A mechanism configured to fasten a hood panel to a vehicle body for covering a vehicle under-hood compartment includes a pivotable latch. The latch has a primary catch portion that facilitates closure of the under-hood compartment via the hood panel. The latch also has a secondary catch portion that limits position of the hood panel within a predetermined distance from the vehicle body and generates an opening between the vehicle body and the hood panel. The latch additionally has a release handle that shifts into the opening to permit operator access to the release handle for releasing the secondary catch portion to uncover the under-hood compartment. The mechanism also includes a resilient element that selectively preloads the primary catch portion to facilitate closure of the under-hood compartment and preloads the secondary catch portion to limit the position of the hood panel within the predetermined distance from the vehicle body.