The 10 Best Used Hatchbacks
Image by AutoPhotography from Pixabay
Hatchbacks have earned themselves quite a reputation over the years. A On the one hand, hatchback vehicles are lauded as safe, reliable family cars. On the other, they’re tricked-out technicolor street speeders, complete with flame decals and LED underlighting. And these two very different images of this uber-popular car design illustrate one of the reasons hatchbacks are so popular: their versatility. So whether you’re shopping for the next drag-race champion, a sensible week-day ride, or both—this list of best used hatchbacks might uncover the right car for you.
The best used hatchbacks on the market today:
2017 Honda Civic
The one, the only: the Honda Civic. This notorious vehicle has set the standard for all other hatchbacks on the market since its debut in 1972. It’s practical, spacious, and super reliable without sacrificing fun and aesthetic. And Hondas are extraordinarily easy and inexpensive to maintain, so whatever year you go for, you can trust it will remain running and on the road for years to come. That being said, we recommend the 2017 model. With 205 HP and 40 MPG on the freeway, this civic strikes the right balance of fuel economy and power. And its roomy interior, advanced safety technology, and smooth ride do nothing to detract from the athletic feel of driving this iconic vehicle.
2010 Toyota Prius
Talk about fuel economy. The Prius is possibly the most famous hybrid vehicle on the market and boasts a whopping 51 MPG highway rating. You seriously only have to fill the tank once a month if you’re making a regular commute. And don’t let the Prius’ reputation of being a stuffy eco-geek fool you — 134 net HP and 153 lb-ft of torque make this environmentalist surprisingly speedy and agile. And with 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space, this vehicle can act as a super fuel-efficient “truck” should you have the need. Kelley Blue Book lists the Toyota Prius as one of the 10 Best Used Hatchbacks you can find for under $8,000. We agree!
2012 Honda Fit
This tiny car is a heavyweight champion at being the best in its lane. The 2012 Honda Fit has won 6 awards since it entered the market, 5 of those being #1 positions, including Best Affordable Compact Car of 2012, and Best Used Hatchback under $10,000. At just 162’’ long, the Fit has earned its classification as a “subcompact” car. On the upside, this makes this micro-vehicle extremely easy to park. And on the downside - well, there really isn’t one. Because the Fit’s 5-door design and versatile interior means you can still haul large and awkwardly-shaped cargo (KBB lists bikes, surfboards, etc.) with ease.
2008 Mini Cooper
While not the most reliable vehicle on our list, the Mini Cooper is almost definitely the most stylish. And, many think, the most fun to drive. Reviewers prefer the 6-speed manual transmission version and describe the experience as “a blast.” 118 HP and 114 lb-ft of torque transform your daily commute into a sporty escapade. And a 34 MPG fuel rating and 24 cubic feet of cargo space mean the Mini maintains all the practicality and sensibility of the greater hatchback genre.
2012 Scion XB
Can’t decide between a compact SUV and a sporty hatchback? Good news! With the Scion XB, you don’t have to. “Roomy” is an understatement when describing this unbelievably boxy car. Even your tallest passengers will still have plenty of space for themselves and their luggage. And with the rear seats folded down, the Scion XB offers as much as 60 cubic feet of cargo space – that’s more than the bed of a new Ford Ranger. The Scion is also the safest hatchback on our list, garnering four stars in an overall crash test rating.
2010 Pontiac Vibe
The original Vibe was a joint venture by Toyota and GM, and in Japan was known as the Toyota Voltz. And as any car geek knows, Toyota is a by-word for practicality and reliability. The 2.4 liter version of the Vibe is a powerful little car, providing the pilot with 158 HP around 6000 RPMs. KBB says the Vibe combines “SUV-like utility with compact car-like agility and acceleration.” This Pontiac is a reliable and practical vehicle guaranteed to get you from point A to point B in the sunshine, rain, or driving snow. Or if you’re taking your Vibe on an adventure, the standard roof-rack helps to expand the already sizable interior cargo capacity.
2018 Jeep Renegade
A few of the cars on our list have adventure capacity. But if you spend more of your life driving on dirt and gravel than asphalt, the Jeep Renegade has what you need. Equally comfortable driving to and from the supermarket or to and from a super-remote campsite, the Renegade hides a rough-and-tumble utility with a more suburban exterior. But this subcompact SUV can tow up to 2,000 lbs and features terrain-specific settings for an optimized drive experience. Just make sure you go for the 4WD option.
2014 Volkswagen GTI
If you want to look unbelievably cool while running errands around town, get a GTI. Much like the other European hatchbacks on our list, the Volkswagen has the power and handling to turn your commute into a sporty experience. But the GTI also wants you to be comfortable while you’re zipping down the freeway and comes standard with a “tilt-and-telescoping steering column,” Sirius XM and iPod hookups, and heated seats. And the turbodiesel engine keeps you environmentally friendly with up to 42 MPG on the highway.
2016 Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta’s another itty-bitty vehicle with surprising versatility. If you live in a crowded city and need to squeeze into the smallest parking space you can find and also want to take lush camping trips on the weekend, this inexpensive vehicle might be the best used hatchback for you. The Fiesta takes practicality seriously and wastes no space on frivolous features like electronic window controls. However, its details like these allow this subcompact to carry up to 25 cubic feet of cargo.
2014 Subaru Impreza
If you need a practical, versatile vehicle that you can also take on wild off-road adventures, the Impreza is the vehicle for you. Always-engaged AWD means that you can haul your (up to) 52 cubic feet of gear on your next skiing/backpacking/rock-climbing trip in style. Or, easily and comfortably transport yourself and your carpool buddies to work on a snowy day. Look for models featuring the cold-weather package (including heated seats and a de-icer) if you live part of the year in a winter wonderland. Or if athletic driving is more your thing, keep an eye out for the 2.0i Sport Premium and Sport Limited models.
Want to dive deeper into the world of the Impreza? Check out which used year model of Subaru Impreza is best.
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