Hatchback cars are more than just their awesome looks. They are a great way to squeeze out better fuel economy from fun to drive cars with the convenience of extra trunk space. Snowboarders and soccer moms alike can get more bang for their buck by trading in that crossover for a sporty hatch. Interested? Here’s the hottest three on SpeedList right now.

Volkswagen Golf
The Volkswagen Golf didn’t get so popular for so long based solely on its good looks, although this is a selling point. The upcoming 2015 model features available luxuries such as Bi-Xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, a panoramic sunroof, touchscreen navigation and a Fender premium audio system. It gets power from a 170hp turbocharged engine, and performance enhancements such as an XDS cross-differential system and seven active stability-enhancing systems. If performance is really your thing, the GTI is sure to deliver as the Golf’s 210hp variant.

Mazda3
Mazda’s Skyactive technology’s whole aim is efficient performance, so not only will you get a fun drive out of the Mazda3, but you won’t break the bank doing it, because you can still get up to 40mpg from this hatch. Powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that makes 155hp to start, the automaker also offers a 184-hp version from a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Some of the standout available features include a 7-inch full multi-color display, Bluetooth, voice command, 9-speaker Bose surround sound system, rearview camera, Aha, Pandora and Stitcher radio integration, perforated leather trimmed seats, bixenon headlights and LED daytime running lights, adaptive front lighting, stability technology, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, forward collision warning and radar cruise control.

Hyundai Veloster
The newest of the three models, the Hyundai Veloster definitely turned heads when it hit showroom floors with its standout design. Outside, the Veloster not only gets some pretty bold paint colors, but 3 passenger doors instead of 2 or 4 and a panoramic sunroof. Inside, you get sound from an 8-speaker Dimension sound system, steering-wheel mounted controls, Pandora radio access and Gracenote technology, Blue Link, remote vehicle start, a rearview camera and a 7-inch LCD multi-media touch screen. For safety, Hyundai gave the Veloster collision notification and vehicle recovery, sos emergency assistance, Torque Vectoring Control, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and brake assist. Power for the model comes form a 1.6-liter GDI engine that makes 138hp. If that’s not enough, Hyundai offers two turbo variants that get 201hp, as well.

While I am personally partial to the driving experience of the Golf, it is impossible to deny all the technology and features both the Veloster and the Mazda3 have to offer. None of these models will cost you a fortune, either, both out of the showroom and at the gas pump.

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