
You'll find tall wagons and hatchbacks all over other countries, but U.S.
buyers still really haven't warmed to them.
The Kia Soul is the only real sales smash in the group: its square-box design looks good, while hiding great interior space.
The Honda Fit has long been a favorite; the eminently sensible hatchback functions as a Civic Wagon replacement, with lots of cargo room, the excellent "Magic Seat" with unparalleled flexibility, and superb fuel economy.
The Mini Cooper Clubman is now, finally, a proper small wagon, with four side doors plus its characteristic rear "church doors." It's more fun to drive than the 500L, with a stiffer ride, but substantially crisper steering and quicker acceleration, if it's ordered in (the pricey) turbocharged S form.
The Toyota (nee Scion) iM five-door hatchback isn't all that exciting, but it's competent and will likely be very reliable.
Beyond that, an increasing crop of very small crossover utility vehicles with available all-wheel drive has started to eat away at whatever market there's been for these practical but front-drive-only tall hatchbacks.
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Quick Specs | ||
The 2017 Fiat 500L tall wagon has utility down pat, and offers good value, but its styling is quirky and gas mileage is only average at best |
The 2017 Honda Fit gives up some fun-to-drive spunk for unparalleled interior space and flexibility. |
The 2017 Kia Soul rights one of our longtime gripes with the fun wagon—it now has a more capable turbo-4 that makes it a little less boring to drive |
MSRP From | ||
$20,995 | $16,090 | $16,100 |
Gas Mileage | ||
22 MPG City / 30 MPG Hwy | 29 MPG City / 40 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 31 MPG Hwy |
Engine | ||
Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 | Regular Unleaded I-4 |
EPA Class | ||
Small Station Wagons | Small Station Wagons | Small Station Wagons |
Style Name | ||
Pop Hatch | LX Manual | Base Manual |
Drivetrain | ||
Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
Passenger Capacity | ||
5 | 5 | 5 |
Passenger Doors | ||
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Body Style | ||
Hatchback | Hatchback | Hatchback |
Transmission | ||
Automatic w/OD | Manual w/OD | Manual w/OD |
Detailed Spec Comparison | ||
2017 FIAT 500L vs. 2017 Honda Fit | 2017 FIAT 500L vs. 2017 Kia Soul |