What is the best hatchback under £10k?

Hatchbacks are great. In fact, your first car was probably one, and you may still drive one today – they’re affordable, fun to drive and surprisingly practical when you need them to be. 

Even with today’s wild car prices, you can still grab a bargain – especially on the used car market. How does less than £10,000 sound? Appealing, isn’t it?  

Here are 10 small hatchbacks that you can nab for the same price as a first-class flight from London to Dubai. 

Hyundai i10

The i10 is predictably the smallest car in Hyundai’s lineup but it packs a punch in terms of what it offers – especially for the price. 

Under the bonnet, you’ll find either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder or slightly larger 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine that both offer great efficiency, with up to 55mpg.  

Features include a solid manual gearbox, speakers, DAB radio and comfortable seats. There are also seven different trims to choose from, including the top-spec N Line models that make it look sportier through an updated grille. 

Plus, you know you’re getting a solid buy when the Hyundai badge is slapped on the front – it's a global symbol of reliability. 

Citroen C1

The Citroen C1 has been around since 2005, offering buyers a more affordable way into Citroen ownership. 

Like most cheap small cars, the C1 is powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that's frugal and very fuel-efficient, offering up to 58.9mpg. 

When you sit inside, you can’t expect it to look and feel like a Range Rover, but you do get a lot for your money. You get a characterful cabin with features such as a small infotainment screen, a reliable manual gearbox, A/C and a USB port to charge your phone. 

It’s available in a range of trims, with prices for this used Citroen varying on the pre-owned car market. 

Fiat 500

While we’d all love an Abarth 595 to race around in, the reality is they’re just slightly too expensive, so why not get the next best thing? The Fiat 500 – the car on which it was based. 

Fiat has been making this plucky little city motor for decades and has perfected the formula for a reliable, cheap car for beginners and seasoned drivers alike.

Power comes from a little 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine, but updated models are fully electric (but are out of our £10,000 price range).  

But for the price, you’re getting a small car that sometimes comes as a convertible, so we’re not complaining.  

Vauxhall Corsa

If one of the UK’s best-selling cars has made it onto this budget hatchback list, then surely it’s not one to ignore. 

The humble Vauxhall Corsa is a popular first car, second car, third car, and even last car. It suits all sorts of people because it’s efficient, comfortable and great to drive. 

Sitting under the bonnet is a turbocharged 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine (or an electric motor and batteries in pricier Corsa-e versions) that produces decent power and fuel economy up to 51mpg. 

Insurance tends to be lower on Vauxhall Corsas, which is why they’re so popular as first cars, but everyone is different – it’s worth getting personal quotes.  

Plus, you can secure impressive deals on a used Vauxhall model compared to brand-new options.

Peugeot 108

The Peugeot 108 is closely related to the Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo as they all share the same platform. This means they’re equally as reliable and well-built. 

It also means this small Peugeot is powered by the same 1.0-litre engine that also produces 68hp but up to 74.3mpg, thanks to some nifty stop/start technology. 

You also get great features as standard, such as a central display, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a DAB radio and Bluetooth smartphone connectivity. 

Ford Fiesta

The Corsa’s toughest rival is the now-discontinued Ford Fiesta, which has held the hearts of many Brits since its first generation in 1976.  

Ford waved goodbye to it in June 2023 but its spirit lives on, and so do some great used Fiesta deals on what could well be a future classic. 

The seventh generation that was introduced in 2017 is packed full of great features such as a solid infotainment system linked to Ford’s SYNC software, A/C, a great sound system and a fun driving style that’s like no other. 

Power for this used Ford comes from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that’s very efficient, smooth and quite nippy when it wants to be.  

Kia Picanto

We have more relatives to tell you about, as the Kia Picanto is the cousin of the Hyundai i10 and it’s awfully similar in every way but styling. 

It’s still powered by the same 1.0-litre three-cylinder and is very economical, offering up to 59mpg. 

The Kia's interior is plush too, with plenty of soft-touch materials and a great infotainment system. In fact, it feels much more expensive than it actually is inside, which is nice when you’re on a budget. 

Toyota Aygo 

One of the most reliable car brands in the world is Toyota, so if there’s anywhere you should be putting your hard-earned cash, it’s in one of its cars – in this case, the Aygo. 

This small city car looks great from all angles and has an interior to match. It’s not short of any tech either, and has all you’d want for £10k. 

Power comes from a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that offers up to 59mpg, and therefore is very fuel-efficient. 

It’s also very easy to drive, so it’s perfect if you’re relatively new to driving. 

Volkswagen Up 

The Volkswagen Up is probably the most premium model on this list, yet you can still buy them for a bargain. 

This used VW sits on the same chassis as the SEAT Mii and Skoda Citigo and is therefore identical other than the badge on the front, back and steering wheel. 

VW’s Up has all the mod-cons you’d expect to find in a small hatchback, plus plenty of power and up to 55mpg. 

Skoda Citigo 

The Skoda Citigo is one of the best city cars money can buy (the hint’s in the name). This is because it’s packed full of great features, it offers low running costs and it’s easy to drive. 

Despite being identical to the Up, it’s usually cheaper on the used car market just because of the Skoda badge, which makes it a steal. 

It’s also powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine that produces 75hp and up to 65.7mpg. 

All this makes it very appealing and one that’s hard to ignore, especially for less than £10,000.