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If you’re looking to buy a car and want one that is both sporty and practical, a couple of people have likely recommended a sportback. So what is a sportback, and what can you expect from this automobile?
The term ‘Sportback’ is popular among car manufacturers like Audi, Mitsubishi and Buick. These companies use the name to refer to their SUVs and hatchback cars that are both practical and stylish with sloping rooflines at their rear ends. Here, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the sportback concept, including the different sportback cars on the market.
A Sportback is a term that car manufacturers like Audi, Mitsubishi and Buick use to refer to their hatchbacks and SUVs that have an aggressively sloping rear window and roofline. So, it’s a name for certain models, but people have started using it to describe a specific car type outside the mentioned brands.
Sportback vehicles combine the practicality of hatchbacks or SUVs with the sleek and stylish designs of coupes. Other companies in the automobile industry, such as BMW and Mercedes, often refer to such vehicles as ‘SUV coupes’.
A sportback also has a trunk that links to the rear seats of the car and a wide-opening rear liftgate that makes it easy to access the roomy cargo compartment. Unlike regular hatchbacks and SUVs, sportbacks trade rear-seat passenger room to make them appear more stylish. See the topic ‘What is a Hatchback?’ for more details about a more traditional version of a similar car-type idea.
Sportbacks are mostly available in 5-door designs.
Audi created the ‘Sportback’ concept and first sold Sportback variants of their cars, but both Mitsubishi and Buick have also used it to describe some of their vehicle models. Nowadays, most casual car users refer to most stylish hatchbacks and SUVs as sportback cars.
Is A Sportback Just A Marketing Ploy?
A sportback is not just a marketing ploy to drive sales. This style of vehicle offers something different from regular hatchbacks and SUVs. Unlike a hatchback, a sportback is not just practical; it is also stylish.
The unique combination of practicality and style makes the vehicle appealing to a wide range of buyers. Most people who want spacious cars with a sportier appearance now turn to sportback vehicles.
The Audi A5 Sportback was the first Sportback-named model to be sold.
A sportback combines the features of two vehicle types (hatchback and coupe). However, the fusion has led to the creation of a new design style worth a category on its own.
Sportback Vs Hatchback
Hatchbacks are like compact car versions of station wagons. They have a large rear door that hinges on the roof and opens upward. Unlike a sedan, which has an enclosed boot space, the cargo compartment in a hatchback links to the rear seat of the vehicle. Hatchbacks are popular with people who need compact cars with a lot of cargo space.
A sportback combines most of the features of a hatchback with the sportier appearance of a coupe. It has a fast roofline and a sloping rear window, which makes it appear more sleek. A sportback sacrifices some of its practicality to achieve a more appealing body type.
Some of the major differences between a sportback and a hatchback are:
- Design: A sportback has more aerodynamic and a sleeker design, which makes it appear sportier than a hatchback.
- Space: A sportback is likely to have slightly less headroom and cargo space than a hatchback because it sacrifices some of its space for a sleeker design.
- Performance: Sportbacks prioritise performance more than hatchbacks. Therefore, they come with more powerful engines in most cases.
Read more on the sportback vs hatchback debate.
Comparing A Sportback To Other Similar Car Types
Here’s how a sportback compares to other similar cars, such as a sedan and a coupe.
Sportback Vs Sedan
A sedan is a car with four doors that has a fixed roof and seating space for four or five people. Unlike a sportback, a sedan has a traditional trunk that is separate from the main cabin of the vehicle.
A sportback has four doors (two on each side of the vehicle), plus a rear hatch, for a total of five doors. The rear hatch is often regarded as a door because it provides access to the rear seats of the vehicle. Learn more about 5-door cars.
Sedans are comfortable vehicles. They’re suitable for your daily commutes but are often not as practical as hatchbacks and sportbacks.
Most automakers charge more for the sportback variants of their vehicles.
Sportback Vs Coupe
A coupe is a passenger car with two doors and a closed roof. This vehicle body style is often associated with luxury car models with stylish designs. Like sedans, coupes have a trunk that’s separated from the main cabin of the vehicle.
Although both coupes and sportback cars have sloping rooflines, the slope in a coupe diminishes towards the end. In a sportback, the slope extends further to the rear end and blends with the hatch. Also, coupes usually have only two seats, but sportbacks have seating space for four or five people. Finally, the biggest difference is in their boots since a trunk entrance of a coupe doesn’t count as a rear door.
Sportback Vs Fastback
People often mistake a fastback for a sportback, but they are not the same. A fastback has a sloping roofline and a traditional trunk lid, while a sportback has a sloping roofline that extends to the hatch and rear window.
Sportback Models
Audi, Mitsubishi and Buick use the name ‘Sportback’ for some of their car models, but it is the most prominent among Audi vehicles. Some of the most popular sportback models include:
- Audi A5 Sportback
- Buick Regal
- Audi A7 Sportback
- Mitsubishi Lancer
- Audi Q5 Sportback
Audi is the only manufacturer still producing Sportbacks, as Buick discontinued the Regal model, while Mitsubishi has begun to shape recent Lancer models as crossover cars.
Who Should Buy Or Hire A Sportback?
Anyone who is looking for a vehicle that is both stylish and practical should buy or hire a sportback. Sportbacks have more cargo space than sedans and coupes due to their open trunk space. This makes these vehicles suitable for anyone who wants to transport large items, such as groceries and luggage.
At the same time, the sporty appearance of the sportback makes it appealing to buyers who like sleek cars. A sportback helps you stand out from the crowd while offering the practicality of SUVs and hatchback models.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between A Hatchback And A Sportback?
The difference between a hatchback and a sportback is that a sportback is sleeker and more stylish. A sportback combines the features of a hatchback and a coupe to create a vehicle that is both practical and stylish. A hatchback is best if you want a vehicle that is spacious and efficient, while a sportback is better if you are ready to sacrifice spaciousness and often a bit more money for a sporty design.
Is A Sportback Better Than A Hatchback?
A sportback is not better in all terms than a hatchback. Both vehicles have unique features that various buyers may find desirable, so it comes down to your personal preference. A sportback is sporty and stylish, while a hatchback is better if you’re looking for a vehicle that is both practical and efficient.
What Does Sportback Mean On Audi A3?
Sportback on the Audi A3 means the vehicle variant is practical and stylish. The Audi A3 was originally a hatchback model, but Audi has begun to sell Sportback variants. Both versions of the car have similar interior designs, but you can clearly see which one is a Sportback on the outside.
What Is The Difference Between A3 And A3 Sportback?
The difference between an A3 and an A3 Sportback is that the A3 is a usual hatchback, while the A3 Sportback is a more stylish and sporty variant. The Sportback variant is larger, resembling a shooting brake or station wagon in size. On the other hand, the regular A3 is more compact but not in the expanse of space.
Is RS7 A Sportback?
Yes, the RS7 is a sportback. Audi RS7 is a premium vehicle that prioritises speed and comfort. It has a fast roofline and a sloping rear window, which makes it appear sporty. Like most other sportbacks, the RS7 is compact and comes with a powerful engine to ensure better performance.
Conclusion
So, what is a sportback? A sportback is a car that blends the sleek design and style of a coupe with the practicality and compactness of a hatchback. Although the term is popular among Audi vehicles, some other automakers also use it to refer to their sporty hatchback models. You no longer have to choose between practicality and style. A sportback allows you to enjoy both features in a single vehicle.
