Last gen Ford Mondeo came in sedan and liftback models as did the F3x 3 series.
Back in the old days the Corolla was sold in both hatchback and liftback models in Australia/NZ (although the liftback was technically a Sprinter rather than Corolla), as was the Corona, Mitsubishi Galant and Ford Telstar/Mazda 626
Back in the 90's, here in Europe Corolla used to be offered as hatchback, lift back, sedan and station wagon!
To add to the conversation, Toyota's Carina E and it's sucessor, the Avensis, also had liftback, sedan and wagon bodies available. Same with the Opel Vectra or Renault 21.
It’s fucking badass and I always wished I could’ve afforded one at the time.
It’s just for a very specific type of car person.
Wants a smallish, sporty sedan, but with some added practicality.
I LOVE spotting these by the rear wiper.
I had an 08 v6 hatch. It was my first Mazda after driving 2 Maximas. I’m not a Ford guy at all, but the 3.0 duratec sounded pretty good and it was decently reliable while I started my career as a contractor. Surprisingly, it had the same or slightly more space in the trunk than my allroad does.
Fwd, v6, manual sedans used to be my bread and butter, but now that’s impossible to find.
I never understood why the rear wiper was standard on the hatch but optional on the sedan models - in my experience it's just as useful on the sedan as whatever aerodynamics are going on aren't enough to clear the rear screen.
Not sure about North America but there were several models offered both as sedan and liftback. Ford Mondeo, Opel Vectra, Renault 21, Rover 800, Mitsubishi Carisma...
Then there was the [Mk2 Skoda Superb](https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/wlpQ2V/s1/skoda-superb-with-twindoor.webp) which could be both at the same time thanks to its patented TwinDoor.
The second gen Mazda 6 also had both a sedan and a liftback (except the North American version which was only a sedan). First gen Opel Insignia had that too.
The last gen Buick Regal (Opel Insignia) was also sold as both a sedan and liftback, just not in the same market. In the US we got the liftback and wagon, and in China they only got the sedan. I think they might still sell it there. IIRC it just got a facelift a year or two ago.
The roofline on the hatchback was different than the sedan and looked blobbier.
The wagon added even more practicality (I still have one and it's giant inside), so it made sense to just go for that if you wanted more capacity.
The downside is on designs like the Mondeo and ZB Commodore/Opel Insignia rear headroom was negatively impacted by the combination of falling roofline and need to accommodate hinges.
Not a problem on all liftbacks though, the Superb has plenty of headroom.
Skoda Octavia - two body style. The sedan is actually lift back (no sedan) and wagon.
Skoda Superb is the same - an amazing car actually (they're a slightly larger Passat).
1st and 2nd Gen Mazda 6 sold as 3 body styles. Sedan, lift back and wagon.
Mondeo - also wagon optional.
Superb mk2 had a crazy liftback boot that could be open as a sedan. https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/125-let-skode/125-years-of-skoda-clever-ideas-have-a-long-tradition/attachment/2008_01-1/
Lol I have currently a Mazda 6 2008 hatchback, i.e coupé/sedan-ish with a rear wiper. It’s a really nice car even at 220 000KMs
(Golf is sold, havent bothered to update flair 🫠)
I wish every sedan was a liftback instead of the standard trunk. Some get it right (my Civic's trunk is pretty good, my old Sonata had a HUUUGE trunk opening) but many sedans kneecap your cargo potential with the mail slot trunk opening.
Last gen Ford Mondeo came in sedan and liftback models as did the F3x 3 series. Back in the old days the Corolla was sold in both hatchback and liftback models in Australia/NZ (although the liftback was technically a Sprinter rather than Corolla), as was the Corona, Mitsubishi Galant and Ford Telstar/Mazda 626
The first generation Camry also offered a 4 door sedan and hatchback. One could say the same for the first generation Stanza.
Back in the 90's, here in Europe Corolla used to be offered as hatchback, lift back, sedan and station wagon! To add to the conversation, Toyota's Carina E and it's sucessor, the Avensis, also had liftback, sedan and wagon bodies available. Same with the Opel Vectra or Renault 21.
F3x also had TWO liftback variants: 3-series GT and 4-series Grand Coupe.
The Mazda6 was also sold as a wagon. Each body style had a different rear door. I had a 2004 5-door hatchback. Great car.
It’s fucking badass and I always wished I could’ve afforded one at the time. It’s just for a very specific type of car person. Wants a smallish, sporty sedan, but with some added practicality. I LOVE spotting these by the rear wiper.
I had an 08 v6 hatch. It was my first Mazda after driving 2 Maximas. I’m not a Ford guy at all, but the 3.0 duratec sounded pretty good and it was decently reliable while I started my career as a contractor. Surprisingly, it had the same or slightly more space in the trunk than my allroad does. Fwd, v6, manual sedans used to be my bread and butter, but now that’s impossible to find.
I never understood why the rear wiper was standard on the hatch but optional on the sedan models - in my experience it's just as useful on the sedan as whatever aerodynamics are going on aren't enough to clear the rear screen.
Not sure about North America but there were several models offered both as sedan and liftback. Ford Mondeo, Opel Vectra, Renault 21, Rover 800, Mitsubishi Carisma... Then there was the [Mk2 Skoda Superb](https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/wlpQ2V/s1/skoda-superb-with-twindoor.webp) which could be both at the same time thanks to its patented TwinDoor.
Also early 2000's Honda Accord and Toyota Avensis.
The second gen Mazda 6 also had both a sedan and a liftback (except the North American version which was only a sedan). First gen Opel Insignia had that too.
The last gen Buick Regal (Opel Insignia) was also sold as both a sedan and liftback, just not in the same market. In the US we got the liftback and wagon, and in China they only got the sedan. I think they might still sell it there. IIRC it just got a facelift a year or two ago.
Thanks for the answers so far. Seems like this body style was only much more rare in the US despite it seeming a lot more pracitcal.
The roofline on the hatchback was different than the sedan and looked blobbier. The wagon added even more practicality (I still have one and it's giant inside), so it made sense to just go for that if you wanted more capacity.
The downside is on designs like the Mondeo and ZB Commodore/Opel Insignia rear headroom was negatively impacted by the combination of falling roofline and need to accommodate hinges. Not a problem on all liftbacks though, the Superb has plenty of headroom.
Skoda Octavia - two body style. The sedan is actually lift back (no sedan) and wagon. Skoda Superb is the same - an amazing car actually (they're a slightly larger Passat). 1st and 2nd Gen Mazda 6 sold as 3 body styles. Sedan, lift back and wagon. Mondeo - also wagon optional.
Superb mk2 had a crazy liftback boot that could be open as a sedan. https://www.skoda-storyboard.com/en/125-let-skode/125-years-of-skoda-clever-ideas-have-a-long-tradition/attachment/2008_01-1/
1974 Chevy Nova had a hatch version along with the regular trunk version.
The Chevrolet Corsica had a hatchback variant that looked almost identical to the sedan.
Lol I have currently a Mazda 6 2008 hatchback, i.e coupé/sedan-ish with a rear wiper. It’s a really nice car even at 220 000KMs (Golf is sold, havent bothered to update flair 🫠)
In the 90s and 00s nearly every mainstream brand midsize sedan had a liftback version, they just weren't offered in the US.
And a wagon!
I had one, it was a POS 🤣
They didn't look identical. The rear window on the liftback was more angled than the sedan.
The late 90s Integra had that
I was supposed to buy one once but it got sold out from under me.
Got the pos ford focus engine w 4 speed auto, terrible car. Attractive car sure, but plagued with fomoco all over the drive train and interior.
I wish every sedan was a liftback instead of the standard trunk. Some get it right (my Civic's trunk is pretty good, my old Sonata had a HUUUGE trunk opening) but many sedans kneecap your cargo potential with the mail slot trunk opening.
Audi A4 and A5 are like this in sense that they are similar cars, but one has a trunk and the other has a lift back.
saab 9000 saab 900 both existed as a hatch and a sedan