I really like weird stuff -- cars especially. And I mean all kinds of weird-car stuff: big, small, new, old, odd, quirky, fast -- whatever. As much as I might like a 700-horsepower Dodge Challenger, there's something alluring about the cars many Europeans can buy but Americans can't. Europeans almost always emphasize right-sized packaging and efficiency, but they also love to drive. That's why cars like the Volkswagen Golf are so popular overseas while Americans seem to flock to cars like the Toyota Camry and Ford Explorer.
Still, there are some cars that European shoppers can access that Americans simply can't get. The reasons are many. Some have to do with U.S. crash-testing, others have to do with expected sales volume, and some brands just don't have a network of dealerships through which to sell those cars -- brands like Citroen, Peugeot and Skoda are good examples. In spite of this, I think there are several not-for-the-U.S. cars that Americans would really love given the chance.
2016 Citroen e-Mahari
You've got to hand it to the French, they know how to get weird with style. Americans love the Jeep Wrangler, and the Citroen e-Mahari is basically the French version of that car. Well, the French electric-vehicle version. Weird looking? Maybe, but plastic body panels, a thoroughly waterproof interior and a 120-mile electric range means it has a little practicality too. My opinion is that the e-Mahari is the perfect SoCal or South Florida beach buggy. Also, you can have it in colors like Big Blue, Clockwork Orange and Yellow Submarine.
2017 Nissan Micra
Imagine a car with most of the fun and spunky vibe of the MINI Cooper. Now, imagine it with Japanese reliability and a high-quality interior. Essentially, that's the Nissan Micra. An updated version showed up recently at the Paris Auto Show, and it's lower and wider than its predecessor, with newly optional 17-inch wheels. The new Micra is popular in the UK -- in fact, half of all Micras built have been sold in Europe. The Micra is packed with tech, something younger U.S. buyers would love. It has many features found in more expensive cars, including lane-departure warning, a blind spot monitoring system, forward-collision braking (pedestrian recognition is optional), an around-view monitor and the ability to recognize traffic signs. The Nissan Micra shares some basic mechanical components with the Renault CLIO, and the cars are built on the same assembly line.
Pricing hasn't been announced, but I'm guessing under $15,000 U.S. -- that would make it a very popular car with Americans.
2016 Nissan Qashqai
I know, two Nissans. When I was trying to decide which one to leave off, the Micra or the Qashqai, I just couldn't decide. Here's the Qashqai in a nutshell: It's got the interior packaging of a Nissan Rogue, but with nicer materials and a more upscale look. The body is more like a baby Murano -- it doesn't have the dorky upright SUV proportions Americans usually get stuck with. Imagine a three-quarters-sized Toyota Venza. A variety of gasoline and diesel engines are offered, along with cool features like self-parking and an automatically de-icing windshield. Pricing would be between $25,000 and $30,000 U.S.
2017 Peugeot 3008
Recently updated, the Peugeot 3008 is now the near-luxury crossover we've always expected it to be. In person, it looks narrower and a little shorter than a Kia Sorento but slightly larger than a Kia Sportage. Peugeot's new i-cockpit uses a large display screen as the instrument panel and has bright, sharp graphics that lend a luxury feel to the interior. This version of the 3008 is lighter and more fuel-efficient, and it received 5-star crash-test ratings from the European New Car Assessment Programme. Two diesel and two gasoline engines means lots of choice, but even if there were just two gas engines and one diesel for the U.S., I still think it would do well. Factor in a GT version and Apple CarPlay, and you've got an impressive near-luxury midsize SUV. Where do I sign?
2016 Volkswagen Polo
Finally, Imagine a Honda Fit with that distinct VW look, interior refinement and handling, and you pretty much get the Volkswagen Polo. Like the Fit, the Polo would likely cost around $15,000 to start and run a little north of $20,000 depending on options. An upcoming Polo GTI would be an American favorite thanks to a promised 192 hp. The available 1.2-liter engine, generating 110 hp, would probably have to be the base engine for U.S. buyers. The Top Gear website says the Polo feels like a baby Golf, and that's certainly a good thing.