Dealer's Journal

Hot Hatches for Less

2016 Fiat 500 Pop

The hatchback has become quickly one of the most affordable and desired body styles on the market today because of its size, style and versatility.  A hatchback offers you the ability to haul people or odd shaped gear in a car that is small and fuel efficient as well as fun to drive.  As one of the most practical ways to ride and drive and one of the easiest to love and enjoy hatchbacks are typically more expensive than their sedan counterparts but are also built on the less expensive platforms to ensure you can have a great hatchback at an easy to enjoy price.  Here are some that should make it on your list to consider.

Ford FiestaThe Fiesta is a lot of fun to drive and gives you plenty to enjoy for the low price of $14,390 to start with.  This is a hatchback that is powered by the 1.6-liter engine or an EcoBoost 1.0- which is even a little sportier.  Of course if you want to really up the power and head just north of the $20,000 price mark you can have the Fiesta ST for your ride.

Chevrolet SonicA Sonic is a great ride and comes in a variety of fun colors along with offers the power of the 1.8-liter engine or the turbocharged 1.4-liter beauty.  You can own this fun to drive car for $15,820 to start with and enjoy the great highway fuel mileage.  Of course you can have a six-speed manual instead if you want to take to the driving challenges offered by this fun car.

Volkswagen GolfThe Golf is one of the most popular on the market with its low athletic stance and nearly cult following.  The base price of $18,495 is attractive as is the shape and look of this car.  This quick little hatchback is a fun way to drive with the 170 horsepower from the turbocharged for-cylinder engine that also gives you 200 lb.-ft. of torque to fall in love with as well.

Kia RioThis tiny Kia gives you the fun that you want in hatchback form for a starting price of only $15,495.  Only one engine is available for this car the 1.6-liter four-cylinder offering that gives you 138 horsepower and 123 lb.-ft. of torque to have a lot of fun in this cool looking ride.  Looking to up the fun in the SX will bring you  a price over $20,000 it’s worth the added cost for a better handling version.

Toyota Prius CWhen you want fuel mileage this is the champ.  With 53 city/46 hwy mpg to work with this little hatchback makes a great choice and lets you still get a hybrid for the low price of $19,540.  Using the 1.5-liter four cylinder engine with two electric motors you can see how much this car can be your favorite to save money and still drive around in hatchback style.

Subaru Impreza 5-Door How about a hatchback that has standard AWD aboard?  The Impreza does the trick and offers this to you for a price of $18,795.  Also this car gives you a full 184 horsepower from the 2.0-liter flat four-cylinder engine.  There’s lots of room inside this car for you to enjoy the space and really make the most of this awesome vehicle which is one of the largest in this group.

Mazda 3 5-Door – Going “zoom zoom” on a budget never felt so good as this little hatchback that gives you 155 horsepower (the same as the Miata) and allows you to reach close to forty mpg on the highway.  You can have fun with the six-speed manual and hug any curves with confidence all for the low price of $18,545 which is awesome for a car that keeps giving even when you are done playing.

Scion iM Stylish but not well mannered, which is exactly what you want, this car will show off with a 1.8-liter 137 horsepower four-cylinder engine that offers a lot for a little.  At the price of $18,460 you will be able to enjoy a seven inch screen, a Pioneer infotainment system, a  rearview camera, dual zone climate control and much more.  These are features normally offered as options on other models.

Honda FitThis car is one that only comes in a hatchback format to be loved.  With a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine which gives you 130 horsepower and 41 mpg on the highway the Fit shows up with a starting price of $15,525 to be one of the most popular hatchbacks on this list and one you should consider to be able to make use of the Honda “magic” rear seat bottom.

Hyundai VelosterThe Veloster is a car that certainly is considered a lot of things but is also a hatchback for $18,000.  You can love this car or call it quirky because of its odd style and strange rear third door but the reality is this is a car that is one of the sportiest on the market today to be quick and decisive on any road.  You don’t know what you have until you step inside and take a ride in this car.

Ford Focus SE HatchWhile the Fiesta is the little brother, this is the bigger sibling which makes it much better for you to drive and have a great time.  If you want the RS you will step over the $20,000 mark and get a 315 horsepower model that can be driven and loved in many ways.  At the base model you have a price of $19,015 and 150 horsepower from the 2.0-liter engine that also offers 146 lb.-ft. of torque.  This is a fun little hatchback to love and play with on any road which can be great to drive.

Fiat 500 PopWith a retro design and a truly European look the Fiat Pop is a car that offers a major looks and feel for you to love and enjoy at a price of $16,845 to start.  With the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine you will get 135 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque up at the higher Turbo model to really give you a car that can be the most fun on any road with this style and form.

Even though it took us longer in the US to warm up to hatchbacks we can certainly see why the Europeans have loved them for so long.  As the ultimate city cars, great cars for teens, or just the perfect blend of form and function these cars have become some of the best to drive on nearly every road in the country and have won over our hearts.

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