There seems to be a common thread from just about everyone that sees my new 2010: "It looks bigger than the older model". Although I know that it is only marginally larger, I have to agree with the comments, it does look bigger, or does the color (Winter Grey) have something to do with that?
I think that moving the highpoint of the roofline back 3.9" and adding that sideline that raises from the front to high in the back adds a sense of size to the car. I have a Blizzard Pearl and my dad has a black and color makes a difference but usually when the car is light like white, silver etc. So I think visual changes make the car seem bigger now moreso than color.
I got "It looks bigger" more than once when I was carting people around from work who were out of town. They were familiar w/ my Gen II and had something to compare.
I get a lot of "Wow it looks sportier!" And when people get in the car they are amazed at all the space and all the gizmos. (so am I!)
I get that more than anything else. I am tempted to keep an extension cord in the hatchback. When I get asked again, I could whip it out and say, "Here's the plug. Can you fill 'er up?"
I sort of did that. Last week, I was at a gas station, but only grabbing a gallon of milk. A buddy of mine, who works at the gas station, wanted to have a seat in my car to look at it, of course, I obliged. When he saw the iPhone charger, sticking out of the center console, he looked puzzled, and stated, "I thought the plug in was in the rear for the batteries'. I said nope, 'I can even hook it up to my laptop to charge' His jaw dropped. LOL Of course, I laughed at him, then showed him the 'Wet Plug", on the side of the car. This is where I insert the liquid fuel, GAS"... He then got the joke, and laughed, but really believed for a minute, that the USB cable was all it took.
