Hatchbacks have long been the go-to car style for those that want practicality without giving up on at least a modicum of style, and often a lick of performance too. While SUVs continue their dominance in the UK’s sales charts, the humble hatchback – and plenty of not-so-humble models, too – continue to offer a very solid alternative. We Brits have been in love with hatchbacks for decades, because they generally offer excellent value, fuel efficiency and, often, better driving dynamics than taller, heavier SUVs. Whether you’re after a compact commuter, a family-friendly all-rounder or a tech-filled hybrid or electric car, there’s very likely a hatchback with your name on it. And we’re going to help you find it.
The Honda Civic ticks all the boxes. Well, almost all – some rivals are cheaper, and some have a bit more headroom in the back. But apart from that, the Civic is a box-ticking legend. It has a striking design, a spacious interior and a hybrid drivetrain that keeps the fuel bills down. Honda also promises up to 60mpg from the combination of the 2.0-litre engine and electric motor, yet it still delivers smooth and punchy performance. There’s plenty of oomph, a big boot and the Civic strikes a great balance of being fun to drive, yet comfortable. In short, there’s not much it can’t do.
You want a small car, but also you want a big car. Yeah? The Skoda Octavia is an automotive cake that you can both have and eat, because even though it’s in the same class (and price range) as cars like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, it’s got space inside that makes rivals seem positively pokey. How does a 600 litre boot sound? Echoey, we’d imagine. There’s also a range of efficient engines, including a plug-in hybrid option, and it gives you a driving experience that makes up for in comfort what it lacks in excitement. It can’t deliver thrills, but there’s space inside enough for it to deliver just about everything else.
If you’ve not looked at new cars for a few years, you might have missed the return of MG, the classic British marque that went away for a bit but is now back with Chinese ownership and a considerable expertise in affordable electric tech. The MG4 is a cracking example, with a starting price of (much) less than £30,000, a range of up to 281 miles on a single battery charge, and a driving experience that’s really rather entertaining. Sure, the interior quality can’t match some of its (more expensive) rivals, and it’s not the most refined of cars in terms of noise at speed, but when you consider its price, these quibbles are entirely overlookable. Fine work, MG, we’re glad you’re back.
Reliability. Efficiency. Comfort. Those are a few of the favourite things at Toyota, and the Corolla packages them all up into a very attractive hybrid-powered package. Not only does it sip gently from the fuel tank, it boasts a refined ride that’s perfect for longer journeys, and has a high-quality interior with a very generous equipment list. That it’s got a very decent warranty only enhances your peace (of mind). Yes, the infotainment system isn’t one of the best on the market, and the comfort of taller passengers could be slightly lessened by the moderately tight headroom in the back, but for most the Toyota Corolla is a very chilled out way to wile away the miles.
Value isn’t just about price when it comes to cars, although the Kia Ceed is notable for being very competitively priced. But on top of that, you get so much for your money. It’s spacious inside, which makes it practical for family yes, and every version is very well-equipped, even when you consider how much it costs. It’s comfortable, easy to drive and has a stonking seven-year warranty from new. Is it exciting? Well, not conventionally, but lots of people get very excited when they get a bargain. And in that case, the Kia Ceed could be very exciting indeed.
We thought about several different factors when coming up with this list:
If these hatchbacks aren’t lighting your fire, you could also have a look at: