Stylish family hatches
These stylish family hatchbacks are great value used, but which would we buy?
Get the look for less with our pick of design-led five-doors
Kia Cee’d
Cee’d 1.6 CRDI Gt-line Years: 2015 to date Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 134bhp Ins group: 14 Official econ/co2: 67.3mpg/109g/km Why? Kia combines sporty looks and strong performance with cheap running costs. Prices from: £10,995
THE second-generation Cee’d was a key car for Kia. Next to the original, it’s far more stylish and upmarket, and hints at the brand’s recent push upmarket.
The 1.6-litre CRDI diesel engine produces 134bhp, making it the most powerful choice out of this trio, and the group 14 insurance rating – even for this sporty Gt-line model – means annual premiums should be the lowest here.
An excellent fifth-place finish in our Driver Power 2017 new car satisfaction survey adds to the Kia’s credentials. Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Giulietta 1.6 JTDM-2 Super Years: 2010 to date Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 118bhp Ins group: 17 Official econ/co2: 74.3mpg/99g/km Why? The Alfa is the stylish choice, but also the most efficient, with the best economy and CO2. Prices from: £11,495
ALFA Romeo took a while to update its Giulietta family hatchback, with a facelift finally arriving in the UK in 2016. It’s still a striking choice, and with the 1.6-litre JTDM diesel engine it’s an efficient one as well, emitting 99g/km of CO2.
Depreciation means used examples are affordable, too. But the ride is firm and the steering can’t match its sporty looks. There’s only a 350-litre boot, too.
No Alfa Romeo featured in the Driver Power 2017 new car poll, and you should only buy a model with a full history. SEAT Leon
Leon 1.6 TDI SE Dynamic Tech Years: 2013 to date Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 108bhp Ins group: 15 Official econ/co2: 70.6mpg/103g/km Why? SEAT is a solid all-rounder that’s fun to drive, comfortable, well made and practical. Prices from: £11,998
SINCE its launch in 2013, SEAT’S Leon has been a solid choice in this market. It’s also been updated; a facelifted car arrived in showrooms last year.
Pitched against these other 1.6-litre diesel hatches, it’s the least powerful buy, but the best to drive, with sharp steering and a pleasant ride. It’s also a practical car, and the interior boasts typical VW Group robustness.
Readers rate the Leon; it was seventh in our Driver Power 2017 new car survey, with SEAT sixth in the makers’ chart.