Many years ago, no self-respecting car manufacturer could do without at least one sleek two-door coupe in its model range. Mechanically, these cars would be largely identical to the mid-range hatchback of the day, but they looked far more exciting. Today, only the prestige manufacturers persist with low-slung coupes.
Taking the place of hatchback-based coupes in model line-ups are crossover hatchbacks. If you want something that's not too exotic, but still has a bit more panache than the average small SUV, theres a growing number of high-riding hatchbacks that may not be the most practical in their price class, but that distinguish themselves with more style or more engaging handling than their peers. Here are our top 10 picks.
1. Cupra Formentor
For years, Cupra was the sporting division of Seat – much like 'R' now is to Volkswagen – but today it stands as independent brand of its own, with unique designs and an altogether more athletic calibre than that of the old Seat mothership.
The Formentor isnt the first product of the reborn Cupra operation (that was the 306bhp Cupra Ateca, introduced in 2019), but it is by far the most convincing, being rakishly handsome, surprisingly spacious, good if unspectacular to drive, and generally interesting. We like it rather a lot.
The engine line-up is also usefully broad, ranging from downsized petrols to quick plug-in hybrids and the flagship 2.0 TSI, which uses the same four-wheel drive system and 2.0-litre TSI engine as the new Golf R. With the upcoming VZ5, Cupra will even go so far as to shoehorn Audi's thumping five-cylinder into the Formentor, though equally, this car doesn'tsuch an exotic engine in order to appeal.
Being well priced in relation to premium-brand rivals, and with a well-executed interior (infotainment aside), the Formentor does enough to top our list of family crossovers – at least for now.
2. Volkswagen T-Roc
Volkswagen's first attempt at a crossover hatchback is a very impressive one. The T-Roc offers sharp, interesting styling, a well-made interior and handling characteristics that are more akin to those of a small hatchback than a proper SUV.
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