13 of the Best Sporty Hatchbacks
Subaru and Prius may make hatches for outdoor enthusiasts, but have you ever heard of a hot hatch? See why these hatchbacks could easily be mistaken for a supercar.
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
While
sports cars
are sexy, they’re not known for being the most comfortable, practical options for everyday driving. Hatchbacks are an excellent alternative. Looking for a track monster? A tiny pocket rocket? No matter what your needs are, there’s a sporty hatchback for you.Hatchbacks that won’t empty your wallet
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is an affordable option at $28,490. Dating back to the ‘70s, this well-balanced sport compact doesn’t sacrifice everyday comforts. “With its restrained exterior styling, the Golf GTI easily flies under the radar, making it a great sleeper and one of the best performance hatchbacks on the market,”
MotorTrend
tells us.The fun Hyundai Veloster R-Spec and Hyundai Veloster Nare two exciting options to choose from. Drivers will get incredible value for the engaging Veloster R-Spec that comes in at less than $25,000. If you’re not on a budget, the Veloster N has track-level performance with up to 275 hp.
The Ford Focus RS features a drift mode and comfy Recaro seats. “A masterpiece of engineering, the 2016 focus throws 345 hp at all four wheels and scrambles to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds,”
HotCars
tells us. It really does drive like a rally car. The VW Golf R is a great vehicle all around. The road blaster is fun to drive and convenient enough for family errands. The car sports 316 hp with 310 lb-ft of torque and can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The sure-footed AWD is definitely a huge plus.
What used to be a round sport hatchback, has mutated into the ferocious Honda Civic Type R. It offers a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 316 hp fed to the front wheels.
In 5.7 seconds, the Type R can reach 60 mph. “Blessed with one of the best chassis in production and steering that oozes feel, the Type R will carve its way through a series of corners whilst keeping up speeds that would have many supercars cowering in shame,” HotCars reports.
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Mid-range hatchback options
We love the sophisticated BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe that comes in at $45,745. Though it could benefit from a redesign in the near future, the BMW is practical and features a sweeping roofline and stylish curves. According to MotorTrend, “If you're after the most potent version, the 440i Gran Coupe with the M Sport package, gives you a hatchback with great performance and sleek looks.”
If the name doesn’t say enough, the Kia Stinger at just under $45,000 made a name for the Korean automaker. The GT version’s twin-turbo V6 cranks out 365 hp at a more reasonable price than other vehicles that can do the same. There’s also a less intense 2.0-liter turbo-four engine available with 255 hp.
The BMW 140i is a hot hatch featuring a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six engine with 335 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque to the back wheels. The Sport Plus has a powerful seven-speed gearbox that can dispatch the vehicle to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The four-seater has plenty of trunk space and innovative tech.
The Audi RS3 sports a five-cylinder turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 395 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. The auto can easily accelerate to 174 mph and ramp-up to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. The interior has a race-like feel, so you’ll easily forget that your hot hatch is also carrying a stroller in the back.
MORE: 3-Door Cars Are Still Out There, But Are Becoming Rare
Sporty hatchbacks worth the splurge
At a higher price point, the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe starts at $100,945. The German muscle car is an Autobahn-ready hatchback with slick handling. The four-seater has incredible straight-line speed. MotorTrend recommends opting for the “630-hp GT 63 S if you want a sports car that's also family-friendly.”
The Porsche Panamera starts close to $89,000. This luxurious hatchback is also available as a plug-in hybrid, which includes a 677-hp Turbo S E-Hybrid. Drivers can also opt for the Executive model with a long wheelbase and a Sport Turismo wagon.
The Tesla Model S may have you fooled. Though it looks like a sedan, it truly is a hatchback coming in at just over $76,000. First introduced in 2012, Tesla’s flagship model can ramp up to 60 mph in less than two seconds with a top speed of 200 mph. The Model S P100D has a fast electric powertrain and showcases exceptional performance with its instant torque.
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