In city streets and behind suburban garages, the 1970s brought a wave of small, practical cars that changed everyday driving—compact bodies with fold-flat cargo and simple mechanics made them ideal for new commuting patterns and tighter parking spaces.
There are 58 1970s Hatchbacks, ranging from AMC Gremlin to Volvo 343. For each entry I list Years produced,Country,Engine (L) so you can quickly compare production span, origin and engine size at a glance; you’ll find below.
Which 1970s hatchbacks are easiest to maintain today?
Look for models with widely available parts and straightforward engines—early Volvos, Volkswagen Golf (Mk1), and common Japanese models tend to be more serviceable. Check production years and country to gauge parts availability and look for documented service history; cars made in larger numbers usually have better aftermarket support.
How should I use the Years produced,Country,Engine (L) columns to compare models?
Use Years produced to assess rarity and likely parts supply, Country to anticipate regional parts and common repairs, and Engine (L) to compare performance and fuel economy; together these fields help prioritize which cars match your budget, driving needs, and restoration goals.
1970s Hatchbacks
| Model | Years produced | Country | Engine (L) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMC Gremlin | 1970–1978 | USA | 3.8 |
| AMC Pacer | 1975–1979 | USA | 3.8 |
| AMC Spirit | 1979–1983 | USA | 2.5 |
| Alfa Romeo Alfasud | 1976–1983 | Italy | 1.2 |
| Audi 50 | 1974–1978 | Germany | 1.1 |
| Audi 100 Avant | 1977–1982 | Germany | 2.0 |
| Austin Maxi | 1969–1981 | UK | 1.5 |
| Autobianchi A112 | 1969–1986 | Italy | 0.9 |
| Chevrolet Chevette | 1975–1987 | USA | 1.6 |
| Chevrolet Monza | 1975–1980 | USA | 2.5 |
| Chevrolet Vega | 1971–1977 | USA | 2.3 |
| Chrysler Sunbeam | 1977–1981 | UK | 1.3 |
| Citroën Dyane | 1967–1983 | France | 0.6 |
| Citroën GSA | 1979–1986 | France | 1.3 |
| Datsun Cherry F-II | 1974–1978 | Japan | 1.2 |
| Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z | 1970–1978 | Japan | 2.8 |
| Datsun 280ZX | 1978–1983 | Japan | 2.8 |
| Dodge Omni | 1978–1990 | USA | 1.7 |
| Fiat 127 | 1971–1983 | Italy | 0.9 |
| Fiat 128 3P | 1975–1979 | Italy | 1.1 |
| Fiat Ritmo | 1978–1988 | Italy | 1.3 |
| Ford Fiesta Mk1 | 1976–1983 | Germany | 1.1 |
| Ford Mustang II | 1974–1978 | USA | 2.8 |
| Ford Pinto | 1971–1980 | USA | 2.3 |
| FSO Polonez | 1978–2002 | Poland | 1.5 |
| Holden Torana Hatchback | 1976–1979 | Australia | 3.3 |
| Honda Accord | 1976–1981 | Japan | 1.6 |
| Honda Civic | 1972–1979 | Japan | 1.2 |
| Lancia Beta HPE | 1975–1984 | Italy | 2.0 |
| Lancia Delta | 1979–1994 | Italy | 1.5 |
| Matra-Simca Bagheera | 1973–1980 | France | 1.3 |
| Mazda 323 | 1977–1980 | Japan | 1.3 |
| Mazda RX-7 | 1978–1985 | Japan | 1.1 |
| Mitsubishi Colt | 1978–1983 | Japan | 1.4 |
| Opel Kadett City | 1975–1979 | Germany | 1.2 |
| Peugeot 104 | 1972–1988 | France | 1.1 |
| Renault 4 | 1961–1994 | France | 0.8 |
| Renault 5 | 1972–1985 | France | 0.9 |
| Renault 16 | 1965–1980 | France | 1.6 |
| Renault 20 | 1975–1984 | France | 2.0 |
| Reliant Robin | 1973–1981 | UK | 0.8 |
| Rover SD1 | 1976–1986 | UK | 3.5 |
| Saab 99 Combi Coupé | 1974–1978 | Sweden | 2.0 |
| Saab 900 | 1978–1994 | Sweden | 2.0 |
| Simca 1100 | 1967–1982 | France | 1.1 |
| Simca-Chrysler Horizon | 1978–1987 | France | 1.3 |
| Subaru Leone Hatchback | 1979–1984 | Japan | 1.6 |
| Toyota Celica Liftback | 1973–1977 | Japan | 2.2 |
| Toyota Corolla Liftback | 1976–1979 | Japan | 1.6 |
| Toyota Starlet | 1978–1984 | Japan | 1.2 |
| Vauxhall Chevette | 1975–1984 | UK | 1.3 |
| Vauxhall Astra | 1979–1984 | UK | 1.3 |
| Volkswagen Brasilia | 1973–1982 | Brazil | 1.6 |
| Volkswagen Golf | 1974–1983 | Germany | 1.5 |
| Volkswagen Passat | 1973–1981 | Germany | 1.5 |
| Volkswagen Polo | 1975–1981 | Germany | 0.9 |
| Volkswagen Scirocco | 1974–1981 | Germany | 1.6 |
| Volvo 343 | 1976–1991 | Netherlands | 1.4 |
Images and Descriptions
AMC Gremlin
A subcompact known for its quirky, chopped-off Kammback styling. Based on the Hornet platform, the Gremlin offered practicality with its lifting rear glass window, making it an early and distinctive American entry into the growing small car market of the 1970s.
AMC Pacer
Famous for its futuristic “fishbowl” design with a massive glass area. The Pacer’s wide body and two-door hatchback layout were intended to maximize interior space, creating a unique and unconventional compact car that remains a pop culture icon of its era.
AMC Spirit
A successor to the Gremlin, the Spirit was available in a sporty “Liftback” style. This sleek hatchback variant aimed to compete with imported coupes from Japan and Europe, offering a more contemporary design on a proven rear-wheel-drive platform.
Alfa Romeo Alfasud
While the original was a sedan, the sporty three-door Alfasud Ti hatchback version was introduced in 1976. Renowned for its brilliant front-wheel-drive handling and rev-happy boxer engine, it was a true driver’s car despite suffering from rust issues.
Audi 50
A sophisticated three-door supermini that formed the basis for the more famous Volkswagen Polo. The Audi 50 was a front-wheel-drive hatchback offering premium features in a small package, setting a template for upscale compact cars in Europe.
Audi 100 Avant
Uniquely for its time, the first-generation Avant was not a traditional station wagon but a large, stylish five-door hatchback. It combined the luxury of the Audi 100 sedan with greater versatility, targeted at buyers wanting more utility without sacrificing style.
Austin Maxi
One of the very first five-door family hatchbacks. The Maxi featured a versatile interior with folding seats that could form a double bed. Despite its practicality, it was often overshadowed by rivals, but it pioneered a now-ubiquitous car format.
Autobianchi A112
A small, chic three-door hatchback produced by a Fiat subsidiary. The A112 was a trendy city car, especially popular in Italy, and the sporty Abarth versions became legendary in rallying, showcasing the car’s excellent handling and feisty performance.
Chevrolet Chevette
General Motors’ best-selling small car of the late 70s. The Chevette was a simple, reliable, and economical rear-wheel-drive hatchback that served as basic transportation for millions during the fuel crisis era, competing against Japanese and European imports.
Chevrolet Monza
A sporty subcompact based on the Vega platform, available as a stylish 2+2 hatchback coupe. The Monza and its GM siblings offered American buyers a smaller, more fuel-efficient alternative to traditional muscle cars, with some versions even offering V8 power.
Chevrolet Vega
A subcompact built to challenge imports, the Vega was offered in several body styles including a popular three-door hatchback. Despite being plagued by reliability issues, its stylish design and handling were well-regarded, and it sold in huge numbers initially.
Chrysler Sunbeam
A rear-wheel-drive three-door supermini developed quickly by Chrysler Europe to compete with modern rivals. It’s most famous for the high-performance Lotus Sunbeam variant, which won the World Rally Championship, giving the humble hatchback a legendary motorsport pedigree.
Citroën Dyane
An updated and more practical version of the iconic 2CV, the Dyane featured a large opening rear hatchback, making it far more versatile. It retained the 2CV’s simple engineering, soft suspension, and quirky charm while offering more modern conveniences.
Citroën GSA
An updated version of the innovative GS saloon, the GSA’s most significant change was the addition of a practical rear hatchback. This transformed the aerodynamic family car, combining its futuristic dashboard and hydropneumatic suspension with much-needed versatility.
Datsun Cherry F-II
One of Nissan’s early front-wheel-drive efforts, sold globally as the F10. The Cherry F-II was available as a two or four-door hatchback with distinctive styling. It was among the first wave of Japanese hatchbacks to find success in export markets.
Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z
A legendary sports car that redefined the segment with its performance, style, and reliability. Its long hood and fastback coupe body featured a practical rear hatch, blending GT comfort with sports car excitement and becoming an icon of 1970s motoring.
Datsun 280ZX
The second-generation Z-car, which moved towards a grand tourer focus. The 280ZX was more luxurious and comfortable than its predecessor but retained the classic long-nose, short-deck hatchback coupe profile that had made the original so popular.
Dodge Omni
Chrysler’s first mass-produced front-wheel-drive car in the US, along with its Plymouth Horizon twin. This five-door hatchback was a modern and efficient response to the fuel crisis, winning Motor Trend’s Car of the Year and helping to save the company.
Fiat 127
A groundbreaking supermini that set the template for most modern small cars with its front-wheel-drive layout and transverse engine. This two-door hatchback (later three-door) was massively popular across Europe for its incredible space efficiency and fun handling.
Fiat 128 3P
The “3P” (3 Porte, or 3-door) was a sporty hatchback coupe variant of the highly-regarded Fiat 128 sedan. It replaced the 128 Sport Coupé, offering a more modern and practical hatchback body style while retaining the car’s excellent driving dynamics.
Fiat Ritmo
A boldy-styled family hatchback designed to replace the Fiat 128. Known as the Strada in the UK/US, its distinctive plastic bumpers and modern design made it stand out, offering practicality in a very late-70s package.
Ford Fiesta Mk1
Ford’s first globally successful supermini. The Fiesta was a well-engineered, fun-to-drive three-door hatchback that became a massive sales success, directly challenging the VW Polo and Renault 5 with its sharp styling and efficient packaging.
Ford Mustang II
A smaller, more fuel-efficient Mustang based on the Pinto platform. Responding to the fuel crisis, it was available as a notchback or a sporty three-door hatchback, which helped maintain the Mustang’s performance image in a downsized package.
Ford Pinto
The hatchback version of Ford’s infamous subcompact. The three-door “Runabout” model, with its large glass hatch, was a very popular and practical choice in the 1970s, despite the controversy that would later surround the car’s fuel tank design.
FSO Polonez
A large, robust five-door hatchback from Poland, based on aging Fiat mechanicals. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Polonez was known for its durability and safety features for its time. It was a common sight in Eastern Europe for decades.
Holden Torana Hatchback
An iconic Australian muscle car, the Torana was offered in a sleek three-door hatchback body style during its LX and UC generations. It combined V6 or V8 power with sporty styling, becoming a legend both on the road and the racetrack.
Honda Accord
Honda’s first mid-size car began life as a refined and well-equipped three-door hatchback. The Accord set new standards for Japanese cars with its high-quality interior, standard features, and smooth performance, quickly becoming a best-seller in the US.
Honda Civic
The car that transformed Honda into a global automotive giant. The first-generation Civic was a brilliant small hatchback that was reliable, fun to drive, and incredibly fuel-efficient, arriving at the perfect time for the 1973 oil crisis.
Lancia Beta HPE
A stylish and unique “High Performance Estate” that was really a sporty three-door shooting-brake hatchback. The HPE combined the front of the Beta Berlina with a custom rear, offering a blend of performance, luxury, and versatility.
Lancia Delta
Launched at the end of the decade, the Giugiaro-designed Delta was a premium five-door family hatchback. It won European Car of the Year and would later achieve legendary status in the 1980s as an all-conquering World Rally Championship dominator.
Matra-Simca Bagheera
A unique mid-engined sports car featuring a three-abreast seating layout. Its sleek, aerodynamic body was a practical hatchback, making it surprisingly usable for a sports car. It offered exotic looks and sharp handling in an affordable package.
Mazda 323
A conventional but brilliantly executed rear-wheel-drive subcompact, sold as the Familia in Japan and “Great Little Car” (GLC) in North America. Available as a three or five-door hatchback, its reliability and quality helped establish Mazda globally.
Mazda RX-7
A revolutionary sports car powered by a compact and high-revving rotary engine. Its lightweight, balanced chassis and sleek hatchback coupe design made it a true driver’s car, offering a unique alternative to traditional piston-engined sports cars.
Mitsubishi Colt
Mitsubishi’s first modern front-wheel-drive hatchback, also known as the Mirage. It was an innovative small car featuring a “Super Shift” transmission with eight forward speeds. It was a clever, efficient, and well-packaged entry into the competitive global hatchback market.
Opel Kadett City
Opel’s answer to the VW Golf, the City was a three-door hatchback version of the otherwise conventional Kadett C family. It combined the Kadett’s reliable rear-wheel-drive mechanics with the trendy and practical new hatchback body style.
Peugeot 104
A supermini that was one of Europe’s first small five-door hatchbacks (from 1976). The 104, particularly in its shorter three-door “Coupé” ZS form, was praised for its good ride and efficient use of space, sharing its platform with the Citroën LN.
Renault 4
A pioneering small car and one of the world’s first mass-produced hatchbacks. Though launched in the 60s, the Renault 4 was a massive seller throughout the 70s, loved for its incredible practicality, soft suspension, and go-anywhere utilitarian charm.
Renault 5
An iconic and chic supermini that defined the 70s. The R5’s clever design, with its integrated plastic bumpers and stylish three-door hatchback body, made it a huge success. In the US, it was marketed as the quirky and frugal “Le Car”.
Renault 16
One of the true pioneers of the hatchback body style. The R16 was a large family car that blended sedan comfort with estate-like versatility thanks to its clever top-hinged tailgate, influencing a generation of European cars that followed it.
Renault 20
A large executive hatchback, sold alongside the V6-powered Renault 30. It offered exceptional comfort and practicality in a market dominated by traditional sedans, proving the hatchback concept could work for large cars as well as small ones.
Reliant Robin
The most famous three-wheeled car in the world. The Robin was a lightweight fiberglass-bodied hatchback designed for economy. Its unique configuration and cult status have made it a British icon, famous for its frugal running costs and tendency to tip over.
Rover SD1
A stunningly beautiful executive car that broke tradition with its five-door hatchback design, inspired by the Ferrari Daytona. The SD1, especially in V8 form, offered performance and practicality, winning European Car of the Year upon its launch.
Saab 99 Combi Coupé
Saab’s innovative entry into the hatchback market. The Combi Coupé was a sleek and practical three or five-door version of the 99 sedan, combining Swedish safety and engineering with a versatile and stylish body that was not quite a wagon.
Saab 900
An evolution of the 99, the Saab 900 was launched as a distinctive three and five-door hatchback. Known for its unique “wraparound” windshield, ergonomic design, and turbocharged performance, it became an enduring icon of Scandinavian automotive engineering.
Simca 1100
A hugely influential car, the Simca 1100 was one of the very first modern hatchbacks, combining front-wheel drive, a transverse engine, and a versatile hatch body. It was a massive seller in France and set a blueprint for future European family cars.
Simca-Chrysler Horizon
A modern “world car” developed by Chrysler’s European wing, sold as a Simca, Chrysler, or Talbot. This five-door hatchback was praised for its comfortable ride and spacious interior, earning it the 1979 European Car of the Year award.
Subaru Leone Hatchback
While earlier Leones had other body styles, the second generation, introduced in 1979, included a three-door hatchback. This model was significant as it could be equipped with Subaru’s famous part-time four-wheel-drive system, a rarity for hatchbacks at the time.
Toyota Celica Liftback
To counter the Datsun 240Z, Toyota introduced the Celica Liftback. Its sleek, “mini-Mustang” fastback profile featured a practical hatchback rear, adding versatility to one of the most popular and reliable Japanese sports coupes of the 1970s.
Toyota Corolla Liftback
Part of the third-generation Corolla family, the three-door Liftback was a sporty variant with a sloping fastback roofline and a useful hatch. It offered a more stylish and practical alternative to the standard Corolla coupe and sedan models.
Toyota Starlet
The first Starlet to be widely exported, the 60-series was a conventional but very well-made rear-wheel-drive subcompact. Available as a three or five-door hatchback, it earned a reputation for being incredibly reliable and economical.
Vauxhall Chevette
Vauxhall’s version of GM’s global T-Car platform, the Chevette was launched as a stylish three-door hatchback. With its unique “droopsnoot” front end, it was a popular and successful small family car in Britain throughout the late 70s.
Vauxhall Astra
Launched at the very end of 1979, the first Astra was Vauxhall’s version of the Opel Kadett D. This marked Vauxhall’s crucial shift to modern front-wheel-drive hatchbacks, becoming an instant success and a major rival to the Ford Escort.
Volkswagen Brasilia
A unique Brazilian-designed vehicle using the rear-engined Beetle platform. The Brasilia was a compact three-door car with a large rear hatch, often considered a mini-wagon or hatchback. It was hugely popular in South America for its practicality and robustness.
Volkswagen Golf
The car that defined the modern hatchback. The Giugiaro-designed Golf combined a practical hatchback body with a front-wheel-drive layout and excellent handling. It became a worldwide phenomenon and created the “hot hatch” with the GTI model.
Volkswagen Passat
The first-generation Passat was a sleek fastback designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, available as a two or four-door model with a large hatch. It offered families more style and space than a traditional sedan, sharing its modern platform with the Audi 80.
Volkswagen Polo
Essentially a rebadged and more affordable version of the Audi 50, the Polo was VW’s first entry into the supermini market. This three-door hatchback was praised for its high-quality build, fuel efficiency, and tidy handling, becoming a huge success.
Volkswagen Scirocco
A sporty hatchback coupe based on the VW Golf’s platform. The Scirocco’s sharp, Giugiaro-penned lines and fun-to-drive character made it a desirable and affordable sports car. It offered style and performance with the practicality of a rear hatch.
Volvo 343
Originally designed as a DAF, the Volvo 343 was a rear-wheel-drive three-door hatchback. It was known for its exceptional safety features and unique Variomatic continuously variable transmission, though manual versions were later added to broaden its appeal.
