10) 2020 Toyota Prius Prime
Cargo Space: 19.8 cu ft | Max Cargo: 47 cu ft | $27,900 | USN Overall Score: 7.8/10
The Toyota Prius Prime is the only plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) on our list. It’s one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the road today, and it offers 25 miles of range on electricity alone. The Prius Prime features first-rate safety and predicted reliability ratings, and comes equipped with a healthy array of standard driver assistance technology.
The Prime also has more cargo space than many hybrid and electric cars, as well as most compact cars. For 2020, its seating capacity grew to five passengers. The Prime delivers confident handling and a smooth ride, but its acceleration is sluggish. Its cabin is stylish and composed of high-quality materials, and it comes with an intuitive infotainment interface with smartphone connectivity.
If you buy a new Prius Prime, you may be eligible for a federal electric vehicle tax credit of about $4,500.
9) 2020 Hyundai Veloster
Cargo Space: 19.9 cu ft | Max Cargo: 44.5 cu ft | $18,800 | USN Overall Score: 8.2/10
Hyundai completely redesigned the Veloster for the 2019 model year, and this generation has proven much better than the previous version. It boasts engaging performance, supportive front seats, easy-to-use cabin technology, and a generous assortment of advanced safety aids. Its rear seats are not spacious enough for most adults on longer trips, but its cargo capacity is impressive.
The 2020 Hyundai Veloster delivers nimble handling, a composed ride, and adequate acceleration. Its base engine isn’t very powerful, but you can opt for a turbo-four that delivers energetic off-the-line pep. The Veloster also comes with a long warranty, earns excellent crash test scores, and has an above-average predicted reliability rating.
8) 2020 Mazda3 Hatchback
Cargo Space: 20.1 cu ft | Max Cargo: 47.1 cu ft | $23,700 | USN Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Mazda3 is part of a new generation that started with the 2019 model year. For a small, sporty car, it has quite a bit of cargo room – as long as you choose the hatchback model. However, like many compact car rivals, its rear seats are cramped. The 2020 Mazda3 has top-tier crash test ratings and comes standard with several active safety features.
The Mazda3 receives praise for its athletic handling, precise steering, and supple ride. It also features a peppy four-cylinder engine, a premium cabin, and user-friendly infotainment technology. The Mazda3 narrowly misses the top spot in our compact car ranking, mostly due to its just-average predicted reliability rating.
7) 2020 Subaru Impreza Hatchback
Cargo Space: 20.8 cu ft | Max Cargo: 55.3 cu ft | $19,195 | USN Overall Score: 7.5/10
Like most Subarus, the 2020 Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive and a full suite of high-tech safety systems. In its hatchback configuration, it has plenty of room behind its rear seats and a sizable maximum cargo area.
The Impreza lags behind rivals when it comes to engine power, interior quality, and predicted reliability. However, it features spacious seats in both rows, terrific gas mileage, and stellar crash test ratings. It also provides fantastic road grip and well-balanced ride and handling. A straightforward touch-screen infotainment system comes standard.
6) 2020 Volkswagen Golf
Cargo Space: 22.8 cu ft | Max Cargo: 52.7 cu ft | $23,195 | USN Overall Score: 8.3/10
The Volkswagen Golf impresses with its luxury-grade cabin, agile handling, and wealth of standard features. Standard features include synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, Wi-Fi capability, a feature-filled infotainment system, and many advanced driver-assistance technologies.
The Golf has ample passenger space in both rows and more cargo space than most rivals. Its lone turbo-four engine provides reasonably quick acceleration. An outstanding six-speed manual transmission comes standard, though an automatic is available. The Golf’s only notable drawbacks are its average crash test and predicted reliability ratings.
If you like the Golf, but crave a performance-oriented hot hatch, check out the Volkswagen GTI. It has the same amount of cargo space as the Golf, and boasts more dynamic handling and livelier acceleration. The GTI tops our compact car ranking and starts at $28,595.
5) 2020 Nissan Leaf
Cargo Space: 23.6 cu ft | Max Cargo: 30 cu ft | $31,600 | USN Overall Score: N/A
The 2020 Nissan Leaf still reigns as the most inexpensive electric car on the U.S. market today, and still qualifies for a Federal Electric Vehicle Tax Credit of $7,500. The Leaf has about 150 miles of driving range in its base configuration, though you can upgrade to the Leaf Plus. This model offers 226 miles of range.
The Leaf features eager acceleration, composed handling, and intuitive technology. It has impressive passenger space in both rows and a large cargo area behind its rear seats. However, since the seats don’t fold completely flat, its maximum cargo capacity is limited. For 2020, the Leaf comes standard with a respectable selection of advanced safety systems, as well as a sharp and responsive touch-screen infotainment interface.
4) 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT
Cargo Space: 24.9 cu ft | Max Cargo: 55.1 cu ft | $20,650 | USN Overall Score: 8.1/10
The Hyundai Elantra sedan has a large trunk, but to really take advantage of the Elantra’s excellent cargo potential, you have to opt for the GT (hatchback) model. This Hyundai’s strengths include great gas mileage, a comfortable ride, and outstanding predicted reliability. The GT comes with a decent standard feature set that includes a straightforward touch screen and smartphone connectivity.
The Elantra GT features a well-constructed cabin and generous legroom in both rows, but headroom up front may be an issue for taller people. This compact hatchback doesn’t provide a dynamic driving experience, though the GT has more horsepower than the sedan. You can also opt for a 201-horsepower turbo-four, which comes in the GT N Line hatchback. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) designated the Elantra GT a 2020 Top Safety Pick.
3) 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback
Cargo Space: 25.7 cu ft | Max Cargo: 46.2 cu ft | $21,750 | USN Overall Score: 8.5/10
The Honda Civic has been a top-selling compact car for years, and for good reason. It’s safe, upscale, fuel-efficient, and fun to drive. The Civic also delivers agile handling, powerful engine options, and a roomy cabin – though rear-seat headroom could be better. For 2020, the Civic hatchback gets a restyled exterior. It offers more room behind its rear seats than most rivals, but its maximum cargo capacity is bested by some rivals.
You can get a Civic hatchback in any trim level for an additional charge. All non-performance hatchback models come standard with a 1.5-liter turbo-four and a continuously variable automatic transmission. This combination provides a solid balance of performance and fuel economy. The Civic is light on standard niceties, but it includes the Honda Sensing suite of safety features.
If you’re in the market for a thrilling, head-turning, and much pricier compact hatchback, the Civic Type R cranks out 306 horsepower.
2) 2020 Hyundai Ioniq
Cargo Space: 26.5 cu ft | Max Cargo: N/A | $23,200 | USN Overall Score: 8.0/10
The Hyundai Ioniq hybrid returns superb fuel economy, earns an above-average predicted reliability rating, receives top marks in crash tests, and comes with a long warranty. It also has a massive cargo hold behind its rear seats. However, Hyundai doesn’t provide information about the Ioniq’s maximum capacity with the seats folded down.
The Ioniq features an attractive interior and roomy front seats, though its rear seats are cramped for most adults. It delivers instant torque and decent overall acceleration, but its ride and handling leave much to be desired. The 2020 Ioniq has an intuitive infotainment touch screen and a handful of advanced safety features as standard.
The Ioniq comes in plug-in hybrid and all-electric configurations, as well. Both get outstanding MPGe ratings from the EPA and qualify for federal electric car tax credits. However, if you opt for either of these variants, you’ll lose about 3.5 cubic feet of cargo volume.
1) 2020 Toyota Prius
Cargo Space: 27.4 cu ft | Max Cargo: 62.7 cu ft | $24,325 | USN Overall Score: 7.9/10
The Toyota Prius is more than just an icon when it comes to fuel efficiency, but it's also a superior cargo hauler. It offers more space behind its second row than all other hatchbacks in our ranking. With the Prius’ rear seats folded down, it bests every vehicle on our list. To top it off, this hybrid compact hatchback has spacious and supportive seats in both rows.
The Prius isn’t fancy inside or a blast to drive, but it rides smoothly, handles confidently, and offers all-wheel drive – a rarity among compact cars, but common among hybrid and electric vehicles. The Prius earns good crash test ratings and comes standard with an entire suite of advanced driver assistance technologies. It also has a responsive touch screen that gets Apple CarPlay as standard for 2020.
However, there is one caveat when it comes to the Prius’ cargo capacity. Choosing all-wheel drive or certain trim levels will decrease your capacity slightly.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
Did you find a cargo-friendly hatchback that fits your budget and priorities? If not, visit our hatchback ranking to compare models and research further.
When you’re ready for your new, check out our best new car financing deals and lease deals pages for current manufacturer-sponsored offers.
Also, be sure to use our U.S. News Best Price Program to find the dealership in your area with the lowest prices. People who use the program save an average of over $3,000 off MSRP.
10 Hatchbacks With The Most Cargo Space in 2020
- 10) 2020 Toyota Prius Prime: Cargo Space: 19.8 cu ft | Max Cargo: 47 cu ft | $27,900
- 9) 2020 Hyundai Veloster: Cargo Space: 19.9 cu ft | Max Cargo: 44.5 cu ft | $18,800
- 8) 2020 Mazda3 Hatchback: Cargo Space: 20.1 cu ft | Max Cargo: 47.1 cu ft | $23,700
- 7) 2020 Subaru Impreza Hatchback: Cargo Space: 20.8 cu ft | Max Cargo: 55.3 cu ft | $19,195
- 6) 2020 Volkswagen Golf: Cargo Space: 22.8 cu ft | Max Cargo: 52.7 cu ft | $23,195
- 5) 2020 Nissan Leaf: Cargo Space: 23.6 cu ft | Max Cargo: 30 cu ft | $31,600
- 4) 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT: Cargo Space: 24.9 cu ft | Max Cargo: 55.1 cu ft | $20,650
- 3) 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback: Cargo Space: 25.7 cu ft | Max Cargo: 46.2 cu ft | $21,750
- 2) 2020 Hyundai Ioniq: Cargo Space: 26.5 cu ft | Max Cargo: N/A | $23,200
- 1) 2020 Toyota Prius: Cargo Space: 27.4 cu ft | Max Cargo: 62.7 cu ft | $24,325
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Little Cars With Big Cargo Holds
Hatchbacks offer plenty of advantages over sedans and SUVs. The unique body style provides more cargo space than sedans, as well as more practical interiors. Some hatchbacks offer the utility of small SUVs while delivering impressive overall driving dynamics. Hatchbacks also benefit from their small footprints and light weight, which makes many of them peppy, nimble, maneuverable, and fuel-efficient.
Maximum cargo volume is a key metric. Automakers use it to prove their vehicle has more overall room than a rival vehicle. It’s important to know how much cargo your car will fit with all the seats folded down – just in case you ever plan to use it for hauling boxes, landscaping materials, appliances, or furniture. However, on a day-to-day basis, it’s more likely you’ll have your seats in their upright position to transport passengers, and you’ll place your cargo behind the rear seats.
We combed through our hatchback ranking to determine each vehicle’s cargo capacity behind its rear seats. Then, we ranked them from those that offer the least amount of room in cubic feet to those that offer the most. This way, you can easily decide which hatchbacks appeal to you and learn how much cargo space each example has. We also provide each car’s maximum cargo capacity with all the seats folded down. Interestingly, four of the 10 options just happen to be highly efficient hybrid or electric cars that will save you money on fuel.
We regularly update our scores and rankings when new data and expert research become available. So, some scores mentioned in this article may not match up with the scores in our new car rankings.
Read through the following pages for key details and cargo capacities of each 2020 hatchback.