I nearly signed on the dotted line for a Kuga a couple of years ago but had I known the electronic handbrake was not fully automatic it would have been ruled out there and then regardless of my scooter fitting or not in the boot.
I’m the opposite from you and always look for cars without that massive lever in-between the seats but being semi-auto EHB’s is something I will need to lookout for in future.
I haven’t touched the handbrake in the Tiguan I have now since I picked it up in February, now that’s what I call automatic. ?