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The Big Test: 2014/2015 Hatchbacks -
Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, and VW
These practical daily drivers are a fun answer
for many commuting problems. Which car is tops?
So, you're in the market for a sensibly sized and reasonably styled hatchback. You want to be able to hunt parallel parking spaces without anxiety ("I should have bought a smaller car…"), accommodate four adults in comfort, and be able to inflate the cargo volume at the drop of a second row. And you want to spend less than $30K? Smart thinking, customer. Our Big Test's compact-class hatches are, by straight averages, $27,332 as tested, and boast 60 percent more storage area than their respective sedan counterparts despite measuring 9 inches shorter in exterior length. And that's before folding the back seat.
The comparison rules were simple. We asked the handful of C-segment hatchback manufacturers to share their booty, as long as our haul came with backup cameras, navigation, keyless entry, and automatic transmissions. We encouraged automakers to put their best feet forward and nearly had our entire desired competitive pool -- we were willing to make an exception for the Subaru Impreza (no keyless entry, full stop) but the delivered test car also didn't have nav, and Mitsubishi didn't have a Lancer Sportback for us.
Nevertheless, our well-appointed quintet represented the heart of this specific market: Ford Focus Titanium, Hyundai Elantra GT, Kia Forte5 SX, Mazda3 with the Grand Touring option, and Volkswagen Golf SEL.
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1500 Miles in a Mazda3 S Grand Touring Hatchback
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