I think the difference might lie in the income level in USA vs EU, but a middle ...

TylerE · on Jan 22, 2017

Average new car price (NOT including taxes and fees) in the US is $34,400.

http://mediaroom.kbb.com/record-new-car-transaction-prices-r...

jbmorgado · on Jan 22, 2017

Yes, but what I meant is what do you consider middle segment for cars in the USA?

In EU, a Volkswagen Golf for instance is middle segment, but perhaps in the USA is considered lower segment and therefore the difference.

TylerE · on Jan 22, 2017

We buy way way way more luxury cars and suvs than you do. These are not considered vehicles for the wealthy either.

Small cars do not really sell here.

(For reference, I actually bought a new VW Golf R about 2 weeks ago... for roughly $41,000, just as a single data point).

jayjay71 · on Jan 23, 2017

How much do you like the Golf R? Is the 4WD worth the price increase over the GTI?

TylerE · on Jan 23, 2017

Love it.

In my case, the price premium isn't really that much to even think of, as I would have been going with a fully loaded GTI, which would have sticked around $35k or so, so it's not even _that_ much of a price bump.