• Buying Guides

These Are The Best Hatchbacks in 2023

By Shawn Furman | January 24, 2023

Hatchbacks may not get the attention of their taller SUV cousins, but they look sporty, they have better practicality than coupes and sedans, and they often come with a lower price tag and better fuel economy than SUVs or crossovers.

Plus, the performance-oriented hot hatch segment features some pretty impressive models that are just as quick and nimble as sports cars.

Hatchbacks are also a diverse group. You can find them at nearly any price point, some are all-electric, some are plug-in hybrid models, some have all-wheel drive, and some are super basic for your daily commuting needs.

Regardless of who you are or your specific tastes, there are plenty of hatchbacks on the market from which to choose for your next new car.

1. 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI/2023 Volkswagen Golf R
2. 2023 Honda Civic
3. 2023 Toyota Corolla
4. 2023 Kia Niro
5. 2023 Chevrolet Bolt
6. 2023 Mazda3
7. 2023 Toyota Prius
8. 2023 Nissan Leaf
9. 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage
10. 2023 Kia Soul
11. 2023 Audi RS7
12. 2023 Kia Rio
13. 2023 Tesla Model S
14. 2023 Subaru Impreza
15. 2023 Mini Cooper


1. 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI/2023 Volkswagen Golf R

2023-volkswagen-golf-gti-ext

Even though the regular Volkswagen Golf was discontinued in the U.S. due to declining sales numbers, the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Golf R continue to carry the torch, which is great new for enthusiasts. The Golf GTI provides as much horsepower as you need to get a kick of performance without going overboard. The Golf R is an AWD GTI on steroids and ups the hot hatch game to the next level.

2023-volkswagen-golf-gti-int

The GTI and Golf R were redesigned for 2022 so while there may not be any notable changes for 2023 on either model, but their fresh exterior styling, clean interior designs, roomy cargo and passenger space, and agile handling keep them at the top of the class.

A 241-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder sends all the GTI’s muscle to the front wheels while the Golf R benefits from 315 horsepower and all-wheel drive.

We do wish Volkswagen had given us some physical buttons to control the infotainment system, but you may forget the finicky infotainment system altogether as you row the six-speed manual transmission yourself or quickly accelerate with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic – the choice is yours.

Browse 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI/2023 Volkswagen Golf R listings here.


2. 2023 Honda Civic

2023-honda-civic-ext

Honda axed the Civic Coupe for this generation, leaving only the sedan and the hatchback remain that was redesigned for 2022. But we're plenty entertained by this new hatchback model.

Like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Civic was also redesigned for 2022, meaning that updates are minimal for 2023. The base LX trim has been dropped, and the mighty Honda Civic Type-R returns to the lineup after skipping a year.

2023-honda-civic-int

Honda knows how important the Civic is, so redesigning it with competitive safety features and technology is important. You can still choose a six-speed manual transmission over the CVT on the Sport and Sport Touring trim levels, with either either 158 horsepower or 180. Meanwhile, a starting MSRP of around $26,000 is a bit higher than its prime rival, the Mazda3 hatchback.

But for that money, you do get many standard features like a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, an 8-speaker audio system, automatic climate control, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a rear-seat alert system. You also get a good balance of comfort and athleticism.

With the Hyundai Veloster N gone for 2023 and the Ford Focus RS long gone, the 315-horsepower Honda Civic Type-R is in a great position to be the premier hot hatch for 2023. It has the go and the looks to do the job, but you need at least $44,390 to get one.

Browse 2023 Honda Civic listings here.


3. 2023 Toyota Corolla

2023-toyota-corolla-hatch

The venerable Toyota Corolla is available as a not-so-hot compact hatchback that looks sportier than it is. With a starting price of around $24,000, the Corolla Hatchback is reasonably priced, comfortable to drive, gets great fuel economy, and is safe. Unfortunately, cargo space is limited by the sloped rear hatch and the driving experience it offers is dull compared to its competition.

2023-toyota-corolla-int

Non-hybrid models come with a 159-horsepower engine after dropping the 139-horsepower engine from last year. Slight styling updates and some trim shuffling, as well as a slight bump in the starting MSRP of the Corolla, highlight the minor differences between this year’s and last year’s model.

More notably, an updated 8-inch touchscreen and multi-media infotainment system are now standard. Safety features like forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and lane-keep also come standard.

Enthusiasts will be happy to investigate the new Toyota GR Corolla, a hot hatch that leans as far away from its regular Corolla Hatchback sibling as it can. It separates itself with 300 horsepower, stunning handling, standard AWD, a six-speed manual transmission, and a $37,000 starting price tag.

Browse 2023 Toyota Corolla listings here.


4. 2023 Kia Niro

2023-kia-niro-hybrid-ext

The 2023 Kia Niro is a wolf in sheep’s clothing as it is technically a crossover SUV. It shares many characteristics with other hatchbacks on our list, though. It is only available in front-wheel drive, it has been fully redesigned for 2023, it comes in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and EV variants, and it's affordable.

2023-kia-niro-hybrid-int

The base model starts under $27,000. It costs a little more than the outgoing model, but it's larger, has more standard safety features, more technology, and looks more modern as well.

Its 139-horsepower hybrid powertrain helps it achieve a 53 combined MPG fuel economy rating, and tidy exterior dimensions hide its deceptively roomy interior space.

For more pep and electric range, you can go with the slightly more expensive plug-in hybrid or Niro EV with 253 miles of electric range.

Although the larger, more expensive, and more futuristic all-electric Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are seriously impressive, the Niro is more approachable and well-rounded with several variants and a relatively low price to fit different buyers’ needs.

Browse 2023 Kia Niro listings here.


5. 2023 Chevrolet Bolt

2023-chevrolet-bolt-ev-ext

The Chevy Bolt is one of the older nameplates in the EV game, so you'd be forgiven if it's been overshadowed by newer EVs like the Kia Niro, Hyundai Ioniq, and Volkswagen ID.4.

Despite that, it might be worth considering as your first EV, since it is currently one of the most affordable on the market. It has a starting MSRP of $32,495, and you can take thousands off that price thanks to state and federal incentives and rebates, if you qualify.

2023-chevrolet-bolt-ev-int

It's a small car, but it has ample passenger room in both the front and the back seats thanks to its relatively square shape. Its powertrain produces 200 horsepower, sending it to the front wheels. Its EPA-estimated driving range is 259 miles which is great compared to competitors.

Standard features include a 10.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a Wi-Fi hotspot, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. After a refresh in 2022, the 2023 model year Bolt does not feature any significant changes, but it remains a great choice for an entry-level EV hatchback.

Browse 2023 Chevrolet Bolt listings here.


6. 2023 Mazda3

2023-mazda3-hatch

Mazda has a great reputation for producing stylish, upscale cars that are more fun to drive than their rivals. This is especially true with their Mazda3 hatchback. It is sporty, it has more storage space than the sedan, it is available with all-wheel drive, its interior is on another level, and you can even get it with a six-speed manual transmission. It may not be a Miata, but you can still easily carve up that mountain road with your family along for the ride.

2023-mazda-mazda3-int

It lacks the interior space of some of its competitors, so its cargo space and rear-seat space fall behind in the segment. That might be the only real complaint we have. Its base four-cylinder engine makes 191 horsepower and helps it achieve 26 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway. Those estimates fall a bit if you choose the turbo engine with AWD.

Enthusiasts who want the six-speed manual will need to hand over some extra cash to get the nearly $30,000 Premium trim. But with a starting MSRP of around $23,500, you still get a great driving car packed with safety and tech features that also happened to earn an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award for this model year.

Browse 2023 Mazda Mazda3 listings here.


7. 2023 Toyota Prius

2023-toyota-prius-styling-image

Coming off of a complete redesign for the 2023 model year, the Toyota Prius boasts attractive styling, while also being wider, more powerful, and just as fuel efficient as the outgoing model. A little headroom and cargo space are sacrificed in the name of more attractive lines, but you have to admit that the stereotypically mundane Prius is now a better car because of it.

2023-toyota-prius-safety-image

Front-wheel drive is still standard, but all-wheel drive is available too. Total powertrain output is boosted significantly to 194 horsepower for front-wheel drive models and 196 horsepower for all-wheel drive models. Fuel economy remains excellent with a preliminary non-EPA estimate of 57 combined MPG.

Its new interior is more sensible than the outgoing model. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard on the base model while the top two trim levels benefit from a larger 12.3-inch unit. Automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams all come standard as part of the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 system.

Browse 2023 Toyota Prius listings here.


8. 2023 Nissan Leaf

2023-nissan-leaf-ext

The 2023 Nissan Leaf has undergone some subtle changes from 2022. It has a few refreshed styling details that are hard to spot, and its previous five trim levels have been reduced to two. Like the Chevy Bolt, the Leaf is one of the original entrants into the EV market and it's been a pioneer in that segment since 2011.

2023-nissan-leaf-int

This latest Leaf falls behind the competition with a base driving range of 149 miles and 147 horsepower. The upgraded Leaf SV Plus does better with 214 horsepower and 212 miles of range. That is still not great, but its driving comfort is at the top of the class.

Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen display, a digital gauge cluster, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, automatic climate control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and a rear-seat alert system. You must decide if its excellent driving dynamics are good enough to overcome its short electric range.

Browse 2023 Nissan Leaf listings here.


9. 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage

2023-mitsubishi-mirage-ext

You might not think that the cheapest car currently on the market is fitting for a “best of” list like this, but the Mitsubishi Mirage does several things quite well. The manual transmission has been dropped for 2023, but that allows the Mirage to get up to 43 MPG on the highway. Its excellent 10-year/100,000-mile warranty is only matched by Kia and Hyundai.

2023-mitsubishi-mirage-int

A 78-horsepower three-cylinder engine powers the Mirage. That's enough to power a single driver around town, but it becomes conspicuously slow in other driving situations. Its small size hampers its carpooling ability, but at least its hatchback design allows for some extra cargo space than the sedan model lacks.

With automatic emergency braking, a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and automatic climate control, there is enough technology for a car with a $17,600 MSRP. Although not much more can be expected at such a low price point, its budget-minded packaging will be perfect for buyers who need simple A-to-B commuting and not much else.

Browse 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage listings here.


10. 2023 Kia Soul

2023-kia-soul-ext

The Kia Soul is another crossover that pretends to be a hatchback. Its boxy shape offers a deceptively large amount of interior space. With 24.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats, 62.1 cubic feet when they are folded, and an upright stance, there will be little trouble getting passengers and cargo where they need to be.

2023-kia-soul-int

Unfortunately, the turbocharged engine option has been dropped for 2023, leaving the perfectly adequate 147-horsepower four-cylinder as the sole powerplant across the lineup.

Automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and driver attention monitoring have joined the other standard safety features for the 2023 model year. Fully-loaded Souls come well-equipped at a still reasonable price, and with front-wheel drive being the only drivetrain available, each trim level’s fuel economy soars to well over 30 MPG on the highway.

Browse 2023 Kia Soul listings here.


11. 2023 Audi RS7

2023-audi-rs7-ext

The 2023 Audi RS7 is by far the most expensive hatchback on our list, but it looks and feels worth every bit of its $126,000 price. Technically, it is called a sportback rather than a hatchback, but that just means its rear hatch is more raked than a typical hatchback. As such it has a little less practicality than a typical hatchback but still more than an everyday sedan.

2023-audi-rs7-int

The RS7 is the razor-sharp performance version of the A7 and S7 family. It packs a mild-hybrid twin-turbo V8 powertrain that produces 591 horsepower, all-wheel drive, a 3.0-second 0-60 time, adaptive suspension, and rear-wheel steering, but it weighs 2.5 tons and is not as nimble as some Mercedes-Benz AMG or BMW M competitors.

What it lacks in outright performance and handling, it makes up for in its balance. It has the tech features fitting of a top-of-the-line German luxury vehicle, a comfortable ride, a fantastic interior, excellent exterior styling, plenty of rear-seat room, 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, and 49 with the back seats folded.

Browse 2023 Audi RS7 listings here.


12. 2023 Kia Rio

2023-kia-rio-hatch

Without Ford’s Fiesta, Hyundai’s Accent, Toyota’s Yaris, or Chevrolet’s Spark on the market anymore, the Kia Rio hatchback has the opportunity to shine in the affordable subcompact hatchback segment. Its prime competition is the Mitsubishi Mirage since the Nissan Versa is no longer available as a hatchback. Like the Mirage, its starting MSRP is below $20,000, but it does not feel as cheap.

2023-kia-rio-int

The Rio has remained largely unchanged for the past two model years, but buyers still get standard features like an 8-inch touchscreen, an easy-to-use infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto. That is not bad for an economy box, but it has very few standard safety features, an area in which the Mirage has it beat.

A 120-horsepower four-cylinder, front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable transmission help the Rio achieve fuel economy estimates of 32 MPG in the city and 41 MPG on the highway. In addition to its fuel-efficient powertrain, 17.4 cubic feet of trunk space and decent passenger space for its size help it overcome some of its shortcomings.

Browse 2023 Kia Rio listings here.


13. 2023 Tesla Model S

2023-tesla-model-s-ext

The Tesla Model S is possibly the most famous EV, and it comes in the form of a hatchback disguised as a sedan. Starting at a bit under the $100,000 mark (before any incentives or rebates), the Model S comes with up to 405 miles of electric range, all-wheel drive, 28.1 cubic feet of cargo space, and 670 horsepower. All that power famously rockets the Model S to 60 miles per hour in about three seconds.

2023-tesla-model-s-int

Minimalism is the key to the Model S’s interior as a singular 17-inch center tablet-like touchscreen allows passengers to control nearly every aspect of the car. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and tri-zone climate control complement its center screen, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are disappointingly unavailable.

Despite the front and rear seats being accommodating to most normal-sized passengers, larger rear-seat passengers may be left wanting a little extra legroom. The Mercedes-Benz EQS is more luxurious but lacks the range of the Model S and many find the exterior design off-putting. The Lucid Air has a better range but gets pricier at the top end.

Go for the Model S Plaid if you like the Model S but want the thrill of having over 1,000 horsepower at your disposal. You should also be prepared to pay about $20,000 for the extra grunt.

Browse 2023 Tesla Model S listings here.


14. 2023 Subaru Impreza

2023-subaru-impreza-ext

The Subaru Impreza is another small car that is fairly basic, inexpensive, and pretty mundane to drive. It does, however, excel in bad weather thanks to its famous symmetrical AWD system. There are no major changes between the 2022 and 2023 models, keeping its starting MSRP at $21,315.

2023-subaru-impreza-int

For that money, you get a manual transmission, 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Many of the safety features on other compact cars in the class require more cash, as does the continuously variable transmission and its fuel-efficient ratings of 28 MPG in the city and 36 MPG on the highway.

All Impreza hatchbacks come with 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, a compliant ride, 152 horsepower, and a loyal vehicle family that loves their Subarus just as much as you might if you choose a higher-end trim level with some nicer features. The base model is still great for saving money, basic commuting, and getting through the weather, but its powertrain remains uninspiring at any trim level.

Browse 2023 Subaru Impreza listings here.


15. 2023 Mini Cooper

2023-mini-cooper-ext

Even though the Mini Cooper has its shortcomings like any other car, you have to try really hard not to like it. It is pricey for a small car, the back seats are cramped, and it reliability can be subpar, but it oozes character.

2023-mini-cooper-int

The hatchback variants come in either two or four doors for each buyer’s own needs. The regular Cooper comes standard with a 134-horsepower three-cylinder engine.

Step up to the Cooper S and you will be rewarded with a 189-horsepower turbo four-cylinder. If you go the two-door route, the John Cooper Works trim is available with 228 horsepower. All Coopers mentioned here are front-wheel drive only.

Standard Apple CarPlay joins the lineup of existing standard features, like the 8.8-inch touchscreen and digital gauge cluster, for the 2023 model year. Limited safety features come standard but more are available as you work your way up the trim levels. To make the Cooper even more fun at any price, a six-speed manual is available on each trim level.

Browse 2023 Mini Cooper listings here.