Hatchbacks may not be the first cars that pop into the mind when discussing dream garages. That’s a shame because some many of these compact vehicles deliver a fantastic mix of power, performance, and fuel economy. These are 10 of our favorite hatchbacks, some of which have sadly ceased production in the United States.
No. 10 – Honda Fit Sport
The Honda Fit was not the most powerful hatchback around, nor was it the most luxurious. It was just charming and fun to drive, albeit at lower speeds. The Fit Sport’s Inline-4 engine was capable of cruising smoothly at highway speeds, even in Montana where 80 mph was the minimum on certain roads, and its manual transmission made driving more engaging.
No. 9 – Toyota Prius Prime
How did a Toyota Prius land on this list? Honestly, the Prius Prime showed that Toyota is willing to continue making improvements. The original Prius did not inspire; it just delivered an adequate driving experience and stellar gas mileage. The Prius Prime is a much better vehicle. It features 220 horsepower, better range in electric-only mode, and a much better design. The Prius Prime is actually visually appealing, something that we could not say about previous editions of the hybrid.
No. 8 – Honda Civic Sport Hatchback
Is the Honda Civic Sport hatchback the most visually appealing car on the market? Certainly not, but it delivers the signature handling and reliability that made Honda a juggernaut. The 2.0-liter Inline-4 engine produces 158 horsepower and pairs well with the manual transmission while delivering a healthy mix of performance and fuel mileage. The Civic Sport won’t outshine some of the other Honda vehicles, but it will provide some fun for the driver.
No. 7 – Hyundai Veloster N
The Veloster N is one of the more polarizing hatchbacks due to its unique design. We personally appreciate it, as well as Hyundai’s focus on the driving experience. The automaker wanted to make a car that could put a grin on the driver’s face as they commuted to work. A key part of this process involved taking the experience gained in multiple racing series and using it to create a car that handled like a champion. In our opinion, Hyundai succeeded.
No. 6 – VW Golf R
Billed as the most powerful production Golf ever, the Golf R delivers handling and power in a beautiful package. It boasts all-wheel drive, 328 horsepower from the R-tuned engine, launch control, and a dedicated drift mode. Oh, and VW introduced a new torque vectoring system that makes it possible to send up to 100% of rear torque to an individual wheel. This only increases the agility.
No. 5 – Ford Focus ST
The larger of the two ST vehicles, the Focus ST emphasized fun. Its turbocharged engine delivered a healthy 252 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, which made blasting through the gears more enjoyable. The sport seats hugged your body, providing comfort and security on long drives. Of course, the most appealing part of this car was the design. It just looked great.
No. 4 – Honda Civic Type R
The most performance-focused product in the Honda lineup, the Civic Type R is all about going fast and having fun. It’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivers a whopping 315 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. The manual transmission delivers an engaging experience. The suspension and aerodynamic package makes the car handle exceptionally well in the corners. The Type R can be a daily driver, but it truly shines on the track.
No. 3 – Mazda 3 2.5 S Premium
Where the Mazda 3 hatchback falls largely depends on personal preference. We tend to rank it higher than the Civic Type R due to the appearance. The Mazda 3 has a sleek design that makes it appear to be a sleeper. What about the trim? The 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus is the most expensive, but it offers some perks. This hot hatch comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission, a plush leather interior, and a turbocharged engine producing up to 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Plus, it’s just a blast to drive.
No. 2 – Toyota GR Corolla
Toyota offers multiple versions of the Corolla hatchback, yet none top the GR. The automaker built this vehicle from the ground up while focusing on the driving experience. A varied group of rally and racing drivers tested this hatchback on courses around the world while the engineers tuned the suspension to make it even better in the corners. Toyota then added a bulletproof eight-speed automatic transmission for those who don’t necessarily want the six-speed manual. This eight-speed happens to be in the race version of the GR Corolla.
No. 1 – VW Golf Mk 4 R32
Volkswagen has created no shortage of hatchbacks over the decades. The Rabbit and the Golf are only two examples. On paper, this could make it difficult to choose a favorite. Yet, we can’t hide our appreciation for the Mk. 4 Golf R32. This hatchback first debuted in Europe with the 2003 model year before heading to the United States. It sold out in just over one year. Consumers could not resist the aggressive styling of the performance-oriented Golf, which could go 0-60 in 6.4 seconds. We even spent several years unsuccessfully trying to track one down for our personal collection.