Best Subcompact Hatchbacks to Buy in 2020
It might be a “smol” and shrinking segment, but subcompact hatchbacks are those trusty little workhorses that get the job done.
Whether it's your first car, a college car, or a commuter car that's not afraid of a weekend trip to the local nursery or big-box store, subcompact hatchbacks have you covered. They're inexpensive, fuel efficient, and roomy for their size. Expect to pay about $20,000 (or less) for a well-equipped hatch that will earn between 29 and 39 mpg combined and be able to swallow as much as 52 cubic feet of cargo with the rear seats folded. That said, each one of our best subcompact hatchback picks has its pros and cons.
This isn't an exhaustive list. We've left off the more expensive, purposely sporty, and luxury branded hatches (even Ferrari has a subcompact hatchback of sorts in the GTC4 Lusso ), but here are the top six affordable little hatchbacks you should consider, as ranked byMotorTrend .
6) 2020 Chevrolet Sonic
Like several in this category, the Chevy Sonic is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. The Sonic hatch was a noticeable improvement over the Aveo it replaced in 2012, with the amount of standard features, a quieter, more refined ride, and much greater passenger/cargo space. Not much has changed in the years since, though, so the Sonic is growing long in the tooth and it's one of the least fuel efficient in the segment. Yet, it remains one of the most fun-to-drive economical subcompact hatchbacks with a low entry price from a domestic brand.
2020 Chevrolet Sonic Hatchback Pros, Cons, and Specs
Fun to drive, comfortable ride, affordable, roomy cargo capacity
Entry-level model is barren, lacks new driver-assist tech, newer alternatives on the market
Base Price Range: $20,295-$22,395
Available Engines: 1.4L turbo I-4 (138 hp, 148 lb-ft)
Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 26/34/29 mpg
Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 47.7/19 cu ft
Warranty (basic; powertrain; roadside): 3 yr/36,000 mi; 5/60,000; 5/60,000
5) 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage
For those who care nothing about driving enjoyment and simply want an inexpensive, highly fuel-efficient, surprisingly roomy, and well-warrantied car, look no further. Like others here, the Mitsubishi Mirage is available in sedan or hatchback body styles. Starting at around $15,000 in hatchback form, you're able to stuff as much as 47 cubic feet of cargo in the Mirage with the rear seats folded. A tiny 78-hp/74-lb-ft three-cylinder powers the Mirage to 60 mph in just over 12 seconds (with its optional CVT), or more than 2 seconds longer than the average for the class. Yet that engine/transmission combination yields 39 mpg combined, the best fuel economy in this group.
5) 2020 Mitsubishi Mirage Hatchback Pros, Cons, and Specs
Outstanding fuel economy, potent warranty, bargain price, roomy cargo
Least powerful new car on sale, zero driving enjoyment, rough ride quality
Base Price Range: $14,990-$18,290
Available Engines: 1.2L I-3 (78 hp, 74 lb-ft)
Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 33/41/36 mpg (5M); 36/43/39 (CVT)
Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 47.0/17.1 cu ft
Warranty (basic; powertrain; roadside): 5 yr/60,000 mi; 7/100,000; 5/unlimited
4) 2020 Chevrolet Spark
Refreshed in 2019, the Chevy Spark is available in a variety of trim levels with a wide range of equipment, including a slightly lifted soft-road "Activ" version. As such, the $4,500 range in base price should fit just about any budget. Higher levels net more equipment such as rear parking assist, auto emergency braking, lane departure warning, and forward collision alert. Manual and automatic transmissions are offered, but all trims are powered by a modest 98-hp/94-lb-ft four-cylinder engine. Pack light because the cargo area is one of the smallest in the segment.
2020 Chevrolet Spark Pros, Cons, and Specs
Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, available autonomous driving aids
Engine and road noise, modest acceleration, meager cargo room
Base Price Range: $ 14,095-$ 18,595
Available Engines: 1.4L I-4 (98 hp, 94 lb-ft)
Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 29/37/29 mpg (Activ 5M); 30/37/33 mpg (Activ CVT); 29/38/33 mpg (5M); 30/38/33 mpg (CVT)
Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 27.2/11.1 cu ft
Warranty (basic; powertrain; roadside): 3 yr/36,000 mi; 5/60,000; 5/60,000
3) 2020 Toyota Yaris
The hatchback version of the Toyota Yaris became newly available in 2020, and only in the top two trim levels: LE and XLE. As a result, the price isn't quite as competitive, but the driving experience is often better. Based on the Mazda2 hatchback available elsewhere in the world, the new Yaris benefits from a modern infotainment interface and a playful platform. The Yaris hatch is fun in the corners, but the trade-off is a busy ride and road noise. Zero-to-60 mph arrives in an admirable 9.4 seconds and is achieved with a smart and satisfying six-speed automatic where many in the segment come with dissatisfying CVT automatics. Fuel economy is on par with competitors despite its sporty nature.
2020 Toyota Yaris Hatchback Pros, Cons, and Specs
Upscale interior, good acceleration, handles nicely
Road noise, brittle ride, touch screen goes "non-op" while driving
Base Price Range: $18,705-$ 19,705
Available Engines: 1.5L I-4 (106 hp, 103 lb-ft)
Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 32/40/35 mpg
Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): NA/15.9 cu ft
Warranty (basic; powertrain; roadside): 3 yr/36,000 mi; 5/60,000; 2/25,000
2) 2020 Kia Rio
Having made it to the finalist round of the MotorTrend Car of the Year contest in 2018, the Kia Rio Hatchback has only improved since, with even better fuel economy than before. Both the sedan and hatchback version lost a bit of power in the deal, however. In the contest we praised the hatch's refined ride qualities, quiet engine, and premium-feel interior fit and finish, as well as its value. Add to that one of the industry's best warranties, and you have a winning recipe.
2) 2020 Kia Rio Hatchback Pros, Cons, and Specs
Inexpensive but doesn't feel so, excellent warranty, solid infotainment system
Bland exterior styling, modest cargo room
Base Price Range: $17,755-$17,755
Available Engines: 1.6L I-4 (120 hp, 112 lb-ft)
Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 33/41/36 mpg
Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 32.8/17.4 cu ft
Warranty (basic; powertrain; roadside): 5 yr/60,000-mi; 10/100,000; 5/60,000
1) 2020 Honda Fit
You might call the Honda Fit the one that does it all. With four distinct trim levels featuring an ever increasing amount of standard equipment, two transmissions, an optional performance package, and the best driver-assist active safety system in its class, it's the benchmark. Its clever interior packaging includes unique rear seats with bottom cushions that flip up for tall/skinny cargo like a flat-screen TV. This does, however, diminish rear headroom slightly. Fold the rear seatbacks down, though, and there are 52.7 cubic feet for any manner of things—the largest of this group. Plus, it's fun to drive and good around corners, with only a slight ride quality penalty. Depending on the trim and transmission choice, expect to hit 60 mph somewhere between 7.9 and 9.1 seconds.
2020 Honda Fit Pros, Cons, and Specs
Highly configurable, largest cargo capacity, best available driver-assist active safety system
Base infotainment system, ride quality can grow busy, rear seat headroom
Base Price Range: $17,145-$21,575
Available Engines: 1.5L I-4 (128-130 hp, 113-114 lb-ft)
Fuel Economy (city/hwy/combined): 29/36/31 mpg (6M), 33/40/36 (CVT)
Cargo Space (behind 1st/2nd): 52.7/16.6 cu ft
Warranty (basic; powertrain; roadside): 3 yr/36,000 mi; 5/60,000; 3/36,000
What started as my father’s passion and later my whim as a young adult turned into an unexpectedly fulfilling career. I still have the glossy black and white photos of my proud dad in his rolled-up T-shirt and dungarees standing next to his early ’50s jet-black straight-eight Pontiac, his Jaguar XK120 he bought when he got out of the Navy then sold to go to college, and the Austin Healey 100 they drove to the hospital when Mom gave birth. Growing up in Southern California where car culture was everywhere, my dad was a Road & Track guy, I was a Cycle World reader, and my first car was inherited from my Hot-Rod grandmother; her 1969 AMC Javelin SST with the optional Go Package. That car and later a string of motorcycles saw me through college. In 1995, when I peered across Wilshire Boulevard from a generic office job, I saw the Petersen Publishing sign and a bell rang in my head, “Hey, wouldn’t it be fun to write about cars and motorcycles?” I marched a resume and writing sample across the street and was an editorial assistant at MotorTrend a week later. After a few promotions, company ownerships changes, and bouncing from driving school to driving school, in 2001 I landed in the driver’s seat track testing the vehicles we all write about – about 5,000 so far. Thanks to this career (including a 10-year sojourn at Edmunds), I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world, race in the Baja 1000, be the last person to drive at speed up Pike’s Peak before it was fully paved, drive a Formula 1 car in Barcelona, and test nearly every car, truck, and SUV available for the past 30 years. Since that first potential jaywalking infraction, what a drive it’s been. Thank you, MotorTrend.
Read More
