Looking for your first hatchback? Here are the best ones

Want a hatch for some fun? Or just finished saving up for your first 4 wheel companion? There could be so many reasons, but you definitely don’t wanna make an incorrect decision while purchasing the first ever hatchback car for yourself, right? With the market flooded with an overabundance of cars, making the right choice might be a little more complicated than it seems. The folks at different showrooms will prove you that their hatch is the best, no matter what. How do you take the perfect hatchback home then? Fear not, we got you covered. Read on to know which are the best compact cars available in our market to the serve the purpose of a hatch.

Proton Iriz

The first choice we have for you is the Proton Iriz. The cheapest, as well as the youngest, of the lot. Launched in 2014, the Iriz isn’t too old but packs a punch, well, a light one. Coming from the stables of our in-house manufacturer, Proton, the compact hatchback packs as little stuff in as you to pay for it. On the outside, there are projector headlamps, LED DRLs, 14-inch or 15-inch alloys (depending on the variant), and some decent styling. Move inside the Iriz and you won’t be disappointed. There is enough room for 4 full-size adults, a lot of cup holders, 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with 4 speakers, 60:40 split seats at the back, and lot more. Talk about the power, the specifications of the Proton Iriz reveal two different engines. The 1.3-litre motor churns out a maximum power of 95 PS and a peak torque of 120 Nm. The bigger 1.5-litre engine, on the other hand, makes maximum power of 109 PS and 150 Nm of peak torque. You get both manual and CVT transmission options on the smaller engine, however, the more powerful motor comes with a CVT option only. Even at a price of RM 40,012 - RM 53,751, the Proton Iriz offers front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, hill hold assist, reverse parking camera with sensors, engine immobilizer, and ISOFIX mounts for child seats. Wait, we have the next car in the same price range as well. Read on before you make a decision.

Perodua Myvi

This option is a compact car from our another in-house automaker, Perodua. First launched in the year 2005, the Perodua Myvi has been one of the favourite cars of the Malaysian masses. In its third generation today, the latest iteration of the hatchback was unveiled in 2017. The hatchback now looks modern and keeps up with the competition very well. However, do not expect the ultra-sexy looks like the Mazdas or the Fords, but the Myvi looks goods in its own way. Chrome accents on the front, all-LED headlamps, alloys wheels, and a calm & decent rear gives the Myvi an appealing appearance. On the inside, the Myvi has got the game up its sleeves, the steering mounted audio controls, a 7-inch infotainment screen with navigation, and an ample amount of space makes it a great contender for being your first car. If we look at Perodua Myvi’s spec sheet, we find a 1.3-litre and a 1.5-litre engine for different variants. Power figures of both the motors read 95 PS-121 Nm and 104 PS-136 Nm respectively. The figures give a sure indication that the Myvi will be a great performer both in the city and on the highway for those long rides. On top of everything, the Myvi is also equipped with front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, reverse parking camera with sensors, front parking sensors, vehicle stability control, hill hold assist, traction control, and ISOFIX mounts for child seats. To sum it up, Myvi’s price tag of RM 42,790 - RM 54,090 will get you a great 4 wheel companion without putting too much of stress on your pocket.

Kia Picanto

Moving on, the next hatchback we have is the Kia Picanto. The hatch from Korea, the Southern, is a small, cute, and does its job kinda car. As we mentioned the word cute, Picanto certainly is one charming car. Not so big in size, the hatchback features a large lower grille, a slimmer upper grille with chrome outlines flanked by projector headlamps, and dual tone alloy wheels which further enhance the looks of the Picanto. A touchscreen infotainment system boasting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay along with front & rear speakers are also present inside. Furthermore, you also get keyless entry and a push start/stop button. Under the hood, the cute little hatch houses a 1.2-litre Kappa MPI DOHC motor. With this engine good for 83 PS of maximum power and a peak torque of 122 Nm, the Kia Picanto is a great city driving vehicle. On the highway, however, you might miss that oomph. Power delivery to the front wheels is done by a 4-speed automatic transmission. So, the Picanto's specs are good, it looks adorable, and has decent features, is it safe though? Well, very much. The hatchback comes equipped with front and side airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, parking sensors, rear camera, and crash sensors among others. How’s all that for a deal at just RM 47,079? The price of the Kia Picanto is truly justified by the equipment and looks it offers.

Mazda 2 Hatchback

Ready for the first car but want something with jaw-dropping looks? You get what you pay for, right? So, if you have got a little more money than what the previous cars ask for, and want your friend with 4 wheels to look sick, the Mazda Demio is the car for you. No, we didn’t use the incorrect name, we’re still talking about the Mazda 2 hatch. The car was called Demio in its early days, which date back to 1996. Enough of the history lesson, the Mazda 2 is in its fourth generation today and it won the Japanese Car of the Year in 2014-15 when it was first revealed. So, the car comes with a strong background. Today, the Mazda 2 is one of the best-looking hatches out there. The 2 Hatch from the Japanese stable has got a lot of curves, and curves are good, right? They certainly are. Providing the Mazda 2 with an eye catchy appearance are V-shaped chrome garnish upfront, fog lamps in unique wedge-like housings, mean LED headlamps, and the alloy wheels among others. On the inside, the Demio is full of features, however, lacks some space. A push start/stop button, 3-spoke adjustable steering wheel, leather upholstery, paddle shifters, touchscreen infotainment system with 6 speakers and many more features make their way to the hatchback. Going by the spec sheet, the Mazda 2 is powered by a 1.5-litre Skyactive-G 4-pot 16 valve DOHC VVT motor. Producing 117 PS of maximum power and 148 Nm of peak torque, the engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission is a true performer. Mazda 2’s price of RM 75,866 - RM 92,886 doesn’t let the car miss out on passenger safety and the hatch come equipped with dual front airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, dynamic stability control, traction control system, hill launch assist, emergency stop signal, ISOFIX mounts, and seatbelt pre-tensioners with force limiters.

Volkswagen Polo

The final contender in our best first hatch countdown comes all the way from Germany. If you have got the cash, can do with simple looks, the Polo is a hatch that has got nothing more to prove. Running strong since 1975, the Polo has seen 6 generations and is still one of the most selling hatches in the global automobile market. The front grille on the Polo features a minimalistic look and houses the German automaker’s logo at the centre. Further, it is flanked by the iconic headlamps. The hatch doesn’t have too many curves and looks classy instead of the modern funky. The alloy wheels and the simplistic taillamps further enhance the classic appeal of the Polo. The interior is the house of a 6.5-inch touchscreen that comes with Bluetooth and AUX connectivity along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The seats inside are roomy and comfortable and the cherry on top are the rear AC vents. The upholstery has been done in leather and the cabin looks modern and sporty. The specs of the Polo list a 1.6-litre 4-pot 16 valve DOHC motor. This engine produces 105 PS of maximum power and a peak torque of 153 Nm. A 6-speed automatic unit takes care of the transmission duties. The Volkswagen Polo is a true testament of German quality and that can be seen in the safety department as well. The Polo comes equipped with front airbags, ABS, EBD, brake assist, anti-pinch power windows, and 3-point seat belts at the back and a lot more. Available in two different variants, the Volkswagen Polo’s price range from RM 74,990 to RM 75,488. And for that price, you can take home a true German hatchback with quality written all over it.