2013 & 2014 Volkswagen Hatchback Reviews & Ratings

Hatchbacks are a style of car that first appeared in the 1930s. Their main distinguishing feature is a top-hinged rear door, which allows easy access to the storage compartment in the rear of the car. Hatchbacks are good all-purpose cars and found all over the world, and share many design features with station wagons. Hatchbacks tend to be smaller and are more economical than other types of cars and are popular with the youth market, city dwellers, couples and small families. Hatchbacks sell ... (full review continues below)

Hatchbacks are a style of car that first appeared in the 1930s. Their main distinguishing feature is a top-hinged rear door, which allows easy access to the storage compartment in the rear of the car. Hatchbacks are good all-purpose cars and found all over the world, and share many design features with station wagons. Hatchbacks tend to be smaller and are more economical than other types of cars and are popular with the youth market, city dwellers, couples and small families. Hatchbacks sell extremely well in India as well as Europe, but are less common in Africa and South America.

Volkswagen is a long-standing and famous manufacturer of small hatchback cars. Volkswagen was founded in Germany in the 1930s, and became a post-war economic phenomenon. Volkswagen is historically most associated with with small, efficient and affordable cars - hatchbacks were the mainstay of their business for many years. The most famous of all the Volkswagen hatchbacks is of course the VW Beetle. This iconic car confers instant retro cool, and is often linked with surfers, hippies and the swinging sixties.

Volkswagen continues to manufacture Beetles to this day, and recent models give you modern technology with classic VW style. It comes with a nippy 2.5 litre engine and is extremely popular as a city car, and with younger, fashion conscious drivers - particularly women. The Beetle starts at $20,000 for a standard model. Upgrades are available, with improved navigation, sound and engine performance, which include a correspondingly increased price tag. The most expensive options will set you back around $28,000 new.

Another one of Volkswagen's most popular hatchback models is the GTI. Various models of GTIs are available, including 2, 4 and 5 door models. They are priced from $24,000 to $30,000 new. GTIs are fairly large for hatchback cars, and are suitable for executives as well as small families. They come with a standard 2 litre, 4 cylinder engine. Enhanced models have a sunroof, a touchscreen music system, leather seats, and a leather wrapped steering wheel.

The final current Volkswagen hatchback is the Volkswagen Golf. These cars are extremely popular with younger drivers and with people who live in cities. The standard model is a 2.5 litre 2 door model. However, you can also buy Golfs that have more doors and enhanced engine sizes. A new Golf will cost between $15,000 and $25,000, depending on the specification you require.

There is a thriving second hand market in Volkswagen cars, and you should be able to pick up second hand cars for an affordable price, depending on the age, model, condition and mileage. Some Volkswagen Beetles are collectors' items, however - and sought-after models can fetch up to $20,000 at auctions - or more. However, second hand Golfs and GTIs are plentiful and affordable, if you are looking for a budget motor.

There are many companies that compete with Volkswagen hatchbacks. Vauxhall Corsas have similar specifications, and are found everywhere. The Chevrolet Aveo5 and Sonic are high-spec competitors. Renault, Toyota, Misubishi, Hyundai and several other manufacturers also produce hatchback cars.