2024 Toyota Corolla Hatchback

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback, along with its sedan sibling, is currently the smallest car in the automaker's U.S. lineup. The hatchback version has four doors, seating for five, and a cargo area that's slightly more practical than the sedan's. There isn't much to make the Corolla hatch stand out against its competition, but it's a well-rounded option that delivers a good mix of features, fuel efficiency and fun.

The Corolla's four-cylinder can seem a bit underpowered at times, like when you're quickly trying to get up to highway speeds with a few passengers aboard. Otherwise, this little Toyota is more fun to drive than it has any right to be. It's nimble around turns and gets high fuel economy to boot. The Corolla Hatchback's main drawback is the size of its cargo area. Due to a relatively high load floor, the Corolla hatch doesn't offer as much space as its competitors. Still, there's more room than in a similarly sized sedan.

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback competes with other compact hatches such as the Honda Civic, Mazda 3 and Subaru Impreza. Because there are so few hatches left on the market, car shoppers might also look at extra-small crossover SUVs. These models are typically more expensive but often offer all-wheel drive and elevated seating. Top models we recommend include the Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30. Toyota's Corolla Cross, which is a crossover version of the Corolla, is another good pick.

For the best balance of features and value, go for the top-trim XSE grade. It doesn't cost that much more than the base SE, and for the extra money you get handy features like a power driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a wireless charging pad, and blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert.