A hatchback is a car body configuration with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to a cargo area. Hatchbacks may feature fold-down second-row seating, where the interior can be flexibly reconfigured to prioritize passenger vs. cargo volume. Hatchbacks may feature two- or three-box design.
While early examples of the body configuration can be traced to the 1930s, the Merriam-Webster dictionary dates the term itself to 1970. The hatchback body style has been marketed worldwide on cars ranging in size from superminis to small family cars, as well as executive cars and sports cars.
Overview
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Hatchbacks may be described as three-door (two entry doors and the hatch) or five-door (four entry doors and the hatch) cars. A model range may include multiple configurations, as with the 2001â€"2007 Ford Focus which offered sedan (ZX4), wagon (ZXW), and three or five-door hatchback (ZX3 and ZX5) models. The models typically share a platform, drivetrain and bodywork forward of the A-pillar. Hatchbacks may have a removable rigid parcel shelf, liftable with the tailgate, or flexible roll-up tonneau cover to cover the cargo space behind the rear seats.
Hatchback vs. station wagon
Both station wagons and hatchbacks typically feature a two-box design configuration, with one shared, flexible, interior volume for passengers and cargoâ€"and a rear door for cargo access. Further distinctions are highly variable:
Pillars: Both configurations typically feature A, B & C pillars; station wagons more likely also feature a D pillar.
Cargo volume: Station wagons prioritize passenger and cargo volume, with windows alongside the cargo volume. Of the two body styles, a station wagon's roof (viewed in profile) more likely extends to the very rearmost of the vehicle, enclosing a full-height cargo volume, whereas a hatchback roof (especially a liftback roof) typically rakes down steeply behind the C-Pillar, prioritizing style over interior volume, and resulting in shorter rear overhang and smaller, or absent, windows either side of the cargo volume.
Cargo floor contour: Favoring cargo capacity, a station wagon may prioritize a fold-flat floor, where a hatchback would more likely allow a cargo floor with pronounced contour (e.g. the new Mini or the sixth generation Ford Fiesta).
Seating: Station wagons have two or three rows of seats (e.g., the Ford Taurus wagons) while hatchbacks have one (e.g. the MGB GT) or two rows of seats.
Rear suspension: A station wagon may include reconfigured rear suspension for additional load capacity and to minimize intrusion into the cargo volume (e.g., worldwide versions of the first generation Ford Focus).
Rear door: Hatchbacks typically feature a top-hinged liftgate for cargo access, with variations from a single liftgate to a complex tailgate that can function either as a full tailgate or as a trunk lid (e.g., the 2008 Å koda Superb's TwinDoor). Station wagons also have numerous tailgate configurations. Typically, a hatchback's hatch or liftgate does not extend down to the bumper, as on wagons. Another appearance variation that seems to blur the lines between a commonly defined hatchback versus a station wagon is called a kammback, which generally features a sloping roof towards the end of the vehicle, with an almost vertical rear section to the bumper.
Automotive journalist Dan Neil, in a 2002 New York Times report described verticality of the rear cargo door as the prime distinction between a hatchback and a station wagon: "Where you break the roofline, at what angle, defines the spirit of the vehicle," he said. "You could have a 90-degree break in the back and have a station wagon."
Liftback
A liftback is a broad marketing term for a hatchback where the rear cargo door is more horizontal than vertical, with a sharply raked or fastback profile. In comparison with the hatchback the back opening area is more sloped and longer and is lifted up to open, offering more luggage space. Very similar is the "fastback". A fastback is not necessarily a hatchback at all, often featuring a fixed rear window.
Early examples
In 1938, Citroën introduced the Citroën Traction Avant in a "Commerciale" version with a tailgate, initially with a two-piece tailgate, of which the upper piece hinged upwards, cutting well into the roof, and after World War 2 with a one-piece top-hinged hatchback.
In 1946, DeSoto marketed the Suburban as a station wagon, but it was an extended sedan with a trunk lid that was hinged below the rear window. The model was promoted as offering station wagon utility with the passenger and luggage compartments in one large section with an 8-foot (2,438Â mm) reasonably flat floor and equipped with folding rear seats to provide flexibility similar to hatchbacks.
In 1949, Kaiser-Frazer introduced the Vagabond and Traveler hatchbacks. Although these were styled much like the typical 1940s sedan, they incorporated an innovative split rear tailgate, folding rear seats, and no separate trunk. The design was neither fully a sedan nor a station wagon, but the folding rear seat provided for a large, 8-foot (2.4 m) long interior cargo area. These Kaiser-Frazer models have been described as "America’s First Hatchback".
In 1953, Aston Martin marketed the DB2 with a top-hinged rear tailgate, manufacturing 700 examples. Its successor, the 1958 DB Mark III, also offered a folding rear seat. The 1954 AC Aceca and later Aceca-Bristol from AC Cars had a similar hatch tailgate, though only 320 were built.
The British Motor Corporation launched a 'Countryman' version of the Austin A40 Farina compact car in 1959, which incorporated a horizontal-split two-piece tailgate and a more vertical rear panel in comparison to the standard saloon version. This was close to the enduring concept of the hatchback: A small car with a large rear door aperture providing a versatile combination of rear passenger space and easy loading for cargo, although with a two-piece rear door it was not quite a true hatch.
Worldwide
Europe
In 1961, Renault introduced the Renault 4, a small car with a top-hinged tailgate incorporating the rear window, and only short side windows between C & D-pillars aside the luggage space and a steep angle from roof to rear bumper. Although during its production run the R4 was called a small station wagon -even after the term hatchback appeared around 1970 - with over eight million cars built, this was the first mass-produced hatchback. Despite the success of subsequent smaller hatchback models including the Renault 5, the R4 continued in production in Europe until 1986 and through 1992 in Argentina.
In 1964, Fiat subsidiary Autobianchi marketed the Primula hatchback, replaced by Autobianchi A112 in 1969. In Poland, a FSO Syrena prototype "110" small hatchback was developed in 1964.
In 1965, Renault marketed the Renault 16, a mid-market hatchback design with a folding rear seat. It was designed to compete across Europe with traditional family saloons including Britain's Ford Cortina, Vauxhall Victor and Morris Oxford. However, Renault continued to produce saloon alternatives to the R16, which remained in production until 1980 without any direct successor, although its place in the Renault range was effectively filled by the recently launched R18 saloons and estates, as well as the larger R20/R30 hatchbacks.
Also in 1965, the MGB-GT was launched with a hatchback designed by Pininfarina, the first volume-production sports car so equipped. In 1966 Peugeot offered a shortened three-door coupe version of their 204, essentially a hatchback. The same year saw Innocenti, which built the Austin A40 under license in Italy, introduced the A40 Combinata with a top-hinged one-piece tailgate, making the car into a true hatchback.
In 1967, the Simca 1100 used a transverse engine and gearbox layout, and incorporated a hatchback without side windows at the C-pillar. In the same year, there appeared more conventional Citroën Dyane.
In 1969, British Leyland launched Austin Maxi, a five-speed, transverse front-wheel drive hatchback. This was similar in size to the Renault 16, although saloons remained the most popular choice of bodystyle in this sector across Europe for more than a decade afterwards. British Leyland initially decided that a hatchback would be the Maxi's unique selling point, contributing towards its decision to the launch the 1973 Austin Allegro as a saloon, despite its shape being ideally suited to a hatchback. It was the same story two years later with the launch of the Princess range, although this car was eventually updated and fitted with a hatchback, being renamed the Austin Ambassador. However, the growing popularity of the hatchback saw British Leyland decide to replace the Allegro and Maxi with a single hatchback model, the end result being the Austin Maestro which was launched in early 1983. The growing demand for small hatchbacks across Europe during the 1970s saw BL decide to develop a modern supermini with a hatchback, which evolved into the Austin Metro, launched in 1980.
The Fiat 127 was launched as a hatchback in 1971, as was the Renault 5 a year later, with these models popularising the hatchback bodystyle on Europe's smaller cars. In Yugoslavia, in 1971 there started production of Zastava 101.
In 1973, Volkswagen marketed the Passat/Dasher hatchback (similar in size and concept to the Renault 16 and Austin Maxi), followed by the Golf/Rabbit designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, as well as the Audi 50/Volkswagen Polo in 1974. The Golf became a classic compact hatchback, and more than 40 years on Volkswagen has continued to use these model names on a succession of different model generations.
General Motors followed in 1975, when it made use of the hatchback bodystyle for the first time on its Chevette (Opel Kadett City in Continental Europe).
Backed by the great success of the Renault 16, in 1975, Renault decides to launch the 20 and 30 as its two first executive cars produced until 1984, making them the first French luxury cars with hatchbacks.
Sports cars like the Jaguar E-Type with its side-hinged opening, Toyota 2000GT, and Datsun 240Z carried rear tailgates, with one row of seats, and Ford relaunched the Capri with a hatchback in 1974. In the 1970s, the Rover SD1, Renault 30, and Saab 900 introduced the hatchback style into the executive car market.
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, the majority of superminins and compact cars had been updated or replaced with hatchback variations, such as the 1978 Fiat Ritmo/Strada and FSO Polonez, the 1979 Citroën GSA (a revamped version of the GS saloon launched in 1970), Lancia Delta and Opel Kadett (Vauxhall Astra in Britain) and the 1980 Ford Escort and Austin Metro.
The 1983 Fiat Uno designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, its tall, square body utilising a Kamm tail achieved a low drag coefficient of 0.34 won much praise for airy interior space and fuel economy. It incorporated many packaging lessons learnt from Giugiaro's 1978 Lancia Megagamma concept car (the first modern people carrier / MPV / mini-van) but miniaturised. Its tall car / high seating packaging is imitated by every small car today. It reversed the trend for lower and lower built cars. It showed that not just low sleek cars could be aerodynamic, but small, roomy, boxy well packaged cars could be too. In 1984 it was voted European Car of the Year, ahead of another iconic new supermini, the Peugeot 205. Both cars remained in production in Europe for over a decade and were extremely popular.
At the end of 1983, the Renault 25 replaced the R20/R30 as Renault's flagship model, once again featuring a hatchback. The R25 sold very well in Europe, particularly on the domestic market.
General Motors launched its new "J Car" range in 1981, produced under various marques across the world, to compete in the larger family car sector. The Continental version was sold as the Opel Ascona, while the British version was the Vauxhall Cavalier. A saloon version was produced alongside the hatchback, a bodystyle not seen previously on any Opel or Vauxhall of this size, apart from the MK1 Cavalier Sporthatch. A year later, Ford called time on production of the conventional Cortina saloon after 20 years and five incarnations to switch to a hatchback bodystyle for the Sierra.
In early 1983, Austin Rover moved into the medium-sized hatchback market popularised by the Volkswagen Golf with its new Austin/MG Maestro. A saloon version, the Montego, was launched a year later to compete with the likes of the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier.
Following the executive trend, in 1984, Saab launched the 9000 as part of the Type Four platform in conjunction with the Italian automaker Fiat Automobiles. Along with the Fiat Croma, Saab's model was featuring the hatchback, the Fiat model being aimed further downmarket. The other two cars which were based on the same platform, the Lancia Thema and Alfa Romeo 164, were saloon models.
Traditional saloons and estates also remained popular throughout the 1980s, and some manufacturers sold their hatchback-based saloons under different names. Renault had launched the R9 saloon in 1981; this spawned a hatchback, the R11, in 1983. Ford had marketed the MK3 Escort as a hatchback and estate from 1980, but the saloon version launched in 1983 was badged as the Orion. Since 1980, Volkswagen had produced a Golf-based saloon called the Jetta. The MK2 Vauxhall Astra launched in 1984 was soon followed by a saloon version called the Belmont. When Ford updated its Sierra in early 1987, a saloon version was made available for the first time and marketed as the Sierra Sapphire.
The hatchback offered practicality for consumers in Europe. From the 1960s it was gradually adopted as a standard feature on many European cars, with saloons declining in popularity apart from at the top of the market where a saloon is seen as a sign of status. The Ford Granada Mk3 /Ford Scorpio executive car, that was launched in 1985 only as a hatchback, was joined by a saloon in 1990 and an estate in 1992. When the final Scorpio was launched in 1995, it was sold as only a saloon or estate. General Motors never produced a hatchback version of any of its top of the range Vauxhall or Opel models, while Rover had discontinued the hatchback bodystyle in this sector by 1999, while Renault continued the bodystyle as late as 2009 with the VelSatis, which was not a strong seller.
BMW added a hatchback to its range in 1968 with the BMW 1802-2002 Touring and again in 1994 with the E36 3 Series hatchback, and Mercedes-Benz in 1997 with the A-Class and the Sportcoupé in 2000. Audi returned to the hatchback market with the Audi A3 in 1996.
In the 2010s, executive hatchbacks found a resurgence after Renault Vel Satis was dropped in 2009, with the BMW 5 GT and Porsche Panamera launched later the same year, followed by the Audi A7 in 2010.
In more recent years, 3-door hatchbacks have seen a fall in popularity as more are buying 5-door models for improved practicality and better resale values and as a result, 3-door models are being dropped from makers line-ups, the Audi A3 for example which has offered a 3-door version since its launch in 1996 will no longer feature that bodystyle when the next generation arrives in 2019. Some superminis have ceased to become available with three doors, namely the Renault Clio, which was not available with three doors after 2012.
North America
American Motors Corporation (AMC) marketed the subcompact Gremlin from 1970, in a single hatchback Kammback body design. The Gremlin used the AMC Hornet automobile platform, but its abrupt hatchback rear end cut the car's overall length from 179 to 161 inches (4,500 to 4,100Â mm). American Motors added a semi-fastback hatchback version to its larger compact-sized Hornet line for the 1973 model year. The design and fold-down rear seat more than doubled cargo space and the Hornet was claimed to be the "first compact hatchback" manufactured by U.S. automaker. Additional utility from the car's hatchback, space, and long load floor was that it could be turned into a "mini-camper" with the optional factory "Hornet Hutch" tent accessory.
Introduced by AMC in 1975, "like recent European variations of the theme, the Pacer had a rear door or hatchback, which further increased its utility". For 1977, AMC added a longer Pacer model with a wagon-type configuration describing its large rear "hatch" as one of the car's three doors, all having different sizes. The Hornet's hatchback body design was continued in the redesigned "luxury" Concord line for 1978 and 1979, in a "sporty model designed for performance-oriented buyers". The AMC Spirit replaced the Gremlin starting with the 1979 models and was available in two designs, both featuring rear doors: a hatchback "sedan" and a semi-fastback "liftback" version.
Built in AMC's Kenosha, Wisconsin factories, the 1984â€"1987 Encore was a two and four-door hatchback based on the European Renault 11.
Chrysler Corporation introduced the Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon 5-door hatchbacks in 1978 which were models that were designed as the Simca Horizon in France. These were followed by the 3-door hatchback Dodge Omni 024 and Plymouth Horizon TC3 which were later renamed Dodge Charger and Plymouth Turismo. They released the liftback Dodge Daytona/Chrysler Laser in 1984, and then the Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundanceâ€"as well as the LeBaron GTS and Dodge Lancer hatchbacks. Captive import subcompact models included the Dodge Colt and the almost identical Plymouth Champ.
Ford Motor Company introduced the Ford Pinto Runabout hatchback in 1971 followed by a rebadged version for 1974 initially sold in Canada as the Mercury Bobcat. The 1974-1978 Ford Mustang II offered a hatchback Mustang for the first time. The German-built Mercury Capri II hatchbacks were imported to U.S. Lincoln-Mercury dealers for the 1976â€"1977 model years, and the 1978-1980 Ford Fiesta hatchback was imported for U.S. Ford dealers.
The redesigned Fox platform-based 1979 Ford Mustang and Mercury Capri continued to offer hatchback models until the end of that generation. For 1981, Ford offered hatchback versions of its Escort which was a front wheel drive vehicle new to the U.S. market to replace the Pinto along with a badge engineered version called Mercury Lynx which replaced the Bobcat. They were followed with two seat sporty hatchbacks called the Ford EXP and Mercury LN-7 for 1982. From 1988-1989 Mercury imported the Tracer which was offered in 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks.
Originally scheduled to be a front wheel drive fourth generation Mustang, the 1989 Ford Probe was offered as a hatchback. Between 1986 and 1993 Ford marketed the imported Festiva subcompact hatchback which was later restyled and renamed as Aspire for the North American market for the 1994 through 1997 model years. For the 1999 model year the Mercury Cougar was re-introduced as a compact front wheel drive hatchback. The all new 2000 Ford Focus featured 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks as part of its model lineup.
The Chevrolet Vega, introduced in September 1970, was the first hatchback model from General Motors. Over a million Vega hatchbacks were produced for the 1971â€"1977 model years accounting for about half of the Vega's total production. GM introduced rebadged Vega hatchback variants, the 1973â€"1977 Pontiac Astre and the 1978 Chevrolet Monza S.
The Vega-derived Chevrolet Monza, Buick Skyhawk, and Oldsmobile Starfire introduced for the 1975 model year, were produced as hatchbacks with the Pontiac Sunbird hatchback introduced for the 1977 model year. All were produced through 1980.
A Chevrolet Nova hatchback was introduced for the 1973 model year, and was offered through 1979. The Nova hatchback was also offered as badge engineered variants named Chevrolet Concours, Pontiac Ventura, Pontiac Phoenix, Oldsmobile Omega, Buick Apollo and Buick Skylark. Another hatchback Nova was reintroduced in the 80's based on the Toyota Sprinter. The Chevrolet Chevette was introduced in 1975 as a two-door hatchback, engineered in cooperation with Isuzu. A four-door hatchback on a longer wheelbase was introduced with the 1978 models. The Chevette was also sold as the Pontiac Acadian in Canada and as the Pontiac T1000 in the U.S.
In early 1979, the front wheel drive X-Body platform yeided hatchback models of the 1980 Chevrolet Citation and Pontiac Phoenix. In 1981, General Motors included a hatchback model as part of its J-Body platform that included the Chevrolet Cavalier, Pontiac J2000/2000/Sunbird, Oldsmobile Firenza and Buick Skyhawk. Chevrolet offered captive import hatchbacks under the Geo brand built by Suzuki and Isuzu which included the Chevrolet/Geo Metro, Chevrolet/Geo Spectrum and Geo Storm. The NUMMI U.S.-made Chevrolet Nova was also offered in a hatchback model in 1987 and 1988. Its replacement, the Geo Prizm, was also available in a hatchback model and the domestic designed Chevrolet Corsica was briefly available in a hatchback version. As a replacement for the Pontiac T1000, the Daewoo Motors produced Pontiac Lemans was imported as a 3-door hatchback for 1988-1993.
The Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird produced for the 1982â€"2002 model years, featured a curved glass hatchback liftgate. GM marketed a series of hatchbacks in North America as a joint venture with Suzuki, the Swift/Metro/Firefly. Chevrolet offered a longer wheelbase, hatchback version of the Malibu, the Malibu Maxx from 2004 to 2007. In 2008, GM introduced the 3-door and 5-door Belgian-assembled Saturn Astra. Chevrolet added a hatchback version of its Korean-built Aveo in 2009.
The Chevrolet Corvette was first offered with an opening rear glass hatch for the 1982 Collector Edition model. It was adopted on all Corvette Coupes beginning in 1984, with the fourth generation models.
Japan
One of the first hatchbacks offered was the 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z, 1972 Honda Civic, the Nissan Sunny, and the Nissan Cherry, with the Civic and Cherry offering front wheel drive powertrains. In addition to specific models of captive imports mentioned above, a number of Japanese brands have been available in the hatchback body style as a primary model: Nissan Pulsar, Toyota Allex, Toyota Prius, Honda CR-X, and the Honda Insight. Almost all Japanese "city cars", called "kei jidosha" use a hatchback bodystyle for cargo carrying ability in a regulated vehicle size, such as the Mitsubishi Minica, Honda Life, Suzuki Fronte, Subaru Vivio, and Daihatsu Mira. Other large-sized hatchback body style vehicles include Lexus CT, Nissan Murano, and the Nissan Skyline Crossover. The Nissan Fairlady Z is often classified as hatchbacks because of its styling, including the Z33 and the Z34. Other sports cars with hatchback (liftback) body style in Japan are Toyota Celica and Nissan 180SX.
USSR
The first Soviet hatchback was the rear-wheel drive IZh 2125 Kombi, which entered production in 1973. This was followed only in the 1980s by the front-wheel drive Lada Samara in 1984, the Moskvitch 2141/Aleko in 1986 and ZAZ Tavria in 1987.
India
Hatchbacks are popular in India. The Maruti 800 sold over 2.5 million units since its launch in 1983. Since 2004, Maruti 800 has been overtaken by Maruti Alto as the car with highest annual sales. In March 2009, Tata Motors launched the Nano hatchback, the least expensive road car in the world.
Other regions
Hatchbacks have proved to be less popular in South America, Africa, and some parts of Asia than in Europe, and as a result, manufacturers have had to develop sedan versions of their small cars. In Brazil, for example, the Fiat Premio was developed from the Fiat Uno in the 1980s, with Ford and GM subsequently offering sedan versions of the Opel Corsa and Ford Fiesta in the 1990s. (The first generation Opel Corsa was sold in Europe as a sedan as well as a hatchback, but proved unpopular, and the three-box sedan was not replaced in 1993). These models were also sold in South Africa and China.
See also
- Hot hatch
- List of car body styles
- Shooting brake
Notes
External links
- Media related to Hatchbacks at Wikimedia Commons
- Media related to Liftbacks at Wikimedia Commons