Hatches have always been more popular over there and elsewhere. They are better at hauling stuff; more room etc.

Americans dont think they are sporty, because we're a bunch of faggots. The majority of the world prefers hatchbacks, and as such, the STi and the Mazdaspeed 3 only come in hatchbacks. The 1 series wasnt sold here until the coupe because we dont like hatchbacks...we think they look too much like wagons and not enough like big terks.