Think about where Toyota and Honda were at with combustion gas efficient sedans before the massive regulations of the mid 90's climate crap began. The Honda CRX, a true rice rocket was a 4 seater hatchback in 1989 that got 45-50mpg. Then the regulations came in and killed that. But think about where we could be. I bet Toyota is drooling right now and ready to launch a family minivan/SUV that gets 60mpg in the city.
I had a 1990 CRX that I bought new. Loved that car!