Hi!
I am looking to buy my first car for myself out of college.
It's 2022, what car(s) would you recommend considering for buying a first car in this weird car market? Preferably hatchback cars. I've been looking at Hondas, Toyotas, and Subarus so far. My ideal price range is 18k-20k. I could possibly stretch to a 16k-24k range if absolutely necessary.
I would also appreciate answers with the recommended year(s) for the make/model.
Thank you.
I'm most interested in Hondas. I've been looking for cars about 3 years old. I've been looking at Civic Hatchbacks and Fits. The only thing is there's been recalls on both models for years in the range, so I'm not sure if there's a good year for that make/model in that time range. Thoughts on which hatchback is best from Honda from the past 5 years? Or possibly hatchbacks from other companies with a make and model similar in quality to Honda?
You have a number of good options in your price range.
The Corolla and Civic hatches are good; the Civic probably a little more polished, but both are extremely reliable. The Subaru Crosstrek is a little rougher and less refined than the others, though it is one of the best foul-weather cars on the market in any price range, and pretty good in light off-roading, too (in personal experience, my daughter's 2018 Crosstrek is now over 100,000 with no reliability issues).
But I would second @dan to look at the Mazda. The latest generation is a little underpowered, but it looks more expensive than it is. Supposed to be a really great little car.
Good luck!
Awesome! So you'd recommend a 2018 Crosstrek, how about the Corolla and Civic. Which years are best for those?
I couldn’t tell you years for Corolla and civic. For the Crosstrek, second gen (2018+) is much more livable than the first, and the bigger motor (2.4L?) on the Sport trim is probably worth it.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback. It’s basically a revamped version of the Matrix.
Thanks! Which years are best?
What is your price range? How much you can spend is a huge factor in picking a vehicle. If looking for something relatively inexpensive a Pontiac Vibe might be the ticket. (It's a rebadged Toyota Matrix but tends to sell for less with the GM nameplate on it.)
I have heard good things about the Mazda3 too. If you are looking at one, make sure to get one with a standard transmission.
Thanks so much. Which years do you recommend for those make and models?
hatchback
Any particular reason? Because US market Hatches are a scam.
When I hear about a 5 door corolla I think of the Corolla Space sold worldwide,
But the US version is pretty much a joke
It has a smaller boot (361L) than the sedan (370L) and the actual 5 door (598L)
So all of the drawbacks of a hatchback (like lack of insulation between the boot and cabin), the exact same handling, while also having a smaller boot of a worse shape? (shallow and high)
16k-24k range
Corolla, Mazda3 for Sedans.
For that price you can get a very nice 2.5L for the 3 or the Apex version Corolla.
For ACTUAL hatchbacks, CH-R / Corolla Cross.
Bigger cars that somewhat fit in the budget, Camry / CX-5.
That's how a 5 door's boot should look:
Not this:
nor this
You are not getting any extra practicality out of it, all of these new "hatchbacks" are just awkward looking sedans...
That picture above of the US version - I like the look aesthetically. The photo above it of the Corolla Space looks awkward, to me, and most of us North American buyers are not fond of wagons or station wagons. I still own a 2000 Acura Integra coupe with a hatch, and so I have a soft spot for hatches. Still more practical than a traditional sedan: I can fit a lot in my hatch versus a comparable sedan.
@DayWalker Personally I don't like the look of either Corolla 5 door...
Toyota has been trying to solve the award look issue by lifting it and adding a bit of unpainted plastic
And recently I they might have managed to do it, they lifted it even a bit more, added even more plastic, played with the styling and called it a "cross" to get rid of the stigma.
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The Integra isn't really a hatch, it's a Liftback - a very cool body-style that's pretty much a more practical Sedan or a modern hatch,
But it's still more of a Sedan, Škoda (a company obsessed with liftbacks and wagons) even had a luxury car that turns from a sedan into a liftback with the click of a button.
https://youtu.be/94g195SQRPY?t=20
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IMO Liftbacks are way better than sedans and modern small hatches because they do not compromise on boot length or height.
Corolla and Matrix are good choices, probably have a slight edge on reliability.
But my choice would be 11th, 10th, 9th, or 8th generation Honda Civic Hatch (the 9th/8th Gen may not be available as a hatch in the US).
Preferably with a NO turbo engine, and NOT direct injection.
My ideal Civic would come with a K-series engine. But I wouldn’t turn an L series or R series engine away either.
