Hatchback car reviews

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

Vastly improved cabin and well-mannered hybrid set-up are impressive, but the Civic might struggle to stand out in a crowded market

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

Great chassis, great interior but so-so powertrain – the Subaru Impreza remains an oddball

The best 21st Century MG yet. Other faint praise is available...

Time makes fools of us all. Or, in the case of the ASX, allows your competition to overtake you.

Octavia’s straight-down-the-line simplicity is refreshing, if not memorable.