There’s another issue - commutes have been getting longer, and ‘extreme commutes’ are on the rise. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/22/the-american-commute-is-worse-today-than-its-ever-been/
If you’re going to have to spend three hours in your vehicle every day, do you really want to spend that three hours in the vehicular equivalent of a jail’s visiting area or holding cell? Or do you want it to be a comfortable place so the three hours aren’t so unpleasant?
I’m probably not the poster child for that trend, the worst commute I’ve ever had was an hour and fifteen minutes one way so I bought an ‘07 Corolla to keep the fuel and maintenance expense down as well as to keep the miles off my good vehicles. Pretty comfortable, still have it, very solid competent car, does what it’s designed to do quietly and well, not even harsh riding or noisy inside. Nothing more than routine maintenance, it just goes. A little dorky looking I guess, but other than that the car needs a telescoping steering wheel due to an unusual long-arm short leg driving position. No complaints otherwise, I’d recommend an ‘05 - ‘07 Corolla to anybody looking for competent, reliable transportation that is relatively comfortable.