SUVs may take all the headlines, but the humble hatchback still has plenty of plus points.
They're smaller and lighter than an equivalent crossover – as well as being easy to park, easy to see out of and easy to drive. As an added bonus, hatchbacks are usually cheaper to buy and run than similarly sized SUVs.
We've picked 10 of our favourite hatchback models – almost all are available as great-value used cars from Motorpoint.
Peugeot 208 – best small hatchback
The Peugeot 208 is right at top of the supermini class. Its styling stands out among a crowd of cookie-cutter rivals, and its interior is particularly distinctive. That funky cabin, with its oh-so-flickable small steering wheel and high-mounted dials, is also trimmed with quality materials. The 208 isn’t the cheapest supermini, but it feels more premium than rivals like the Hyundai i20 and SEAT Ibiza, and even takes the fight to the Audi A1. The pointy Peugeot is also one of few cars this size to offer a fully electric option and, because the e-208 was always part of the plan, it doesn’t lose any boot space to the petrol one. It does, however, gain much faster acceleration, a silky smooth driving experience and advertised range of around 200 miles.
Browse used Peugeot 208 cars or read our Peugeot 208 review
Honda Civic – best family hatchback
In the past, you might’ve looked at the Honda Civic for something a little different to the ubiquitous VW Golf or Ford Focus. But the most recent Civic has shot straight above all its rivals. Now hybrid-only, it’s capable of nearly 60mpg when driven carefully, while its 184hp engine provides brisk acceleration. Most of the time, the electric motor powers the wheels, giving an EV-like driving experience, and a CVT automatic gearbox adds to that linear feeling as the petrol engine joins in. The interior is the best ever fitted to a Civic – a drastic improvement on the old car and far more intuitive to use than the Golf's screen-heavy setup. Add in impressive rear-seat space and a glowing five-star safety score, and the Civic offers a potentially SUV-beating package.
Vauxhall Corsa – best used hatchback
One drawback of buying a brand-new car is the waiting time. You might’ve picked out the exact spec you want but it may take until next year to get here – who has time for that?! What if we told you that you’ll almost certainly be able to find a Vauxhall Corsa with the exact engine, spec and colour that you want at Motorpoint, ready to drive away the same day. And, you can save thousands versus a factory-fresh equivalent, making the ever-popular Corsa a fantastic used choice. That’s before you get to the easy user experience, standard-fit phone connectivity and punchy turbo petrol engine.
Search a huge selection of used Vauxhall Corsa cars or read our Vauxhall Corsa review
Toyota GR Yaris – best hot hatch
Your head will tell you it’s impractical and that you can’t really afford its thirst. But drive the GR Yaris and you’ll be mentally working out how to have one in your life. The lengths Toyota has gone to with the GR Yaris are staggering – it has a completely different body shape and roofline to the standard five-door Yaris, and proper rally pedigree. There’s no hybrid power here, just 257hp of fury created by exploding petrol. The GR Yaris is blisteringly fast on any surface, but its malevolent, naughty charm is what grabs you and keeps you coming back for more.
Shop used Toyota GR Yaris cars for sale
Renault Megane E-Tech – best electric hatchback
When developing the latest Megane, Renault looked at the Volkswagen ID.3 and made its car incrementally better than the VW in almost every area. The boot’s bigger in the Renault, the infotainment system is better – it runs Google software that’s always updated – and is slightly cheaper. And on the used market, a Megane E-Tech is even better value. Throw in a stylish design, reasonable insurance costs and a huge list of standard equipment, and the Renault stands out above the ID.3, Citroen e-C4 or MG4.
Shop used Renault Megane E-Tech Electric cars for sale
Vauxhall Astra – best PHEV hatchback
The Vauxhall Astra is far from alone in offering a plug-in-hybrid engine option in its lineup – ideal for company-car drivers and urban dwellers. You'll find similar options in the Peugeot 308 and Volkswagen Golf, but we've gone with the blocky Vauxhall and its '80s-inspired 'visor' front end. The first point goes to the British-branded car because it's more affordable than its French or German counterparts, especially as a used car. It keeps scoring once you realise the lower price tag doesn't mean a subpar experience. The cabin is modern and well equipped, the infotainment system is fully featured, and the driving experience is calm, composed and easy. On the road, the PHEV setup is smooth and powerful, and automatically selects the most efficient blend of petrol and electric power.
See a choice of used Vauxhall Astra cars or read our Vauxhall Astra review
Renault Clio – best fuel-efficient hatchback
Plug-in hybrids like the Astra above claim astonishing average economy figures north of 150mpg, but you're only going to achieve that in the real world with lots of charging. For most drivers, the 67.3mpg quoted in the Renault Clio’s spec sheet is much more achievable, and you may see even more than that if you spend a lot of time in congested areas. The Clio E-Tech is a full or self-charging hybrid, so it has a smaller battery than PHEVs and doesn’t need to be plugged in – simply recharging from the engine or as the car slows down.
Shop used Renault Clio cars or read our Renault Clio review
Toyota Yaris – most reliable hatchback
Toyota has an almost unflappable reputation for reliability, which extends to its small cars too. The hybrid Yaris was ranked the third most reliable car on sale in the 2024 Driver Power standings, and its dependability is backed up by an industry-leading 10-year warranty – provided you always have it serviced at a Toyota dealer. The Yaris is also one of the most economical hatchbacks, matching the Clio’s 67mpg figure in entry-level Icon trim.
Shop used Toyota Yaris cars for sale or read our Toyota Yaris review
Volkswagen Golf – safest hatchback
While the latest Volkswagen Golf might not be the default family car choice it once was – and its infotainment system isn’t the easiest to use – the new version still does plenty of things well. It’s one of the safest cars on the road, with a five-star Euro NCAP result comprising 88% and 87% scores for adult and child protection respectively. Its driver assistance and hazard alert systems were also given an ‘advanced’ grading. The Honda Civic and Cupra Born also feature on our list of the safest cars you can buy.
Check out used Volkswagen Golf cars or read our Volkswagen Golf review
Skoda Octavia – hatchback with the best boot space
It might look like a saloon, but the Skoda Octavia is actually a hatchback – the rear glass lifts with the boot lid, granting enormous access to its vast cargo area. It’s based on the same platform as the Golf, but you wouldn’t think that if you parked the two cars side-by-side. With its extended tailgate, the Octavia’s whopping 600-litre boot dwarfs the Golf’s 380-litre space and offers more luggage room than many estate cars and SUVs. The latest Octavia has a higher-quality interior than any previous generation, as well as a comfier, more refined driving experience, so the gap between it and the Golf is closer than ever before.
Take a look at used Skoda Octavia cars or read our Skoda Octavia review
Bonus! Peugeot 408 – most underrated hatchback
Being physically bigger than most hatchbacks means the rakish 408 is more practical than most – its 536-litre boot beats some estate cars! Headroom is still generous and the 408 loads on the tech – the configurable infotainment system is a particular highlight. The 408 manages to be comfortable and sporty-feeling all at the same time, and nicely soaks up the ‘delights’ of British road surfacing. A top talent.
Shop used Peugeot 408 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 408 review
Find your perfect hatch match
Search hundreds of great-value used hatchback cars at Motorpoint – all backed by our Quality Standard.
