Best All-Wheel-Drive Hatchbacks | 2025 Ratings
Historically, hatchbacks have been front-wheel drive, owing to their positioning as more budget-oriented vehicles. However, as these vehicle types grew larger and more powerful, the need for the all-wheel-drive hatchback increased. For the 2025 model year, there are only a handful of AWD hatchbacks left – it’s simply another body style of vehicle that has been overtaken by crossovers. But if you like a small footprint combined with the added grip of AWD, these are the best options to look at.
Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available.
2025 Toyota Prius
- Base Trim Engine
-
2L I4 Hybrid
- Base MSRP
-
$28,350
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
57/56/57 MPG
- Engine
-
194 hp combined (FWD) | 196 hp combined (AWD)
2025 Toyota GR Corolla
- Base Trim Engine
-
1.6L Inline 3 Gas
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
All-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
300 hp
Characteristics Of The All-Wheel-Drive Hatchback
Despite having access to all-wheel drive, these hatchback cars still have a number of qualities we expect to see in the segment.
- Size: In general, hatch vehicles are on the compact side, with their urban-centric design being a strong selling point. Being able to zip around in traffic and nab just about any parking spot is nothing to sneeze at. This also has certain benefits, too, such as keeping the cost of construction down and lowering the overall weight, which has a knock-on effect on fuel economy.
- Practicality: Despite their small size, hatchbacks are known to be significantly more practical than sedans, at least when it comes to trunk space. The discontinued Honda Fit, for example, is one of the most capable errand runners around. However, it is worth noting that rear passenger space is not always that great.
- Performance: Not every all-wheel-drive hatch is a simple urban runabout. Some come with a punchy engine that makes for quick acceleration and a spirited driving experience. These models fall into the hot-hatch category.
- Price: Hatchbacks are among the most affordable cars on the road. An AWD hatch will cost you a bit more, but that is always the case when you opt for a car that can send power to all four wheels. However, they are still cheap, and their impressive mpg figures help to keep cost of ownership down.
What To Consider When Buying An AWD Hatch
As popular as these cars are, even the best AWD hatchbacks have a few disadvantages you have to keep in mind when you’re thinking about purchasing one:
Pros
- More capable in snow or on wet roads
- Better grip at launch for powerful models
- Small size makes for nimble driving
Cons
- Fuel economy figures are slightly worse
- They are heavier
- They cost more
