Hatchback car reviews

The Scala is arguably doing a better job of being the Volkswagen Golf than the Golf is

The electric Astra's still not hugely exciting, but it’s another big step towards EVs becoming the mainstream

While it might not have the visual pizazz of its predecessor, the 11th-generation Honda Civic reminds us it’s what’s inside that counts

Interior furnishing and screen systems take priority over how it drives. Many love it for that, but not us

The car that started everything for Hyundai. A car with surprisingly British roots

A spectacularly good hot hatch that gained some extra focus we had no idea it lacked

Success in a hatch isn't just about the drive. The Focus has the rest of the bases well covered too

Hardcore normcore. If JK Rowling was writing Harry Potter today, it's probably what the Dursleys would drive

The Honda Civic brings some welcome colour to a sensible part of the market. Not perfect, but very interesting

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

The GTD is quicker and more sporting than ever. But will anyone pick it over the more powerful GTE?

GT motoring at its finest. A fabulous, relaxing cruiser... once you've gotten used to its eccentricities

Taut, direct and surprisingly old-school hot hatch from a very forward-looking company

In standard form, the i30 is as comfy and effortless to own as small hatchbacks get, if not very entertaining to drive. Mild-hybrid tech is smoothly integrated

Vauxhall upgrades its mainstream hatch, makes a very competent Focus rival. Definitely worth considering

Utterly magic. There’s simply no evading the fact this thing is spectacularly good to drive

Won't set the pulse racing, but it'll probably make your wallet happy. A worthy, forgettable city car

Contender for "most ironically named car in the world" is cheap and practical, but suffers for being built on an older platform.

The latest version of the car that defined the premium hatch sector stays classy

Citroen has made the C4 Cactus more mainstream, yet conversely it's become a more niche choice in the process

Audi’s four-frameless-doored ‘coupe’ is back, with A8 limo tech. It’s an ultra-refined, if soulless, tech express