Whats the best 5 door hatchback out there?

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ACS

Legendary Member
Honest John Top 10 medium family cars
Ford Focus has the top 3 places.
 

Norm

Guest
I know that many don't like them but I've had plenty of Renaults, including 4 Meganes, and none of them have let me down. I'd get another Megane without a second thought.
 

TheDoctor

Europe Endless
Moderator
Location
The TerrorVortex
I once had a Renault as a hire car. I'm not eager to repeat the experience.
To get back to the OP, most reviews seem to rate the Ford Focus. I've driven a few and been driven in one, and they certainly handle well and seem quite economical. More fun than a Golf and cheaper to buy.
 
Location
Accrington
My dad swore he'd never have a Ford until he drove a Focus - he was a mechanic for Vauxhall, drove all their marque and had various other makes and models, but the Ford Focus was the one he truly was impressed with...
 
mr Mag00 said:
pug 307 sw just collecting one this week, great rear seat arrangement

I really like them too, do you have the glass roof?

Diesel is really good in a pug.
I run a 406 and wife has a 306. Dont go for the low bhp version of the diesel engine though.

Back on OP, look at estates too, they really are not different to hatchbacks but it is just down to what the maker wants to call them.

I had a C Class merc estate (again) diesel and apart from it losing a fair bit in value it was really great. Not expensive to run as they dont seem to go wrong. Some around 2000 to 2004 ish go rusty as my one did, but merc took my six year old car, replaced all the wings and resprayed it and lent me a car for nothing! That is a good car maker!

You want an auto, then I think dont go for anything too small, they really dont suit auto boxes, although I did have a go in a Golf that was OK but still not ultra smooth in changing gear.

I would look at anything diesel and will not get a petrol car as they cost too much to run!
 
Alfa Romeo 156 sportwagon. To drive it has been a gourmet meal, every other hatchback I've driven has been boiled potatoes in comparison. Available with semi-auto selespeed and a very nice diesel, if you like that sort of thing (Piemaster does Clarkson :rolleyes:)

That was of course until the engine destroyed itself on the M18 on Sunday evening. Anyone living in a mile radius may have heard me clattering into the services.
It's not an economic repair (around £2.5k) so have found myself in a similar position to the OP, considering a replacement. The ones mentioned in the thread up to now have been considered.
I'm going to look at another 156 at the weekend.
 

mr_cellophane

Legendary Member
Location
Essex
I had a Jazz on holiday in Cyprus. It seemed a nice car and the 6 speed auto meant you never felt the gear changes. Not enough opportunity there to try it out properly though.
If I wanted something a bit bigger I'd go for the 407 SW.
 

threebikesmcginty

Corn Fed Hick...
Location
...on the slake
Mrs 3BM's got a Vauxhall Zaffira and it's like a van with the seats down can also seat 7 due to a couple of extras (seats that is) under the floor of the boot. We got it as a 3 year old car about 4 years ago and it's never gone wrong *touches wood*
 

ASC1951

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Turbodiesel Astra does it for me. 55mpg, fast when it needs to be and my bike goes in the back with both wheels still on. (The Ford Focus failed on that). I've had all sorts of hatchbacks over the years - Fiesta, Escort, Sierra XR3, Merc, Saab, Golf Td - and the Astra has been the best with the Golf definitely the worst.

For the general outdoor-ish person, it's well worth looking at the Berlingo. I prefer s/h cars otherwise it would have been on the list when I got the Astra.
 
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