Rumors of the demise of the traditional hatchback family car are greatly exaggerated. Even with the explosion in popularity of SUVs and crossovers, these vehicles often dominate the list of the world's top ten most popular new cars.
So what's the enduring appeal of hatchbacks? Well, in the busy streets of this small world, they always have a big feel. They don't take up a lot of space on the outside, but they offer a great deal of practicality and enough boot space to carry around your kids' gear as well as the weekly shop.
It's also this kind of family car that's roomy enough to handle the occasional trip to Ikea (other budget self-assembly furniture stores are available) while bigger kids will have enough room in the back to withstand long journeys without going into full rage mode.
You'll also find that hatchbacks are less expensive than their larger, heavier, and more compact SUV and SUV counterparts—a key consideration when trying to save and keep monthly expenses as low as possible, which is certainly at the forefront of everyone's mind. A standard diesel family car should deliver at least 60 mpg, while the official figure of 50 mpg should be the norm for petrol versions as well.
Naturally, safety is a key consideration when it comes to family cars, and none of the vehicles on this list have been awarded less than the maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, making them just as safe as larger MPVs or SUVs. The compact dimensions and lighter weight of family hatchbacks also mean they're often better to drive than longer, heavier, and always higher-riding SUVs, without compromising on passenger comfort either.
Modern family hatchbacks are usually equipped with a range of high-tech gadgets too, to keep everyone entertained on long journeys, with most coming with DAB radio, Bluetooth connectivity and some even offering internet connectivity and wireless mobile phone charging.
Need more ISOFIX? Read on to learn about our top cars with three ISOFIX points. Looking for something bigger? Discover our top articles. large family cars. Or read about what we think are the best family cars on sale in the UK right now.
1. Skoda Octavia hatchback
The Skoda Octavia is always a sensible choice, offering more driving pleasure than you'd think. It's also incredibly spacious—notably in the rear—while its liftover is a little weak, but that doesn't dwarf those of cars in this class.
There's no bad engine in the range, either, with the 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol offering reasonable performance and returning over 60mpg; if you need more efficiency, the GreenLine diesel engine tops out at 80mph.
Interior quality is solid, and knowing you're driving the same car as the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf—with thousands of pounds saved—should provide a sense of satisfaction. Choose the Octavia Estate if you need a more cavernous boot, the all-wheel-drive Octavia Scout for light terrain conquest, or the sporty Octavia vRS if performance is more your thing.
2. Volkswagen Golf hatchback
Spend the extra money on a Golf if the Octvia isn't for you and you'll get an extra premium interior, a slightly better driving experience, plus the all-important VW badge and image.
VW offers an economy BlueMotion model, a three-door Golf, a Golf Estate, an off-road model with all-wheel drive (called the Golf Alltrack), as well as a choice of two sportier models, the Golf GTI and Golf R.
Unlike the SEAT Leon and Octavia, Golf buyers can also opt for the GTE hybrid, the fully electric Golf, or the Golf Cabriolet. Why would the Golf be beaten by the Octavia, regardless of price? Well, the Octavia is more spacious; in fact, the trunk of the standard Octavia hatchback is only 2.5% smaller than the Golf Estate.
3. Kia Ceed hatchback
Are you one of those drivers who're still surprised to hear a Kia hatchback mentioned in the same article as cars like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf? Go drive the latest Kia Ceed and you'll quickly appreciate this Korean car's appeal in the best family car competition.
It looks impressive, with the sporty grille lifted from the Kia Stinger now part of the overall funky style.
The new chassis geometry delivers more responsive steering and a firmer ride than some rivals, but it also means you'll have more fun navigating twisty tarmac than most of the Ceed's class rivals.
A decent engine lineup provides plenty of choice, although you might want to overlook the entry-level 1.4 petrol. Interior quality is another Ceed powerhouse, with design, feel and materials matching the look and feel. It really is a worthy contender. It's spacious and comfortable inside too, with room for adults in the back and a boot that beats both the VW Golf and Vauxhall Astra for space. With plenty of safety kit and Kia's impressive seven-year warranty, the Ceed's good value is even more assured.
4. Ford Focus hatchback
As a family vehicle, the Ford Focus hasn't always been a match for its competitors. However, the latest version replaces the cramped rear seats of previous models with a truly spacious passenger compartment that can comfortably accommodate three adults.
The boot is larger and more practical than before, too. There's more good news elsewhere—fuel economy is impressive, whether you choose the three-cylinder petrol engine or the four-cylinder diesel, and there's plenty of standard safety equipment—the autonomous emergency braking system on every model should make it as safe as a family car.
And when you're done running, the latest Focus will have you smiling on your favorite country road. It's not quite as stylish as the Volkswagen Golf, but it's a worthy competitor.
5. Vauxhall Astra hatchback
The latest Vauxhall Astra has been around since late 2015, and it's fair to say it's the best family hatchback the company has ever made.
The Astra is better built, more aesthetically pleasing, and more economical than any of its predecessors. We rate it as the best family car you can buy today, thanks to its combination of modern technology, excellent value for money, and a great overall ownership experience.
The Astra is fun to drive when you want to be the quiet type. It's completely quiet, yet comfortable and a source of comfort. Spend an extra £500 or so to secure a peppy 1.0-litre turbo petrol over the entry-level engine, or go for the 1.6-litre ecoFLEX diesel model for impressive 85mpg economy, free road tax, and a lower company car price. Vauxhall also makes a version, called the Astra Sports Tourer, if you need the extra space.
6. Honda Civic hatchback
Each generation of Honda Civic looks more extreme than the one before it, but despite its modern appearance, it remains a practical five-door hatchback.
The trunk is huge and features a new luggage cover, as well as generous amounts of interior storage. The Civic feels well built—Honda has a strong reputation in this regard—and there's plenty of standard equipment.
It's also very pleasant to drive, with a wide range of engines, including a powerful 1.0-liter petrol that's our pick for most groups. On the downside, the styling may not appeal to everyone, and the sloping roofline means headroom is a little limited. Otherwise, the Civic is hard to miss.
7. Mazda3 hatchback
The latest Mazda3 is a particularly stylish addition to the family hatchback market and there are plenty of other aspects of the car that make it worthy of attention.
It's a great car to drive, well-built, and comes with a simple, elegant interior. There are certainly cheaper alternatives on this list, but the Mazda3 is well-equipped across all trim levels, with fewer items on the options list than its competitors.
The car's main drawback is a relatively cramped cabin for rear seat passengers, so if you have adults you may want to look elsewhere.
8. Hyundai i30 hatchback
The latest Hyundai i30 is a stylish family hatchback that scores particularly well for safety. Impressive technology such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) is standard, along with lane-keeping assist and automatic dimming headlights.
The i30 is comfortable and quiet on the move, while the interior quality is good, even if the dashboard design itself is a bit conservative.
The 1.0bhp 118-litre petrol engine is a good fuel economy, returning 56.5mpg, while the 74.3mpg 1.6-litre diesel is worth upgrading to if you have a lot of annual mileage.
The boot capacity is 395 liters, making it larger than most rivals, and both i30s come standard with equipment such as DAB radio, Bluetooth, alloy wheels, and Bluetooth. Reliability is expected to be good, and the i30 comes with a reassuring five-year/100-mile warranty.
9. SEAT Leon hatchback
Another car that shares Volkswagen's mechanicals, the SEAT Leon has a distinctive look and a powerful driving experience. SEAT offers a performance version of the Leon (called the Leon Cupra), while the Ecomotive model prioritizes efficiency.
If you're a fan of a good-value, "hot" hatchback, this Cupra is one of the best available. It's fast, great to drive, and good value for money, too. As with the Octavia, there's a Leon for everyone:
Buyers looking for practicality should investigate the Leon ST, while the three-door Leon SC may be more appealing to the stylish, while outdoorsy types will find the Leon X-perience off-roader a hit, reaching those hard-to-reach places thanks to its elevated ride height and all-wheel drive. The five-door Leon gets the nod from our family standpoint thanks to its excellent all-around capability, decent practicality, and solid driving experience.
10. Renault Megane hatchback
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there's no denying the Renault Megane's stunning design is too good to ignore. This beauty is more than just depth, with the car offering one of the most appealing interior spaces in its class.
Features like the iPad-style widescreen touchscreen (standard on mid-range models), generous soft-touch plastics, and comfortable seats set the Megane apart from rivals, including the (whispering) Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf—traditional leaders in this area. The Megane is more about comfort than refinement, and offers a muted driver experience, but it's still a joy to drive on a country road and makes for quiet, relaxing motorway journeys.
