Image via Complex Original
We think that the vast majority of people would be better served by a hatchback than whatever they are actually driving. Historically, Americans have been very much against the hatch, but are, as a society, beginning to see things our way.
What other kind of sports car can seat five or carry a love seat while remaining compact and efficient?
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10. Honda Fit
Price: $15,325
Complex Says: The Fit is the car the most like the Hondas of yesteryear that we all fell in love with. It's very light weight, it has a spunky, if not powerful engine, it handles well, and it puts a ton of car into a small package. A lot of small cars manage that but the Fit is superlative in a few fields: it's by far the most comfortable subcompact for second row passengers and fits more cargo than any car this tiny has any right to, due to the unorthodox placement of the gas tank.
Starbucks fiends will love the seven cup-holders too.
9. Ford Fiesta
Price: $14,200
Complex Says: This is the car that proved that Americans could indeed fall in love with hatchbacks. For the first time in a long time the USA was buying more of a specific model in hatch form than in the cheaper-priced sedan form. We'd like it for that alone, but the Fiesta is a blast to drive, gets killer fuel economy, and has a bunch of fun colors and customizations options.
8. Audi A3
Price: $27,270
Complex Says: Some people will tell you that the Audi A3 is just "a VW for cocks who are willing to pay to not be seen behind a VW badge." While this may hold water for some buyers, many are buying the A3 for the optional AWD and the nicer interior. Once you factor in the expense of the leather seating option on the GTI the prices are getting quite close to each other anyway.
7. Volkswagen Golf TDI
Price: $24,235
Complex Says: While we're being all un-American and touting hatchbacks, we might as well plug diesels a bit too. The Golf TDI is the same practical and fun car that the gasoline Golf is, but it has a nicer interior and gets 42mpg on the highway. The bonus: 238 lb-ft of torque.
6. Subaru Impreza
Price: $18,395
Complex Says: If you live in one of the Northern states that gets covered with that white fluff that does nothing but bad things to cars, there's a good chance that you're looking for all-wheel drive. Not only is Subaru's AWD system one of the best on the market, but this is the cheapest AWD car out there. It doesn't feel cheap though, the Impreza is a nice ride.
5. Ford Focus
Price: $19,200
Complex Says: The new Focus surprised all of us with just how damn good it is. It's fun to drive. It's surprisingly comfortable. It gets as much as 40mph on the highway. We just can't wait to see how awesome the upcoming Focus ST is.
4. Mini Cooper S
Price: $24,000
Complex Says: The Mini Cooper S has been lauded non-stop for its precise steering, agility, and sheer fun-factor since its release. Frankly, we agree with all of the other automotive journalists out there: the Mini is bloody brilliant.
Just be careful with the options list, you can actually spec out a Mini to cost more than $60,000.
3. Volkswagen GTI
Price: $23,995
Complex Says: Nobody can fault you for buying a GTI. It's the ur-hot-hatch and as a result VW has refined it to a point where it does virtually nothing poorly. It's tons of fun, but can still fit as many friends as you want and most of your stuff. It might not be as mechanically impressive as some of the other entries on this list, but it doesn't ask for any compromises whatsoever.
2. Fiat 500 Abarth
Price: $22,000
Complex Says: This is, without a doubt, the most fun a person can have in a car for $22,000. The raucous exhaust note alone is worth the price of entry, which makes the nimble handling just icing on the cake. The 34mpg EPA rating doesn't hurt the little scorpion's case either.
1. Subaru WRX STi
Price: $34,295
Complex Says: The STI is easily the best hatchback out there. Yes, you pay a hefty chunk of change for the privilege of owning it, but it's worth every penny. For your $34k-plus-options you get a car that isn't just a genuinely practical five-seat, five door, but a car that wins lots and lots of rally races every year. There's no compromise.
Unless you can't drive stick, in which case you should learn.
