Looking to upgrade from your run-of-the-mill commuter? Drawn to the idea of driving something with a premium badge but still want to keep running costs (relatively) low? Or maybe you simply want something with a quality ride and premium cabin materials but packed into a compact body that's easy to pilot through narrow streets?
There are plenty different reasons why buyers are drawn to these premium hatchbacks.
In this series, the Editorial Team will explore different segments of the car market. We'll highlight some picks that you should consider, and also breakdown some of the pros and cons you should look out for.
If you're looking for one yourself, these are the pros and cons of some of the most popular options in the segment. (All prices correct at time of publishing.)
The driver's favourite: BMW 1 Series
Price: $226,888
Depreciation: $20,900/yr
Sporting a new exterior and equipped with BMW's Operating System 9 in its cabin, the 1 Series is now more appealing than before.
But of course, the main draw of BMW's contender in the compact segment is its polished handling. The 1 Series comes with revised suspension and steering, the latter delivering when it comes to accuracy and feedback, while the former stays delightfully firm but not punishing.
Potential buyers will also be pleased to note that the car now comes with a total of 121bhp, a significant bump up from the 107bhp output of its previous iteration. The only downside we can see with this BMW 1 Series? Opt to not create a driver profile and the infotainment system will start with Chinese as its default language.
Pros:
• Engaging drive
• Not anywhere as awkward looking like its predecessor
• More power than before while remaining a Cat A COE car
Cons:
• Infotainment UX could still use improvements
Read our review of the BMW 1 Series
For those with an eye for quality: Audi A3 Sportback
Price: $219,999
Depreciation: $20,400/yr
Recently updated, Audi's much-loved hatchback returns to compete in the segment with a lightly revised body that now gives owners the chance to pick from a few different daytime running light signatures.
The car also now arrives here with a 1.5-litre engine that proves competent when it comes to the task of hauling this hatchback with minimal disturbance to the cabin.
But where the Audi A3 shines is its cabin. Build quality here is hard to fault: The doors shut with a reassuring thud, and the cabin plastics all feel very well-screwed together. And when you're on the move, there's also a remarkably settled and pliant ride to look forward to.
Pros:
• High cabin build quality
• Comes with the interesting option to alter your LED light signature
• Settled and premium ride
Cons:
• You'll have to settle for Audi's outgoing infotainment system in this A3
Read our review of the Audi A3 Sportback
For those looking for a bit of fun: Cooper C 5-Door
Price: $255,888
Depreciation: $23,700 /yr
We haven't got behind the wheel of this particular combustion-powered iteration of the MINI Cooper, but our experience with the third generation of MINI 5-Doors (both of which share the BMW Group's UKL1 platform) have always delighted with a talkative and well-weighted steering, on top of a sporty-biased suspension setup.
But that's not the only reason you buy a MINI. There's also, of course, that enduring exterior: Adorably round head lights, as well as eye-catching Union Jack-inspired taillights are but part of the appeal of these new MINIs.
And this new iteration of the iconic hatchback also now comes with a new 240mm OLED infotainment display complete with MINI’s new (and equally adorable) avatar, 'Spike', which can respond to voice commands and tall some corny jokes if need be.
Pros:
• Irresistible exterior design
• Now comes with a redesigned cabin
Cons:
• The only car in this group that you will not be able to register with a Cat A COE
• Unreasonably pricey, even though it's the smallest car in this group
Catch our review of the outgoing MINI 5-Door here
Used pick: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
Depreciation: ~$18,000 /yr
Shopping for a used alternative in the segment? This Mercedes-Benz A-Class should do nicely. It comes complete with an impressive twin 10.25-inch infotainment display that means your cabin still won't look dated, and the outgoing generation A-Class doesn't look too shabby from the outside either.
We found ourselves wishing there was more power from the 1.33-litre unit when we drove the A200, back in 2018, so don't expect too much when it comes to on-road performance, especially if you get the A180. But at least there's a comfortable ride to look forward to, and if you're willing to lower expectations a little, there's reasonable material quality used in the cabin here as well. As an entry point into the Mercedes-Benz range, it should prove irresistibly appealing.
Pros:
• Still as swanky as any model of the current Mercedes-Benz lineup
• Premium branding, and decent cabin material use
Cons:
• Not exactly the spacious sedan some might associate with the Mercedes brand
• Engine can sound gruff
You can see available listings of this model here, and also read our review of the A200 here.
