Ironically (again No CR), the Obama administration's (and to a lesser degree CARB) attempting to improve auto safety and efficiency at the same time ended up pushing both manufacturers and buyers into less efficient vehicles. It wasn't by design, but it's easier to make the safety requirements in a larger vehicle than it is in a VW Golf. The companies make more money on the crossovers/SUVs/trucks, and the beancounter, marketing, and sales people took it from there. I'm as guilty as the next: I bought a VW Alltrack because I wanted the extra bit of lift and all wheel drive (despite the fact it's cheaper to just switch back and forth from winter to summer tires and you will get much better traction). The extra weight of the Haldex knocks about 5 miles off the MPG.
The performance of modern cars is truly mindblowing. My 2012 GTI performs better than a mid 90s Carrera from a timing perspective. Jay Leno had a great line when talking about his 80s Countach, which was his daily driver for awhile (and I'm paraphrasing): There is more technology difference between that 87-88 Countach and a modern sedan, then the Countach and the Model T.