Hatchback is a term you may well have heard in a motoring context, but do you really know what it means and what type of car it refers to? Does a hatchback have three or five doors? Is it a large or small car? Read on to find out the answers to these questions and more.
According to What Car? more people buy small hatchbacks than any other type of car. In simple terms, the word ‘hatchback’ refers to how you access the car’s boot, and hatchbacks have a large, top-hinged rear door that incorporates the rear window and creates a roomy storage space that can be accessed through that door. This space is usually covered by a parcel shelf that can be removed easily to create yet more room.
Hatchbacks tend to be associated with more affordable small cars, although they do come in a wide range of different sizes. Hatchbacks are often sometimes known as three- or five-door cars with the rear boot door added to the total number of side doors.
Some hatchbacks provide more boot space than others, so if this is important to you, it’s best to do your research before buying or leasing one. The huge number of hatchbacks available can be a bonus, but it can also mean you’re spoilt for choice!
There are several reasons to drive a hatchback, particularly if you’re looking for a compact vehicle. The first of these is quite simply the space they offer, something that makes them perfect as family cars due to the need for storage. Because hatchbacks tend to be more upright than saloons, the window area is also larger, perfect for children who want to look out of the window and for providing the driver with a better view.
Hatchbacks boast a great deal of space in the seating areas making them a more comfortable ride regardless of how many passengers they carry. Their higher roofline also offers more headroom, and some hatchbacks feature versatile folding seats that allow the storage space to become even greater.
A hatchback differs from an estate car or saloon. An estate car tends to be larger than a hatchback and has a boxier shape with a more upright rear window.
A saloon typically has a boot that is separate from the inside of the car and opens underneath the rear window rather than through a door that is hinged above it. Saloons are also known as four-doors.
Hatchback cars have similar engines to SUVs but usually with a lower power output and less legroom. The former may make them less suitable for towing, something to be aware of if this is a feature you are looking for. Both types of vehicles are comparable in terms of versatility, driveability and manoeuvrability, making them popular choices for families.
If you’re keen to drive a hatchback, leasing could be the solution for you. Without the commitment of purchasing a car outright, leasing gives you the flexibility to change your car every few years and Leasys offer a range of different hatchback options in both traditional fuel and electric models.
Hatchbacks also make a great choice if you’re looking for a fleet of business vehicles. Small and cheap to run but with great storage, they allow people and goods to be transported from A to B quickly and easily.
Speak to a Leasys advisor today and find out how you can get behind the wheel of your next hatchback.
