Best hatchback cars in 2025: Reviewed and rated by our experts

If you were to distill all that's great about the hatchback class, you would arrive at the Ford Focus. It's been at the top of this class for years, and rightly so thanks to its space, quality, pricing and, above all, a brilliant drive.

Don't underestimate how important those superb driving manners are. Even if you rarely stray beyond the town's ring road you will appreciate accurate steering response, easy parking, a well controlled suspension set-up, and agilty that makes every corner something to relish. This is all backed up by a wide range of engines encompassing petrol, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid.

The cabin of the Focus is roomy enough for a family of four, and can fit five when needs be. It's also filled with a fine infotainment system and plenty of safety kit.

You'll pay from £28,500 for a new Ford Focus, though there are always plenty of deals to lessen that. Used buyers have a vast choice thanks to the Focus' popularity, but reckon on spending around £9000 for a five-year old car with average mileage, the excellent 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrol engine, and in generously fitted out Titanium trim.

If you’re not ready to make the move to an electric car but fancy moving towards efficient electrified drivetrains, a hybrid model could be the ideal compromise. And no one can beat Toyota’s expertise when it comes to hybrid power.

The Corolla is the Japanese brand’s answer to cars like the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. And, you know what? It’s really very good.

Not only will it be very reliable and cheap to run, but the Corolla is also sharply styled, has a classy interior and is really good to drive. There are two hybrid motors available: a 1.8- and a 2.0-litre. We reckon the smaller engine is the one to go for, unless you really desire near-hot-hatch performance.

The VW Golf continues to be one of the best hatchbacks around, even after so many years. It’s comfortable, refined and good to drive - everything you’d want from a city car that can also stretch its legs on longer journeys.

It’s economical, too, which means running costs won’t run away with you, and you get a decent amount of kit on the entry level Life model.

You get a super looking interior and the infotainment and cluster displays will catch your eye. The Golf is spacious, with the most comfortable front cabin in its class, and the 381-litre boot is on par with many of the hatchbacks in this list.

There's plenty of second-hand stock, too, with three-year old Life models available for £12,000.

Is there a mainstream car manufacturer with a more attractive line-up at the moment than Mazda? The Mazda 3 in particular is quite a looker, but it's going to need more than sharp design to tempt you away from a Volkswagen Golf.

Fortunately, not only will the Mazda 3 turn the heads of passers by, its interior is just divine thanks to a premium feel and one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems on the market.

If there’s one thing that lets the Mazda down, it's the engines on offer. Mazda reckons its clever Skyactiv-X unit is a good substitute for diesel-power and, while it’s certainly efficient and does the job, it’s neither that refined nor particularly punchy. The lower-powered Skyactiv-G is even less appealing, which is a shame as the Mazda 3 is actually quite fun to drive once you’re up to speed.

Renault is on superb form right now with its latest electric cars. The revised Scenic E-Tech brings back a popular name from the past, while the Megane E-Tech shows an EV can tussle with the very best in the hatchback class.

Part of the reason this latest Megane is so capable when up against rivals is its excellent battery range - you can travel up to a claimed 285 miles on a charge. If you don't mind trading some of that for acceleration, the Renault is also surprisingly nippy and good to drive.

The classy dash of the Megane E-Tech sets the tone for a cabin that is well put together and offers plenty of space for all. You need to move up a trim grade or two to get all of the equipment you might want, but that's not unique to the Megane.

Look in the boot and you can see some space has been sacrificed for the EV gubbins, but it's still decent and Renault provides a handy space to stash charging cables - something not all EV car makers think about.

The Honda Civic has been a commendable and reliable family hatchback for decades now, and still makes a great used buy. However, the latest model changes the formula quite a bit. 

It might not look dramatically different from the previous model on the outside, but it is all-new. Gone are the traditional petrol and diesel engines, replaced by hybrid-only power, but it's a seriously impressive hybrid system with strong performance, great efficiency and a really enjoyable driving experience. 

It might be more expensive than its closest rival, the Toyota Corolla, but it's better to drive and nicer to sit in. With much better infotainment than the old Civic and a real uptick in quality, it can compete with the premium-brand models, not just mainstream hatchbacks.

Traditionally, the Vauxhall Astra hasn't exactly been the most exciting car in the medium hatchback sector, but the latest version has a dose of visual clout that previous Astras most certainly lacked. It wears the firm's latest 'Vizor' front-end design that's sharp and modern, giving a bold look that stands out in a class full of conservatively styled alternatives.

There's substance to back up the style, too, with a competitive amount of interior space, and a pleasantly finished cabin. The boot will be big enough to satisfy the needs of most small families.

It's a good car to drive, too, with a fine balance of ride and handling abilities, while there's a broad choice of powertrain options, including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and a fully electric version.

The personification of Skoda’s ‘simply clever’ approach to car-building, the Octavia is a piece of engineering brilliance. What’s more, if you have a budget of around £15,000, you’ll get a used car that's ridiculously easy to drive and wonderfully practical. 

The fourth-generation Octavia came along in 2020. It's smarter to look at and even more high-tech, although the previous generation is still a good solid family car. 

The interior has a workmanlike simplicity that’s nothing short of brilliant. The boot, for example, is huge at 590-litres. The interior is comfortable and has acres of head- and legroom in the front and rear. Equipment levels are very good on mid-spec models, so you get an awful lot for your money.

The Mercedes A-Class is a posh family hatchback that rivals the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3, and we reckon it’s the one to go for out of this premium trio.

A new Mercedes-Benz A-Class will set you back upwards of £30,000, with the most desirable models topping out at almost £50,000 (and that’s before we look at the rapid AMG super hatches). But you can save a heap of cash by looking at nearly-new examples – with five-year old models available for more like £13,000.

Be careful, though, the A-Class is a very spec-dependent car. For all the bells and whistles, you want the AMG Line Premium Plus, which features the top-level infotainment as well as 64-colour ambient lighting and an electric panoramic roof. With a lower spec, the A-Class isn't quite as desirable. 

The SEAT Leon often plays second fiddle to its classier, more refined Volkswagen Golf cousin, but it looks considerably better value as a used buy.

With a stylish and sporty design plus an agile driving experience, it appeals to the young (or the young at heart). There's a range of engines to suit every need, from the affordable 1.0-litre turbo petrol to the punchy and efficient diesels. There's also the hot Cupra Leon if you want more performance. 

Buyers on a budget will be pleased to know that the previous generation SEAT Leon remains a great buy, too. Its infotainment system is easier to use than the latest model's, although the interior is a bit plasticky and the ride is firm on some versions. But as a spacious, dependable and likeable family car, it's a good-value choice.