You can tell if it's a hatchback by the boot access. A hatchback will have a rear door that covers the width of the car's back end and opens upwards for easy access. The rear window will be in the boot lid itself. Hatchbacks are available with two or four side doors, with the boot lid counting as an extra door (meaning they are called three or five-door cars).

What is the difference between a saloon and a hatchback?

The main differences between hatchbacks and saloons (also sometimes called sedans) are the car's boot and overall structure. A hatchback has boot space inside the car, just behind the rear seats. This is accessed through a third or fifth door, which offers more practicality thanks to the bigger boot aperture. Saloons, however, have the boot as a separate part that sticks out. Saloon boots tend to open below the rear window. A saloon has three 'compartments'; one for the engine, one for the passengers and one for the cargo (boot). A hatchback has two compartments: one for the engine and one for the passengers and cargo. This doesn't mean a saloon has more seating space. A hatchback can also carry up to five passengers, but you can put the seats down for increased boot space – offering a bit more flexibility. Learn more about hatchbacks.

What is the best hatchback?

Hatchbacks remain one of the most popular choices in the UK. As such, there's plenty of choice on the market. Here's some of the best hatchbacks on the market today , as picked by our experts.

New & used hatchbacks

With 5,074 new and 140,771 used Hatchback cars available on Autotrader, we have the largest range of cars for sale across the UK.

Search 145,845 cars Hatchback deals

Find your perfect hatchback

Hatchbacks make popular family cars thanks to their decent boot-size and roomy interiors.

If you’re looking for practical layouts, efficient engines and stylish designs, then a hatchback might be the right car for you. In addition to easy boot access, the boot lid effectively acts as an extra door; meaning you can find three-door and five-door hatchbacks in a range of shapes and sizes

Explore the range of used and new hatchbacks available on Autotrader today.

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Volkswagen

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Used vehicles

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Ford Focus

1.0T EcoBoost Zetec Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,000

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.0 litres

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Vauxhall Corsa

1.2i 16v SXi 3dr

£995

5 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.2 litres

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Fiat 500

1.2 Lounge Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr

£2,450

4 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.2 litres

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Skoda Fabia

1.9 TDI vRS 5dr

£1,600

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Diesel
Manual
1.9 litres

New vehicles

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Vauxhall Corsa

1.2 Turbo Yes Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£20,590

Now

£15,485

Save

£5,105

Video

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MG MG3

1.5 SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£17,495

Now

£14,445

Save

£3,050

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Vauxhall Corsa

1.2 Turbo Yes Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£20,225

Now

£16,499

Save

£3,726

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Renault Clio

1.0 TCe techno esprit Alpine Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£21,645

Now

£17,650

Save

£3,995

Video

Leasing

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Volkswagen Polo

1.0 TSI R-Line DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£199

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,383 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
1.0 litres

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Vauxhall Corsa

1.2 Turbo Ultimate Auto Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£188

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,252 initial payment

24 month contract

6,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
1.2 litres

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MG MG4

64kWh XPOWER Auto 4WD 5dr (Dual Motor)

From

£275

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,294 initial payment

48 month contract

6,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Electric
Automatic
251 miles

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Volkswagen ID.7

Pro S 86kWh Match Plus Fastback Auto 5dr

From

£305

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,653 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Electric
Automatic
434 miles

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Your questions answered

The main differences between hatchbacks and saloons (also sometimes called sedans) are the car's boot and overall structure. A hatchback has boot space inside the car, just behind the rear seats. This is accessed through a third or fifth door, which offers more practicality thanks to the bigger boot aperture. Saloons, however, have the boot as a separate part that sticks out. Saloon boots tend to open below the rear window. A saloon has three 'compartments'; one for the engine, one for the passengers and one for the cargo (boot). A hatchback has two compartments: one for the engine and one for the passengers and cargo. This doesn't mean a saloon has more seating space. A hatchback can also carry up to five passengers, but you can put the seats down for increased boot space – offering a bit more flexibility. Learn more about hatchbacks.

New & used hatchbacks

Find your perfect hatchback