Top 10 best hatchbacks to buy 2025
We’ve selected our top 10 best family hatchbacks so you don’t have to
SUVs may rule the roads, but the humble hatchback refuses to be left behind. Once the top choice for families and company car buyers, the C-segment hatchback has seen its popularity dwindle in the face of the SUV boom. But while many buyers have flocked to bulkier alternatives, there are still plenty of reasons to choose a hatchback. Lighter, more fuel-efficient, and easier to park than most SUVs, a well designed hatchback offers the perfect balance of practicality and driving enjoyment.
This remains one of the most competitive segments in the market, with some of the most recognisable names in the industry constantly evolving to stay ahead. Modern hatchbacks combine class-leading technology, comfortable interiors and stylish yet practical designs, making them an appealing option for a wide range of buyers. While petrol, diesel and hybrid hatchbacks remain widely available, an increasing number of manufacturers now offer all-electric options, giving customers more choice than ever.
Despite their compact size, hatchbacks are surprisingly versatile, which is one of the reasons they continue to hold a significant market share. Unlike traditional saloons, which have a separate boot, hatchbacks feature a wide-opening tailgate that makes loading and unloading far easier - especially when carrying bulky items. Their lower ride height also means less of a climb in and out, making them more convenient for those who prefer not to haul themselves up into a taller vehicle. It helps with aerodynamics, too, which can contribute to better high-speed stability and slightly improved fuel efficiency. At the same time, hatchbacks tend to feel more stable on the road, with a lower centre of gravity that improves handling.
To separate the best from the rest, our expert road testers put every hatchback through rigorous assessments. Each model is judged on practicality, efficiency, ease of driving and affordability, while also considering comfort, running costs and Euro NCAP safety ratings. Only the strongest contenders make the cut, ensuring that every recommended hatchback delivers where it matters.
Top 10 best hatchbacks to buy
Keep reading as we sift through the countless makes and models on the market to reveal the 10 best hatchbacks you can buy today.
1. Honda Civic
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- Prices from £35,000
The Honda Civic has always been a strong contender in the family hatchback market, but previous versions often lagged behind rivals due to sub-par in-car tech, an uninspiring driving experience or steep prices. This latest model addresses all of those shortcomings, which is why it now leads the pack.
Its spacious cabin is perfect for everyday life, offering plenty of legroom for both adults and children. The 410-litre boot is also above average for the class, so there’s lots of space for luggage.
Add in a stylish, well built interior, plus impressive ride, refinement and handling, and it’s easy to see the appeal.
2. Skoda Octavia
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- Prices from £27,400
Since its debut in the mid-nineties, the Skoda Octavia has been the go-to choice for family buyers who prioritise space and value. Over the years, it has moved upmarket in build quality, technology and price, but its core strengths remain.
Nothing in the segment matches the Octavia’s sheer space. Rear passengers get more legroom than in any rival, while the 600-litre boot comfortably leads the class. Opt for the estate version and that expands to a cavernous 640 litres.
Beyond its practicality, the Czech machine is composed and comfortable to drive. Its interior is among the smartest in the segment, while the rapid Octavia vRS caters to hot hatchback fans. A mid-life refresh is on the way, which is set to enhance the package even further.
The fourth-generation Octavia boasts a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. It’s more refined than ever, making long journeys noticeably more relaxing. In addition to petrol and diesel options, there's also the efficient Octavia iV plug-in hybrid.
3. Citroen C4
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- Prices from £22,300
The Citroen C4 flies under the radar in the family-car segment, yet it offers a refreshing alternative to more conventional rivals. The quirky hatchback - or saloon-like C4 X, with its extended boot - follows its own path in terms of design and driving character.
Unlike many rivals that chase sportiness, the C4 prioritises comfort. Big wheels and stiff suspension are nowhere to be found. Instead, a supple ride and sofa-like seats deliver a plush, relaxed driving experience.
While some competitors offer more space or sharper handling, few match the C4’s affordability. The entry-level petrol-powered C4 starts at just under £20,000 - a price that undercuts some smaller cars. For those looking to go electric, there’s also a fully electric version.
4. Renault Megane
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- Prices from £36,000
Renault’s Megane nameplate has been around for nearly 30 years, but in 2022 it underwent its most radical transformation by becoming exclusively available with electric power. Called the Megane E-Tech, the hatch instantly made a splash by driving just as sharply as it looks.
Its Android-based infotainment system is easily the best in its class, and it’s continuously improving, thanks to over-the-air updates.The mid-range Techno+ trim is the best choice, because its standard-fit heat pump improves the car’s range in cold weather.
5. MG4
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- Prices from £27,000
A brand-new electric car for less than £30,000 is starting to become a more common occurrence but is still quite rare, yet the MG4 offers just that. The base SE model starts at £26,995 and delivers an official 218-mile range, while the Long Range version extends that by 63 miles – all while keeping the price below £30,000.
You don’t have to feel like you’re cutting corners to afford one, either. Sure, the infotainment system is basic and the materials aren’t premium, but there’s plenty of space, solid performance and one of the most engaging driving experiences in its class.
Then there’s the MG4 EV XPower, which shatters expectations with a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds.
6. Toyota Corolla
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- Prices from £30,500
The Toyota Corolla is a household name, but for 17 years it was defunct in the UK as the largely forgettable Auris took its place. Now, though, the Corolla has regained its position as a top choice on the UK hatchback market.
There’s two economical petrol engines on offer: a 138bhp 1.8-litre petrol hybrid and a 193bhp 2.0-litre petrol hybrid. Both are efficient and relatively green, with emissions starting from just 98g/km, so they should return low running costs.
While it’s not as engaging to drive as a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus, the Corolla shines on long journeys, thanks to a refined ride and minimal road noise. The interior is among the best in class, with soft-touch materials and a modern design. If you need more space, the Corolla is also available as an estate – a model we named Estate Car of the Year in our 2023 New Car Awards.
7. Vauxhall Astra
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- Prices from £25,300
The Vauxhall Astra is a well established model that has recently entered a new generation. While the rise of SUVs has pushed Vauxhall's hatchback down the sales charts, the latest Astra is one of the best yet.
Available with all-electric, petrol or hybrid powertrains, the eighth-generation Astra has its boldest design yet, with angular styling and the brand’s distinctive ‘Vizor’ front end helping it stand out. Some people might spot a resemblance to the Peugeot 308, which is no surprise, because both share Stellantis’s EMP2 platform.
Despite this, the Astra undercuts the Peugeot on price, while offering plenty of standard equipment. The sharp design continues inside, where the traditional dials have been replaced by a modern cockpit with two 10-inch digital displays.
8. Ford Focus
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- Prices from £28,500
If driving fun is a priority, the Ford Focus should be at the top of your hatchback list. As with its predecessors, the latest Focus puts handling first, with sharp steering and superb body control.
You can choose from petrol or mild-hybrid engines, which both offer strong efficiency and low running costs. Regardless of which you pick, the Focus remains one of the most engaging cars in its class.
The biggest flaw of the previous model was its cramped interior, but while the latest Focus’ styling has divided opinion, its longer wheelbase means passenger space is much improved. There’s now room for four adults, and a bigger boot makes this a more practical family car.
9. Mazda 3
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- Prices from £24,500
The Mazda 3 stands out as a stylish and dynamic alternative to the usual hatchback choices. In true Mazda fashion, it blends a rewarding drive with unique design and impressive build quality.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G engine, available with either 120bhp or 184bhp, depending on trim. Both feature Mazda’s M Hybrid system, which helps reduce CO2 emissions. The chassis is rigid, but the suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps, so the Mazda 3 balances sharp handling with a composed ride.
Inside, the upmarket interior is among the best in the class, with a sleek design and solid materials. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity are standard, and the intuitive infotainment system is operated via a rotary dial, similar to BMW’s iDrive set-up.
10. Skoda Scala
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- Prices from £22,800
The Skoda Scala has built a strong reputation as a class leader – it even won our Compact Family Car of the Year award when it was launched in 2019. Even today, it remains one of the most spacious, comfortable, and well equipped hatchbacks available.
Despite competing with the Volkswagen Golf, the Scala uses the smaller MQB A0 platform from the Volkswagen Polo and Audi A1. This doesn’t translate to a cramped interior, though, because the 467-litre boot easily beats the Golf’s 380-litre capacity, and there’s more space in the rear seats, too.
The Scala also undercuts the Golf and many rivals on price. However, if you want more tech, it’s worth opting for the SE trim, which adds an eight-inch touchscreen, LED headlights, Autonomous Emergency Braking and smartphone connectivity.
Top 10 best hatchbacks on sale
- Honda Civic
- Skoda Octavia
- Citroen C4
- Renault Megane E-Tech
- MG4
- Toyota Corolla
- Vauxhall Astra
- Ford Focus
- Mazda 3
- Skoda Scala
How we choose the best hatchbacks
We don’t just take a manufacturer’s word for it when deciding what makes a great hatchback. Our expert road testers put each car through its paces in the real world, focusing on what actually matters: practicality, handling, economy and safety. A hatchback might look good on paper, but if it doesn’t hold up in everyday driving, it won’t make the cut.
Practicality is key for any family hatchback, so we go beyond just looking at boot sizes and spec sheets. We check how easy it is to load, whether the seats fold flat plus how well the cabin works for real passengers – not just the tape measure. A car might have plenty of space, but if awkward door openings or cheap-feeling controls make life harder, it’s not doing its job properly.
Then there’s handling. A hatchback should be easy to drive, whether you're darting through city streets or settling in for a long motorway cruise. We test how it steers, how it rides over bumps and how it copes when fully loaded with people and luggage. Some hatchbacks manage to be both comfortable and fun to drive, and these are the ones that stand out.
Fuel economy is another major factor, but we don’t just go by the official figures. We test these cars in real conditions to see how efficient they actually are, whether it’s petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric. Running costs matter, too, factors such as servicing, insurance and even how much a full charge will set you back if you’re driving an EV are all evaluated.
Finally, there’s safety. A high Euro NCAP rating is a good starting point, but we also look at braking performance, visibility and how well the driver-assistance systems work. If the lane-keeping tech is too aggressive or the emergency braking system is overly sensitive, we’ll notice.
By putting every hatchback through the same tough testing, we make sure our recommendations aren’t just decided on numbers - they’re based on what’s actually best to live with day-to-day.
History of the hatchback
Hatchbacks, as we know them today, originated in the seventies. The idea was similar to that of an estate: a top-hinged tailgate, set at a sporty angle, offering both more style and greater versatility than a saloon.
In the early days, some manufacturers misjudged the concept, creating saloon-style boots with a hinged lower section below the rear glass. It wasn’t long, however, before the fully integrated hatch - where the rear window formed part of the opening door - became the standard. The Renault 4, 5 and 16, Austin Maxi and Fiat 127 were among the earliest pioneers of the hatchback body style. By the eighties, mainstream models such as the Ford Escort had ditched the traditional saloon layout in favour of a hatchback (although Ford went on to resurrect the saloon for a while with the Escort-based Orion).
Today, hatchbacks come in all shapes and sizes. At the smaller end, city cars such as the Toyota Aygo X feature a compact rear hatch that’s little more than a reinforced pane of glass - a cost-effective yet practical solution. Further up the scale, the hatchback layout dominates the supermini class in the UK, although some models are still offered as saloons in other markets.
You have plenty of choice in the compact family hatchback class, where the cars most regularly referred to as ‘hatchbacks’ reside. Starting with the likes of the Ford Focus, Honda Civic and Peugeot 308, then moving up to the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series at the premium end of things. It’s this ‘family hatchback’ sector of the market that we’ve based our top 10 on.
For those who want performance alongside practicality, hot hatches deliver plenty of thrills. Cars such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Honda Civic Type R and Hyundai i30 N prove that the hatchback formula works just as well with added power.
The hatchback boot design has also spread to larger models. Cars such as the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A5 Sportback offer a sleek alternative to traditional saloons. At the luxury end, the Audi A7 Sportback, Tesla Model S and Porsche Panamera show that the hatchback design can be just as prestigious as they are practical.
Even SUVs have adopted the hatchback-style boot, proving that what started as a simple idea in the seventies has evolved into a design staple across multiple segments.
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