Chevrolet makes a bobtail out of Cruze compact

Chevrolet has lopped the back off its compact car, joining other automaker offering a bobtail version that shows the style is finally catching on.

Like its sedan sister which goes on sale this spring, the Cruze hatchback is 200 pounds lighter than the previous generation of the compact. It will go on sale sometime this fall.

Chevrolet isn't releasing Cruze hatchback pricing, but expect it to be similar to the Cruze sedan, which starts at $17,495.

The chief attraction of the hatchback is extra space. There is 22.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat. With the second row down, there will be 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space, or 32.4 cubic feet more than is available in the Cruze LS Sedan.