What is the best Audi hatchback?
Looking for an Audi hatchback but not sure which one is right for you? Read our guide to the best Audi hatchbacks you can buy today
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There’s something to be said for hatchbacks – they have some of the widest-opening boots, which makes them among the most popular cars on the road.
Fortunately, Audi’s extensive lineup of cars comprises a large selection of hatchbacks, and you won’t just be limited to small cars.
Whether it’s a family runaround, a sporty-looking coupé or maybe even an SUV, there’s an Audi hatchback model for everyone.
Audi A1
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The A1 is Audi’s smallest car besides the sporty TT coupé, but that doesn’t mean it’s no good for a family.
The second-generation model comes with a pair of rear doors and seating for five, plus a reasonably large 335-litre boot, which is bigger than you’d find in a Ford Fiesta.
Because it shares many of its parts with the Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Skoda Fabia, buying replacement parts shouldn’t break the bank despite the premium badge.
Who is the Audi A1 hatchback best for?
Many first-time buyers tend to get a car this size, and the space in the back makes it good for carting friends around.
The A1 would be a great option for drivers who are typically alone but occasionally need to carry around some extra passengers or bags.
Audi A3
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In the same way that the A1 shares its parts with other cars, the A3 uses many components from the Volkswagen Golf, SEAT Leon and Skoda Octavia.
It’s the smallest Audi hatchback you can get with a plug-in hybrid setup, which means you could drive up to 30 miles on electric power alone, saving pounds – not pennies – at the pump.
The 380-litre boot is on par with many of its rivals, and while the A3 saloon has a larger 425-litre area, it doesn’t have that all-important hatchback-style boot opening.
What puts the A3 among the best Audi hatchbacks?
The Audi A3 is a premium product with plenty of high-quality materials throughout the cabin, but it’s substantially cheaper than many other premium rivals like the Mercedes A-Class and BMW 1 Series.
It also has a wide range of configurations, including bodystyles, engines and trim levels, so there should be a suitable model for most drivers.
Audi S3
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If you like the idea of something a bit quicker, the S3 makes for a compelling option. It’s based on the A3, but it’s much sportier.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 310hp (10hp less than the Volkswagen Golf R), which means it’s good for 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds.
Besides being quicker, it feels sportier, but it has firmer suspension and plenty of sporty styling enhancements.
Is the Audi S3 hatchback right for you?
For most buyers, the 400hp Audi RS 3 is a step too far, but the S3 presents a perfect middle ground of practicality, reasonable running costs and performance.
Audi A5
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Sharing many of its parts with the Audi A4 saloon, the A5 looks very similar but has a more sloping roofline and, of course, a more practical hatchback boot.
If you’re after that wide-opening boot, you’ll need to look at the A5 Sportback, not the coupé or convertible models. The Sportback also benefits from a set of rear doors.
It has a 465-litre boot, which is a touch smaller than the Audi A4’s, but it’s much more useable and you can even carry fairly bulky items in the back of your sporty-looking five-door coupé.
Is the A5 the best Audi hatchback model?
The A5 ticks a lot of boxes – saloons like the BMW 3 Series and Tesla Model 3 are very popular, but their narrow boot openings reduce their practicality.
The A5, like the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, adds extra usability and sporty appeal to an already popular bodystyle, so there’s little not to like.
Audi A7
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It’s true that the brand’s SUVs all have hatchback-style boot openings, but if you’re not after a big 4x4, the A7 is the largest hatchback you can buy from Audi.
It bridges the gap between the premium A6 saloon and the flagship A8 model, so you can expect top-notch car tech and the best materials.
Although it’s big, the diesel engines could see around 40mpg from a long trip and there’s even a plug-in hybrid model that, in its latest form, can do up to 40 miles without using the petrol engine.
Is the A7 the best Audi 5-door hatchback?
The A7 has bags of interior space and is a noticeable step up in quality from the A5 Sportback.
It’s an expensive car to buy new, but because it’s quite popular, you can usually find bargains when shopping around for used models.