If you’re looking for an affordable used car, hatchbacks give you a lot for your money. Blending the functionality of a sedan with that of a station wagon or SUV, hatchbacks offer big practicality thanks to their large rear hatch opening and voluminous cargo areas. Below are six of our favorite used hatchbacks under $5,000 available here in 2020.
2011 Kia Soul
The original Kia Soul came out for the 2010 model year and was sold through 2013. It wore a quirky, polarizing design. From the side, the Soul looks like a box on wheels. Technically a subcompact, the Soul offers a lot more interior space than you’d expect thanks to its boxy proportions. Power comes from a range of basic 4-cylinder engines, the most potent of which puts out 164 horsepower. If you’re on a tight budget, the Soul is a compelling, interesting, practical affordable used car, and it’s possible to find higher-mileage used examples for around $5,000. There are currently around 150 listed on Autotrader that would fit the bill. Find a Kia Soul for sale
2011 Ford Focus
While it was discontinued last year, the final-generation Ford Focus went on sale back in the 2011 model year and it’s currently possible to find early examples for around $5,000 relatively easily. Both sedan and hatchback body styles were offered. Right now on Autotrader, there are around 400 2011 or newer Ford Focuses that would fit within our budget. Around 100 are hatchbacks, while about 50 are the upper-level SEL and Titanium trims, which come with nice-to-have features like dual-zone climate control and a sunroof. Find a Ford Focus for sale
2011 Subaru Impreza
The Impreza‘s main selling point is its standard all-wheel drive system. While most every other vehicle in this segment comes with front-wheel drive, every Impreza offers 4-wheel traction, making it appealing to buyers in climates that see a lot of snow during the winter. Beyond that, the Impreza comes powered by a humble 4-cylinder engine and is available in both sedan and hatchback bodystyles. Given its AWD system, the Impreza holds its value better than most other hatchbacks, but there are still a handful listed on Autotrader that would fit the bill. Find a Subaru Impreza for sale
2011 Nissan Versa
Nissan‘s economical subcompact offering, the Versa is meant to be affordable from the get-go, and therefore it isn’t hard to find one for around $5,000. The first-gen Versa was sold from the mid-2000s through 2012 and had a starting price of just $10,000. Both sedan and hatchback bodystyles were offered. Every example came powered by a humble 4-cylinder engine. You won’t find a Versa with many features, though power windows, a radio and air conditioning are all standard for the most part. Right now on Autotrader, there are around 200 first-generation Versa hatchbacks listed for around $5,000 or less. Find a Nissan Versa for sale
2011 Fiat 500
One of the more characterful hatchbacks you’ll find for $5k, the Fiat 500 was all-new to the US market for the 2012 model year and marked the return of the Fiat brand to American shores after a long absence. Power came from a small-displacement 4-cylinder engine making between 100 and 135 hp, unless you opted for the high-performance 500 Abarth, which makes 160 hp — not bad for a tiny city car like the 500. You won’t find a 500 with many features, and build quality is just OK, but as far as used hatchbacks under $5,000 go, a used Fiat 500 is one of the modern vehicles within this price range. There are currently over 100 listed for sale on Autotrader for around $5k. Find a Fiat 500 for sale
2011 Toyota Yaris
The pint-sized Yaris was offered in both 3- and 5-door body styles from the 2008 through 2014 model years. Though it’s considered a subcompact, the Yaris is a little smaller than competitors like the Hyundai Accent and Honda Fit, slotting in between traditional subcompacts and smaller city cars like the Fiat 500 in terms of overall size. There are currently around 100 Yarises listed for sale on Autotrader for around $5,000. Expect any one of them to offer good reliability, great fuel economy and excellent maneuverability in tight urban environments. Find a Toyota Yaris for sale
