10 of the Best Luxury Hatchbacks

2018 Tesla Model S ・ Photo by Tesla

Automotive fashions and buzzwords come and go. Minivans and station wagons, once prominent, are thin on the ground now. In the U.S., luxury manufacturers have replaced the term “hatchback” with three-door or five-door, depending on their configuration. Some are now using the name “sportback” or evading the issue altogether in their naming conventions.

For this article, we define a hatchback as a coupe or sedan with two rows of seating and a liftback hinged above the rear glass, allowing access to the trunk area and cabin at the same time when opened. Luxury is a brand determination more than a set of features — you can find a lot of luxury features in everyday brands these days, making the line blurry. Luxury hatchbacks are a relative rarity, which is a shame, considering how useful the form can be. But here are the 10 best of the breed, listed alphabetically. 

2018 Audi A3 Sportback e-tron

The 2018 Audi A3 is a compact entry into the realm of luxury automobiles, but the A3 Sportback e-tron is more than that — it’s a plug-in hybrid luxury five-door hatchback, a technological gem that takes you into the future. Using a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine in concert with a 102-hp/75 kW liquid-cooled, permanent-magnet-driven electric motor, the A3 e-tron delivers low-end torque and acceleration for a fun-to-drive experience, along with an 83 mpg-equivalent combined fuel-economy rating.

The A3 e-tron comes in three trim levels: Premium (starting at $39,500), Premium Plus (starting at $42,600), and Prestige (starting at $48,100). Prestige models come with Audi’s virtual cockpit, a 705-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system with 14 speakers, MMI navigation, LED headlights and taillights, and more. Luxury abounds, and the electric mode works up to 80 mph. All that, and it's a hatchback, too.

Photo by Audi

2018 Audi A5/S5 Sportback

In the Goldilocks world of Audi vehicles, many buyers find the 2018 A5 Sportback to be just right. With a 111.2-inch wheelbase, the A5 has ample passenger space for five, along with 21.8 cubic feet of luggage space, expandable to 35 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded.

With starting prices ranging from $42,600 to $50,200, the A5 Sportback can be loaded down with typical Audi levels of technology and luxury, and it's powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. If you like the looks of the A5 Sportback but crave more performance, you can step up to the S5 Sportback ($54,400 to $58,800), which comes with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 tuned to produce 354 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. All A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback models come with Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel drive system.

Photo by Audi

2018 Audi TT RS

The 2018 Audi TT comes in a number of flavors, but the most potent version, the RS Coupe (starting at $64,900), is one of the best luxury hatchbacks. With a turbocharged five-cylinder engine that produces 400 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the TT RS can scoot from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.

Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system with magnetic ride control keeps the wheels glued to the pavement, and heated Nappa leather sport seats with diamond stitching keep you planted when the G-forces pile up. The TT RS gets a special front fascia, rear bumper, and diffuser, distinguishing it from the other TT models. The 2+2 coupe has a liftback that allows access to a roomy 12.0-cubic-foot luggage compartment, which is expandable into the cabin by folding down the rear seatbacks. 

Photo by Audi

2018 BMW i3 with Range Extender

A compact luxury hatchback with electric propulsion ticks a lot of boxes. Add the BMW logo and an onboard two-cylinder gasoline engine that can recharge the Lithium-ion battery, and the 2018 BMW i3 with Range Extender (starting at $48,850) leaps onto our list of the best luxury hatchbacks — minus range anxiety.

The i3’s futuristic exterior and interior styling may not be for everyone, but the functional and roomy four-seater is loaded with luxury and environmentally friendly materials. The little hatchback is propelled by an electric motor that produces 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. All of the torque is available at 0 rpm, so the i3 jumps off the line, reaches 35 mph in 4.0 seconds, and continues on to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds with a top speed of 93 mph. All-electric range on a full charge is 117 miles, and range extends to 180 miles with the gasoline engine.

Photo by BMW

2018 BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo

BMW offers the 3 Series in three models: sedan, wagon, and Gran Turismo, which is BMW-speak for five-door hatchback. The 2018 3 Series Gran Turismo starts at $45,050 for the 330i xDrive version with a 2.0-liter twin-turbo inline four-cylinder engine (248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque), and $50,900 for the 340i xDrive with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine (320 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque).

Both versions feature standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual modes. A 24.6-cubic-foot luggage compartment can be expanded to 56.8 cubic feet of cargo space by folding down the rear seat. This "ultimate driving machine" is one of the best luxury hatchbacks.

Photo by BMW

2018 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

BMW never seems to stick to conventional naming conventions. The 2018 4 Series Gran Coupe is not a coupe but a five-door hatchback with coupe-like styling — and it’s actually smaller than the 3 Series Gran Turismo. But never mind what they call it.

The 4 Series Gran Coupe is offered in four variants starting at $44,600 and running to $53,000. 430i models come with a 2.0-liter twin-turbo inline four-cylinder engine (248 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque), while 440i models get the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine (320 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque). Rear-wheel drive is standard as is an eight-speed automatic transmission, while xDrive models are all-wheel drive. The Gran Coupe can handle up to 17 cubic feet of luggage and folding the rear seat allows up to 45.9 cubic feet of luxury goods.

Photo by BMW

2018 Buick Regal Sportback

The least expensive vehicle on our list, the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback starts at just $24,990 for the base model, $27,670 for the Preferred trim, $29,770 for the Preferred II, $31,770 for the Essence, and $39,995 for the GS AWD.

The GS comes with a 3.6-liter V6 direct-injected gasoline engine (310 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque), Brembo performance disc brakes, all-wheel drive, and a nine-speed automatic transmission. Luxury features like heated leather seats with driver massage function, dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, active noise cancellation, and keyless entry and starting are standard. A premium Bose sound system is available, as is adaptive cruise control and a head-up display. Thanks to the rear liftgate, 31.5 cubic feet of luggage space is available, expandable to 60.7 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seat folded. 

Photo by General Motors

2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso

Calling the 2018 Ferrari GTC4Lusso "the practical Ferrari" doesn’t diminish its glow in the least. The three-door hatchback is a classic grand touring 2+2 vehicle, with its engine in the front and a unique all-wheel drive system that reverts to rear-wheel drive in gears five through seven. The 6.2-liter V12 engine under the hood is tuned to produce an eyeball-bulging 580 hp and 514 lb-ft of torque.

While Ferrari vehicles get noticed for their style and performance, the GTC4Lusso abounds in luxury and comfort, with the roomiest front seats of any current Ferrari, and rear seating that will actually accommodate two adults (for short rides). The hatchback can hold up to 3.0 cubic feet of luggage, expandable up to 15.9 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. See! The practical Ferrari, starting at $302,650. 

Photo by Ferrari

2018 Porsche Panamera

Porsche had already softened the ground for its sportscar purists by producing the Cayenne SUV, so there was less uproar when the company brought out the Panamera five-door for the 2010 model year. The Panamera entered its second generation in 2017, and this year's model is available in multiple versions ranging from $85,000 to $194,800. Engine choices range from a turbocharged 330-hp V6 to a twin-turbocharged 440-hp V6 to a 550-hp twin-turbo V6 to several hybrid gasoline/electric powertrains, available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

The Panamera has one of Porsche’s most luxurious interiors, with aerospace-inspired switchgear and a cockpit layout for the driver. The rear luggage compartment can hold 17.3 cubic feet. Fold down the rear seat, and the Panamera can rapidly transport 47.3 cubic feet of cargo in comfort and style.

Photo by Porsche

2018 Tesla Model S

The 2018 Tesla Model S gets a lot of attention for its all-electric powertrain, but luxury hatchback aficionados recognize the five-door for its deluxe accommodations and very useful cargo hold. With room for five passengers, the Model S can handle 30 cubic feet of cargo. The base model 75D starts at $75,700, while the top-of-the-line P100D AWD starts at $136,200.

With a reported range of 335 miles, the Model S has challenged the notion that luxury vehicles and fuel efficiency are mutually exclusive. With acceleration rated at 2.6 seconds from 0 to 60 mph, the Model S is one of the fastest production cars on the planet. Loaded with technology and luxury, the Model S is one of the best luxury hatchbacks.

Photo by Tesla