Hatchbacks On The Comeback Among Car Buyers

AOL Autos Staff

Feb 13, 2012

Americans have had a love/hate relationship with hatchbacks since they first became popular in the late 1970s. Consumed by the hundreds of thousands during lean recession years when gas prices are high, hatchbacks tend to get cast aside like a sack of half-eaten fast food when the economy bounces back. So it makes sense that right now we’re in the middle of a hatchback renaissance, with more manufacturers introducing new hatchback models than we’ve seen in a decade.

As many car buyers downsize from SUV’s and larger gas guzzling sedans, wary of the return of $4.00 per gallon gas, those notoriously fickle folks have often cushioned the blow by opting for this more utilitarian body style. Hatchbacks have proven popular in Ford showrooms, with half of Fiesta buyers opting for the five-door over the sedan during the first half of 2011, while over 40 percent of Focus shoppers were making a similar decision. Hatchback sales have been up at other carmakers too, with Toyota and Nissan both seeing larger demand for the hatchback versions of their Yaris and Versa than the sedan variants, according to reports.

All this heat in the hatchback market isn’t likely to pose a real threat to the sedan, which has long been the most popular body style for passenger cars. But it has meant that carmakers have been introducing more hatchbacks, and we’ve been seeing hatches showing up in some unusual segments. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, a funky hatchback version of BMW’s midsize luxury sedan, launched as a 2010 model. Even Ferrari has launched a hatchback, the 2012 FF.

Yet hatchbacks still primarily occupy the lower rungs of the product ladder, compact and subcompact models that sell for under $30,000. That’s not to say that hatchbacks are universally econoboxes, however. Many hatches these days can be had with features and accoutrements formerly found only on high-end models.

Have a look our gallery of the most recent hatchbacks to hit the market or show up on the auto show stand. They're in order of our level of excitement for each of them.

7. 2012 Fiat 500 Stinger

The first thing that stands out from the Italian hatchback offering is its styling - the checkered roof and yellow-and-black exterior extends to the interior as well, with specially crafted seat designed by Katzkin that tie the look together.

The Stinger was crafted as part of a celebration for Mopar’s 75th anniversary. Larger 17-inch tires enhance the vehicle’s styling, while tinted head and tail lamps help round out the look of the car.

The Mopar-branded intake and exhaust kits help increase power from the 1.4-liter MultiAir engine, but precise power figures aren’t yet available.

6. 2013 Toyota Prius C

More than 2 million Prius vehicles have been sold worldwide since it arrived in showrooms 14 years ago. This is the first that will be priced below $19,000. Designed as a city-friendly vehicle with hatchback utility, the Prius C brings Toyota’s long-standing hybrid technology to the sub-compact segment.

With a city 53-mpg rating, the C claims to hold the best fuel efficiency of any car without a plug-in. It comes with a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that, combined with its electric motor, delivers 99 horsepower. After debuting at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last month, the five-door hatchback is due in showrooms in March.

5. 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

Weighing in at fewer pounds than any of its competitors in the segment, the 2013 Elantra GT is slated to hit showroom floors this summer, by coincidence the same time experts are predicting another gas-price surge. At 39 mpg, the Elantra GT hatchback gets only one mpg less than the regular sedan.

You’d think the lighter weight total would mean less room, but the GT claims the largest interior in its class. Introduced at the Chicago Auto Show, the five-door car has a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine, and comes with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

The model, based on the i30 designed for the European market, is “the latest example of how Hyundai is redefining the compact car,” said Mike O’Brien, Hyundai Motor America’s vice president of product and corporate planning.

4. 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS

Perhaps like the Kia Track’ster, the Chevy Sonic RS is aimed squarely at the enthusiast market. It comes equipped with special RS sports seating, a thicker sport steering wheel and alumninum pedals. The MyLink infotainment system is standard, rounding out an upgraded interior.

Paired with the six-speed manual transmission, the 1.4-liter, 138-hp turbo makes driving this hatch enjoyable. The Sonic is the only vehicle in its segment to offer a turbocharged powertrain, and received prominent treatment from Chevy in terms of Super Bowl advertising during a push toward a more youthful market.

"It takes the Sonic’s great design and latest connectivity features, and combines them with a more performance-oriented look and feel," said Chris Perry, vice president for Chevrolet’s global marketing.

3. 2013 Volkswagen Beetle TDI

Continuing the hatchback trend out of the Chicago Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled the third model in the Beetle lineup, a fuel-efficient clean-diesel model that the manufacturer says will get 39 mpg in highway driving.

It’s currently the only diesel product in the compact coupe category, and should enter showrooms this summer as a 2013 model. Consumers will find VW’s trademark 2.0-liter diesel under the hood. Although it develops 140 horsepower, it’s torque rating of 236 pound-feet should give it a sporty feel.

How does it differ from the Beetle 2.5 and Turbo? The TDI will have 17-inch allow wheels, more exterior chrome and, inside, there will be a supplemental instrument pod, turbo boost gauge, oil temperature gauge and stopwatch.

2. 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

One month after unveiling the Veloster Turbo in Detroit, Hyundai offered a more aggressive take on its three-door hatchback in Chicago this week. Although the checkered-flag themed look won’t make it to production, Hyundai does plan to offer a variety of graphics packages to customers.

The vehicle enjoys 201-hp and 194 pound-feet of torque, which make it competitive with some of the more powerful cars in the segment. And at $17,300 MSRP, it’s lower priced. The Veloster Turbo will get a combined 40 mpg, and comes with a six-speed manual or six-speed eco shift transmission.

A modified front-end suspension features gas-charged hydraulic shock absorbers, which helps deliver a sportier ride. On the inside, a seven-inch display combines with voice-recognition technology and delivers standard features like XM Satellite Radio and NavTraffic.

1. Kia Track'ster Concept

Start with a Kia Soul, give it some attitude and toughen it up, "like a bulldog," according to one KMA executive, and you arrive at the Track’ster concept, which debuted at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this week.

The Track’ster is indeed a more spunky version than its more standard sibling, envisioned as a three-door, all-wheel-drive, 250-hp model targeted at performance enthusiasts. The concept eliminates a back seat in favor of an equipment tray designed to hold racing gear and a tire well.

Fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine, the hatchback has a six-speed, manual transmission and extra-length braking system. "The idea was to make the Track’ster tough looking," said Tom Kearns, chief designer for KMA, "but the car has to be approachable as well." Consider it done.