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 5,293 new and 145,557 used Hatchback cars available on Autotrader, we have the largest range of cars for sale across the UK.

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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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Volkswagen Golf

1.6 TDI BlueMotion Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£500

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Diesel
Manual
1.6 litres

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Ford Fiesta

2.0 ST 3dr

£995

5 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
2.0 litres

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Vauxhall Astra

1.6 CDTi ecoTEC BlueInjection SRi Euro 6 5dr

£1,850

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Diesel
Manual
1.6 litres

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Peugeot 308

1.6 e-HDi Active Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£1,000

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Diesel
Manual
1.6 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

£14,195

Save

£6,395

Video

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Hyundai IONIQ 3

42kWh Advance Auto 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£23,040

Now

£18,995

Save

£4,045

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Vauxhall Corsa

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

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£20,590

Now

£14,390

Save

£6,200

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Suzuki Swift

1.2 MHEV Motion Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£19,999

Now

£15,999

Save

£4,000

Leasing

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Volkswagen Golf

2.0 TSI GTI DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£279

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,345 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
2.0 litres

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Volkswagen Polo

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

From

£215

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,574 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
1.0 litres

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SEAT Ibiza

1.0 TSI FR Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£185

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,220 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.0 litres

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Polestar Polestar 2

Dual Motor 82kWh Long Range Fastback Auto 4WDE 5dr

From

£376

Per month (inc. VAT)

£4,507 initial payment

48 month contract

6,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Electric
Automatic
370 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