Hatchbacks and versatility go hand in hand. They can be stylish, spacious, fuel-efficient, practical, affordable, and fun-to-drive all at once. Speaking to the last point, Dan Heyman of wheels.ca recently compiled a list of five hatchbacks that are fun to drive that are available on the market today.
5 Hatchbacks that are Fun to Drive
If you are a fan of performance, these five hatchbacks that are fun to drive could be for you.
2016 Ford Focus RS
New to the Canadian market this year, the 2016 Ford Focus RS just may be the hottest hatch around. RS stands for "Rallye Sport" and Heyman calls it the "Full Monty Focus" because of its impressive performance. The RS model features an upgraded version of the 2.3-litre engine from the Ford Mustang that makes 350 horsepower. It also boasts 564 litres of cargo volume, four-wheel drive and a comfortable interior.
2016 Volkswagen Golf R
The Golf R has been a mainstay in performance hatches since 2009. For the 2016 model, VW gave it even more power and made it available with an automatic transmission. Its 2.0-litre TSI engine makes 292 horsepower, it comes with 343 litres of cargo volume and it is equipped with all-wheel drive. Inside, you'll find comfy leather seats and a new eight-inch touchscreen. Enthusiasts will love that wheels.ca calls the Golf R "Volkswagen's everyday rocket ship."
2016 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW)
The Mini Cooper JCW is the performance version of the subcompact three-door hatchback. Its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 229 horsepower and you can have it in either manual or automatic. For those that like a little added flair, you can customize mirror caps, roof colours, racing stripes, and even the wheels. Don't expect much rear seating room or cargo space (it only has 211 litres), but wheels.ca notes that the JCW "is just about as good as it gets in the technical driving department."
2016 Fiat 500 Abarth
This tiny Italian hatch may be small in stature, but not when it comes to the street and highway. Reviewers have praised its vigour, style, agility and acceleration. Heyman notes that it alerts you to its presence with its distinctive exhaust notes that fire out through two "canon-sized" exhaust pipes. It features a 1.4-litre, 160-horsepower engine and a choice between automatic and manual transmission.
2016 Ford Fiesta ST
The most affordable hatch of the bunch, the 2016 Ford Fiesta ST pumps out 197 horsepower with its 1.6-litre I-4 engine. Although it has four doors, the back seats are mighty snug, but its 286 litres of cargo volume are respectable enough. Heyman praises the ST for being fast, peppy, and toss-able, and for having precise steering.
Driving enthusiasts who want the added versatility that a hatchback offers should love these five cars.
If Affordability is What You Seek…
Let's face it, performance comes with a price tag that is often higher. If you desire a versatile hatchback but are less into performance, you don't have to break the bank to buy the one that's right for you.
Check out how affordable the base prices of these five hatches are:
- 2016 Ford Focus SE hatch: $19,599
- 2016 Volkswagen Golf 2-door hatch: $20,395 (4-door: $22,295)
- 2016 Mini Cooper: $21,490
- 2016 Fiat 500: $18,895
- 2016 Ford Fiesta: $16,049
Bonus: How could we talk about affordable hatchbacks without mentioning the Nissan Micra. The cute, practical and stylish 2016 Micra starts at just $9,988!
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