"Reach to the shifter" - you mean the shifter is too far forward? Same thing in the Fit. I think they designed these cars for someone 5'6" or so. The seat slider and telescoping wheel are great for us tall folks, but the shifter stays up there. I compensate by using a finger grip instead of shifting with my palm.
Yup, that's exactly what I meant. I think you're exactly right about the cause, too. They "design to the mean."
