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 5,230 new and 145,986 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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Used vehicles

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Vauxhall Astra

1.6 16v SE Auto Euro 5 5dr

£995

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
1.6 litres

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BMW 1 Series

1.6 116i Sport Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£850

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.6 litres

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Ford Focus

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

£1,295

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.0 litres

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Citroen DS3

1.6 THP DSport Plus Euro 5 3dr

£795

5 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
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

£21,240

Now

£14,699

Save

£6,541

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Hyundai IONIQ 3

42kWh Advance Auto 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£22,245

Now

£18,495

Save

£3,750

Video

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Dacia Spring

70 24.3kWh Expression Auto 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£11,990

Now

£10,490

Save

£1,500

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Vauxhall Corsa

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

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£20,590

Now

£14,590

Save

£6,000

Leasing

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Volkswagen Golf

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

From

£262

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,138 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

£199

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,384 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
1.0 litres

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Polestar Polestar 2

Single Motor 82kWh Long Range Fastback Auto RWD 5dr

From

£364

Per month (inc. VAT)

£4,357 initial payment

48 month contract

6,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Electric
Automatic
409 miles

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Renault 5 E-Tech electric

comfort range 52kWh techno+ Auto 5dr

From

£268

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,215 initial payment

48 month contract

6,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Electric
Automatic
252 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