Top Hatchback Cars of 2012

As we look back on a year of the fabulous top hatchback cars of 2012 it’s first worth pondering what you want from your hatchback or rather what we would like.

Sporty, compact yet roomy inside – naturally. Cruise control, eco friendly, a pretty good mileage ratio to fuel spend, a little speed OK a lot! Some smooth corner action and the weekend away packaging requirement i.e. is there room in the boot for more than just a golf bag and a krankie.

Here follows a list of our top hatchback cars of 2012 with a little bit of everything thrown in for measure. An electric car from Mitsubishi – really? REALLY! A speedy Renault Megane and a quirky looking four door offering from Hyundai – yes I did say four door.

2012 Renault Megane

Renault Megane has been on our streets for seventeen years and each new model edition brings a more shapely figure on the market. Indents where there were once slopes, curves where they used to be lines and more speed, well kind of – more engine options anyway. Two diesels in fact.

The 2012 model of the Renault Megane while lacking in any real change than to the engine range and slight design specs the car that is loved by all continues to be loved by a few more with each model. Seventeen years is a long time for a car-acter to be around but it’s one that morphs ever so slightly with each release. A bit like an iphone only a bit more expensive on the upgrade.

The Megane reaches nought to sixty-two mph in 10.5 seconds and the 1.6 has more torque which is handy for those longer, heavier journeys. Will Renault run out of ideas for the Megane in the future? Possibly unless it fits wings…

Hyundai Veloster 2012

Despite the recent Hyundai Veloster sunroof and hand brake recall which could possibly see your car roll away before the end of this top hatchback cars of 2012 review and into the Renault Megane behind, this awkwardly beautiful looking machine impressed us so much that it still gets a mention.

Whether it’s the transformer like bonnet or the fact the Veloster has four doors, two on the passenger side and one elongated entrance on the driver’s side, we’re not too sure. However it has a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Top marks for a design lead hatchback in 2012.

Mitsubishi i (MiEV)

If you want to park in the door frame of a shop and avoid a parking meter then this Mitsubishi i (MiEV) will suit you down to the ground. It’s most certainly compact but is still with four seats. There are cars the thinness of a piece of card that have two.

So why is the Mitsubishi i (MiEV) in the top hatchback cars of 2012 review? Simply put, it may look as gormless as a politician with no chin but it is the Most Fuel Efficient car of 2012. In this eco frenzied world of ours, it has to be noted as being the electric car that can save the planet with 112 miles to the gallon. The equivalent of driving 12,000 miles for £223.

Ok, so you can’t really go from Birmingham to London in one day but it’s the perfect hatchback for the city and while wireless electric charging is a few years away, it is on its way. Meanwhile you can always opt for the Renault Megane on out of city journeys.