The 2nd gen GL hatchback continued production until 1989, well into the third gen's production time. Did the continued 2nd gen hatchbacks have any additional features that the regular 2nd gen hatchbacks didn't have?

 

I'm considering the 2nd gen awd hatchback as my next purchase, doing some research beforehand.

I am not sure, I don't know enough about them. I am new as well and kinda read around the board to get more informed. I am not sure when the AWD replaced the 4x4 though as I have in my 83 Hatchback.

They were 4wd, not awd, and had no special features. They were the same as any other ea81 hatch.

Picked up a neglected one that had been sitting for a few years, after some tinkering and new fluids shes running and driving strong. It's an 87, 4 speed manual, and yes 4wd with hi and low.

Yes.  Sometime after 1985 ('86 maybe?) the EA81 hatchback gained a "high mounted center stop lamp."  Beyond that, I don't know what else changed.