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.

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 4,973 new and 147,255 used Hatchback cars available on Auto Trader, 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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Used vehicles

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Vauxhall Astra

1.6 CDTi ecoTEC BlueInjection SRi Euro 6 5dr

£3,495

Lower price

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Diesel
Manual
1.6 litres

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BMW 1 Series

1.6 116i Sport Euro 6 (s/s) 3dr

£500

5 seats
3 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.6 litres

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Hyundai i10

1.0 SE Euro 5 5dr

£759

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.0 litres

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Hyundai i30

1.6 CRDi Active Auto Euro 5 5dr

£2,595

Good price

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Diesel
Automatic
1.6 litres

New vehicles

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MG MG3

1.5 SE Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£17,790

Now

£14,750

Save

£3,040

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Vauxhall Corsa

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

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£21,970

Now

£16,989

Save

£4,981

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Citroen C3

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

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£19,680

Now

£17,999

Save

£1,681

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Skoda Fabia

1.5 TSI 130 DSG Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

MRRP

Manufacturer's Recommended Retail Price

£30,445

Now

£26,999

Save

£3,446

Leasing

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Peugeot 208

1.2 PureTech Style Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£158

Per month (inc. VAT)

£1,891 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.2 litres

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Volkswagen Golf

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

From

£325

Per month (inc. VAT)

£3,892 initial payment

24 month contract

6,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Automatic
2.0 litres

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Volkswagen ID.3

79kWh GTX Fire & Ice Auto 5dr

From

£306

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,749 initial payment

24 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Electric
Automatic
366 miles

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Peugeot 208

1.2 PureTech GT Premium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

From

£201

Per month (inc. VAT)

£2,401 initial payment

36 month contract

5,000 miles p/a

5 seats
5 doors
Hatchback
Petrol
Manual
1.2 litres

The latest hatchback articles

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.

New & used hatchbacks

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