What are the best hatchbacks in Australia? How to choose the right one for you

Safety is non-negotiable irrespective of the type of car you want to buy. Comparing ANCAP Safety ratings could thus be a good place to start your search for a safe and reliable hatchback in Australia. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program, or ANCAP, is a car safety assessment programme based in Australia that crash-tests cars and rates them based on safety and reliability.

You can look up light and small-sized cars (as these categories cover hatchbacks) on ANCAP’s site and filter them based on the safety rating and the year of testing to find the safest hatchbacks in the market. You generally want to buy a car with the latest and highest ratings, as ANCAPs rating criteria are updated yearly even though the ratings remain valid for up to six years.

If you plan to buy a car only based on its safety ratings, here are a couple of hatchbacks with the highest ANCAP Safety ratings that you can choose from:

• Volkswagen Polo - Variants of this model were introduced in Australia in May 2022 and received a five-star ANCAP safety rating. The car scored 94 per cent in ANCAP Safety’s Adult Occupant Protection tests and 80 per cent in Child Occupant Protection tests. Even though Polo is a reliable city car, if you have small children or are planning to grow your family, you might want to consider a vehicle with a better Child Occupant Protection score.
  
  
  Source: www.volkswagen.com.au
  
  
• Audi A3 -  The 2WD variants of this car received a five-star ANCAP Safety rating in 2020. It was launched in Australia in October 2021 for sale. Even though the A3 is a compact vehicle, it is well-designed with roomy interiors and seats up to five people (including the driver).
  
  
  Source: www.audi.com.au

While safety is important and should be one of the foremost factors when deciding which car to buy, you may want to look into other aspects like price, interiors, mileage, and so on. Car review sites like Drive compare vehicles based on features like safety, cost, performance, and economy. Such reviews can help you compare different models and find one more suited to your lifestyle and requirements. 

Here are some of the best hatchbacks in Australia based on Drive’s 2023 Car of the Year awards list:

Volkswagen Golf R: Awarded 2023 Drive Car of the Year Best Hot Hatch, the Volkswagen Golf R is a spacious yet practical car with several integrated tech solutions that make it a top choice in the category despite a relatively higher selling price. You can also purchase the car in wagon body style for an extra $3,000.

Source: www.volkswagen.com.au

2. Hyundai i30 N: The i30 N was one of three finalists for Drive’s Best Hot Hatch 2023 award. It’s one of the more affordable options in the segment, with a decent engine and transmission focused on going fast. However, it loses out on ride comfort to an extent, which probably led to it slipping down to the runner’s up position.

Source: www.hyundai.com

3. Cupra Leon VZx: Drive calls Cupra Leon VZx a good mix of comfort and sporting ability. Great interiors, slick transmission and high seating are some of the distinctive features of this car. For those who wish to reduce their impact on the planet but are not yet ready for an electric car, the Cupra Leon is also available with a hybrid engine.

Source: www.cupraofficial.com.au

There are a lot of different aspects of a car that you can compare when deciding which is the best one for you. Many of these aspects depend on your personal requirements or taste - whether you prefer driving a manual or an automatic, whether you want specific tech or if you want to opt for an eco-friendly car.

Some of the features you might want to consider when comparing hatchbacks include:

• Safety
  Most modern hatchbacks have safety features like airbags on all seats, collision detection, ABS, and parking assist. Make sure you compare ANCAP Safety ratings to know more about a car’s safety status.
  
  
• Price
  Hatchbacks are available across a wide price range, and it’s important to find one that fits your budget. Even if you plan to take out a car loan to finance your purchase, it’s worth calculating your monthly repayments and other costs like insurance, maintenance, and fuel to make sure you can keep up. It’s also worth shopping online for the best rates and deals for your situation. You could connect with a car loan broker like Credit Concierge to get quotes from brokers who can negotiate lower rates and discounts for you.
  
  
• Size
  Hatchbacks are compact but can still be used as carrier vehicles. Most hatchbacks comfortably seat five passengers. Some hatchbacks also boast ample boot space, making them useful as family cars. Make sure to check the space available for both passengers and luggage to select a car that suits your lifestyle and needs. 
  
  
• Fuel efficiency
  The mileage offered by a car is a good factor to prioritise when buying one. You can choose between conventional, electric, and hybrid hatchbacks.
  
  
• Tech Specs
  Despite their small size, hatchbacks still offer top-of-the-line features comparable to some sedans and SUVs. You can get features like climate control, seat heating, an infotainment system, and so on. However, some of these features might cost you extra, so check which features are a part of the standard configuration and which ones will add to your costs.

When buying a car, it helps to compare different brands and models on car review sites before making a purchase. But you should remember to compare apples with apples - which means you should compare models with similar features, especially when checking the review score or safety ratings for cars. 

Also consider the expenses you’ll have to bear after purchasing the car when fixing your budget. Buying a car is not a one-time expense and you’ll regularly spend money on insurance, maintenance and fuel on top of your loan repayments.