This is great news for us - hatchbacks have to be brilliant or they just won’t sell. We present six of the best.

Volkswagen Golf

The Golf is one of the most popular models in brand history. The current model (Mk6) is a class act which shows the others the way forward in its level of quality, especially with its interior.

The Golf is a five-star EuroNCAP car, fitted with seven airbags as standard, ESP, brake assist, ISOFIX child seat anchor points, Electronic Differential Lock and traction control. It's also expected to retain at least half its value after three years.

Don’t be fooled by engine size in the petrol line-up, all the 1.4-litre engines with a TSI badge are more powerful, economical and cleaner than the less advanced 1.6-litre and command a price premium as a result.

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Ford Focus

It might not look quite as unique as the first Focus, but that hasn’t stopped the latest model from continuing to be the best-selling hatchback for the past ten years.

The Focus is competitively priced, brilliant to drive and easy to run, so ownership should be relatively hassle-free.

Quality has improved too - the interior feels like that of a German car and there's lots of space inside, making it an ideal family vehicle. With the largest dealer network in the country there are around 600 places to have it serviced.

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Renault Megane

Buyers who want a car which is quiet, relaxing to drive and has light steering will love the Megane.

It feels more comfortable from behind the steering wheel than its Germanic rivals, with less stiff suspension and softer seats. The gearchange is light and so is the steering and operation of the pedals.

Meganes are competitively priced too, so there should be some good deals available, but it's worth keeping an eye on depreciation figures – the last Megane lost more of its value over the first three years of ownership than its top rivals.

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Vauxhall Astra

The Astra has a dynamic appearance and doesn’t disappoint on the road. Handling is good and engines are peppy.

Basic models come with lots of equipment installed, so you won’t feel hard done by. However the interior doesn’t feel all that special and the dashboard controls can be fussy.

Each Astra comes with six airbags in case of an accident, with anti-lock brakes and ESP to reduce your chances of having one. The Astra is a very competent car on both the motorway and in urban surroundings.

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Audi A3

As the cheapest way into Audi ownership, the A3 is a stylish hatchback with a curvy exterior and pleasing optional features, such as smart LED headlights and a set of 16-inch alloys.

The interior is of high quality, the boot’s 350-litre capacity makes it the same as the Golf and reliability is strong.

Audi's entry-level A3 is very basic however, featuring little more than alloy wheels, a CD player, alarm, heated mirrors, air-conditioning and electric. Go for a higher spec for sportier options such as a trip computer, front fog lights and a steering wheel with audio controls.

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BMW 1 Series

The BMW 3 Series is spacious up-front and feels compact overall - the sign of a good hatchback.

It’s in the performance and handling where the 1 Series really shines. As a rear-wheel drive hatchback, its bigger 200bhp-plus engines benefit from rear-wheel drive and there's very little roll through the corners, with the steering poised and precise.

The phenomenal 2-litre 123d will accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and hit 148mph while averaging a claimed 54.3mpg, making it one of the best all-round performers for your money.

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