Hatchbacks are far from the most popular cars on the road, at least in the United States. While they seem to have a particularly niche market here, they are still excellent cars that offer a lot of space and practicality without having to drive an SUV. On top of that, a lot of people really like the look of the hatchback, and paired with the added space it is easy to see why people like them. Hatchbacks might not be your typical convertible sports car, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some performance-oriented options, and some of them are so affordable that you can find them for under $5,000

A Mini Cooper is an underrated hatch

The second generation of Mini Cooper, in production from 2007 to 2013 is one of the most underrated cars you can find on the market. They might be popular in European countries for their small stature, but the interior has a surprising amount of space and comfort. You can find these consistently for around $5,000 on the market or sometimes even less, and they are a great option if you are looking for something that’s fun to drive yet still practical.

The Subaru Impreza is a hatchback too

To many people there isn’t much of a difference between the Impreza being a normal sedan and a hatchback, but it is a powerful hot hatch that drivers love. They are a popular option for rally racing because they are just as capable on dirt as they are on pavement. They aren’t the fastest cars on the used market, and they don’t have any impressive horsepower numbers to brag about, but their handling and driving experience is still thrilling.

The obvious choice, a Mazda3

The Mazda3 is debatably one of the best hatchbacks on the market, and they are so popular that you can find them pretty regularly. To get the best deal, you should look for the 2010 to 2013 model, as they are relatively reliable. If there are any problems, they are just as inexpensive to repair as they are to purchase according to Consumer Reports.

If you are stuck between needing a practical car or family vehicle but you don’t want to sacrifice a great driving experience, a hatchback might just be what you are looking for. For such a low price, they are also a good option for a new driver who might beat the car up a tad or even a project to work on and enhance in your garage. Either way, these popular hatchbacks are a bargain, and they are definitely worth your time.