A respected motoring publication has named what they think is the best hatchback car on sale in the UK, one which has been on sale in the country for decades
The best hatchback car in the UK has been named (stock)(Image: Getty)
There are many different types of car model shapes in the UK and each one has their advantages and disadvantages. The SUV has undoubtedly taken hold of the public’s spending desires in recent years but one car type has remained a constant staple – the hatchback. The reason a hatchback is called a hatchback is because of how the boot opens, on a horizontal hinge upwards, thus creating a hatch and the back of a car.
One reason they have remained popular is because they can both be reasonably sized and practical at the same time. With this in mind, respected motoring publication Auto Express has put together a list of the best hatchbacks on sale in the UK.
The list, published at the end of last month, featured a variety of contenders, some of which we’ve driven, with one brand and one car model coming out on top, but with two cars close behind it.
3rd Place: VW Golf (from £28k)
Coming in third was the VW Golf, a car that has been around since the 1970s and was one of the first popular hatchbacks. Now, nearly 50 years on, the Golf continues to be effective.
According to Auto Express the car was praised for having improved technology compared to predecessors, a good range of powertrains (engines) and “reassuring ride and handling”.
However, it lost marks for some remaining problems with ergonomics (how you sit in the car), being underwhelming inside, and road noise on models with larger wheels. Nevertheless, it still made it to the podium.
2nd Place: Kia K4 (£26k)
In second place is Korean Kia K4, which replaced the Kia Ceed as the manufacturer’s main offering. The Auto Express reviewers praised it for being spacious inside, for being comfortable, and for having a “user-friendly” infotainment screen in the centre of the dashboard.
However, it lost marks for lacking electric powertrains and for those powertrains that are available (only petrol) being a bit slow to respond. Furthermore, they added that the driver assistance tech was a bit annoying. Nevertheless it was still described as “a great antidote to the ubiquitous SUV”.
1st Place: Skoda Octavia (£28.5k)
Coming in first place was the Czech Skoda Octavia. This was praised for having a much bigger boot compared to competitors, for being comfortable, and having a “smart interior design”. However, it lost marks for not being a cheap as the version that came before it, not being as fun to drive as rivals, and having compromised rear headroom.
Nevertheless, it still won out with the reviewers summarising: “It’s hard to define the true best car on sale, yet few offer so much for so little as the Skoda Octavia.
“Our Auto Express Family Car of the Year back in 2025, Skoda’s saloon-hatch hybrid embodies all the key qualities which the Czech firm stands for: value for money, quality and practicality, plus a great all-round ownership experience.”
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