[vinay427]

The actual hatchback/liftback trunk design is far more practical, however, and is part of why wagons/estate cars and hatchbacks are more popular in Europe where a car's footprint is more of a concern (and particularly hatchbacks in many Asian cities where the footprint is even more constrained). I think expanding vertically is still better than expanding horizontally, within reason.

As you probably know, it's beneficial both for the wide opening to insert larger objects into the trunk as well as the folding of seats (less common in sedans/saloon cars) to provide much more space when rear seats aren't needed.