Read this before you buy a hatchback or a station wagon.
Size Options
Hatchbacks are available in two sizes – compact and midsize. Usually, compact hatchbacks have two doors and are sporty to drive. The medium-sized hatchbacks are station wagons that are extremely practical and offer a lot of passenger and cargo space. Midsize hatches are great as a family car.
Cargo Space
Both size options of hatchbacks offer a lot of flexibility in terms of storage space. In addition to the standard cargo space available in a hatchback, the rear seats also fold down and significantly increase cargo space. In a midsize hatch, cargo space like this can even be similar to that of an SUV. Some hatchbacks also have split-folding seats that allow one side of the rear seat to be folded down, thus allowing a passenger to sit at the rear and increasing cargo space at the same time.
Driving Ease
Hatchbacks are much easier to drive and maneuver than sedans or SUVs. They don’t have the three-box design of a sedan and therefore don’t have a large trunk at the rear. This makes their design compact. It’s also easier to maneuver them in tight urban environments like city streets or parking lots. This high maneuverability also means that they handle really well on the road. Some sporty hatchbacks are very exciting to drive.
Lower Costs
Because sedans are larger than hatchbacks, they usually cost more too. Hatchbacks are also smaller and lighter than other types of cars and therefore offer better fuel economy as well. Several hatchbacks are also available as hybrids or even as fully electric models that may cost more to buy, but end up saving owners a lot of money through the ownership period.
More Popular
Large car manufacturers like Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, and Nissan all report that in the United States, their hatchbacks sell more units than their sedans. The best selling hatchbacks from these manufacturers in the US are the Fiesta, Yaris, Accent, and Versa. More people now understand how these cars are just better to drive in an era of ever-rising costs.
If you are seriously considering picking up a hatchback as your daily driver, don’t hesitate. From practical family options to high-powered sports car rivaling versions, there are hatchbacks for all sorts of buyers. We recommend checking the options and scheduling a test drive as soon as possible.
