Be it their fuel-efficiency, agile handling, their great manners around town and of course, their affordability, hatchbacks are a great type of car for first-time buyers, experienced drivers and those looking for an easy daily driver.
Which hatchbacks are the best on sale in Australia in 2024?
That’s what you’re about to find out as we dive into ten of our favourites, with the added bonus of some of the best performance hot hatches, electric hatches, premium hatchbacks and most affordable hatches on sale in Australia.
Suzuki Swift
The Suzuki Swift is proof that great things really do come in small packages.
With an affordable lineup, Suzuki’s pint-sized hatchback feels great behind the wheel and makes for a versatile little commuter and spirited hatch in the case of sportier variants with the turbocharged engine.
The Swift is remarkably fuel-efficient with consumption figures sitting between 4.8 - 6.1L/100km across the range, while its eager nature will charm even the biggest hatchback sceptics.
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Request a quoteToyota Corolla
One of the most recognisable names in the hatchback world, the Toyota Corolla is truly a benchmark for the segment.
Inside, there’s far more space and practicality on offer than you might expect, while Toyota’s range of fuel-efficient hybrid engines makes stepping up higher into the range a worthwhile investment.
Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is another heavy-hitter in the world of compact hatchbacks, with its sleek styling both inside and out making it one of the most visually-appealing hatches on the market.
Better yet, the Mazda 3 feels great on the road when you’re pushing it and is more than happy to dial everything down and become a comfortable daily driver with a heap of versatility at its disposal.
Hyundai i30
The Hyundai i30 has come a long way over past generations and currently stands as one of the most impressive value propositions in Australia’s hatchback market.
The base i30 is impressively practical, looks great, and feels surprisingly premium on the road thanks to Hyundai sticking with the humble hatchback over the years.
There’s also the almighty i30 N performance hot hatch sitting at the top of the range, offering immense handling, playful acceleration and tonnes of character from the naughty exhaust system.
Subaru Impreza
The Subaru Impreza has received a makeover for the 2024 model year, with increased safety equipment and a revised interior making it one of the best-equipped and safest hatches from the company yet.
The Impreza range remains reasonably priced, while the company’s symmetrical AWD system means it feels confident and capable when sealed roads end, giving it a more rugged nature than your average hatch.
Skoda Scala
The Skoda Scala is a great pick for buyers looking for handfuls of premium touches in their hatchback without reaching too deep into their pockets.
Offered in two main variants here in Australia, the Scala is powered by a fuel-efficient engine rated at 5.5L/100km on a combined cycle, with the added bonus of a very healthy 467L of cargo space in the boot.
MG MG4
MG’s battery-electric hatchback is a seriously impressive package for the money, offering silent motoring and a super practical interior at a very affordable price.
The base model picks up a 51kWh battery offering 350km of range while a larger 64kWh battery brings range figures to 450km and the range-topping 77kWh battery offers range figures of 530km.
For those looking for one the fastest battery-electric hatchbacks on the market, the flagship MG4 XPower can hit the 100km/h mark from a standstill in a ridiculous 3.8 seconds.
Kia Picanto
The Kia Picanto is Australia’s cheapest hatchback - but don’t let its affordable price tag fool you, it’s a super impressive package for those in the market for a no-frills city car.
For what it lacks in outright size, the Picanto makes up for with its zippy handling and charming nature that makes for a great commuter and first-car, while Kia’s generous features lists means even the base model is well-equipped.
Toyota Yaris
If you’re looking for a city car with some of the best fuel economy figures of any vehicle on the market, look no further than the Toyota Yaris.
In recent years, Toyota has added its fuel-efficient hybrid engine tech to two members of the Yaris range, offering fuel economy figures of just 3.3L/100km, while the regular base model’s petrol engine still offers impressive figures of 4.9L/100km.
BMW 1 Series
The BMW 1 Series is a great option for buyers looking for a truly premium hatchback that doesn’t compromise on space, practicality and outright driving enjoyment.
It’s one of the most impressive handlers in the hatchback segment, while a choice of three engines means there’s a fuel-efficient and reasonably fun base model as well as a rapid hot hatch in the case of the range-topping M135i xDrive.
Best Performance Hatchbacks in 2024
- Toyota GR Yaris
- Hyundai i20 N
- Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+
- BMW M135i xDrive
- Toyota GR Corolla
- Abarth 695
- Volkswagen Golf R
- Hyundai i30 N
- Cupra Leon VZx
- Volkswagen Golf GTI
- Mini John Cooper Works
- Toyota GR Corolla
Best Battery-Electric Hatchbacks in 2024
Best Affordable Hatchbacks in 2024
Best Premium Hatchbacks in 2024
FAQ: What is the Best Hatchback of the Year?
According to various publications, hatchback of the year nominees include the Volkswagen Golf R, Cupra Leon VZx, Hyundai i30 N, Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, Toyota GR Yaris, Hyundai i20 N Mercedes-AMG A45 S and the Audi RS 3.
FAQ: Which Hatchback is More Reliable?
While it’s impossible to say which modern hatchback is the most reliable, typically industry experts and mechanics alike agree that major manufacturers from Japan are known to produce the most reliable vehicles. This means cars from brands like Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Lexus as well as Korean vehicles from Hyundai and Kia have solid reputations for reliability.
FAQ: What is the Most Luxurious Hatchback?
Some of the most luxurious hatchbacks currently on sale in Australia come from Mercedes-Benz with the A-Class, BMW with the 1 Series, Volkswagen with the Golf R, Audi with the A3 and Cupra with the Leon.
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If you’re looking to get behind the wheel of a new car this year, be sure to reach out to one of our car buying specialists who can help find you a great price.
Get in touch with one of our Car Buying Specialists today.
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