All that said, I continually overestimate the thought people put into buying a car. I have a friend who walked into a dealer, told them she would pay 450 a month, and didn't want a lease. She did no research, no test drives, just ealled in with a budget and out with a surprisingly fair deal on an elantra or something.
As hobbyists, we're far and away in the minority.
My wife chooses cars similarly. Color, number of doors, and asking somewhat abstract questions on capability. Follow that along with driving impressions that are skewed by odd personal experiences and you end up with what we would consider "wonky" selections.
When we bought the Rogue; she wanted AWD, decent fuel mileage, a sunroof and Adaptive Cruise......and hopefully blue paint. We cross shopped with a Q5, MX-5, Terrain, and RAV-4. Didn't like the Toyota or Audi based on human factors. Didn't even have to drive them. The Terrain was ruled out "because it looks like a station wagon". The MX-5 felt "Sportier than I need, but nice". Ultimately the Rogue won on price point and otherwise not hating it.
She has learned to accept, but not quite understand how I "love" my cars. The sound, the style, the overall look. The emotions it conveys as I drive it, or look back it while walking away. Those intangible things that make you "love" your car.......most people don't have. My wife included. The lonely exception was our RX8, I loved it. And I mean LOVED that car. I think she just really liked it. I'm not certain she ever has, or will, "LOVE" a car. They're just conveyance appliances to her. The equivalent of a toaster on wheels that gets a job done. She likes it to be clean, new and "nice", but otherwise, "meh, I don't really care" is what I hear from here on a regular basis when talking car (or lately truck) details.
If I was a betting man, I would lay money on that covering over 80% of the car buying public. Reference performance wagons in the US, and why they don't sell. Enthusiasts and Journalists love them, everyone else, not so much.