The Hatchback Is Back!!

If you have one in the garage,  it's time to get it out and blow the dust out of the spark plugs.  The hatchback is making a comeback.

The car with a top-hinged rear door, or hatch, instead of a separate trunk — has for years been seen as less than desireable is the car to own now.

Powered by an ailing economy, they are the most economical cars to drive now.

Hatchbacks present a roomy, fuel-efficient alternative to crossovers or bigger cars.

Sales of hatchbacks from all brands increased 63% from the 2006 to the 2010 model years, says Ford Motor, citing data from Ward's Automotive.

By comparison, total cars sales fell 21% in the same period.

Ford officials say 43% of buyers opt for hatchback versions of its Focus compact, instead of the sedan. Its smaller Fiesta hatchback is hot, too. "A surprising number of people are taking the hatch," according to Ford officials.

Hyundai expects 40% of sales of the new version of its Accent subcompact, which just arrived in showrooms, to be hatchbacks. Chevrolet's new smallest car, the Sonic, will come in a hatch version. Kia says its recently introduced Forte hatchback is beating expectations.