Large hatchbacks are becoming rare, but there are still a few good choices in 2026.
Because while an SUV gives you the higher ride height, a large hatchback car is often more spacious. Sitting lower to the ground improves handling and fuel efficiency. Plus, a hatchback car needs less metal than an SUV, and therefore it’s cheaper. These are our picks for the best big hatchback cars – all are available as used cars from Motorpoint with big savings versus new.
Skoda Octavia
- Boot space: 600 litres (450 litres for plug-in hybrids)
We can’t deny there are more exciting ways to travel, but a Skoda Octavia is more competent than any government. A perfect all-rounder, the Octavia gives you vast rear legroom, a refined and comfortable driving position, and a luxurious interior. Even on mid-range SE L models, you get soft suede upholstery and heated everything – seats, steering wheel and windscreen. The fairly traditional petrol and diesel engines are very economical, and the diesel in particular offers a massive range when the fuel tank is full.
Shop used Skoda Octavia cars for sale or read our Skoda Octavia review
Honda Civic
- Boot space: 410 litres
The latest Honda Civic is a smart and sophisticated-looking car with a sleek coupe roofline. While the styling might have been toned down compared to Civics of old, the talent has been turned up to the max. It’s a hybrid so it’s very economical – and you get an easy automatic gearbox as standard – but more impressive is how well the hybrid system works. The engine and motor are in harmony, rather than fighting against each other, and the fake ‘steps’ in the gearbox stop the engine being wrung out noisily at high revs – as you’ll find in the Toyota Corolla. Maybe more impressive still is that the Civic isn’t a mushy econobox – it’s both fun to drive and comfortable.
Shop used Honda Civic cars for sale or read our Honda Civic review
Peugeot 408
- Boot space: 536 litres (471 litres for plug-in hybrids)
Part coupe-SUV, part hatchback, all good. The Peugeot 408 is wilfully different to anything else on the market, with styling that’s too brave for most manufacturers. Under the skin, the 408 is more conventional – most parts are shared with various other Peugeot models, and you get a choice of familiar petrol and plug-in hybrid engines. Legroom is particularly impressive, and the 536-litre boot is bigger than what you get in the 3008 SUV.
Shop used Peugeot 408 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 408 review
Audi A5
- Boot space: 445 litres (331 litres for plug-in hybrids)
The new A5 replaces both the Audi A4 and the old Audi A5 Sportback. It’s a big saloon-like model with a useful hatchback tailgate, making it easier to load than the A4 saloon. The A5 has gained sleek styling and a dazzlingly high-tech interior, including the option of a third screen for your front passenger. Also new versus the old car is a plug-in hybrid engine that’s capable of over 60 miles to a charge and a sub-six-second 0-62mph time.
Shop used Audi A5 cars for sale or read our Audi A5 review
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
- Boot space: 470 litres
Arch rival to the A5, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is a sportier take on the 3 Series saloon and it too comes with a big hatchback tailgate. So it’s ideal if you don’t want an estate but don’t want to be compromised by a saloon’s tiny boot opening. The 4 Series is good to drive and has a posh interior, and it’s got a zero-emission model up its sleeve: the BMW i4. This Tesla rival officially manages 371 miles to a charge; even if you get 300, you’re getting close to the petrol 4 Series’ range.
Shop used BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe cars for sale or read our BMW 4 Series review
Polestar 2
- Boot space: 405 litres
Speaking of Tesla, the Polestar 2 is probably the Model 3’s closest competitor. It brings Scandi cool and modernism without the Tesla's extreme minimalism. New-ish Long Range Single Motor versions achieve over 400 miles to a charge, putting the Polestar 2 close to the longest-range electric cars available. The Polestar’s fairly average boot capacity is improved by its large boot opening, and there’s a small frunk under the bonnet that you might be able to squeeze your charging cable into.
Shop used Polestar 2 cars for sale or read our Polestar 2 review
Skoda Superb
- Boot space: 645 litres
If you want the hatchback with the biggest boot, you want the Skoda Superb. Partly due to clever use of space and partly because it’s the size of an aircraft carrier, the superb Superb offers a class-leading boot capacity and more passenger space than we know what to do with. To quote Step Brothers, there’s so much room for activities! Back in car world, the Superb hatch doesn’t get the plug-in hybrid option that the estate comes with, so your choices are surprisingly efficient petrol and diesel engines. The latter is perfect for soaking up whole continents before lunch.
Shop used Skoda Superb cars for sale or read our Skoda Superb review
Volkswagen Arteon
- Boot space: 563 litres
The Volkswagen Arteon is another saloon-style model that’s actually a big hatchback. Its vast tailgate is like Pacman at full extension, ready to swallow your luggage with a happy beep. You might need to keep a hook-a-duck pole in the boot to retrieve things right at the back of the boot, or else clamber in! Although it’s not being sold brand-new any more, the Arteon is still one of the most stylish VWs in years, but you still get the solidity and capability that every VW excels at.
Shop used Volkswagen Arteon cars for sale or read our Volkswagen Arteon review
Mercedes B-Class
- Boot space: 455 litres
Part people carrier and part big hatchback, the B-Class is the most under-the-radar car with the three-pointed star. We had to check that, yes, it’s still actually on sale. It’s everything that the A-Class is, but with a bit more headroom and a bigger boot. Which makes it a really sensible choice, because we’ve always found the A-Class to be a bit cramped.
Shop used Mercedes B-Class cars for sale
DS 4
- Boot space: 430 litres (390 litres for plug-in hybrids)
Comfortable, economical and truly stylish inside and out, the DS 4 deserves to be far more popular than it is. It might seem like a weird outsider, but it’s just as talented as the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class. Plus it’s more practical than both, and the plug-in hybrid doesn’t lose half as much boot space as the A-Class A250e does.
Shop used DS 4 cars for sale or read our DS 4 review
