Best Hatchbacks To Buy Now 2019
Of all the cars on the road, family hatchbacks have one of the hardest jobs. They have to be reliable, spacious enough for a family, easy to park, cheap to run and buy, and have a great safety rating. Yet, the best hatchbacks also need to cater for a range of drivers, often coming in a wide range of formats, including automatic, manual, petrol, diesel and, more recently, hybrid and all-electric configurations. Naturally, the selection of hatchbacks on offer is enormous, so we鈥檝e rounded up our ten favourites. While the latest SUVs and crossovers may well steal the limelight these days, the traditional small family hatchback still makes up a large proportion of the UK new car sales. Evergreen favourites such as the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf continue to sell in their thousands thanks to their clever combination of size, space, and price. Below you鈥檒l find the top 10 best family hatchbacks on sale today according to our team of seasoned reviewers.
We've focused on the most popular sector of hatchbacked cars, the family hatch market, and we've picked the cars that deliver the best mix of kit, safety, running costs, fun driving and family-friendly features. Volkswagen threw down the gauntlet to its rivals with the Golf Mk7, and has since given it an update to keep it fresh - not that it was really needed. However, with new infotainment options and an improved engine range, the Golf still defines the hatchback class. From its compact dimensions and evolutionary styling to its high-quality interior and brilliant engine range, it is a car without any serious flaws. If you want something smart and stylish it ticks these boxes. Spacious and practical, too? Well, a generous interior and big 380-litre boot cover these concerns. The efficient BlueMotion model also promises excellent fuel economy. All VW Golfs come well equipped, with features such as stop-start, Electronic Stability Control (ESP), Bluetooth and iPod connectivity and curtain airbags all fitted as standard.
You even get the reassurance of a space-saver spare wheel - which is increasingly rare yet very desirable for family motorists. And this is all before you drive it. Then you can marvel at the refinement, comfort, capable handling and responsive controls of the new Golf first hand. In fact, it's one of the biggest cars in its class, coming close to models such as the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat from the class above. It's available as either a five-door hatchback or more practical estate, though both offer plenty of space and identical levels of standard equipment. The 2017 facelift gave the Octavia a fresh look and added a bit of interest to a rather ordinary looking car. While it doesn't offer the same exceptional value as Skodas of old, all current-generation Octavia models boast alloy wheels, automatic post-collision braking and DAB radio. Mid-range SE models are better still, while top-spec Elegance and L&K versions can rival sister company Audi for luxury.
If having fun behind the wheel is a priority, the latest Ford Focus should be high on your hatchback list. Keeping up the tradition of previous generations, the new Focus puts driving pleasure first with sharp handling and excellent body control. Although we鈥檒l have to wait a while for the faster ST and RS hot hatch versions, the standard Focus still manages to be a real drivers鈥?car. There鈥檚 a range of smooth and economical petrol and diesel engines on offer, and two different suspension configurations, both of which retain the car鈥檚 precise handling. ST-Line models are lowered to enhance their sporty styling, but every Focus in the range is sure to put a smile on even the most discerning enthusiast鈥檚 face. The biggest criticism of the old Focus was its lack of interior space, but while its styling is proving to be rather divisive, the longer wheelbase on the new car means the cabin space has been vastly improved. There鈥檚 plenty of room for four adults and boot space has been increased too to make this a truly capable family car.
