This sounds kind of ludicrous, but sometimes I think if machines (mainly top loaders) only had a 8 to 9 pound capacity, you’d be forced to fill the machine all the way up with the smaller capacity tub. Bigger capacity machines aren’t always better, there’s no way I’d be able to use the entire capacity of a LG or Samsung top loader (from loader as well) with it’s behemoth capacity despite wearing everything in my wardrobe after 3 weeks to a month’s time. Even if I were to throw everything in at the end of the week in my Whirlpool mainly consisting of shirts socks etc, still wouldn’t be able to fill the machine all the way up to it’s 8 to 9 pound capacity.
As for water consumption, believe my Whirlpool uses around 36 gallons or so of water, not as much as one would think. Again, with the smaller tub, forced to fill the machine all the way up.
Personally, I find the belt drives wash and rinse much better than the direct drives, don’t think the extra rinse was really needed on them (unless the machine suds locked) since they rinse out that well which saves water and time.