In the other branch we already pointed out that the Fiesta/Ecosport were very much "european" SUVs as it were.

And yeah, I think it was the Yaris that didn't have foldable seats and was just REAL shitty? But basically every modern hatchback/"crossover suv" has foldable seats.

I am no expert. But of the cars I have seriously researched in the past decade or so (Subaru Crosstrek, one of the Hyundai ICEs, Subaru Solterra, Hyundai ioniq5): they all have folding seats and all have comparable storage.

And from personal experience? When I have a LOT of cardboard to take to recycling or a lot of yard waste to take to the dump, the curvature and vertical issues are a bit annoying. Mostly in a "I guess I need to break this down more or pack this tighter" kind of way but it is still annoying.

But for doing ikea runs 8 hours away or picking up lumber or piping or whatever from the hardware store? Zero issues. Because I DON"T want heavy stuff stacked up to head level behind me when I might need to stop suddenly.

And for just heading into towns for groceries, clothes, random ass boxes, etc? I rarely ever even have to fold the seat down.

Which was mostly my point. There are definitely cases where the curvature and loss of vertical storage space are an issue. But, by and large, those are either incredibly niche or you actually have a good reason to own a pickup truck.