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It is easy to overlook hatchbacks, which generally reside on the budget end of the automotive spectrum. However, these practical little cars not only boast smart styling and nimble handling perfect for city driving, but they have also benefited from the addition of luxury features and technology formerly found exclusively in premium vehicles.

Feature-packed infotainment systems, premium audio systems and a full compliment of driver aids lend these city-friendly cars a level of pleasure and safety far above what the typical driver might expect from vehicles in this segment. In addition, they don’t compromise on practicality – fuel economy is just what one might expect from a compact city car and cargo space is deceptively accommodating. Buying a compact hatchback is no longer a compromise.

We’ve featured some of our favourite offers this week on hatchbacks. If you don’t find an offer that suits you, be sure to check out the Globe Drive Build and Price Tool to see the latest incentives and discounts on any new car, truck or SUV.

Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid

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The Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid can achieve a combined fuel economy of just 4.3 litres/100 km.Handout

The Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid is one of the most fuel efficient-vehicles on the road today. Its 1.6-litre Atkinson cycle engine, coupled with a 32 kW electric motor and a 1.56 kW lithium-ion polymer high-voltage battery, enable this hybrid hatch to output 139 horsepower, all while achieving a combined fuel economy of just 4.3 litres/100 km. Standard interior features on the Luxury trim include a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a six-speaker audio system, dual-zone climate control, heated leather seats and a 4.2-inch display in the instrument cluster. On its exterior, the Luxury trim is equipped with active grille shutters, automatic projector-beam headlights as well as LED taillights, daytime running lights and mirror-integrated turn signals. The IONIQ Luxury trim also comes standard with active safety technology, such as autonomous emergency braking, driver attention warning and adaptive cruise control.

2019 Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid Luxury DCT
  • MSRP: $29,849
  • Manufacturer cash incentive: $1,500
  • Estimated dealer discount: $250
  • Freight, PDI, government fees: $1,835
  • Cash purchase price before tax: $29,934
  • Finance for 60 months at 1.99 per cent interest for $593 per month including tax, which includes a $1,500 manufacturer incentive and assumes zero down payment
  • Lease for 48 months at 3.99 per cent interest for $493 per month including tax, which includes a $1,500 manufacturer incentive and assumes a 20,000 annual kilometre allowance with zero down payment

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Volkswagen Golf GTI

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The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasts a cargo volume of up to 1,521 litres.

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI was named Popular Mechanics’ 2019 Hatchback of the Year. It features a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo engine that delivers 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque with a combined fuel economy of 8.6 litres/100 km. This compact hatchback boasts a cargo volume of up to 1,521 litres. All 2019 Golf GTI trims come standard with an eight-inch infotainment display, voice recognition capability, a six-speaker audio system, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, fully automatic exterior lights and a rearview camera.

2019 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0 TSI DSG
  • MSRP: $32,245
  • Manufacturer cash incentive: $1,000
  • Estimated dealer discount: $500
  • Freight, PDI, government fees: $2,314
  • Cash purchase price before tax: $33,059
  • Finance for 60 months at 2.99 per cent interest for $691 per month including tax and assumes zero down payment
  • Lease for 48 months at 2.99 per cent interest for $478 per month including tax and assumes a 20,000 annual kilometre allowance with zero down payment

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Kia Rio5

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The 2019 Kia Rio5's external features include rain-sensing windshield wipers and a power sunroof.

The 2019 Kia Rio5 is powered by a 1.6-litre, GDI 4-cylinder engine, delivering 130 horsepower and 119 lb.-ft. of torque while consuming a combined 7.5 litres/100 km. It can also haul up to 928 litres of cargo with its rear seats lowered. The 2019 Rio5 comes standard with heated front seats, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, hands-free cellphone connectivity, a rearview camera and a brake assist system. The EX Sport trim’s interior features a seven-inch infotainment display, a six-speaker audio system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Its exterior features include projection headlights, LED taillights and daytime running lights, rain-sensing windshield wipers and a power sunroof.

2019 Kia Rio 5-Door EX Sport Automatic
  • MSRP: $22,045
  • Manufacturer cash incentive: $1,000
  • Estimated dealer discount: $250
  • Freight, PDI, government fees: $1,725
  • Cash purchase price before tax: $22,520
  • Finance for 60 months at 0.99 per cent interest for $454 per month including tax and assumes zero down payment
  • Lease for 48 months at 2.99 per cent interest for $408 per month including tax and assumes a 20,000 annual kilometre allowance with zero down payment

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Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback

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The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze offers teen driver mode which monitors driving habits to encourage safe behaviour.

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is available with either a 153-horsepower, 1.4-litre gasoline-powered turbo engine or a 153-horsepower diesel-powered 1.6-litre turbo engine. The former is a 1.6-litre turbo diesel that produces 137 horsepower consumes a combined 6.6 litres/100 km.

When equipped with the former, the LT trim achieves a combined fuel economy of 7.3 litres/100 km and features a seven-inch infotainment system, heated front seats, remote engine ignition and climate control, projector headlamps with LED signature lighting and teen driver mode, which restricts certain vehicle features while also monitoring driving habits to encourage safe behaviour. Furthermore, the Cruze hatchback can accommodate more than three times as much cargo at over 1,300 litres after disengaging the rear seats, as compared to its sedan sibling with trunk space of just 419 litres.

2019 Chevrolet Cruze LT Hatch Automatic
  • MSRP: $22,995
  • Manufacturer cash incentive: $3,000
  • Estimated dealer discount: $500
  • Freight, PDI, government fees: $1,830
  • Cash purchase price before tax: $21,325
  • Finance for 60 months at zero per cent interest for $458 per month including tax and assumes zero down payment

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Andrew Tai is CEO of Unhaggle. Follow on Twitter @ahytai

Manufacturer incentives and pricing calculations are based on Ontario customers and subject to availability of inventory. Dealer discounts shown are estimates for illustrative purposes only, may vary by region and are given at the discretion of individual dealers. Please note that while every effort is made to ensure the information above is accurate at the time of publication, pricing, incentives and discounts are subject to change or discontinuation at any time. Vehicle images may not represent the exact model featured in the pricing provided. Consult your local dealership for details.

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