Hatchback Reviews

Neither revolutionary in style nor the most exciting to drive, but a very mature car

Probably Fiat’s least interesting car, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth ignoring if you love a bargain.

A supremely desirable, futuristic ‘mini with a powertrain for everyone. Just beware the firm ride

A perfectly able family hatchback that brings absolutely nothing new to the sector. Why, Nissan?

A very rational car in standard form, which will make your life easy, but not exciting

Not the most compelling hatch, but as a car for real family life, it could be brilliant

It defines this sector and should be its default buy. You simply can’t go wrong.

New eighth-gen Golf remains the lingua-franca of the hatch world. A finely polished machine

Kia improves things yet again. Refinement, styling and interior quality are nearly as good as anything out there. Nearly…

Seat’s strongest car in a long time, the Leon is now a Golf-baiting player.

Spain’s strongest attempt to out-Golf the Golf yet. A stylish, well-equipped and cheaper version of its German cousin

A beautiful, entertaining and fundamentally different hatch.

Skoda might just have turned things on its head. You’d now recommend an Octavia over a VW Golf or Seat Leon

Solid, gimmick-free all-rounder that’s slightly less good at everything than a Golf, but cheaper for it.

Colourful character in a muted part of the market

It’s not that the ASX is truly bad by any stretch of the imagination, it’s just that its competition is newer. And better.

A job well done. The Golf is better, but not by much.

Great-looking, great to drive new Volvo should be a fine car to own.

Fussy design inside and out doesn’t spoil a really rather good family hatchback

The definitive example of rock-solid, sensible, impeccable German engineering

Connectivity and interior layout takes priority over how it drives. For some, that'll be perfect

The Corolla is back, looking better than ever, but still short on fun