Ford has had a similar design (sharing patents with Toyota) since the first Escape Hybrid in '04. But they never stuck with a high mpg platform, they're using it to build 34mpg small trucks and SUVs, not 60mpg cars.
It's their ploy to game CAFE averages. High MPG cars don't offset their truck lineup. You can also thank the PT Cruiser for hatchback cars like the Mach-E being misclassified as trucks to enhance the gaming.