Hatchbacks have always been popular, thanks to their combination of compact size and large car practicality. But which ones are best? Here are our top three.
MINI Hatch
Just like the people who bought the original back in 2001, the MINI has grown up. So while the three-door classic MINI continues to thrive, the model range has evolved to contain a variety of not-so mini MINIs.
Of those, it’s the five-door that really stands out, as despite its family-friendly practicality, it enjoys the same grin-inducing driving characteristics as the three-door model.
It’s less cheeky to look at, but it still has MINI’s cool retro styling and plenty of neat design features, such as the Union Jack logos built in to the taillamp clusters.
Inside, it gets a funky but well-made dashboard, with a choice of 6.5 or 8.8-inch infotainment screens, while the back seats are easy to access with a decent amount of legroom, making it the perfect family runabout. The boot is 30 per cent bigger than that of the three-door as well.
There are other hatchbacks out there that are just as well made and a bit more practical, but none of them have the MINI DNA – a spirit of driving enjoyment and unique character that you simply won’t find elsewhere.
Volkswagen Golf
There’s a reason why the Volkswagen Golf is the best selling compact hatchback in the UK, as it’s an extremely polished package.
As well as ticking all of the hatchback boxes of spaciousness, comfort and practicality, it’s also impeccably refined and extremely well made.
The interior, in particular, oozes class, with soft-touch controls and high quality plastics, while a vast model range that ticks all boxes from small capacity petrol to mile-munching diesel, right through to the electric-powered e-Golf, the model range guarantees something for everyone.
Unlike previous Golfs, the current generation also drives as well as the best cars in its class, with excellent ride quality, confident handling and much better steering than the previous Golf.
The only downside is that it tends to fetch a premium price – rivals give bigger discounts. But the Golf is a car that doesn’t need to try very hard to sell itself, either as a new car or a used one, and that means it retains its value better than most as well.
Vauxhall Astra
It’s easy to overlook the Astra thanks to the model’s previous reputation as fleet fodder and being a staple of the airport hire car fleet, but there’s much more to the current generation Vauxhall hatchback than meets the eye.
First of all, it’s one of the most technologically advanced cars in its class, with class-leading infotainment, as well as stacks of safety tech. It has integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Vauxhall’s excellent ‘OnStar’ concierge service.
It’s also extremely well made, with a modern cabin full of high quality materials, and a panel fit that would be worthy of a premium brand. Throw in to the mix an excellent 1.6-litre diesel engine and a lively 1.4-litre turbo and you have a great package, and one that’s matched by an excellent chassis.
You have to choose your spec carefully with an Astra, though, as the lower trim levels aren’t particularly generous. SRi or Elite models are the best, and there are some cracking deals around.
Which should I choose?
All of the three cars here have a lot to recommend them – the Astra is the most technologically sophisticated and the most engaging to drive, but the Golf has a better ride and feels just that bit more special to sit in. Both are good cars. But our choice would have to be the MINI – a car that does everything a hatchback should, but with an extra dose of character thrown into the mix.
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