To saloon car owners who say hatchbacks are impractical....

Try pulling this off in your saloon car.

Today is one of those days when I am grateful to be blessed with the flexible storage of a hatchback car. This kitchen appliance simply would not fit in the rear seats or the trunk of a saloon car, even with foldable rear seats. I'd know because my family members had always owned saloon cars, I was the first black sheep who broke the tradition with the Ford Fiesta hatchback, followed by another family member who bought a Mazda CX-3.

I used to have the same misconception that hatchback cars are less practical because of the smaller trunk. I certainly did not buy the Fiesta for it's utilitarian potential, so I was pretty pleased when I found it perfect for my IKEA trips.

Of course, the trunk in saloons are extremely handy as well in different ways. What they lack in flexibility, they make up with it's sheer trunk volume without sacrificing the rear passenger seat. Again, I'd know because I also have one which I've occasionally made full use of.

On a side note, referring to the photo above - the hydraulic strut hinge is one of my favourite features on this generation of the Proton Persona. Unlike the gooseneck hinge typically found in saloons up to twice the price, a hydraulic strut hinge does not intrude into the trunk space. If it had a gooseneck hinge, I would not be able to close the trunk lid after filling up the trunk like above.

The best of both worlds would be a proper SUV or a wagon, both of which I kinda loath especially the wagon. But who knows, I never thought I'd buy a hatchback either.

In the meantime, come and stare at this Ford Fiesta panel van. Yes it is an official Ford product, not a aftermarket modified Fiesta.

(all images below belong to autoexpress.co.uk)