The 10 Best Used Hatchbacks in the UK (in 2022)
More than 1 in 8 of us buy a used car each year in the UK, and with hundreds of thousands if not millions of those cars being hatchbacks. That’s exactly why finding the best used hatchbacks in the UK is so commonly asked, and the most common answers typically come from the Skoda Octavia, the Seat Leon, and the VW Golf. On top of those 3 however, there are still plenty of quality vehicles to choose from, and these are 10 of the most highly rated.
1 Ford Fiesta
The Fiesta is one of the most popular selling cars in the UK, both in the new and used categories, simply because of its tried and tested reliability, style, comfort and all round likeability. Although it doesn’t always have the most to shout about, especially in the shadow of its ST counterpart, the Fiesta has always been and likely will continue to be one of the best used hatchbacks money can buy in every category you could be looking for.
2 Ford Focus
Looking at the bigger brother of the Fiesta, the Ford Focus is another titan of the industry. Being another child of the most highly selling car brand in the UK, the more family focussed Ford Fiesta is another great option to give just a little bit of everything, without compromising on anything either. Of course with a little bit more oomph than the Fiesta, it’s a great all rounder that can perform in practically any class it needs to, and all at a great price, too.
3 VW Golf
The VW Golf has been one of the most popular cars in the UK for the last 40 years, and it doesn’t look like that is set to change too much in the near future. It is a renowned vehicle of quality and affordability in the mid-range vehicle region, with more variations and engines out there than most other cars will even see in their life. In fact, it’s such a great hatchback, we’re expecting to see the electric e-Golf counterpart in this list next year if not sooner.
4 VW Polo
The VW Polo has everything that the Golf has to offer, but of course, slightly condensed. While of course it doesn’t; have the performance that the Golf does, the Polo is still a hatchback to be reckoned with. Surprisingly being one of the most spacious cars in terms of leg and headroom in the auto world at the moment, it is a highly comfy, modern, technologically advanced (even at its most basic) vehicle that can hold its own against any rival in its price range.
5 Seat Leon
The SEAT Leon is one of the most highly rated hatchbacks on the road at the moment, and actually still maintains this status in other classes of vehicle too. Rated 5 stars by Whatcar in the family category beating both the Focus and the Golf, it certainly is one of the best-used hatchbacks in the UK at the moment, even though it is far from being one of the best sellers. With options like the FR version out there too, it’s a great choice for any driver.
6 Skoda Octavia
The Skoda Octavia seems to be getting better and better with each passing year. Hailed as one of the best cars in its category despite being vastly cheaper than the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes, the Octavia performs incredibly well in all areas, making it a great car to have the privilege to own, and a great used car purchase too, thanks to cheaper parts and a generally solid reliability rating.
7 Skoda Fabia
Sticking with Skoda, the Fabia is nothing to be sniffed at either. Although it is vastly less popular than most of the other cars on the list, it still certainly earns its place as one of the best used hatchbacks in the UK. What’s even better still is that alongside its reliability and great performance, it is also dramatically cheaper than almost all of the other cars in this list barring the Fiesta because of the sheer availability and lower new prices. It’s a serious winner all around, albeit less common to see on the road and possibly slightly harder to sell.
8 Audi A3
The Audi A3 is the largest Audi available in a hatchback from the brand, and it certainly is one of the best in the category, too. The A3 is a prime example of German engineering at its finest, creating a sporty hatchback vehicle with the best of Audi’s midrange features, with the only downside being the price against competitors, but it is still not far from the rest of the group. For a car as solidly performing, reliable, and in demand, it’s hard to go far wrong.
9 Honda Civic
Honda is an extremely well respected and highly trusted brand in the UK, and when looking at the best used hatchbacks, the Civic is certainly one to keep in mind. With a solid performance at even the most basic engine level, a sleek redesign from a few years back in the 9th generation, and some truly incredible safety gestures on top, it’s a prime example of a cra that is a delight to own and drive, even with slightly more costly parts than some of the lower end machines.
10 BMW 1 Series
Finally, the BMW 1 series is yet another higher end vehicle from one of the most highly regarded car manufacturers in the world. It has had a change of shape in recent years taking some of the length away from the appearance of the bonnet and managed to conform slightly more fittingly with the rest of the hatchbacks on the roads, all the while still maintaining that higher level of comfort and performance that you’d expect from the brand. Of course, parts and work is slightly more expensive again because of the brand, but it’s still a great option to consider if you’re looking to buy,
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