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 5,323 new and 143,985 used Hatchback cars available on Autotrader, we have the largest range of cars for sale across the UK.

Search 149,308 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.

Shop by brand

Carousel slide 1

Volkswagen

View 37,999 cars

Ford

View 38,070 cars

Vauxhall

View 26,441 cars

Audi

View 36,342 cars

Used vehicles

Carousel slide 1

Citroen C1

1.0i VT Euro 4 5dr

£1,495

4 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.0 litres

Carousel slide 2

Vauxhall Corsa

1.2i 16v Limited Edition 3dr (a/c)

£785

5 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.2 litres

Carousel slide 3

Fiat Punto Evo

1.4 GP Euro 5 (s/s) 3dr

£1,547

5 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.4 litres

Carousel slide 4

Ford Fiesta

1.4 Zetec 3dr

£695

5 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.4 litres

New vehicles

Carousel slide 1

Dacia Spring

100 24.3kWh EXTREME Auto 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£13,640

Now

£11,350

Save

£2,290

Carousel slide 2

Vauxhall Astra

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

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£32,145

Now

£19,500

Save

£12,645

Carousel slide 3

Peugeot 408

1.2 PureTech GT Fastback EAT Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£36,200

Now

£19,990

Save

£16,210

Carousel slide 4

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

Leasing

Carousel slide 1

Volkswagen Golf

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

From

£262

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,139 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
2.0 litres

Carousel slide 2

Volkswagen Polo

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

From

£215

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,573 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
1.0 litres

Carousel slide 3

Renault 5 E-Tech electric

comfort range 52kWh techno+ Auto 5dr

From

£250

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,997 initial payment

48 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Electric
Automatic
252 miles

Carousel slide 4

Polestar Polestar 2

Single Motor 82kWh Long Range Fastback Auto RWD 5dr

From

£357

Per month (inc. VAT)

£4,278 initial payment

48 month contract

6,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Electric
Automatic
409 miles

The latest hatchback articles

News

It’s a pussycat, until you step on it | Editor’s Choice September 2026

Dan missed out on the original Peugeot 205 GTi – is the new E-208 GTi he’s been driving a worthy substitute, though?

Published Yesterday

Expert Review

AION UT Hatchback (2026 - ) review

Newcomer Aion attempts to stand out in a crowded small electric car sector but the UT falls some way short

Published 6 days ago

Expert Review

Peugeot E-208 GTi (2026 – ) review

The classic Peugeot hot hatch, as reinvented for the electric age by the new E-208 GTi

Published 7 days ago

Long-term Review

Living with a… Fiat Grande Panda (Month 1)

The Grande Panda looks fantastic, but what's it really like to live with? – We find out

Published 10 days ago

Shop all brands

Carousel slide 1

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