I'm young (ish) and the gf and I recently moved from a WRX to an X1 35i M Sport. Take a look at our criteria - it seems like we weren't really spoilt for choice because the American market is flooded with good options for bulky, sluggish baby carriers (even if it's the AMGs and Ms, that size is ridiculous for city life) while the hatchbacks and wagons get no love at all.
- AWD
- Engine with balls
- Luxurious, auto transmission
- Wagon, Hatchback or Compact SUV
- No Toyota or Honda. Ever. Even if it's Acura or Lexus (This was more of a personal prejudice than rationality, but it stays)
We saw the Golf R, but holy wow $40k for a golf? Nope. We saw the Q3 - 200hp is an insult, really. Bimmer wagons were overpriced IMO and I wish we could afford the CLA AMG. What's left? Outback wasn't exactly an upgrade.
Not sure if I answered your question or laid out my rationale for getting an X1 instead!
Either way, I agree with you. Not much love for compact SUVs from manufacturers, and maybe therefore they aren't as popular?