Best family hatchbacks
The humble hatchback is still one of the best family cars out there – here are some of the best you can buy
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The best family hatchback is up for debate. UK roads are filled with practical hatchback options that are spacious and comfortable enough for families, but how do you know which one to pick?
SUVs might be picking up traction as popular family cars, but a hatchback can save you money while giving you loads of the same features and practicality – just lower to the ground.
So, to help you decide, we've looked at boot space, safety, reliability, tech, and value to find the best family hatchbacks on the market.
Keep reading to see our top picks.
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What makes a good family hatchback?
The best family hatchback is one that suits your needs – so you’ll first need to narrow down what that means.
If you’re a larger family, you’ll want to choose one of the bigger hatchbacks to make sure the bigger kids have plenty of room in the back.
Then, of course, you might need to make sure the boot is big enough to fit a pushchair.
Safety features are also important for families, so checking Euro NCAP ratings can help you check that any precious cargo will be in good hands.
Similarly, busy families tend not to have time for extra car maintenance and upkeep. Look for reliable cars that are praised in forums and easy to look after to keep things simple.
Another one of the most important features of the best family hatchbacks is comfort. The driving position needs to be good, and the passengers also need to feel relaxed to help dodge any moaning on longer journeys.
Best family hatchbacks for 2024
Our overall favourite hatchbacks are great value for money, comfortable, and reliable. They’re perfect for families that need a safe and practical daily car that’s easy to live with.
Toyota Corolla
 "Toyota Corolla exterior")
The Toyota Corolla is a true modern classic and a staple on UK roads. Its biggest selling point is the seriously impressive fuel efficiency from Toyota’s high-tech hybrid system.
The 64.1mpg Toyota says you’ll get from the Corolla in 1.8-litre hybrid form is certainly nothing to shake a stick at - bear in mind this is the best-case figure.
Inside, the Corolla is thoughtfully laid out with all features at your fingertips. After the 2023 facelift, there’s now a 10.25-inch screen as standard and it’s paired with a handy 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
It’s an ideal family pick for its function and practicality, but it’s a genuinely enjoyable drive, and you can always count on Toyota’s build quality and reliability.
Skoda Octavia
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Another of our top picks for best family hatchback is the Skoda Octavia. It’s a sneaky option that outdoes many of the more popular hatchbacks for value, usability, and space.
Low running costs are always expected from a Skoda, as is reliability, so it’s no surpise that the Octavia can get you a tasty 63.4mpg from the 2.0-litre diesel.
If you want to cut fuel costs, the Octavia iV PHEV can get up to 250mpg (according to official stats) with a 43-mile electric range.
And, thanks to its non-traditional body shape (it’s a bit of a saloon-shaped hatchback), you gets a massive 600-litre space that goes pretty much unbeaten among the class.
Best used family hatchbacks
Buying a used family hatchback is a great way to make some savings and there are plenty of excellent options out there.
Another great thing about used hatchbacks is that you can pick up examples from premium brands like Audi and Mercedes at a steal compared to what they cost new.
So, if you’re a bit of a brand loyalist, here are a couple of ideal used family hatchbacks.
Audi A3
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The Audi A3 Sportback is the hatchback in the A3 lineup. It’ll set you back upwards of £29,515 if you buy one new, or you can find nearly -new used options with money off.
You might also find used Audi A3s optional extras added that would’ve cost extra when purchased brand-new, with a discount on the used market.
The A3 Sportback is one of the best family hatchbacks if you like quintessential Audi styling, a plush interior, and plenty of tech.
In fact, you can get a 10.1-inch infotainment screen paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, plus plenty of space for even taller passengers to be comfortable in the cabin.
BMW 1 Series
 "BMW 1 Series front")
Another great pick for a used family hatchback is the BMW 1 Series, which you can find for a great saving on the pre-owned market.
The 1 Series is a direct competitor of the Audi A3, and feels similar in some ways, but the 1 Series feels sportier than the grown-up A1. Don’t worry, it’s still plenty practical.
The 380-litre boot will fit a pushchair or a few suitcases with ease, and the cabin itself is roomy with plenty of head and legroom.
And, since it’s a premium product, it still feels swish throughout.
We think you’ll like the 10.3-inch infotainment screen, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for music and maps on family road trips.
Most reliable family hatchbacks
Family life can be stressful, so you don’t need a car that breaks down regularly on your plate.
Finding a family hatchback that’s built to last will ease this stress, so you can focus on carting the kids around more than fixing your motor.
And if you want to do some more research, online forums, long term testing reviews, and Euro NCAP ratings can be a great indicator of a reliable car.
Toyota Yaris
 "Toyota Yaris exterior")
If there’s one thing Toyotas are known for, it’s their impressive reliability. The little Yaris hatchback is always popping up on reliability leader boards – and it usually plonks itself in the top five with ease.
The build quality is solid and parts are easy to find, and often inexpensive. There’s also plenty of safety kit as standard, like autonomous emergency braking, road sign assist, reversing cameras, and a driver attention alert system.
As a whole, the Yaris is very practical. It’s a small car but it’s airy inside and there’s a 286-litre boot that can still fit a pushchair – though not much else – so it works for small families.
You can also rely on it to provide impressive fuel efficiency, with the 1.5-litre hybrid claiming up to 68.9mpg according to official stats.
Ford Focus
 "Ford Focus exterior")
Another great option for a reliable hatchback, the Ford Focus is an absolute classic.
The Focus, like the Yaris, is consistently rated well for reliability. And, parts are cheap and plenty of garages are familiar with Fords, so maintenance should be affordable.
You also get plenty of kit as standard, with some options varying depending on the model you choose. There are features like pre-collision assist that checks for hazards, blind spot monitoring, and intelligent headlights that don't dazzle other drivers.
Reviews for the Focus are generally positive as well – it's easy to see why it's so popular. Issues tend to be minimal, which helps the Focus to score well on most reliability surveys.
Plus, fuel efficiency is strong in most Focus models, especially with the 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine, which is good for up to a claimed 54.3mpg.
Family hatchback with a large boot
One of the biggest things to consider for a family car is often the boot – will it be big enough to fit everything you need?
The good news is that a hatchback can be plenty practical on the boot space front, so your options aren’t super limited.
We mentioned earlier that the Skoda Octavia is one of the leaders for boot space when it comes to hatchbacks, but what other options should you consider?
Peugeot 308
 "Peugeot 308 driving")
The Peugeot 308 is one of the best family hatchbacks for many reasons, but it really pulls it out of the bag when it comes to space in the boot.
Despite being a compact hatchback, you’ll get up to 470 litres of boot space with the seats in place.
If you need more space on occasion, you can fold down the rear seats and get a 1,185-litre loading space that’s ideal for flatpack furniture shopping.
There’s also plenty of space throughout the cabin, like a large, cooled glovebox and spacious door bins.
Honda Civic
 "Honda Civic driving")
We also love the Honda Civic for a family hatchback with a large boot. You’ll get 478-litres of space as standard – 30 litres more than the VW Golf.
The boot can extend to 1,267 litres if you fold the rear seats, and it’s easy to pack up as there’s a low lip at the entrance.
If you need more room, you can remove the boot liner to reveal more storage. There’s plenty of storage in the cabin as well, like spacious door bins, plenty of cup holders and centre console storage.
Like the Octavia, the saloon-like shape of the Civic definitely helps in the boot department.
Best small family hatchbacks
Not all families need buckets of space and a large car, so a small hatchback can be a perfect fit – especially those living in cities and towns.
It’s worth looking at things like boot space and how many ISOFIX car seat points are throughout the car, to see which best suits your needs.
Renault Clio
 "Renault Clio driving")
For a small family hatchback, the Renault Clio can really do no wrong. Its pocket-size stature makes it easy to manoeuvre so it’s ideal if you’re a city-dwelling family.
Sam Sheehan, our motoring editor, says: “You won’t struggle to get comfortable in the front of a Renault Clio, because there’s plenty of both legroom and headroom, and the seats and steering wheel offer decent adjustment levels.”
Since it’s a bit smaller, the Clio might be a squeeze for taller people in the back. But it does have two ISOFIX points for the little ones, which is a big plus.
Volkswagen up!
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Maybe we’re pushing it by suggesting the small VW up! as a they're really quite petite, but we still think they work as family hatchbacks that really cut back on the bulk.
The washing-machine-on-wheels shape of the up! means there’s plenty of head and legroom inside, and even adult won’t feel too cramped in the back (unless you’re on a long road trip).
The cabin is comfortable and airy, with two ISOFIX child seat points in the rear if you want to fit a baby seat.
When it comes to boot space, the dinky up! has a small but mighty 251-litre space that can fit a pushchair or a couple of suitcases.
Find your ideal family hatchback at cinch
The best family hatchback will depend on your family’s needs, but there are plenty of options whether you need a big boot, something small for city driving, or something with great fuel efficiency.
There are plenty of used hatchback deals as well, so you can save money on the cost of your next family car.
Take a look at our full range of used hatchbacks to see what suits your budget.
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