You're dead on right, Robin, mass market appeal.
A Renaultsport Megane or a Focus RS has a very niche market, the likes of GTIs and Cupras are bought by everyone from petrolheads to vicars to school-run mums and everyone in between... so they can't afford to be seen to sell a car with compromised driveability (in non-enthusiast eyes), hence them making them understeery too.
All about safety, refinement, middle ground and winning yet another "Best allrounder hot hatch" award.