10 Best Value Hatchbacks

2017 Toyota Corolla iM 5 door hatchback exterior rear view on road ・ Photo by Toyota

Let’s celebrate the hatchback car. American buyers have traditionally preferred sedans, even when their rides are compact or smaller. These are known as 3-box designs (engine compartment, passenger compartment, cargo section). But the hatchback follows the 2-box formula (engine compartment, passenger/cargo space) that brings extra versatility and — to some eyes — better styling when the dimensions are this small. Our 10 best value hatchbacks are affordable, economical to run, and remain quite an asset at resale time. They also bring flexibility in carrying people and/or things, often handle well, and come with useful levels of equipment.

2017 Chevrolet Sonic

This subcompact hatchback is updated for the 2017 model year. Freshened looks join things like rear parking sensors, a powered driver’s seat (a first for the class, according to Chevrolet), plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. It still has those cool disguised rear passenger doors, so the car looks more like a 2-door hatchback at first glance. Engine choices stay the same, which is no bad thing, especially the desirable 1.4-liter turbo that has a little more torque than the basic 1.8 and it’s smoother. The Sonic hatchback wins fans with its agility, efficiency, safety scores and 47.7 cubic feet of total cargo space (with the rear seats folded down).

Photo by Chevrolet

2017 Ford Fiesta

After driving a Fiesta, the competition will feel boring. Not that having an enthusiast’s edge is the only thing going for it. On the contrary, the Fiesta is well-rounded — especially as a 4-door with a hatchback. To complement that arguably handsome exterior is a cabin with classy materials. Engine choices include a turbocharged 3-cylinder unit that offers excellent fuel consumption: 31 MPG in the city and 43 MPG on the highway. The chassis is certainly comfortable, yet it responds well to being pushed a little harder. There’s a super-sporty, great-handling 197-horsepower Fiesta ST, which is a different kind of value hatchback offering a high giggle-per-dollar ratio.

Photo by Ford

2017 Honda Fit

Often found at the top of those “best resale value” lists, the Honda Fit manages to pack a lot into its pleasing subcompact hatchback form. As well as useful space for adults in both rows of seats, the rear seating splits and folds to make a remarkable 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space. Build quality and reliability is up to Honda’s regularly high standards, and fuel economy runs to 41 MPG on the highway. Yet there’s still an element of fun from its 1.5-liter engine and well-tuned suspension. The savvy design also brings good visibility and a rearview camera is standard. The Fit is far from the cheapest in its class, but it’s money well spent.

Photo by Honda

2017 Hyundai Accent

Despite a meteoric rise in standards over recent years, Hyundai has not forgotten the joy of a value proposition. Each of its cars come with levels of standard equipment and quality of materials that go beyond what their suggested retail prices might imply. The Accent is not the cheapest subcompact hatchback (it’s about average), but it’s easy to live with on a daily basis, from both financial and owner satisfaction points of view. Space is also quite generous for a subcompact, with total cargo volume of 48 cubic feet. A 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty is another plus. There’s a new generation coming for the 2018 model year, so now might be a good time to strike a bargain at the Hyundai dealership.

Photo by Hyundai

2017 Kia Soul

The car that made “boxy” cool. For something with such a small footprint, the Soul offers remarkable space. 6-footers can sit in the back and maximum cargo volume is a cavernous 61.3 cubic feet. This “square and proud of it” approach is as useful as it is charming. A revamped Soul is anticipated for the 2018 model year, but all the good stuff will carry over, like the options for a heated steering wheel and heated/ventilated front seats. Plus the top safety scores. Yet the Soul is far from expensive to buy or run, and even has good resale values. Engine noise creeps in on the highway, but it’s a breeze around town — the car’s shape becomes an asset when judging parking distances.

Photo by Kia

2017 Mazda Mazda3

The Mazda3 is simply one of the best compact hatchbacks. The suspension is sporty yet supple, the cabin looks like it should be in a luxury car, and the available technology is also more in line with premium marques. The 2017 model year brings a subtle styling refreshment and some new equipment. For example, an electronic parking brake opens up some space in the center console. And a heated steering wheel is now an option. The Mazda3 is one of the pricier cars in its class (not excessively so), but that doesn’t mean it’s not value for money. Factor in strong resale figures as well, and the Mazda3 becomes an easy car to recommend.

Photo by Mazda

2017 MINI Cooper Hardtop

The MINI Cooper Hardtop comes in 2-door and 4-door body styles (not counting the tailgate) and with a number of engine choices from basic to blazing. It also offers many opportunities for personalization from its extensive options list. The MINI Cooper has plenty of character and one of the most dynamic, throwable, fun setups of any front-wheel drive car. Even someone who might consider themselves the mildest of enthusiasts should give this a try. Total cargo space in the 4-door version is 40.7 cubic feet and MINI is usually one of the best brands for retaining strong resale values. So although a MINI commands a premium price, the old “pay for what you get” adage still rings true.

Photo by MINI

2017 Subaru Impreza

Subaru, in general, enjoys high resale values and, in this respect, the Impreza is a star performer in the compact category. The Impreza has an advantage over its rivals because all-wheel drive comes as standard. Even the option is rare in this category. Outdoorsy types and/or anyone who lives in an area where bad weather is expected and wants the cheapest new all-wheel drive car possible should look no further. On top of that, Subaru’s strong build quality pays dividends at resale time. For all those miles in between, the Impreza is solid, dependable, roomy and occasionally quite fun. A new generation debuts for 2017 with more power and more safety equipment available.

Photo by Subaru

2017 Toyota Corolla iM

The erstwhile Scion iM (Scion has been swallowed up by parent company Toyota) is a compact hatchback that’s a little more expensive than the Corolla sedan, but comes with generous levels of standard equipment, including a rearview camera, alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, 7-inch touchscreen, and a 4.2-inch color TFT display between the gauges. Toyota only quotes cargo volume with the rear seats in place (20.8 cubic feet — about average), but when they’re folded down, it’s a useful amount and a practical shape. One bonus in this transition from Scion to Toyota is a forward collision prevention/mitigation feature.

Photo by Toyota

2017 Volkswagen Golf

As much as there might be an argument to include a cheapie like the Nissan Versa Note in this list of 10 best value hatchbacks, a low price of admission doesn’t necessarily translate into a good deal. But the Golf — which is admittedly at the lavish end of the compact hatchback market — comes with a sophistication and refinement along the lines of a premium marque. Think of it as a mini-Mercedes with 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which is as good as this class gets. It’s possible to splash out on the hotter GTI model, but the basic 1.8-liter turbo is still suitable. The 2017 model year sees a minor styling update, plus some driver aids and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Photo by Volkswagen