Best hatchbacks to buy 2023


Of all the cars on the road, family hatchbacks are one of the toughest jobs. These mid-sized runabouts must be reliable, spacious, inexpensive, easily parked and able to achieve a high Euro NCAP safety rating. Additionally, it should do all of this while remaining relatively affordable to purchase. It’s no easy task, but that may be why successful models are some of the best-known and best-selling cars in the UK.

The best hatchbacks cater to different requirements and often come in different formats to further this wide appeal. Available in petrol, diesel, hybrid and all-electric configurations, not to mention hot hatch performance versions, you can choose just about any type of powertrain.

With so many powertrains, body styles and trim levels to choose from in each model range, the range of hatchbacks on offer is enormous. We’ve rounded up 10 of our favorites to help you make the best decision to buy a hatchback for your family.

Below are the top 10 best family hatchbacks on sale today. is a medium-sized family car.

Top 10 best hatchbacks for sale

  1. Skoda Octavia
  2. Renault Megane E-Tech
  3. honda civic
  4. vauxhall astra
  5. ford focus
  6. toyota corolla
  7. Skoda Scala
  8. mazda 3
  9. volkswagen golf
  10. mercedes a class

1. Skoda Octavia

Skoda Octavia is one of the largest cars in its class. Although it shares the platform with the Volkswagen Golf and Seat Leon, the Skoda’s long body and clever packaging offer more luggage space than its siblings, with a very practical interior and enough room for his five There is space for you to ride. Also available in hatchback or estate format, both versions offer plenty of space and standard equipment.

Octavia, now in its fourth generation, offers improved on-board technology with the latest infotainment system and all-important driver assistance kit. It also boasts a full 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP. The level of comfort and sophistication is also higher than before, so you should feel comfortable and relaxed even on long journeys.

It’s not as good value as the old Skoda, but the entry-level Octavia still has a reasonable level of standard equipment. There’s also the option of a modest Octavia iV plug-in hybrid.

2. Renault Megane E-Tech

The all-electric Renault Megane E-Tech is a prime choice for zero emissions, especially when used as a family car. Practicalities such as a 440-liter trunk and many useful features, including his one of the best touchscreen infotainment systems on the market.

While it may look more like an SUV than a hot hatch from the outside, the Megane E-Tech is actually pretty easy to drive. It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, and 300Nm of torque makes it feel good from a standstill. The refined appearance is also impressive.

Make no mistake, the Megane E-Tech is by no means a light car, but it is around 200kg lighter than the Volkswagen ID. 3, This helps efficiency. With only one battery available, this 60kWh unit can be recharged from 15% to 80% in just 30 minutes thanks to Megane E-Tech’s 130kW fast charging feature.

3. Honda Civic

Honda Civic has been with us for over 50 years and the 11th generation model is one of the best vehicles to carry this established family hatchback name.

At first glance, you’ll notice that the FL5 Civic is a bit more understated than its predecessor. But it’s more stylish and comes standard with a generous amount of kit.

The latest Civic packs a 2.0-liter e:HEV full-hybrid setup underneath its sleek styling. The system differs from most rivals as the petrol engine primarily acts as a generator to charge the battery. This means driving in EV mode whenever possible, resulting in reduced emissions and fuel consumption.

4. Vauxhall Astra

Like the aforementioned Honda Civic, the Vauxhall Astra is another established model that recently entered a new generation. The rising popularity of SUVs has caused Vauxhall hatchbacks to plummet in the sales charts, but the latest model is his one of the best yet.

The 8th generation Astra is arguably the boldest Astra design to date. Its angular exterior and ‘Vizor’ front end make it stand out from the crowd. This is no coincidence, as the two models share the same EMP2 platform from the Stellantis group.

However, Vauxhall has the lower starting price of the two and comes standard with more than enough features. The Astra’s angular styling continues on the inside, where he has two 10-inch displays in the cockpit instead of the traditional dial.

5. Ford Focus

If fun behind the wheel is your priority, the Ford Focus should be high on your hatchback list. Inheriting the tradition of its predecessor, the latest Focus puts driving pleasure first with sharp handling and excellent body control.

Focus can specify petrol, diesel, or hybrid power. Each powertrain brings its own benefits in terms of emissions and running costs, but every car in the range is sure to put a smile on the face of any discerning enthusiast.

The biggest criticism of the old Focus was the lack of interior space, and while its styling has proven rather divisive, the latest car’s long wheelbase means cabin space has been greatly improved. There’s plenty of room for four adults, plus more luggage space, making it a truly capable family car.

6. Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla is a nameplate known all over the world, but in the UK it has been replaced by the all too forgettable Auris for 17 years. But now the Corolla has regained its position as the top choice in the UK hatchback market.

Two economical petrol engines are offered, a 1.8 liter petrol hybrid with 138bhp and a 2.0 liter petrol hybrid with 193bhp. With emissions starting at just 101g/km, both are efficient, relatively green and have low running costs.

The Corolla isn’t as fun to drive as the Golf or Focus, but the ride is refined, and wind and road noise are well suppressed on the highway. The interior is best in class with soft touch materials and modern design.

7. Skoda Scala

Skoda Scala has long had a reputation as a class leader. When it was first launched in 2019, it was named Compact Family Car of the Year. It still offers more space, quality and comfort than any other car. in this class.

Despite being a direct competitor to the Volkswagen Golf, the Scala utilizes the smaller MQB A0 platform found in the Volkswagen Polo and Audi A1. However, this does not make the interior smaller. In fact, the Scala’s 467 trunk is smaller than the Golf’s 380-liter load bay. There’s also more space in the back seats, making the Scala one of the bigger cars in the hatchback segment.

Scala is also comfortably below Golf and many of its rivals when it comes to price. However, if you like the ride, we recommend spending a little more money and opting for the SE trim, as it adds an 8-inch touchscreen, automatic emergency braking, LED headlights, and smartphone connectivity.

8. Mazda 3

The third-generation Mazda 3 serves as a quirky alternative to the usual hatchback picks. In quintessential Mazda fashion, the 3 combines a fun driving experience with unique styling and tasteful build quality.

The 3’s 2.0-liter Skyactiv-G engine is available in either 120bhp or 178bhp depending on the trim selected, and both versions feature Mazda’s M-Hybrid technology to reduce CO2 emissions. The chassis is stiff, but the suspension also handles bumps in the road. As a result, the Mazda 3 delivers calm handling while maintaining a comfortable ride.

Mazda’s plush interior is best in class with excellent build quality and crisp, modern touches.Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available, and the infotainment unit itself is a BMW iDrive-style rotary in the center console. Easy to use with a dial.

9. Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf has been a staple on British roads for decades and was even the UK’s eighth best-selling car in 2022. Appeal to a wide range of customers.

There are many variations of golf, but the equipment level is easy to understand, centering on life, style, and R line. The Life trim comes standard with a digital instrument display, 10-inch color touchscreen and wireless smartphone charging. The mid-range Style model adds items such as large 17-inch aluminum wheels and interior-upgraded sports seats, while the dynamic R-Line specification adds low-down suspension and an exterior styling kit. There are also GTI and R variants for those looking for decent performance.

There is also a wide choice of powertrains, with petrol, diesel, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid options all available.

10. Mercedes A-class

The Mercedes A-Class doesn’t wow the world when it comes to handling, but it offers drivers class-leading on-board technology and great refinement. Despite the continued success of its previous A-Class, Mercedes is back to the drawing board with its latest car. Fixed the platform used, along with the interior, engine and tech.

The changes don’t stop there, as Mercedes claims aerodynamic changes to their latest car are equivalent to shaving 100kg from curb weight. All these improvements don’t come cheap though, with the A-class range starting at his £31,000+.

As you can imagine, the A-Class’ sophistication stands out on the highway, quiet, stable and calm. Mercedes bosses even claim that it offers C-Class level comfort.

Hatchback history

The hatchback as we know it today was born in the 1970s. The idea behind the design is a top-hinged tailgate set at a nimble angle to not only provide a stylish look, but to offer more versatility than a saloon.

In the early days, some manufacturers missed the idea of ​​a hatch offering a saloon-style hinged section under the rear glass, but all manufacturers built cars with a very practical trunk door. It wasn’t long before I got to designing. rear window. The Renault 4, 5, 16, Austin Maxi, and Fiat 127 were all pioneers of the hatchback body style, and by the early 1980s, mainstream cars like the Ford Escort had moved from sedans to hatch layouts.

Today, the smallest hatchbacks are in the city car class, and models such as the Toyota Aygo X have a tiny rear hatch that is nothing more than tempered glass. This is a cheap way to create hatches and is very effective. Further up the size scale, hatchback bodies are the default choice in the Supermini class, and while some Superminis are available as saloons elsewhere, hatchbacks overwhelmingly dominate the roost in the UK. .

There are many options in the compact hatch class, where there are cars that are most often called “hatchbacks”. Beginning with the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Peugeot 308 and more, we’ll see premium models like the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

If you want performance with utility, there are a number of “hot hatch” performance models based on this class of car, including the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai i30 N. We’re talking about “family hatchback” cars, but the actual hatchback has a wider trunk door.

Going up in size, there are hatched versions of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A5 Sportback, while at the top of the tree the Audi A7 Sportback, Tesla Model S and Porsche Panamera are among the most luxurious hatchbacks you can buy. The SUV also adopts a hatchback boot style.

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