Top 15 Diesel Hatchbacks

The Cee'd launched eight years ago and is now into its second generation car. Despite it not being as reasonably priced compared to rivals, it still comes with the seven year, 100,000 mile warranty. Improvements have seen a better quality interior finish, larger boot than its rivals the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf and generous standard equipment. A larger SW estate is also available.

The sportiest hatch in this list is the Scirocco from Volkswagen. Available only in the 3 door variant which offers the smart-coupe looks at the expense of practicality. While 67mpg might not sound all that ground-breaking compared to other models, the difference is that this figure can actually be achieved fairly easily with modest driving. Residual values are very strong as well as sales figures have kept demand high.

Now offered in 5-door only, the new Clio is bigger and more economical than ever before. The new model also scored full marks on the NCAP safety test, perfect for family buyers. The Clio is a refined vehicle at speed and the cabin is well insulated from road noise. Sat Nav is also included from the Dynamique spec upwards, which also includes all the connectivity you will need. A very well rounded hatchback indeed...

The Fiesta has been the UK’s best-selling car for a few years now, combining striking good looks with a range of engines from the frugal Econetic to the frenetic ST. Good reliability, residual values and an easy to live with character make the Fiesta a huge favourite among drivers young and old.

The 1 Series has grown bigger since it was first launched, and the 5 door version is now a firm favourite as a small family car. The 3 door will appeal to younger buyers. Diesel versions are very economical, and the new M135i is faster than many Porsches. In true BMW fashion, you can choose the engine and trim that suits you. Driving is a pleasure, so choose your doors, engine and options and enjoy. Recommended.

Time to party... the Kia Rio has claimed the ‘Best Sub-100g/km Business Car’ title in the Business Car Manager Best Business Car Awards. Would you like a sausage on a stick to celebrate? Pineapple and cheese, perhaps? To be precise, the Rio 1.1 CRDi EcoDynamics trim took the honours, although every Rio has low emissions.

The Fabia has been in the UK since 1999 - over 15 years they’ve mastered the art of economical hatchbacks. The latest, third, generation is a good example of this and the sporty looks are exactly what the doctor ordered. The Fabia has established itself as a reliable workhorse and the small-hatch is now appealing to a younger audience with a new fresher aesthetic. Super reliable, super economical, good buy.

It’s a MINI - what do you expect? Brilliant handling, attractive looks (in its natural 3-door form) and very easy to park. The new MINI carries forward all the perks of the old shape it replaces, while also amending the niggling issues. Material choice is improved with better quality plastics in the cabin, a modern infotainment system is available as well, replacing the dated tech from the old shape. 80mpg speaks for itself.

The A1 is the supermini from Audi that everybody wanted them to produce. Ideal as a city car it is fairly economical with the 1.4 TFSI engine providing that and plenty of power. Priced from £13,000 with the Audi track record of delivering outstanding cars, then you can’t go wrong with the A1. There’s also a five-door available, the A1 Sportback.

The Volvo V40 – at least in its present form – has an air-bag under the bonnet to protect pedestrians. This feature helped this five-door hatchback earn Euro NCAP's maximum five-star safety rating. It is also stylish, nicely built/equipped, and pleasant to drive. It is, however, arguably not as sharp on the road as the BMW 1 Series and VW Golf. The boot is far from vast too, but overall this is a capable choice for those that want something different.

The VW Golf is a perennial favourite amongst car buyers. Whilst never being the best at anything, it is pretty good at almost everything. The ride is OK, it looks good but not fantastic and the interior is well built and functional, with high quality materials. Build quality is excellent, and there is a very solid, dependable feel about the whole car. TSi engines deliver decent performance and economy, whilst the diesel range is hugely popular. GTI versions deliver a much more dynamic experience, but at a hefty price.

The Focus has been a huge success for Ford in most markets around the world. As a family hatchback it is hard to beat. Spacious, capable, good-looking and great to drive, the Focus delivers on all fronts. Style version offer decent trim levels, but most buyers opt for Zetec 1.6 and TDCi versions. Estate versions are surprisingly pleasant on the eye.

In the diesel-hatch market there are very few contenders that can claim over 90mpg - not even the Ford Focus (82mpg) or Volkswagen Golf (88mpg). But the new 308 from Peugeot offers this excellent economy from the 1.6 diesel engine while only pushing out 82g/km of CO2 - making the car exempt from road tax in the UK. The 308 also weighs 140kg less than the 307 it replaces, further contributing to the dramatically reduced running costs. A solid buy for those looking for an affordable car that will save you significant amounts throughout ownership.

The Hyundai i30 has recently reached 1 million sales units worldwide, which is a testament to its popularity. Launched in 2007, the latest versions have spacious, comfortable interiors and low emissions at a decent price. Build quality puts some more expensive competitors in the shade. Prices are not as low as they once were, but quality is higher to compensate. Standard equipment includes masses of safety features such as active head restraints, front and rear curtain airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, all items usually found in much higher-end vehicles. Well worth a look.

The Skoda Octavia is a sensible choice over the Volkswagen Golf only it has bigger dimensions, providing more space and it is also cheaper to buy. The underpinnings are very similar, Skoda being part of the VAG group. Prices have risen ever so slightly with the new model, the top-spec model is almost £30k but the increased efficiency and interior compensates for the rise.