What is a hatchback?

Efficient, practical, and affordable, hatchbacks remain one of the most popular car types. Here’s everything you need to know about them.

You’re bound to come across the word “hatchback” when browsing for a new or used car – but what exactly is a hatchback? With so many different car body styles on the market, it’s important to understand the differences so you can choose the car that best suits your needs.

This handy guide explains what a hatchback is, their key characteristics, the pros and cons of owning one, and how it differs from a saloon car.

Remember, you can buy a hatchback right here on Carwow. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

What is a hatchback?

A hatchback is a car body style with a rear door that swings upward, giving access to both the cargo area and the main passenger cabin rather than a separate boot.

What are the characteristics of hatchbacks?

Here are some features of a hatchback that distinguish it against other car body types:

• Upward-opening tailgate: Its rear door, known as a tailgate or hatch, lifts upwards and includes the back window. This design gives easy access to the boot area and makes loading larger items easier.
• Two-box design: Hatchbacks typically use a “two-box” layout which comprises one section for the engine and another shared space for passengers and cargo.
• Fold-down rear seats: Most hatchbacks feature rear seats that fold flat to expand the boot space. This allows you to carry larger or bulkier items such as bicycles or flat-pack furniture.
• Removable parcel shelf: They normally have a rigid or flexible cover over the boot area that can be removed or adjusted to allow for taller or stacked items.
• Compact dimensions: Unlike an estate car, a hatchback’s bodywork doesn’t notably extend past the rear wheels, keeping them small enough for easy city driving.

Advantages and disadvantages of a hatchback

Here are the main advantages of choosing a hatchback:

Advantages of a hatchback

• When you need more room, the rear seats can usually fold down flat to create a large, open space for bigger or bulkier items.
• Hatchbacks typically have shorter, lighter bodies, making them easier to navigate through narrow city streets, move through traffic, and parallel park.
• Their squared-off shape and larger windows can make judging distances while parking easier. This design can also make the rear seats feel more spacious for passengers.
• They’re generally more affordable to buy new or used, and they often fall into lower insurance groups than larger vehicles such as SUVs.

Disadvantages of a hatchback

• Because the boot and passenger areas are connected in one open space, noise from the rear wheels and suspension can be more noticeable inside the cabin.
• Luggage stored in the boot is often visible through the rear window, and if the rear hatch glass is broken, it can be easier for thieves to access your belongings compared to a fully enclosed metal boot.
• As hatchbacks are designed with a compact footprint for easier city driving, they may offer less rear legroom and reduced headroom, especially in models with heavily sloping roofs.
• Although hatchbacks are practical when the rear seats are folded down, their standard boot and passenger space is usually smaller than that of estates or SUVs.

What’s the difference between a hatchback and a saloon car?

The main difference between a hatchback and a saloon car is the boot design. In a hatchback, the rear window lifts up together with the boot lid as one large door. In a saloon car, the boot is separate from the passenger cabin and opens with its own lid, while the rear window remains fixed.

Hatchback FAQs

What is a hot hatchback?

A hot hatchback, otherwise known as a “hot hatch”, is a high-performance, sports-tuned version of a standard family hatchback. Examples include the Toyota GR Yaris, Volkswagen Golf GTI, and the Honda Civic Type R.

How many doors does a hatchback have?

A hatchback typically has either three or five doors. A three-door hatch features a passenger door on each side plus the rear hatch, while a five-door hatch has two passenger doors on each side plus the rear hatch.

Are hatchbacks more expensive to insure?

No, hatchbacks aren’t more expensive to insure. Compact and standard hatchbacks are actually among the cheapest to insure because of their modest engines and lower repair costs compared to larger vehicles such as SUVs. However, hot hatches are generally more expensive to insure due to their higher performance capabilities and statistical risk profiles.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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