Vauxhall Corsa review – the best Corsa yet
Top 10 used hatchbacks – the best second-hand buys in 2024
Cars like these are easy to park, spacious, well-equipped and cheap to run. We pick out the best used hatchbacks
You’re not short on choice for used hatchbacks in 2024. Despite the popularity of SUVs today, hatchbacks continue to sell in strong numbers, which means there are plenty to choose from on the used car market.
Although hatchbacks are some of the most affordable cars available, that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the latest style or tech. In fact, it’s possible to pick up a hybrid or fully electric hatchback on the used market with the latest gadgetry and design for a fraction of its price brand new, so it's the ideal choice for urban drivers on a budget. Of course, petrol models are still the most common, but there are even a few diesel options to be found – the latter will be worthwhile if you’re a driver covering long motorway miles.
The 10 best hatchbacks to buy in 2024
The popularity of the models listed below means that there’s huge choice on the second-hand market, which helps to keep prices reasonable and improves the chances of finding an example that meets your exact specification and mileage requirements.
You may find a great deal for a used car through financing rather than paying for it in a lump sum. Before you commit to a deal, make sure you read our guide to PCP finance on used cars and check out our used car deals page which is updated weekly.
UK buyers love the Vauxhall Corsa – it’s one of the best-selling cars here – so there’s always plentiful supply on the used market. Its popularity is down to its impressive practicality, low running costs and affordability, and used versions can prove even better value. We think it's such a good buy that we awarded it the 2024 Carbuyer Best Used Small Car award.
There are plenty of engine options for the Corsa, including a range of petrols, mild hybrids and a diesel that you can no longer buy from new. The latter will only make sense for drivers who regularly spend time on the motorway, while the 99bhp turbocharged petrol engine is the pick of the range for everyone else. Every model gets a spacious interior, and later models come with a neat 10-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
Buyers who are considering making the switch to electric driving are catered for by the Corsa Electric. While this model is considerably more expensive to buy brand new, the price disparity is much smaller on the used market, meaning it’s an excellent choice for urban drivers looking for rock-bottom running costs.
The Skoda Octavia remains an excellent choice for used buyers across the generations with a mix of practicality and efficiency at a discounted price compared to its Volkswagen counterparts. Not only that, but the Octavia is larger than the Volkswagen Golf that it shares many components with. The latest Octavia still offers the previously popular diesel variant, however, new buyers are more likely to have picked a petrol, or plug-in hybrid model and so expect to see more of these on the used market.
Both the 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol options are fuel efficient and punchy enough, while the vRS option remains for those wanting more power and a sportier driving experience. A facelift for 2024 introduced some tweaked styling and updated interior tech, but that means there are plenty of nearly-new deals for the outgoing model on the second hand market.
For fuel-sipping urban driving, you’ll struggle to do better than the Honda Jazz. It uses a clever hybrid system whereby the petrol engine acts as a generator to supply electricity to a pair of electric motors. While that all sounds rather complex, in reality, the Jazz is easy to drive and perfectly at home pootling around town. With just 106bhp it’s hardly sporty, but many buyers will appreciate the comfortable nature of the Jazz. We even awarded it the Carbuyer Best Used Hybrid award in 2024.
The Jazz is a big seller here in the UK, so used market shoppers are fairly spoiled for choice. All versions of the latest model get the hybrid system, an automatic gearbox and a digital driver’s display, although only newer examples come with a nine-inch infotainment screen. We recommend avoiding versions with the larger 16-inch wheels as these upset the ride quality, but other than that, you only need worry about which paint colour you prefer.
If you’re looking for something that’s more fun to drive than the Honda Jazz, but you still want the fuel-saving benefits of a hybrid system, the Renault Clio is the used small car for you. E-Tech hybrid models use a clever self-charging system that returns up to an official 67.3mpg, while delivering a fun, smooth driving experience. Of course, second-hand buyers have the pick of several petrol models, too, although the sluggish 64bhp SCe model is best avoided unless you’re a young driver looking for low insurance costs.
Renault doesn’t offer a diesel Clio brand new anymore, but there are a few to be found on the used market. Facelifted models from 2023 onwards pack updated style and tech, but Clios built prior to this represent the best value today – you can pick up an E-Tech hybrid example for under £14,000.
The Peugeot 208 makes for a great used small car buy for several reasons, but key to its appeal is its strong range of petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric powertrains. There really is a model to suit every buyer, whether you’re looking for an urban runabout, a motorway cruiser or if you’re ready to switch to emissions-free driving.
The current second-generation Peugeot 208 has been on sale since 2019, so the second hand market is awash with examples to pick from. A facelift in late 2023 brought new styling and a longer range for the electric E-208, but you’re likely to find a better deal for an earlier model. Our pick would be the petrol PureTech 100 model – it’s punchy, efficient and available with an automatic gearbox if that’s something you need.
The SEAT Leon became a sales success in its third generation as it was given the latest platform and technology to match the Volkswagen Golf of the time. The fourth generation again gets the latest technology from the Golf and has a wide range of choice for specification to fit most budgets, but with a slightly more exciting design. We think it makes the better second-hand buy as prices tend to be cheaper than a like-for-like Golf, and you get a similarly well-appointed interior.
All Leon models get a spacious interior and a choice of petrol and diesel engines; there is also a plug-in hybrid. If you want a sportier SEAT Leon you’ll need to go to the recently formed ‘Cupra’ brand that sells their own Leon, but solely as a pricier performance model.
The latest Mercedes A-Class has one of the best interiors you can find in a family hatchback, as most of it looks to have been taken from the opulent Mercedes S-Class. It’s a lot more modern-looking inside than the previous model, which has lots of buttons wherever you look, and the tech has advanced too. All A-Class models get an infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument cluster, so you won’t feel short changed if you opt for a lower-spec model.
It’s more spacious in the rear seats and the boot is more accessible now, so the A-Class is slightly better suited to carrying passengers and luggage. Mercedes hasn’t lost sight of comfort, either; the A-Class rides very nicely and is refined at motorway speeds. Plenty are available, so we’d avoid the slightly underpowered entry-level engines and choose Sport trim or higher.
The MG4 isn’t just one of the best electric hatchbacks around, it's one of the best hatchbacks, full stop. Range and charging speeds are competitive no matter which of the three battery sizes you choose, with entry-level cars managing up to 218 miles and Extended Range models hitting 323 miles. What really sets the MG4 apart is value for money; it costs from just £27,000 new, while used examples are much cheaper than many electric rivals. That’s hard to argue with, especially considering the interior tech, the spacious cabin and the refined driving experience on offer.
All MG4s came from the factory with an impressive seven-year/80,000-mile warranty, so most will still be covered for several years. We reckon the SE trim represents the best value on the used market, with low mileage examples costing around £10,000 less than a brand new equivalent, and still comes with all the kit you need. You can even pick up the top-spec 429bhp MG4 XPower on the used market for less than the cost of a new entry-level model.
Like the bigger Golf, the Volkswagen Polo tends to hold its value better than rivals, perhaps because of its desirable badge and quality interior. You could quite easily mistake it for the Golf because it’s only a little less spacious. The Polo may well be cheaper to run, with frugal engines and low insurance costs on less powerful models.
Unless you’re hunting out the lowest possible insurance premiums, the turbocharged 1.0-litre TSI petrol is the pick of the range – offering sprightly performance and over 50mpg. SE seems to be the most common spec online, and even this model comes with parking sensors, digital radio and a touchscreen with smartphone mirroring. If you’re looking at the Polo, the mechanically identical SEAT Ibiza should also be on your shortlist.
When Hyundai first introduced the i30 it did little to ruffle the feathers of the popular hatchbacks manufacturers. Then with the introduction of the current generation, Hyundai took a giant leap and enticed new car buyers with competitive pricing and five-year warranty. For the used car buyer this means if you can find a model around three years old you’ll drive away with some existing manufacturer warranty for added peace of mind.
Equipment levels are ample across the range although you’ll want to look for a ‘Premium’ model if you want all the extras. Hyundai also offers an N-Line trim for those wanting sporty looks and their top of the range Hyundai i30 N for enthusiasts.
Read our complete guide to buying from a car dealer for tips on how to get the best deal...
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