It seems like lots of people prefer trunks to hatchbacks. How come?

Seems like the hatch makes the car much more practical - In my Mustang, I'll never be able to take home an xmas tree or a table like I did in my Camaro. There are also lots of other things I can't even get through the trunk opening.

Also, I thought the 'well' in the back of the Camaro was a pain in the ***, but now I have a flat floor and my groceries are always sliding all over the place.

 

I agree completely. I'm for the hatch.

 

If you're going to have a car where luggage space is a secondary design consideration, might as well make the most of it with a hatch. I was just biking with a buddy today who drives an Aurora. He had to buy a carrier for his bike and hang it off the trunk, whereas mine fits fine in the hatch and I don't have to worry about theft.

Hatchbacks have a downmarket reputation on this continent because they were used mostly on cheap econoboxes. It's too bad people can't put that aside and recognize their advantages.

 

hatchback.

 

I'll take a stab at this issue from a F-Body owner point of view...

With any vehicle there is a give and take as far as it's utility...

One benefit I've noticed about the F-Body cargo space in both the 3rd and 4th gen body styles I've owned is simply amazing with regard to what they can hold (I include the backseats, they're better suited to boxes than people anyway)...

I've been able to handle a 32" TV (in the passenger seat) and an old drafting table (filling up the space behind the front seating area) -just because my friends said it was impossible. I wouldn't want to pull this trick again, but at the time there was little interest in wasting 2 hours for 'some guy' to 'maybe' bring his pickup...

Rare circumstances aside, I don't understand the odd cargo configuration our cars have - rear visability is not horrible, but close; the 'treasure chest' shaped rear makes loading and removing heavy items 'interesting', the hatch itself is rather heavy and acts like a green house in the warmer months, not to mention a minor issue with security on a hatchback equipped car.

From a styling perspective, I would have liked a regular coupe/trunk configuration, but since it wasn't offered I'm content with having a sporty 2 door with the odd 'big/small' cargo space. (no Mustang thanks, I need the 4th Gen's leg room)

As to your current flat floor problem, isn't there an optional cargo net available (if you meant the Jetta)?

 

To me, i prefer a trunk better to a hatch. I really dont like how the trunk was designed on 4th gens with its odd shape, and i think they could have had it for more space. I think a trunk would be a lot better, normal shaped flat bottom, medium to large size trunk would do wonders. Especially if you can fold down the rear seat to even increase that space. I went to a mercedes dealership, and even on the c class (the smallest one" the trunks are HUGE and the rear seats fold forward for even more space. something you cant do with a hatch.

 

1 vote for hatch
it seems more unique and i dont know..it just seems more different and it does store a lot of stuff, and the little scoop helps stuff from sliding everywhere also

 

I'm really undecided about this issue. There's pluses and minuses everywhere. Doesn't the hatch contribute to increased body flex? I know it causes annoying little squeeks and rattles. Then again, I like the smooth styling and increased cargo capacity and convenience.

If I were a betting man I'd say we'll probably go back to a trunk configuration. Just a hunch.

 

Hatch. A hatchback I think would make designing a better looking rear easier. Long swooping glass all the way to the rear like on the 3rd and 4th gens looks awesome. The Corvette Coupes look so much better than the Hardtops. The hatch is also more practical with extra storage space.

 

Oddly enough, the Mustang has a cargo net, but the feature-laden Jetta does not. Still, unless i'm buying only one or two bags, it's not big enough.

Also, the Mustang's back glass is still pretty large, so there is considerable greenhouse effect.

 

http://cardesignnews.com/news/2002/021021holden-ssx/

Here is the perfect solution for this hatch vs. trunk problem

 

I agree the SSX is a great concept with the lid shut it looks like a sedan..

 

Just to throw a different angle on this, since Camaros have been hatchbacks for 20 years, and this is a Camaro site, then we are going to be more partial to hatches.

But, the public at large has turned against hatchbacks as "cheap" and associated with economy cars, or cars of the 70s & 80s. Manufacturers looking for a more rigid car without adding alot of weight favors cars with trunks over hatchbacks unless they are making a very small car.

Mustang eliminated it's hatchbacks in '94 and still held strong or stronger sales figures & had a stronger structure. Camaro spent it's 1st 2 generations as a "trunk" car, so one could say Camaro also has a history there as much as with a hatch.

Just a thought, but maybe...just maybe we should start getting used to the "possibility" that the next Camaro may very very soon end up becoming a coupe (with trunk) once again.

 

That said.. the Camaro should go to a trunk when it is necessary to do so with the Corvette as well.

Hatches look sportier and give more utility.

 

The more hints you throw out about the 5th Gen the more I dislike it.

Low stance and hatch GM, not more upright and trunk.