Why is it called a liftback when it's a hatchback?

[Yaris Revenge]

Yeah, also: the previously most common "hatchback" design functioned much more like a standard trunk that simply hinged above the rear window instead of below it. Today's designs tend to incorporate the entire rear section of the vehicle, well past the tail lights, so I think liftback is a better term.

Standard hatchback designs:




~YR