Top 10 Best Hatchbacks in Australia in 2022

We think this is quite a shame, though, considering hatchbacks remain one of the most user-friendly platforms for someone living and commuting in the city, helping to save drivers on fuel bills and helping new drivers with a simple driving experience that is cheap to run and easy to park. 

Thankfully, most manufacturers have continued to include hatches across their lineups, which means we’ve got more than enough to compare as we take a look at the 10 best hatchbacks available here in Australia in 2022. 

Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris is one of the best options in the small hatch market, offering affordable prices for entry-level models and even a hybrid powertrain in the middle of the lineup. 

Priced from $23,740, the Yaris Ascent Sport comes packed with entertainment and safety features, and makes for a simple, comfortable and user-friendly driving experience that lends itself perfectly to commuting around town. 

Surprisingly, the Yaris is also an absolute hoot to drive thanks to its perky petrol engine, lightweight design and the capabilities of the chassis, which has been at least partially developed to race in range-topping GR Yaris form.  

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is perhaps the most famous name on our list, having been around for four decades now. In that time, VW has continued to refined its recipe for its smooth and sophisticated hatch platform, and the end result is one of the leading premium hatches on the market. 

The Golf lineup kicks off from $29,350 for the entry-level manual variant, which receives a perky 1.4-litre turbocharged engine kicking up 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque that provides impressive acceleration for the platform. 

For those looking for more speed, the iconic Golf GTI produces 180kW of power and 370Nm of torque, although the upgrade does come at a premium of $53,100. 

The entire Golf range gives buyers a heap of space and practical elements throughout the cabin, which receives a high-level and well-crafted cabin that will leave few buyers disappointed. 

Mazda 3

The Mazda 3 is another great option in the hatchback landscape, and is arguably Mazda’s most popular car of the past few decades.

In its latest form, the Mazda 3 range kicks off from $26,340 for the G20 Pure, which receives a perky 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 114kW of power and 200Nm of torque, and is remarkably fun to drive for a seemingly simple hatchback. 

The sporty handling is complemented by a well-appointed and stylish cabin, with the base model receiving cloth upholstery but a heap of entertainment and safety equipment, while higher-spec variants gain leather upholstery and premium features. 

In the rear, you’ll find enough legroom for even adults to get comfortable, making it a great option for families looking for a comfortable, attractive and practical hatchback. 

Kia Rio

The Kia Rio has been designed with simplicity in mind, which makes it a great option for those looking for an affordable, feature-packed and surprisingly fun car to pilot around town or out of the city on the weekend. 

Priced from just $19,690, the Rio is one of the most affordable hatchbacks on the Australian market, and offers an impressive amount of equipment and even cargo storage for a vehicle of this size, at this price point. 

The base model receives a modest 1.4-litre petrol producing 74kW/133Nm, paired with a six-speed manual as standard, with the option of an automatic transmission bringing the price to $21,990. 

For your money, the entry-level Rio receives 15-inch wheels, a reversing camera with parking sensors and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as standard, making for a great entry-level hatch that gains Kia’s seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. 

Suzuki Swift

The Suzuki Swift is a charismatic and personable addition to the world of hatchbacks, and with prices kicking off from $20,990, it remains one of the most affordable hatches you’ll find in Australia, too. 

While the entry-level Suzuki Swift receives just a 66kW/120Nm output from its 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol, the agile handling and lightweight platform make it a heap of fun to drive, and lends itself perfectly to the task of commuting around town. 

Better still, the base model consumes just 4.6L of fuel per 100km, making it one of the most fuel-efficient hatchbacks on the market, which is a growing concern for Australian buyers in today’s landscape. 

The entry-level Suzuki Swift comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and is packaged with 16-inch alloys, LED daytime running lamps, cruise control and a 7.0-inch infotainment system with sat-nav, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity. 

Hyundai i30

The Hyundai i30 has fast become one of the leading hatchbacks in the segment, offering buyers a heap of driving entertainment, practicality and features for the money. 

Priced from $23,420, the Hyundai i30 with a manual transmission is one of the best value for money propositions within Australia’s hatchback landscape, with power provided by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol that powers the front wheels. 

The platform is a heap of fun to drive, with Hyundai designing a car that can be smooth, comfortable and easy to drive around town while retaining a heap of cornering abilities when pushed, making for a great all-rounder.

Inside, the cabin is sleek, uncrowded and incredibly practical for its size, and is able to comfortably transport five people without a fuss, rounding out an already impressive package and making for one of the best hatches you’ll find in Australia. 

Ford Focus

Ford has slimmed down its Focus lineup here in Australia, leaving just the fire-breathing ST for buyers which means that it is more suited to those looking for a hot-hatch, rather than a primarily family-friendly package. 

For those that are looking specifically for a hot-hatch, though, the Focus is one of the best options on the market, thanks to its aggressive 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder pushing out 206kW of power and 420Nm, making it a genuine performance vehicle that will leave no buyer disappointed. 

Priced from $47,490, the Ford Focus ST comes packaged with 19-inch alloys, Recaro racing seats, adaptive suspension and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. 

Skoda Fabia 

While the Skoda Fabia is often overlooked by its more popular peers, it remains an impressive little hatch that offers a heap of value for the money. 

Priced from $20,790, the Skoda Fabia comes powered by a tiny 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that offers some perky acceleration, and impressive fuel economy of just 4.5L/100km which makes it a great option for those looking for a simple, personable and fuel-efficient commuter. 

The entry-level Fabia comes packaged with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and receives 16-inch alloys, adaptive cruise control, sports suspension and a 6.5-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, giving it perhaps the leading equipment list for a vehicle at this price point. 

MG MG3

Taking the honour of Australia’s best-selling hatch, the MG MG3’s drive-away price tag of just $17,990 makes it one of the best value hatches you’ll find on the market. 

Buyers can opt for the entry-level Core, priced at $17,990, or step up to the Excite variant, which is priced at $19,490, both of which receive a 1.5-litre petrol that produces 82kW of power and 150Nm of torque, while returning fuel economy figures of 6.7L per 100km. 

Where the MG3 lineup really shines, though, is the amount of standard equipment you’ll receive for the money, which includes things like cruise control, alloy wheels, a reversing camera with parking sensors and an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as standard on the base model. 

Better still, the MG3 lineup receives a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, making for one of the best-equipped hatches you’ll find at this price point. 

MINI Cooper

We’ll close off our list of the best hatchbacks in Australia with one of the most famous of them all, the MINI Cooper. 

In its latest generation, the Mini Cooper range remains a heap of fun to drive, and gains a range of premium features that make it a great option within the hatchback market. Priced from $37,500, the Mini Cooper 3-door hatch receives a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 100kW of power, 220Nm of torque and returns fuel economy figures of 5.6L/100km. 

LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera with front and rear parking sensors and an 8.8-inch infotainment system give buyers a handsome amount of equipment as standard in the entry-level Mini Cooper, which remains highly competitive in the world of hatchbacks thanks to its comfortable driving platform, agile handling and user-friendly nature. 

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