Best new family hatchbacks
Hatchbacks are typically compact cars with 3 or 5 doors (think VW Golf or Ford Focus), a reasonable sized boot (think weekly shop) and most will come with a range of engines to suit all - smaller and more frugal engines for those who are interested in economy and terrifyingly powerful engines for those who like to scare the bejesus out of passengers (never advised).
Great family hatchbacks are also more at home in a city than say, a limo, and so you’ll find getting in and out ofparking spaces easier as well as nipping in and out of traffic much easier. A good family hatchback will however also be happy enough as an occasional motorway and long distance runner.
Our top new family hatchbacks:
New VW Golf Hatchback
A leader in its class for many years, the VW Golf is a perfectfamily hatchback. It’s available in a 3-door and 5-door variant and with an excellent range of trim levels and it’s extremely well built as you’d expect inside and out with the interior having a particularly upmarket feel. One area the VW Golf really stands out is the range of petrol and diesel engines available including the low-emission and economical Bluemotion which will help to keep those costs down.
New Ford Focus Hatchback
The popular Ford Focus hatchback has proven to be a popular choice as a new family hatchback throughout its time. Ford’s family hatchback is stylish and comes well equipped from standard and the interior is large and spacious making it an ideal small people mover. Its available in both 3 and 5 door bodystyles and with a great range of diesel and petrol engines including the ECOnetic model which is both fuel efficient, 74mpg, and produces an impressive 99g/km CO2 emission figure.
New Vauxhall Astra Hatchback
The latest model Vauxhall Astra has already proven a hit in the new family hatchback market due to its sharp looks, great interior and great choice of engines available. The new Astra hatchback was launched initially in the 5 door variant launching it straight against Ford Focus as a family hatchback car. The Astra despite its compact size is roomy in the interior, particularly in the rear, and the cabin is well appointed with generous equipment levels across all specifications. The range of engines is excellent and the 1.3-litre diesel ecoFLEX model offers good fuel consumption and emission figures and is worth a look for those looking to keep running costs down. The new Astra hatchback also comes with Vauxhall’s 100,000 mile/lifetime warranty from new.
New Kia Cee’d Hatchback
The Kia Cee’d is Top Gear’s new reasonably priced car but far from being a car for celebrities to merely thrash round a test track, the Kia Cee’d is an excellent family hatchback. The Cee’d has a spacious and comfortable interior and comes with generous equipment levels even from standard. The range of engines is excellent, particularly the diesel engines and a low emission and more fuel efficient EcoDynamics is available. The Kia also comes with Kia’s excellent 7-year/100,000 mile warranty from new making it even better value.
New Mazda 3 Hatchback
The latest Mazda 3 has picked up were its predecessor left off – great to look at, great to drive, great build quality inside and out – but has added much stronger performance to the latest Mazda 3 hatchback to make it a real contender in the family hatchback market. The interior is well appointed and the equipment levels are excellent across the full range and you’ll have a good choice of petrol and diesel engines.