necessarily U.S. specification
Conclusion
What you saw on this list, that's it, as far as our brand and model selection goes (correct me if I'm wrong). My take is, if you discount Ford as being a domestic American brand, then yes, there is certainly a lack of affordable, practical European cars in America compared to the rest of the world that has access to Citroen, Renault, Peugeot, Skoda, Seat, etc. Practical is subjective. To me, discounting Ford, most CUV-crazed Americans would see these cars pictured as small, impractical, and unsafe for daily driving duties like going to the mall and picking up the kids from school . To most Americans, these cars would probably seem like douchey fashionista anti-American showoff cars, rather than cars used for getting the daily grunt work done.
European cars in America have traditionally been synonymous with "rich." We typically think of BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, which are NOT cheap, as we get our cars optioned decently from the base models (i.e. standard leather, etc.), unlike in other countries that have had the choice of cloth seating and four cylinders, often with diesel.
It would be nice to have affordable and practical European cars to fill the space that Japanese and South Korean cars have taken for decades now due to their turn-key reliability. We have these European cars I listed, but I believe we have room for more practical and reasonably-sized ones for Americans, like a Renault Megane 5-door, for example.
Just off the top of my head, something practical we could use in America: a Renault Megane 5-door ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )
There's plenty of sedans and crossovers as well that could probably be had under $25,000 if sold in the U.S.A.
Peugeot 2008 ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )
What do you think? Is there a lack or is there enough? Is there a space in our market that needs to be filled with practical, affordable European cars, like Skoda, Renault, Peugeot, and the likes? Would there be a business case for such cars?
wiffleballtony
> cuts_off_prius
11/10/2014 at 02:07 |
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Anything Chrysler?
Too many M's
> cuts_off_prius
11/10/2014 at 03:05 |
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Could use some Dart.
Based on the same platform that an Alfa sits on.
KirkyV
> cuts_off_prius
11/10/2014 at 03:57 |
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I suspect you guys would get along at least fairly well with the new Peugeot 508. It can be had as a saloon, and isn't so small as to be subject to the American general public's prejudice against small cars.
Cé hé sin
> cuts_off_prius
11/10/2014 at 04:28 |
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Is this a Beat I see before me?
Alex87f
> KirkyV
11/10/2014 at 06:33 |
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The lack of decent petrol engines would kill it though. Yes, there's a 165hp turbo four, but that's still less than what you get from a base Accord / Optima, etc. And america has not enough interest in diesel to rely solely on them.
In order for it to make sense from an economical standpoint, you'd have to produce it locally, adapt the drivetrain options, re-homologate it and slightly change it, and before you know it designing a new car would end up making more sense.
Pacer Racer
> cuts_off_prius
11/10/2014 at 09:39 |
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We can't have these:
because people still remember this:
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cuts_off_prius
> Cé hé sin
11/10/2014 at 12:07 |
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Yes, it is. Image is in Japan.
duurtlang
> Alex87f
11/10/2014 at 12:55 |
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This is true for most European market cars; they're too expensive for the American market. American market cars are bought by the pound, while the opposite is true in Europe (very broad generalization).
Take the VW Passat. The European one is losing market share because it's not fancy enough and too large. Yet, in the US, there's a totally different one that's larger/cheaper to appeal to US tastes. The same can be said for the European market Accord: it was available in the US as an Acura TSX. Main stream Opels; Mokka, Astra and Insignia, are sold as 'luxury' Buicks in the US (Encore, Verano, Regal). There's zero market in (Western) Europe for a car like a US market Camry or Corolla, let alone an Avenger.
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duurtlang
> Too many M's
11/10/2014 at 12:56 |
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Yet, not available in Europe.
KC-10Paul
> Too many M's
01/21/2015 at 03:08 |
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How is it that I want the Alfa and have zero want for the Dodge?...