Photos: The hatchback makes a comeback (2)

Jeep Grand Cherokee

What is the SUV if not a hatchback (unless you prefer to call it a station wagon on steroids)? Ironically, it’s the big rear hatch that gives so much flexibility to the conventional sport-utility vehicle, as well as its more fuel-efficient cousin, the crossover vehicle. Count them and hatchback sales suddenly rival those of the sedan.

Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper is another European take on the hatchback. The iconic small-car brand has shown that both small cars and 3-door designs can click with the American motoring public. Mini will soon offer a total of seven hatch-based designs in the U.S. market.

BMW X6

BMW’s unusual X6 is a hatchback blend of conventional SUV and sports car. The muscular design has had a significant influence on both luxury and mainstream automakers over the last several years – even though it is more an exercise in form than functionality.

Honda Crosstour

Among those who have echoed the X6 design are Honda and its up-market sibling, Acura.

The mainstream brand has struggled with the Accord Crosstour and hopes to pump new life into the design by adding more features and simplifying the name to just Honda Crosstour for 2012.

The Acura ZDX isn’t doing much better in the market and both may not last much beyond the 2012 model-year – which could extend the myth that Americans won’t buy hatchbacks.