2017 Chevy Cruze Review Hints at Hatchback Comeback in America

But get this: the type of Cruze hatch you've seen in all the commercials and YouTube videos stickers for $29,000. Like for like, the hatchback model is $1,500 more expensive than its sedan equivalent.

Part of it has to do with this being a newer model year, but also with the packaging. The Premier RS, while not as hot-blooded as the body kit suggests, comes with all the safety bells and infotainment whistles. Of course, you can still buy a Cruze 5-door that's a little cheaper and still enjoy it.

But there aren't any cheap models in the range, at least not in a Ford Focus sense. Including the destination charge, the most affordable Cruze hatchback you can have is $22,190. There are three major selling points: space, design and features.

Regarding cargo capacity, the rear bench can be folded flat in the 2017 Civic Hatchback to create an impressive 42 cubic feet (1,189 liters) of goodness. The wheelbase is the same as the sedan, but the seats are placed slightly differently, amplifying knee room as well.

Regardless of what trim level you chose, there's only one engine, the 1.4-liter turbo producing 153 horsepower. That is either matched by a manual or a 6-speed automatic. It gets from 0 to 60 in 8 seconds and has a top speed of 125 mph. At that kind of price, we kind of expected a little more punch.

If you're just after space in a hatchback, the wrong car for you, as the base price of a Golf SportWagon is about the same. And regarding Euro looks, the UK-built Honda Civic might also fit the description. Performance in a hatchback? Well, there's a lot of fun to be had in a $25,000 Focus ST or its GTI equivalent. We're afraid that Chevrolet has overstepped its boundaries while trying to find new niches to explore.