best hatchbacks 2023

Chasing the best hatchbacks of 2023 in Australia? The field’s stacked, so think of it as speed dating with boots and ISOFIX. Here are standouts, with pros and cons so you can pick your poison:

• Toyota Corolla — Pros: reliability, safety kit, hybrid frugality; Cons: modest shove, firm on big wheels.
• Mazda 3 — Pros: lush cabin, great steering; Cons: tight rear space, pricier servicing.
• Hyundai i30 — Pros: value, long warranty, N-Line fun; Cons: older-feel interior, thirstier non-hybrids.
• Volkswagen Golf — Pros: refined ride and drivetrain; Cons: option pricing and infotainment quirks.
• Honda Civic — Pros: superb dynamics, roomy; Cons: steep price, limited variants.
• Suzuki Swift — Pros: light, zippy, cheap to run; Cons: small boot, sparse base safety tech.

Test-drive the top two on your shortlist, compare insurance and servicing costs, and let your backside (and budget) decide.