10 Best Looking Hatchbacks

2018 Audi S5 Sportback ・ Photo by Audi

When the first-ever hatchbacks appeared, they took the market by storm by offering nearly the cargo capacity as a station wagon but in a more attractive (and often sportier and more fun to drive) design. Today’s models are no different. There may be other vehicles out there that are more practical or offer a better driving experience, but the hatchback provides a compromise between the two that is ideal for many drivers.

Our expert editors have come up with a list of the 10 best looking hatchbacks on the market (sorted alphabetically), so if you’re looking for a new hatchback and value style above most else, read on — and take a gander at the photos — to see which you find the most appealing.

1) 2018 Audi S5 Sportback

The Audi S5 Sportback has styling that is reminiscent of a sedan, but it has a back hatch that opens into a relatively roomy cargo area. The Sportback is full of design details that include the character line down the sides, the frameless doors and a clamshell hood that masks the seam between it and the fenders.

We think that the S5 looks especially good when painted Navarra Blue or Tango Red, and we prefer the design of the standard 18-inch wheels over the optional 19-inch versions. And it’s not just the outside that looks good — like other Audis, the S5 Sportback’s interior is also a thing of beauty.

Photo by Audi

2) 2017 Aston Martin Rapide S

The Aston Martin Rapide S is the most expensive car on our list of the 10 best-looking hatchbacks, and in some colors (especially whites, reds, silvers and grays) the styling is pure Aston Martin class; choose the wrong color, however, and the car can look rather long and ungainly.

The Rapide has a long hood (needed to fit its big V12 engine) and the rear doors are somewhat disguised, so at a quick glance, this hatchback is easy to mistake for a two-door sports car. As this is an Aston Martin, there is a multitude of options, including a choice of wheels, various brake caliper colors, and carbon fiber accents. If you can afford it, the Rapide S is probably the classiest hatchback around.

Photo by Aston Martin

3) 2018 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

BMW has significantly expanded its lineup in the last few years by creating variations of existing models, and one of our favorites is the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. It’s got a typical (and attractive) BMW front end, and even from the back or side, it would take a keen eye to notice that it features a hatchback instead of the traditional trunk. Its coupe lines are further accentuated by the frameless doors.

We’d order ours with the M Sport Package, which includes an aerodynamic kit and Shadowline trim. And like many other BMW models, we think it looks best in Alpine White or Estoril Blue Metallic, both of which look good with the 18" Orbit Grey V-Spoke wheels.

Photo by BMW

4) 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

The Chevrolet Cruze hatchback features a design that is easily recognizable as a Chevrolet, especially if you’re familiar with the brand’s recent offerings, such as the Volt — yet it’s much more stylish than nearly all of GM’s previous small-car designs. The Cruze has an aggressively sporty look, especially when equipped with the RS package that includes unique front and rear fascias, rocker panels, a rear spoiler and fog lamps, but unfortunately no high-performance engine.

We would order ours with the optional 17-inch wheels — the Premier RS comes with 18-inch wheels and a few other tweaks, but sadly, it isn’t available with a manual transmission. We would also consider the "Black Bowtie" option if it wasn’t so expensive. It's $195 for a small piece of trim.

Photo by Chevrolet

5) 2017 Fiat 500 Abarth

While the regular FIAT 500 is a cute little car that features a modern take on a classic Italian design, the sporty Abarth version kicks the aggressiveness up a notch. It boasts a motorsports-inspired splitter and rear diffuser with integrated dual exhaust, both of which add downforce while minimizing drag.

We’d probably get ours in Bianco Perla (Pearl White Tri-Coat) and we’d be sure to opt for one of the sets of 17-inch wheels. We might even consider options that we’d call tacky on other cars, like the Scorpion Package with Roof Graphic (a massive scorpion) or one of the two-tone options with a contrasting roof color. Either way, the Fiat 500 Abarth is a particularly attractive hatchback. 

Photo by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

6) 2017 Ford Focus RS

The Ford Focus RS is the sportiest model in the Focus lineup, and the car has an exterior that matches its personality almost perfectly. While the regular Focus is already an attractive car, the RS adds to it with a unique and aerodynamically efficient front fascia, rear diffuser with integrated dual exhaust and spoiler.

We’d order ours with the optional 19-inch forged alloy Y-spoke wheels, as they look good and do a better job of showing off the Brembo brakes. For 2018 the Focus RS will also be available in Race Red and with a black spoiler with RS logo. While the Focus RS is more than twice the price of a base Focus sedan, it’s more than worth it if you value style and performance.

Photo by Ford

7) 2017 Honda Civic Type R

The newest Honda Civic features dramatic exterior styling, and the Type R takes it even further with the addition of a body kit, rear diffuser with huge triple exhaust and a big wing. In fact, if there’s one fault with the Type R’s styling it might be that it has gone a bit too far in the Fast and Furious direction with its vented front fenders and vortex generators above the rear window. It’s all functional, however, designed to cover the widened track while increasing downforce and reducing drag.

The Civic looks particularly aggressive in Championship White, which would probably be our color of choice. We know that looks are subjective, but to us, the Civic Type R is one of the 10 best-looking hatchbacks money can buy.

Photo by Honda

8) 2018 Mazda Mazda3 hatchback

The goal of Mazda’s KODO design language is to convey a sense of movement, and we think that the Mazda3 five-door might be the brand’s most attractive and successful application of it so far. The car’s relatively long hood and short rear give it a sporty and almost rear-wheel drive look (don’t we wish), and its smooth flowing design looks like it should be able to cut through the air cleanly at just about any speed.

We’d order ours in Soul Red Metallic or Machine Gray Metallic and we’d add the Appearance Package, which adds a Brilliant Black front air dam, side sills, and a rear diffuser. And the Mazda3 isn't only attractive to look at but also quite easy to live with.

Photo by Mazda

9) 2018 MINI Hardtop 2 Door

The MINI Hardtop 2 Door is instantly recognizable, especially when fitted with the available Union Jack mirror caps. Its styling hasn’t changed all that much since it was re-introduced in 2002 (and it pays homage to the original), and it’s still stylish and good-looking. Customization options abound and include exterior options such as a rear spoiler, bonnet stripes, mirror covers and a plethora of wheel options.

We’d probably take ours in a bright color like Volcanic Orange as such lively paintwork seems to suit the car. We'd also likely opt for a black roof (since a Union Jack design is, unfortunately, unavailable) and the 17-inch Black Cosmos Spoke wheels. 

Photo by MINI

10) 2018 Porsche Panamera

Our list's final entry is the 2018 Porsche Panamera. While some have derided the Panamera’s styling, we’ve always found it attractive — and with the latest model, most people should agree. It takes some of its styling queues from the 911, and the design is pleasing from most angles. We aren’t huge fans of the headlight aesthetics, though; our favorite view is from the side or rear.

Exterior options include a variety of wheels (including body-colored options), a SportDesign package, tinted LED taillights and a host of others. The options list is so complete that it includes tire chains and valves stem caps with the Porsche crest on them, in case you’re as huge of a fan of the brand as we are.

Photo by Porsche