These Are the Last Compact Hatchbacks Left in America

Hanging in There

It wasn’t that long ago when the American market had loads of hatchback choices. But today, there aren’t a lot of options to go around. Heck, the entire subcompact hatchback segment is dead in America, essentially succeeded by subcompact crossovers that, let’s be honest, don’t offer that much of a space advantage.

At least the compact hatch class is still hanging in there. Granted, it’s slimmer pickings now, but the ones left are actually the ones really worth considering. So before you plop down money for a smaller crossover that costs about the same as these, we say check out hatchbacks first.

Honda Civic/Civic Type R

We’re glad that Honda still offers the Civic in hatchback form. It took a couple of years before it staged a comeback in America with the tenth-generation model. The eleventh-gen rights the wrongs of the previous model, and it’s perhaps the most refined and mature Civic to date. We mean that in a good way, of course. If anything, this latest generation is so well-rounded, we sometimes wonder if it’s still worth choosing an Accord over it. In hatchback guise, there’s even greater cargo area flexibility to go along with it.

Available with pure combustion or hybrid powertrains, there’s a relatively wide selection of trims to choose from, while prices range from $27,895 to $33,595. And let’s not forget the Type R that’s, fortunately, still available stateside. The 316 hp hot hatch retails for $45,895, which isn’t actually much more than the Prelude. We know what you’d rather choose.

Kia K4

It’s a brave decision for Kia to bring over the K4 hatchback to American showrooms. Primarily for the European market where hatches truly thrive, giving customers the option of a five-door model in the U.S is thoughtful on the company’s part, even if it won’t likely yield massive sales. The real party trick of the K4 hatch is its space efficiency, with passenger room that rivals midsize sedans, and there’s even a pretty large cargo area. It’s more mini station wagon than hatchback, which is a good thing because the K4 wagon isn’t coming to America.

The edgy-looking hatch starts at just $24,990 and tops out at $28,890. There are four trims available and two engine choices. The turbo powertrain is reserved for the top-spec GT-Line Turbo, and it’s still under $30,000. Talk about solid value.

Mazda3

It’s the oldest hatch in this group, but perhaps the most fun in standard guise. The Mazda 3 has always been one of the sharpest cars in its class to drive, and the hatchback is no exception. We’ll be honest in saying that it’s not the most practical out there, but it more than makes up for it by driving so, so well, regardless of what’s under its hood. Despite its age, it can still show the newer competition how a reasonably priced daily driver should drive.

With six trims to choose from, there’s a Mazda 3 for every want, need, and budget. The hatch starts at $25,550, all the way to $37,890. Why the wide price spread, you ask? That’s because at the top of the pile is the 2.5 Turbo Premium Plus with its boosted engine putting out 250 hp and mated to standard AWD. This is the junior hot hatch that Subaru, for some reason, refuses to build. Speaking of which…

Subaru Impreza

If standard all-wheel drive is your top priority, then the Subaru Impreza is pretty much the only choice out there. And whereas all its rivals have sedan counterparts, Subaru went the other way and only made this generation in hatchback guise. A good move given that the sedan could only sell if it had WRX or STI stamped on the trunk, hence the decision to go hatch-only.

But, as mentioned, there’s no hot version of the Impreza hatch. Still, prices start at a reasonable $26,595 for the Sport, making it one of the most affordable cars out there with all-wheel drive fitted standard. It then tops out at $29,496 for the RS with its bigger 2.5-liter engine.

Toyota Corolla/GR Corolla

While it doesn’t sell like it used to, the Corolla is still a no-brainer choice for those who, quite literally, just need a car that runs like clockwork. Besides, it’s a Toyota after all, and requires a special kind of talent to break these. The hatch adds a dose of style to the mix, all while being more sensible than a pair of glasses. It’s not the most exciting transportation device, but it just keeps going, and going, and going.

Of course, we’re referring to the pedestrian versions of the car. If you want the equivalent of an espresso hit delivered via IV drip, there’s the GR Corolla. Its tiny three-pot engine is boosted to kingdom come as it packs 300 hp under its hood, while handling is assisted by all-wheel drive. As for pricing, the ‘regular’ Corolla Hatchback ranges from $24,380 to $27,375. As for the GR Corolla, that carries a base price of $39,920.

Toyota Prius

Okay, we might be stretching the definition of hatchback here a little bit, as the Prius is a liftback. While it looks like a very sleek and slippery sedan, it has a tailgate at the back, and it’s no crossover, either, so it gets a pass as a hatch. For those thinking of a Corolla Hatch but bothered by the lack of a hybrid option, the Prius is your best bet. We’ll go out there and say it: It’s the best Prius yet, and it’s one heck of a glow-up from past models.

The Prius is available in four trim levels with prices ranging from $28,550 to $35,565, and there’s even an option to go for all-wheel drive. By the way, there’s also a plug-in hybrid version, and that one goes for $33,775 to $40,470 with three trims to choose from.

Volkswagen Golf GTi/Golf R

Volkswagen hasn’t offered a normal Golf in years. But if it’s any consolation, at least VW’s evergreen hatchback is still available in America in GTi and R form. Well, if you’re getting a Golf, might as well go all out, right? It’s a great option for those who want a little more spice out of their daily drives, and the R kicks up the experience a couple of notches higher. Either way, you’re getting Audi A3 and S3 levels of build and performance for less.

The GTi is offered in three trims with prices from $34,590 to $42,480, while the R’s one and only trim starts at $49,455. The turbocharged 2.0-liter in the GTi makes 241 hp (the Euro-spec gets 261 hp. Boo.), while the R cranks that up to 328 hp, adding all-wheel drive and a more focused suspension setup.