Best hatchbacks/wagons starting under $20,000

If you’re planning a road trip, a hatchback can make your travel much easier. And Cars.com’s top hatchback picks can make picking the right hatchback easier on your budget as well. Click through the gallery of hatchbacks under $20,000.

2013 Chevrolet Sonic

Starting at $14,785, the 2013 Chevrolet Sonic gets an estimated 25 to 27 miles per gallon city and 33 to 35 miles per gallon highway. The 2013 Sonic has a MyLink entertainment and information system available, a six-speed transmission, comes with either a 1.8-liter or turbo 1.4-liter engine. The Sonic also got the highest consumer rating from Cars.com.

According to Kelly Blue Book, “Around town and on the highway, the 2013 Chevy Sonic sets a new standard for subcompact driving refinement. As a whole, the offerings in this category have become less skittish and less buzzy in recent years, but Chevrolet’s Sonic for 2013 drives like a bigger, pricier car than any of its competitors.’’

2013 Fiat 500

Starting at $16,100, the 2013 FIAT 500 features improved gas mileage and is available as either a two-door hatchback (pictured) or as a 500c (convertible). It gets an estimated 28 to 31 miles per gallon city and an estimated 34 to 40 miles per gallon highway.

From Consumer Reports: “The 500’s agile handling and crisp-shifting manual make it fun to drive. The four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual returned 33 mpg overall, but require frequent downshifts to keep up on hills and with traffic. A 135-hp turbo engine improves the experience, but the ride is choppy and the cabin noisy.’’

2013 Honda CR-Z

Restyled for 2013, the 2013 Honda CR-Z starts at $19,975, making it the most expensive car on this list. The CR-Z features a new lithium ion-battery pack and boasts an impressive fuel economy of 31 miles per gallon city and 38 miles per gallon highway. Kelly Blue Book calls the CR-Z, a “fun, affordable alternative to conventional hybrids.’’

2013 Honda Insight

The 2013 Honda Insight starts at $18,600 and boasts 41 miles per gallon city and 44 miles per gallon highway, the most impressive fuel economy on this list. The 2013 Insight seats five and comes with an 88-horsepower, 1.3-liter I-4 engine.

From Car and Driver: “For hybrid customers who really want a Prius but can’t afford what Toyota charges for one, Honda’s less costly, less complex Insight may fit the bill. It can’t creep around on battery power alone like most hybrids, but it does achieve fuel economy ratings over 40 mpg and handles relatively well to boot.’’

2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

The 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT starts at $18,545 and comes with many standard features, including headed front seats. This car gets 26 miles per gallon city and 37 miles per gallon highway. It is available with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

2013 Kia Forte

Starting at $15400, the 2013 Kia Forte comes as a hatchback, sedan, or coupe and comes with a choice of different four-cylinder engines. Power-folding side mirrors are now available as well as an optional push-button start. The 2013 Kia Forte gets an estimated 23 to 26 miles per gallon city and an estimated 32 to 36 miles per gallon highway.

2013 Kia Rio

Starting at $13,600, the lowest price on this list, the 2013 Kia Rio is available as either a hatchback or a sedan. The optional eco package offers stop/start fuel-saving technology. It also has a fuel economy of 28 to 29 city miles per gallon and 36 t o 37 highway miles per gallon. A power moonroof upgrade is available for $2,350.

2013 Kia Soul

The 2013 Kia Soul starts at $14,400, the second-lowest price on the list, and comes with a choice of two four-cylinder engine. The Soul features standard Bluetooth connectivity and USB and iPod input and is available in either manual or automatic transmission. The Soul also gets an estimated 23 to 25 mils per gallon city and an estimated 28 to 30 miles per gallon highway.

2013 Mazda Mazda3

Available as a four-door hatchback or a sedan (pictured) the 2013 Mazda Mazda3 won Cars.com’s “Best Deal for Driving Fun Award.’’ Starting at $16,700, the Mazda3 comes with newly standard air conditioning and either an automatic or manual transmission, and gets an estimated 20 to 27 miles per gallon city and 28 to 39 miles per gallon highway.

2013 Nissan Cube

Starting at $16,760, the 2013 Nissan Cube seats five, has adjustable rear seats, and features bulldog-inspired styling. An integrated navigation system is available on the 1.8 SL model for $1,890. The Cube gets an estimated 25 to 27 miles per gallon city and an estimated 30 to 31 miles per gallon highway.

2013 Nissan Juke

The 2013 Nissan Juke starts at $18,990, comes with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, an available six-speed manual transmission, an available backup camera, and an upgraded stereo option. It also has a fuel economy of 25 to 27 city miles per gallon and 30 to 32 highway miles per gallon.

Globe correspondent Gerry Miles writes, “Regardless of whether it’s a hot hatch on large wheels or a sported-up crossover, Juke offers a competent small package with big appeal in the form of 188 hp, available in all-wheel-drive, and a separate, new 2013, NISMO high-output model that will likely have the largest appeal for those with the need for speed.’’

2013 Subaru Impreza

The 2013 Subaru Impreza won Cars.com’s “Best Deal for Small Families’’ award. Available as either a four-door hatchback or a sedan, the Impreza features standard all-wheel drive and newly standard Bluetooth with audio streaming and iPod/USB connectivity. The Impreza gets an estimated 25 to 27 miles per gallon city and an estimated 33 to 36 miles per gallon highway.