The best hatchback cars for every budget

With a wider variety of hatchbacks on sale than ever, it can be pretty overwhelming choosing the one that suits your needs. Our expert reviews team have extensively tested every hatchback you can buy and put together this list of the best ones, to suit a range of budgets

The best hatchbacks offer a blend of practicality, ease-of-use, comfort and – in some cases – stellar performance, too. Though small SUVs are getting ever more popular, there’s still a place for the humble hatchback in this world, and they vary massively from model to model.

Our expert reviews team has come together to come up with this list of the best small hatchbacks from every budget. Whether you’re after a small, stylish runaround, sensible family car or a rocket ship that can keep up with a supercar, there’s a fantastic choice for you.

Up to £25,000

Our recommendation: Renault Clio – £18,995

The Renault Clio isn’t just one of the most stylish hatchbacks on sale today, but it’s one of the most practical and best to drive, too. It looks great, the interior is high-quality for the price, the front seats are very comfortable and the boot is huge compared with alternatives.

A downside to the spacious front seats and big boot is that the rear seats are rather right, and tall adults might find their knees digging into the front seat backs. Though the boot is large, there’s a big lip you have to lift items over and while it’s fun to drive, alternatives are more comfortable around town.

Renault’s on fire at the minute, because if an electric car is on your mind then you need to take a look at the oh-so-handsome Renault 5 E-Tech. For a punchy hybrid engine at an affordable price, the MG3 is worth considering – and it’s a proper hoot on a twisty road.

£25,000-£35,000

Our recommendation: Honda Civic – £33,795

There’s a good reason why the Honda Civic has been around for over 50 years, and that’s because it’s hard to beat as a practical, easy-to-live-with, pleasant-to-drive hatchback. The latest version is properly fun on a country lane, and while the interior isn’t hugely stylish it’s very spacious and feels premium. The boot is massive, too.

However, tall rear passengers might feel their hair ruffling the headliner as a result of the sloping roofline, and as with the cabin, the exterior design isn’t all that interesting. You’ll pay a touch more for a Civic than you would a comparable alternative, too.

The Volkswagen Golf has long been a cross-shopping companion for the Civic, and while the latest generation has a fiddly infotainment system, it offers a similar driving experience at a lower price. The MG4 EV is a left-field choice, but it’s cheap, spacious and drives well.

£35,000-£50,000

Our recommendation: Toyota GR Yaris – £46,045

It may be a bit of a niche choice, but above £35,000 you’re firmly into hot hatchback territory, and the Toyota GR Yaris is the best hot hatch on sale – regardless of price. It’ll have you beaming from ear-to-ear on a good road, it’s usable (enough) for daily duties and the funky cabin is well-laid out.

The GR Yaris’s focus on fun does impact its practicality, because its low roofline and sloping rear window mean the back seats and boot are very small. You get jiggled around town and the rear visibility is poor, too, but it’s a worthy trade-off for its mighty performance.

If it’s a bit too compromised for your lifestyle then the Volkswagen Golf R is a far more versatile all-rounder, but it feels boring by comparison, and if it’s not posh enough for you then the Audi S3 is worth checking out.

£50,000+

Our recommendation: Audi RS3 Sportback – £61,190

The Audi RS3 Sportback is one of the most ballistic cars on sale at the moment, with one of the most intoxicating engines ever produced under its bonnet. It sounds epic, looks hyper-aggressive, has a lovely interior and yet it’s very docile to drive around town.

But in Audi’s quest for performance, the boot has shrunk in size compared to the regular A3 to fit a trick rear axle under the floor, and the gear changes aren’t quick enough to keep up with that hugely powerful engine. It’s not all that refined on the motorway, either.

For something a bit more traditional, the Honda Civic Type R comes with a fantastic manual gearbox, and it feels more sporty to drive. The Mercedes AMG A45 S is almost as fast as the RS3 and looks a bit more subtle, but the cabin isn’t as nice.

Used wildcard:

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N – on Carwow for £56,999

It’s the closest you’ll get to playing a video game in the real world, and while the big Hyundai blurs the lines between a hatchback and an SUV, the all-electric Ioniq 5 N makes for a compelling all-in-one car solution.

The 5 N looks like nothing else on the road, blending retro styling with a lairy boy-racer bodykit, and you can switch from silent-running EV to what’s essentially a replica petrol hot hatch, with simulated gearshifts and ‘engine noise’ being pumped through the speakers. You can even drift it, if you set it in the right mode.

You’ll run through the battery very quickly if you’re enjoying all of the 5 N’s potential, so you’d better have access to a home charger if you’re considering it. While it’s very pricey new, you can save thousands on a used Ioniq 5 N through Carwow, such as this example on sale now:

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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