6/10CitroenC4 Cactus£21,535 – £23,880While still a comfy, useful hatchback, the C4 Cactus's move mainstream has taken away its class hero status
5/10MitsubishiASX£20,110 – £25,880It’s not that the ASX is truly bad by any stretch of the imagination, it’s just that its competition is newer. And better.
6/10VauxhallAstra£18,700 – £29,085Not as far behind the Ford Focus as you might think. Vauxhall's facelifted hatch is a very competent thing... but an all-new one lurks around the corner.
8/10VolkswagenGolf (Mk7)£18,325 – £31,020It defines this sector and should be its default buy. You simply can’t go wrong.
8/10VolkswagenGolf (Mk8)£18,325 – £31,020New eighth-gen Golf remains the lingua-franca of the hatch world. A finely polished machine
6/10RenaultMegane£17,515 – £23,930Not the most compelling hatch, but as a car for real family life, it could be brilliant
7/10Hyundaii30£17,090 – £25,250A very rational car in standard form, which will make your life easy, but not exciting
7/10Peugeot208£16,065 – £23,145A supremely desirable, futuristic ‘mini with a powertrain for everyone. Just beware the firm ride
6/10FiatTipo£14,915 – £20,910Probably Fiat’s least interesting car, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth ignoring if you love a bargain.
