There was once a time when hatchbacks had the family car market sewn up, being the default choice for familes across the land. But then the SUV came along, with their promise of even more practicality, usability and image, and stole the hatchback’s march. But the best hatchbacks are a brilliant breed, and although they have their work cut out, they’re still very much worth considering.
Buy a good one, and you’ll end up with a car that combines low running costs, practicality, reliability and good old fashioned driver appeal. Affordability is also essential, whether you’re paying cash or, like the vast majority of new car buyers, via PCP finance, and a typical carmaker’s hatchback is considerably cheaper than the SUV that’s based on it. So, choose one of these cars and you’re potentially beating the system.
Moreover, the trad hatch is staging something of a comeback. The latest generation of models are going for style and tech in a big way, as evidenced by the brilliant 11th-generation Honda Civic and the supremely talented Skoda Octavia. In addition, some very interesting new electric-powered hatchbacks have joined the fray, allowing buyers to take a fresh look at the format, and we’ve thrown a couple of these in, too.
Read on to find what we think are the best hatchbacks currently available to buy new.
Best hatchbacks for 2024
Simply the best hatchback available
It’s great value too. Even the base model has lots of equipment, while the mid-level Sport and range-topping Advance models really pile on the kit. For the huge number of buyers unable or unwilling to plug-in at home, or use increasingly stretched and costly public EV chargers, this is the state of the art family car for everyone.
Read our full Honda Civic review
Pros
- Punchy and smooth to drive
- Excellent practicality
- Supremely economical
Cons
- No diesel or plug-in
- Rear headroom could be better
Kia Ceed
A good all-rounder and excellent value for money
Get yourself a mid-spec petrol model to find the best balance between performance and price. Don’t discount the entry-level cars, which still have plenty of equipment and offer a useful cost saving.
Read our full Kia Ceed review
Pros
- Well-equipped
- Lots of space inside
- Seven-year warranty
Cons
- Small engine range
- Limited personalisation
Astra in 'actually desirable' shocker!
Families will be pleased with the amount of luggage space, though the rear seat space means the Astra is better suited to smaller families. The infotainment system is neatly situated and styled in an intuitive way.
Read our full Vauxhall Astra review
Pros
- Punchy and frugal petrol engines
- Impressive interior
- Plug-in and electric available
Cons
- Limited legroom
- Inferior PHEV handling
Stylish and up-to-date hatch
While heavy reliance on the central touchscreen for the controls and the firm ride on rougher roads won’t suit all drivers, the entry-level trim levels are well-equipped and it won’t cost you the earth to run.
Read our full SEAT Leon review
Pros
- Economical engines
- Sharp to drive
- Spacious interior
Cons
- Firm ride
- Too much touchscreen
Bold and spacious
Inside, the 308 is well-organised and the build quality is impressive. The rear seats are a bit cramped, but that's acceptable because the boot is big. A smart infotainment design and a wide choice of engines also offer family appeal.
Read our full Peugeot 308 review
Pros
- Punchy PHEV
- High-quality interior
- Clever tech
Cons
- Firm suspension
- Not advised for very tall drivers
Sporty electric hatch with long-range options
Pricing is in line with key rivals and even entry-level models get plenty of equipment, but the MG 4 EV exposes it as more expensive than it need be. Unsurprisingly, it shares most of its plus points with the car it's based on – the Volkswagen ID.3 – but with a more distinctive and sporty flavour that we suspect will appeal to many buyers.
Read our full Cupra Born review
Pros
- Generously equipped
- Fun to drive and capable
- Range of 300+ miles
Cons
- Poor braking feel
- Cheaper VW ID.3 almost as good
Striking and reliable family hatchback
While the boot is a decent size, the Corolla isn’t the most spacious hatchback in the rear. The media system lags behind rivals, too. Nonetheless, it has a family friendly interior with good quality materials and a generous amount of equipment.
Read our full Toyota Corolla review
Pros
- Comfortable ride and seats
- Low running costs
- Excellent dealers and warranty
Cons
- Cramped rear seats and boot
- Infotainment lags behind rivals
MG4 EV
Seriously good, excellent value
It's good to drive, stands out from the crowd and comes with an excellent seven-year warranty. We suspect most people will opt for a Long Range model, although a Standard Range makes a compelling choice compared to similarly priced EVs especially as many have much shorter ranges.
Read our full MG4 EV review
Pros
- Better than more expensive rivals
- Good ride/handling balance
- Long range and accurate read-outs
Cons
- Some cheap plastics inside
- Space not the best in class
Audi A3
Capable and premium choice
In most areas, it triumphs with a highly efficient engine range, dynamic driving experience and classy interior. While it’s a bit short on internal space, when compared with the competition, what it lacks in room, it makes up for in build quality.
Read our full Audi A3 review
Pros
- Engaging drive
- Polished interior
- Wide engine range
Cons
- More expensive than rivals
- Lacking in rear legroom
BMW 1 Series
Brilliant all-rounder
That said, the use of physical dials in the cabin, coupled with the slick infotainment system and serious refinement means, budgets allowing, the BMW 1 Series will always make the shortlist. Strong fuel economy further justifies attraction for families.
Read our full BMW 1 Series review
Pros
- Impeccable refinement
- Gadget heavy
- Nice steering and handling
Cons
- Disappointing digital dash
- Rear-seat headroom a bit limiting
The most practical hatchback
Its longer, sleeker shape is more like a traditional family car such as the Volkswagen Passat. And that means there’s tons of space. The smooth ride and host of new tech coupled with the wide range of fuel-sipping engines give families much food-for-thought.
Read our full Skoda Octavia review
Pros
- Petrols, diesels and hybrids
- Massive amount of space
- All models are economical
Cons
- Not the sharpest to drive
- Some interior controls are fiddly
Is a hatchback big enough for a family?
Hatchbacks work well for families because the right design enables the rear seat to fold down and increase the boot capacity immensely. Split rear-seat folding offers brilliant versatility for bulky luggage, but in seconds, the whole car can be reconfigured to suit a completely different journey.
If you’re looking to transport two kids, two grandparents and two parents regularly though, you’re probably looking for a seven-seater to have sufficient luggage space fully loaded.
What is the most comfortable hatchback?
Comfort is subjective. One man’s firm ride is another’s spongy cushion. But we were keen to ensure the driving experiences in our picks aren’t so firm that they take on every UK pothole like a champion hurdler.
For families, cubbies and pockets to store oft-forgotten paraphernalia is a must, too.
Why we’ve chosen these as our best hatchbacks
The Parkers team tests hundreds of cars throughout the course of a year, and this list has been created to reflect the expert views of team members. Our regularly updated list of best hatchbacks has been compiled from the reviews section as well as the highly recommended models, reflecting what growing families need from their cars.
Keith Adams is the editor of Parkers and has been an automotive journalist since 2004. He’s also edited Classic Car Weekly, Modern Classics, Honest John Classics as well as contributed to CAR, Evo, Octane, Autocar and Pistonheads as well as many other titles in a varied career.
