Whilst SUVs and 4x4s have become the most popular vehicles on the road in the UK, hatchbacks are a classic staple of family life and have seen a resurgence in the last year.
But what are the leading family hatchbacks on the market? We look at the best ones you can currently buy.
What is a hatchback?
A hatchback is a type of car body with a rear door that opens upwards to the main cargo area, which is why it’s often referred to as a ‘hatch’. This is the fifth door on the vehicle, which spans its entire width.
Hatchbacks are compact by nature but are surprisingly versatile, which is often cited as a reason why they are so popular for families. Unlike saloons, which have a separate boot, the wide-opening tailgate makes loading and unloading far easier.
They’re also easier for getting children in and out of the vehicle as they are closer to the ground than an SUV or 4×4.
Best hatchbacks to buy
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic has always been synonymous with being one of the best family hatchbacks on the road, even if it has always been a bit pricey. The latest model has looked to address that, keeping in line financially with its competitors, as well as ensuring it has all the mod-cons and technology that any family needs for their journeys.
Whilst it comes with a stylish interior and handles like a dream to drive, its spacious cabin and ample legroom are what make the Civic stand out amongst its hatchback peers. The two-litre hybrid engine has 184 horsepower, and a 410-litre boot is also above average for the class, so there’s lots of space for luggage.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a UK classic and has been a staple on UK roads for decades. The Japanese manufacturers are infamous for their ability to create durable and reliable vehicles, and this one is no different.
After its 2023 facelift, the Corolla now includes a 10-inch screen, boasts 64.1 miles to the gallon (mpg) and has a 1.8 litre engine with plenty of pull for your family road trips.
It’s an ideal family pick for its function and practicality, but it’s a genuinely enjoyable drive.
While the boot is a decent size, the Corolla isn’t the most spacious hatchback in the rear.
Nevertheless, it has a family-friendly interior with good quality materials and a generous amount of equipment.
Cupra Born
The number of Cupra vehicles in the UK has rocketed in the last couple of years, and for good reason. They have become synonymous with efficient and elegant driving, thanks to their superb handling. This electric car is perfect for those who live in the countryside.
Despite being one of the newer manufacturers, the pricing for the Born is in line with other entry-level model hatchbacks and comes in three different engine sizes: 59kWh, 77kWh and 79kWh.
The Born’s official range is 264 miles in 59kWh form, 342 miles for the 77kWh and 366 miles for the 79kWH.
Ford Focus
The Ford Focus is a household name and is of course, one of the more infamous family hatchbacks on the market, but just how good is it?
Ford has put an emphasis on making driving fun with the new Focus, putting handling first with sharp steering and excellent body control.
It comes in two different engines; petrol and, for those who want a more environmentally friendly vehicle they also offer a hybrid version. Both of which are moderately cheap to run whilst still offering strong efficiency.
The only real major downside to the Focus is the interior is a lot smaller than the rest of the cars on this list. They have tried to rectify this with a longer wheelbase and a larger boot in the later models, but the offering is still smaller than other family hatchbacks.
Skoda Octavia
Unlike the Ford Focus, space is not a problem for the Skoda Octavia. This vehicle has had many iterations over the years since bursting onto the scene in the 1990s, but it still leaves its rivals behind when it comes to legroom and its boot, measuring 600-litre and 640-litres if you choose the estate version.
The fourth-generation of the Octavia comes with a full five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, opting for this car means your family is safer than other hatchbacks.
Low running costs and reliability are another two reasons to opt for the Octavia, something Skoda are renowned for. It also gives you 63.4mpg from its 2-litre engine.
Mazda 3
When you think of family hatchbacks, you can be forgiven for not thinking of Mazda as your go-to manufacturer.
However, the Mazda 3 is a sleek and stylish alternative to the others on this list. It blends a dynamic look with a unique design and, above all, a fantastically smooth driving experience.
Inside, the upmarket interior is among the best in the class, with a sleek design and solid materials. The screen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the intuitive infotainment system is operated via a rotary dial.
Peugeot 308
The key to any good family hatchback is offering storage space for those long road trips, and that’s where the Peugeot 308 pulls it out of the bag, by and large (pardon the pun), to its generous boot offering 470 litres with the seats in place.
Amazingly, if you flatten the back seats, you can get up to 1,185-litres of loading space, ideal for when you need to pick up furniture or do your weekly food shop.
There’s also plenty of space throughout the cabin, like a large, cooled glovebox and spacious door bins.
Vauxhall Astra
The Vauxhall Astra has been around for decades, but the latest versions have taken it into another stratosphere.
SUVs may be all the rage right now, but the latest Astra is ready to fight back and regain some of its lost sales. Available in all-electric, petrol or hybrid models, the eighth-generation Astra has its boldest design yet, with angular styling.
Despite looking slightly similar to the Peugeot 308, the Astra undercuts its competitor on price and even offers a 10-inch infotainment screen inside.
Adrian Flux – experts in providing car insurance
Talk to one of our experts today to find out how you can save money on your car insurance.
We’ve formed relationships with insurers over decades to ensure you get the best value deal for your individual needs, no matter which family hatchback you opt for.
Call us on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that suits you.
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