The base model halogens are rated poor also.  They are perfectly fine for me.

I beg to differ. I have spent 200,000 miles in this one and 320,000 miles in the Echo before it(same basic platform/drivetrain). The seating fits me well. I can drive a dozen hours without getting seriously fatigued (unlike my dad’s 2013? Accord).

I know exactly what your point is.

I am constantly amazed by the eco-nazi stuff promoted on a “car guy” site.

How does 200 lbs of gasoline turn into 2,200 lbs of CO2?

Colorado is not very small.

...or just kill the fuel rules.

If I remember correctly, in the Obama fuel rules, something the size of a 90's civic hatchback would have to get around 100 mpg by 2030.

....Nothing compared to 18 wheelers

The Civic is no longer a small car. Go look at one.

It really was a compromise,

Actually, there have been a lot of weight introductions/efficiency”improvements” implemented to drive trains and it worries the hell out of me that you don’t know if you have a car that will last 500,000 miles like a “good” Toyota or 60,000 miles like one of the Hyundai with motor problems.

I have also seen reports criticizing 90's cars for having a low profile that causes serious lower body injuries to pedestrians.....

We are a “multi-car household”. Everyone has a relatively fuel efficient daily driver (my Yaris, wife’s Civic, son’s Scion TC, daughter’s RX300). We have a paid for F-250 in the driveway for when we need a truck. I also have a couple of hot rods.

It is all about being “best in class” in the car and driver comparisons.....most cup holders, interior space, horsepower...whatever category.

According to the internet, my 2010 Yaris sedan weighs less than 2,400 lbs. ...and gets 40+ mpg with a normal ICE.

Actually, the high hood styling that even cars have now is due to pedestrian impact regulations. There has to be airspace behind the sheetmetal so that the body panels can deform before contacting “solid mechanical things” under the hood.

More stringent vehicle roll over test requirements added a bunch of weight to vehicles. Offset frontal impact tests added even more.

In my family, the newest car is the “good car” for trips.

1st gear: How much of that increase is people in private cars and how much is trucking miles.