When it comes to cars, the UK has a clear favourite: hatchbacks. These compact powerhouses pack a punch with their practicality, fuel efficiency, exhilarating drives, and unmatched versatility.
According to research from Goodwood, a staggering 50% of the top-selling vehicles in the UK are hatchbacks. This says a lot about British drivers' love for the compact yet versatile design that hatchbacks deliver.
So, what makes hatchbacks so special? Our team of experts evaluated UK best hatchbacks, evaluating them based on driving pleasure, practicality, fuel efficiency, how good they are as a family hatchbacks and all those features that turn a good car into an extraordinary one. Buckle up and discover why hatchbacks are driving the UK wild
2024 Best Hatchbacks to Buy
Volkswagen Golf
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £32,380.00
Savings: £7,411.00
Motorfinity Price: £24,969.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: Not Available
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The Volkswagen Golf tops our list in best hatchback cars category. A long-time UK favourite, it's versatile enough for families and performance enthusiasts alike.
The Golf comes in many types, from regular models to sporty ones like the GTI and R. You can get it with gas, diesel, or hybrid engines. All of them are practical, comfortable, and nice to drive.
Its ride comfort is a standout feature in the hatchback category. The compact exterior allows for easy driving, while the interior surprises with its spaciousness, modern design, and equipment.
The 1.5 TSI 150 petrol engine offers a good balance of performance and economy, achieving over 42 mpg in mixed driving conditions, providing excellent value for money.
Golf's retail starting price is £26,192, which is competitive in the family hatchback segment. Through Motorfinity, you can save an average of £7,000.
Ford Focus
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £29,330.00
Savings: £5,344.00
Motorfinity Price: £23,986.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £292.48
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The Ford Focus stands out in the hatchback segment for its balance of comfort and sportiness. It offers responsive handling on twisty roads while maintaining comfort for daily commutes and long trips.
The Focus provides spacious interior room for a hatchback and features a practical 391-litre boot space.
The Ford Focus offers efficient engines, with the 155hp version providing a good balance of power and economy, achieving up to 55 mpg.
Starting at £29,330 RRP, eligible customers can save up to £4,987 through our program, lowering the price to £24,343.
Toyota Prius
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £37,315.00
Savings: £4,935.00
Motorfinity Price: £32,380.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £412.55
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The Toyota Prius stands out as a premium, eco-friendly family hatchback. Its key selling point is performance, with a 220bhp system output and 0-62mph time of 6.8 seconds, making it highly competitive in the segment.
The Prius also excels in handling and agility, with direct and precise steering that enhances cornering enjoyment.
Interior and design is where the Prius excels compared to other hatchbacks. A high-set driver information screen and a large touchscreen infotainment system provide a delightful experience.
With a retail price of over £36,000, it's positioned in the premium hatchback market. Eligible customers can enjoy significant savings through Motorfinity.
Suzuki Swift
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £0.00
Savings: £0.00
Motorfinity Price: £0.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £187.19
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The Suzuki Swift stands out as an attractive hatchback with its small, value-focused design and delightful driving experience.
Its light weight contributes to good acceleration and responsive handling compared to others in its segment. The Swift is fun to drive, especially for a budget-focused option.
Efficiency is a key strength. With mild hybrid technology and lightweight construction, the 2WD manual version officially averages 64.2mpg, appealing to urban commuters and cost-conscious drivers.
With the updated touchscreen and modern dashboard design, along with standard features like adaptive cruise control and rear camera, as a hatchback, swift is top-notch when it comes to tech.
Being a Suzuki, Swift is an attractive choice as a hatchback when reliability is a concern. The inclusion of safety features like blind-spot monitors and rear parking sensors addresses safety and dependability concerns.
Toyota Corolla Hatchback
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £32,140.00
Savings: £4,803.00
Motorfinity Price: £27,337.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £385.39
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The Toyota Corolla offers great value for money in the hatchback segment.
It excels in fuel efficiency with a 1.8-litre engine producing 138 bhp, which is competitive with rivals like the Volkswagen Golf's 1.5-litre 128-bhp engine, matching their 0-62mph time.
The Corolla's softer suspension provides a smooth ride, which is ideal for comfort-focused drivers. Its well-built interior features a higher driver's seat position and powered lumbar adjustments, offering a premium feel and comfortable driving experience.
Vauxhall Astra
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £26,970.00
Savings: £2,344.00
Motorfinity Price: £24,626.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £344.68
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The Vauxhall Astra is a well-rounded hatchback that balances comfort, equipment, and value. Its 1.2-litre 130 petrol engine provides ample performance for daily use.
It's economical, with the petrol engine offering over 50mpg, while the plug-in hybrid provides 42 miles of electric-only range.
The Astra delivers a smooth, premium-feeling ride, effectively absorbing road inconsistencies. Both the petrol and PHEV engines offer brisk performance.
As a hatchback, Astra has a generous front space, rear legroom and headroom are spacious enough to accommodate a small family comfortably.
Technology is top notch, even the base trips include a 10 inch infotainment system and various driver assistance features. The infotainment system is responsive too.
The interior of the Astra is functional yet still has a luxurious feel towards it. Overall, the vehicle is priced competitively against other hatchbacks, especially those in lower trims. Well equipped as standard, reducing the need for expensive options.
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Audi A1Sportback
All Makes and Models Available
Retail Price: £26,185.00
Savings: £1,131.00
Motorfinity Price: £25,054.00
Motorfinity Lease Starts From: £342.68
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Another on the list is the Audi A1 Sportback; it is an Audi way to call a hatchback. As an Audi, it offers a premium small car experience with excellent ride comfort, good performance, and strong resale value.
The AI offers a range of petrol engines with good performance, particularly the 30 TFSI (148bhp) versions. The 30 TFSI provides adequate performance for daily use, while the 35TFSI offers more power and flexibility.
The A1 excels in ride comfort, especially in Technik and Sport trims with 16-inch wheels. It offers a smooth, controlled ride that's rare in the hatchback category.
Being an Audi the interior quality is outstanding. The front and rear space is comfortable considering a hatchback. The boot is highly practical, fitting five carry-on suitcases.
With the excellent resale value and competitive running class the vehicle is class leading in the hatchback category and provides good overall value for money.
Why Buy a Hatchback over a Estate or a Saloon?
Hatchbacks strike the perfect balance for UK drivers, blending the best features of estates and saloons while catering to unique UK driving needs.
Their compact size makes hatchbacks ideal for navigating the UK's narrow roads and tight urban parking spaces. With their smaller, more efficient engines, they often deliver superior fuel economy—crucial given the high fuel prices in the UK.
Despite their compact dimensions, hatchbacks offer versatile loading options. The rear hatch and folding seats can provide cargo space that rivals many saloons. This makes hatchbacks incredibly practical for both city driving and motorway journeys. They're more manoeuvrable in urban settings than estates and offer better cargo flexibility than saloons.
Hatchbacks also provide ample space for small to medium-sized families, meeting most household needs without the bulk of an estate. In the UK, hatchbacks are popular across all social classes, with no stigma attached to driving a smaller car—unlike in some other markets.
While SUVs have gained popularity in recent years, hatchbacks still hold significant advantages in terms of fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability. For a detailed comparison of SUVs and estates, which offer larger cargo capacities, check out our article on "SUVs vs Estates".
Motorfinity
At Motorfinity, we provide exclusive discounts on brand-new hatchbacks for our eligible audience. You can save on average £7,000 on all hatchbacks makes and models.
Searching for the best new car deals? Explore our comprehensive guide to August's top discounts and start saving big today!
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Our nation’s Armed Forces, Veterans, Emergency Services, NHS, Police and Prison Services, the Education and Social Care sectors and more form our eligible audience.
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