Grand openings—Hatchback road test and videos
For our test group in the June 2008 issue, we drove small hatchbacks. These vehicles provide good fuel economy, practicality, and versatility. And one has all-wheel drive.
The full road tests from the magazine have been posted at ConsumerReports.org, along with videos from our staff auto experts. These videos highlight our tests of each vehicle, plus they demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of each model.
"Grand Openings" features the Mini Cooper Clubman, Saturn Astra, Scion xD, Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, Toyota Matrix, and Volkswagen Rabbit. Ratings for all small cars we have tested can be found with our dynamic New Car Selector tool.
Check out the video of the Mini Cooper Clubman, plus see the rest of our hatchback videos.
Posted by: Paul Rivers | May 8, 2008 2:16:21 PM
Man, I just haven't been able to find a hatchback that meets all my criteria:
1. 4 or 5 on reliability
2. Excellent Gas Mileage
3. Excellent Crash Test Ratings
4. Excellent Visibility
Posted by: IFCAR | May 8, 2008 7:15:37 PM
The Honda Fit?
Posted by: David | May 9, 2008 8:20:12 AM
Paul, if you think it is tough for you to find your hatchback that meets all your criteria, I have never seen a car ever (at any price, new or used), as tested by CR, that means my three simple criteria.
1) Excellent reliability
2) Excellent ride quality
3) Excellent handling (routine and emergency)
Posted by: Paul Rivers | May 9, 2008 12:38:35 PM
"The Honda Fit?"
Sorry, I forgot 2 -
5. Is as big or bigger than a Civic or Corolla
6. Isn't extremely ugly. Plain is fine, but I just can't stand (sadly) how the new Matrix looks.
Posted by: ACY | May 9, 2008 9:11:21 PM
Where does the Kia Rondo fit in? Seven passengers or lots of room with the seats down. And it seems to have a small form factor. Kind of a strange vehicle, really, that does not seem to fit any category easily but it IS a hatchback...
Posted by: IFCAR | May 9, 2008 10:41:37 PM
Paul, what about the Prius? Or is that too ugly?
Posted by: Paul Rivers | May 13, 2008 12:17:10 PM
"Paul, what about a Prius? Or is that to ugly?"
No, I don't think it's a great looking car, but Prius looks ok in my opinion. Certainly way better than the newest Matrix.
It's #3 and #4 that are the issue - the Prius only gets a 4/5, not a 5/5 for crash test ratings. That extra star is certainly important to me in a small car. And the visibility out the rear is poor because of that bar across the back. Also, I've sat in one, and headroom in the backseat is abysmal because of the sloping roofline.
I'm certainly hoping the Prius redesign solves these issue, but I'll just have to see when it gets here. :-)
David - Yeah, ride quality and handling seem to be difficult to get at the same time. Consumer Reports seems to think that Honda's have an excellent balance, but I wasn't that fond of the ride quality (personally) in the previous generation Accord.