Family hatchbacks compared: boot space, price and reliability
Figures updated
The 11 family hatchbacks we cover, side by side on price, boot space, safety and how reliable each is in real MOT tests. The Skoda Octavia has the biggest boot (600 litres), and the Volkswagen Golf the best MOT record.
| Car | Price new from | Boot (litres) | Euro NCAP | Reliability score | Failed MOT first time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford FocusMk4 (2018–2025) | – | 375 | 5★ (2018) | 101 | 31.5% |
| Volkswagen GolfMk8 (2020–) | £29,040 | 381 | 5★ (2019) | 124 | 25.1% |
| Vauxhall AstraAstra L (2022–) | £27,495 | 422 | 4★ (2022) | 99 | 33.8% |
| Audi A3A3 8Y Sportback (2020–) | £28,650 | 380 | 5★ (2020) | 124 | 24.9% |
| BMW 1 SeriesF70 (2024–) | £32,640 | 380 | 4★ (2025) | 122 | 24.2% |
| Mercedes-Benz A-ClassW177 (2018–) | £31,870 | 350 | 5★ (2018) | 108 | 21.4% |
| Honda CivicMk11 e:HEV (2022–) | £34,325 | 410 | 5★ (2022) | 106 | 32.4% |
| Skoda OctaviaMk4 (2020–) | £28,505 | 600 | 5★ (2025) | 123 | 24.3% |
| SEAT LeonMk4 (2020–) | £25,995 | 380 | 5★ (2025) | 116 | 23.6% |
| Toyota CorollaMk12 (2019–) | £30,845 | 361 | 5★ (2019) | 112 | 32.2% |
| MG MG4Mk1 (2022–) | £29,995 | 388 | 5★ (2022) | New | – |
Latest generation of each model. Reliability covers every version tested in the league year; 100 is average for age and mileage. How the score works or see every family hatchback ranked for reliability.
Head-to-head comparisons
- Ford Focus vs Volkswagen Golf
- Ford Focus vs Vauxhall Astra
- Volkswagen Golf vs Vauxhall Astra
- Ford Focus vs Audi A3
- Volkswagen Golf vs Audi A3
- Vauxhall Astra vs Audi A3
- Ford Focus vs BMW 1 Series
- Volkswagen Golf vs BMW 1 Series
- Vauxhall Astra vs BMW 1 Series
- Audi A3 vs BMW 1 Series
- Ford Focus vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Volkswagen Golf vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Vauxhall Astra vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- BMW 1 Series vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
- Ford Focus vs Honda Civic
- Volkswagen Golf vs Honda Civic
- Vauxhall Astra vs Honda Civic
- Audi A3 vs Honda Civic
- BMW 1 Series vs Honda Civic
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Honda Civic
- Ford Focus vs Skoda Octavia
- Volkswagen Golf vs Skoda Octavia
- Vauxhall Astra vs Skoda Octavia
- Audi A3 vs Skoda Octavia
- BMW 1 Series vs Skoda Octavia
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Skoda Octavia
- Honda Civic vs Skoda Octavia
- Ford Focus vs SEAT Leon
- Volkswagen Golf vs SEAT Leon
- Vauxhall Astra vs SEAT Leon
- Audi A3 vs SEAT Leon
- BMW 1 Series vs SEAT Leon
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs SEAT Leon
- Honda Civic vs SEAT Leon
- Skoda Octavia vs SEAT Leon
- Ford Focus vs Toyota Corolla
- Volkswagen Golf vs Toyota Corolla
- Vauxhall Astra vs Toyota Corolla
- Audi A3 vs Toyota Corolla
- BMW 1 Series vs Toyota Corolla
- Mercedes-Benz A-Class vs Toyota Corolla
- Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla
- Skoda Octavia vs Toyota Corolla
- SEAT Leon vs Toyota Corolla
- Ford Focus vs MG MG4
- Volkswagen Golf vs MG MG4
- Vauxhall Astra vs MG MG4
- Audi A3 vs MG MG4
- BMW 1 Series vs MG MG4
Used comparisons (older generations)
- Used Ford Focus Mk3 vs Volkswagen Golf Mk7
- Used Ford Focus Mk3 vs Vauxhall Astra K
- Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs Vauxhall Astra K
- Used Ford Focus Mk3 vs Audi A3 8V Sportback
- Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs Audi A3 8V Sportback
- Used Vauxhall Astra K vs Audi A3 8V Sportback
- Used Ford Focus Mk3 vs BMW 1 Series F20
- Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs BMW 1 Series F20
- Used Vauxhall Astra K vs BMW 1 Series F20
- Used Audi A3 8V Sportback vs BMW 1 Series F20
- Used Ford Focus Mk3 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176
- Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176
- Used Vauxhall Astra K vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176
- Used Audi A3 8V Sportback vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176
- Used BMW 1 Series F20 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176
- Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs Honda Civic Mk10
- Used Vauxhall Astra K vs Honda Civic Mk10
- Used Audi A3 8V Sportback vs Honda Civic Mk10
- Used BMW 1 Series F20 vs Honda Civic Mk10
- Used Ford Focus Mk3 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Used Vauxhall Astra K vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Used Audi A3 8V Sportback vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Used BMW 1 Series F20 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Used Honda Civic Mk10 vs Skoda Octavia Mk3
- Used Ford Focus Mk3 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Volkswagen Golf Mk7 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Vauxhall Astra K vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Audi A3 8V Sportback vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used BMW 1 Series F20 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Mercedes-Benz A-Class W176 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Honda Civic Mk10 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
- Used Skoda Octavia Mk3 vs SEAT Leon Mk3
Frequently asked questions
›Which family hatchback has the biggest boot?
Of the family hatchbacks we compare, the Skoda Octavia (Mk4 (2020–)) has the biggest boot: 600 litres with the rear seats up, according to the manufacturer.
›What is the most reliable family hatchback?
Going by MOT tests, the Volkswagen Golf: it scored 124 in our MOT Reliability League (100 is average for its age and mileage), and 25.1% failed their MOT first time.
›What is the cheapest family hatchback to buy new?
Of those we compare, the SEAT Leon, from £25,995 (UK list price). Dealers and brokers often sell for less.