If you’re searching for a used car under $5,000 have you considered a used hatchback? Hatchbacks offer convenience and more cargo space than most compact cars. Plus, they’re flexible and have excellent visibility due to their large back windows. If you’re familiar with Consumer Reports, tests were conducted on many different models to find the best used option. When it came to used hatchbacks, the 2005 Pontiac Vibe and the 2005 Toyota Matrix were highly recommended.

Only good vibes for the 2005 Pontiac Vibe

Price Range: $4,150 – $4,600

Are you a fan of SUVs but want all the benefits of a hatchback? If you answered yes, the 2005 Pontiac Vibe is a good option. Under the hood is a Toyota-built 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. All-wheel drive is available too.

If you opt for a used Pontiac Vibe GT model, this model uses a more robust version of this engine and is equipped with a six-speed manual. The front seats are comfortable, and the rear seats offer more than enough legroom. The cargo area has up to 25 cubic feet of space. Additionally, you can easily fold down the rear seats to make more room for those more oversized items.

Consumer Reports gave the 2005 Pontiac Vibe a 4 out of 5 reliability rating and a 3 out of 5 overall owner satisfaction rating. Drivers love the handling and performance capabilities for the price. And if something does go wrong with the Vibe, it’s inexpensive to repair.

The 2005 Toyota Matrix is also one of the best used hatchbacks

Price Range: $4,275 – $4,950

The 2005 Toyota Matrix is a small wagon available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine delivers good performance, and an owner reported 27 mpg. In the cabin, headroom and legroom are great. In fact, the rear bench is supportive and offers good posture. 

Seatbacks easily fold down in case you need a flat load floor. The front passenger seat can also be folded down if you need to store a ladder or plywood. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) became an optional safety feature in 2005, so try to look for one with it. 

Consumer Reports gave the 2005 Toyota Matrix a 5 out of 5 reliability rating and a 3 out of 5 owner satisfaction rating. Owners love how low maintenance the vehicle is and how functional it is. They also say it offers good visibility thanks to its high seats. The only bad part about the Toyota Matrix hatchback is it’s no longer in production.

Is a used hatchback a good investment?

Buying a used hatchback may be a good investment depending on your driving needs. Used hatchbacks tend to have a considerable resale value because they are reasonable cars. And if you like a vehicle that will turn heads no matter where you go, a hatchback will do that. They’re stylish vehicles from the inside out. Longer road trips with hatchbacks are more valuable because of the additional cargo space. Overall, it can serve as a great option.