Hatchbacks Starting Under $30K

Flying under the radar relative to its ever‑popular hatch sibling, the Toyota Corolla sedan offers some interesting advantages. And in entry‑level Ascent Sport Hybrid guise, the practicality/efficiency equation is kicked up a notch or two. We've spent a week with this intriguing combination to see if you should be thinking four doors rather than five for your next small car purchase.

All Prices & Specs Read the reviews Compare features

The Kia Cerato S is worth considering if you want a decent amount of space at a competitive price tag, the ownership options are great but is it a good alternative for your family? Or should you spend more to get a higher spec version of this hatch?

All Prices & Specs Read the reviews Compare features

Now half a decade old, the current Mazda 3 range has not only aged well, but has undergone a consistent stream of improvements to help keep the Japanese small car stalwart fresh. Key changes for 2024 include updated multimedia and functionality upgrades, but the real story is just how competitive ‑ as well as premium ‑ the higher‑end grades like the G25 Evolve SP feel. Premium sums it up nicely.

All Prices & Specs Read the reviews Compare features

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is still one of the benchmark hatchbacks out there. But it's getting very pricey.

All Prices & Specs Read the reviews Compare features

Ford's Focus redefined how good a hatchback could be over 20 years ago. It's still doing it, too. The Focus Active is an attempt to cash in on the ongoing sales dominance of SUVs without having to go full SUV. It probably shouldn't work, but Ford is good at this sort of thing.

All Prices & Specs Read the reviews Compare features