Five excellent hatchbacks duel to claim the Cat A hatchback category’s crown.
How Does ACOTY Define This Class?
To us, and along with the majority of the world, hatchbacks are defined as having a fifth door with a relatively vertical rear windscreen to access the boot. Plus, all hatchbacks that qualify for this category need to be sold with a Category A Certificate of Entitlement (Cat A COE). Easy peasy.
Meet The Contenders
Representing Japan in the realm of Cat A hatchbacks are the Suzuki Swift Mild Hybrid (top left) and the Honda Jazz Crosstar (top right). Championing the Czech Republic but with German genes is the Škoda Scala 1.0 Monte Carlo (middle).
Finally, flying the German flag are the Volkswagen Golf Life (bottom left) from Wolfsburg and the BMW 216i Active Tourer (bottom right) from Bavaria.
The Suzuki Swift is a hatchback loved by many an enthusiast. It’s affordable (the cheapest car in the ACOTY line-up), nimble and does everything right. Easy to drive, easy to park, frugal to run and fun to look at, the Swift definitely deserves a place here as a contender.
Take a Honda Jazz and jazz up (literally) the suspension, and you’ve got yourself the Honda Jazz Crosstar. It looks macho and rugged while sitting slightly higher to make ingress and egress that much easier. Spacious on the inside with good visibility outside, practical and frugal to run, there’s so much going for the Jazz Crosstar.
The Škoda Scala 1.0 has a lot to like. Sharp looks, smooth ride, responsive controls and surprising cornering abilities mean this Czech ain’t one of those run-of-the-mill Cat A hatchbacks that’s JUST for point A to B transportation. Its interior works a treat too, and the Scala can put a genuine smile on one’s face. Czech’d!
Featuring a 1.5-litre eTSi engine with 130hp, this Volkswagen Golf Life neatly slips into COE Cat A to offer a more value-for-money Golf to the motoring public. One can wax lyrical about the comfort and practicality of a VW Golf all day long, and it’s not difficult to see why. Pleasant in looks, good in handling and frugal on fuel means your dollar goes further with the Golf Life.
The BMW 216i Active Tourer brings briskness, practicality and creature comforts. It may be the most expensive of the bunch here, but it also offers brand cachet to those who partake in this blue-and-white roundel-wearing hatchback. Premium touches are notable throughout the cabin, and technology abounds for those willing to have a go with this Bimmer.
Though there could only be one winner, you won’t go wrong with any of these excellent Cat A hatchbacks.
AutoApp Car Of The Year Best Cat A Hatchback
BMW 216i Active Tourer
| Vehicle | Points Tally | Price Percentile |
| BMW 216i Active Tourer | 361 | 42 |
| Volkswagen Golf Life | 337 | NA |
| Honda Jazz Crosstar | 314 | 14 |
| Škoda Scala 1.0 Monte Carlo | 303 | 5 |
| Suzuki Swift Mild Hybrid | 283 | 2 |
With 361 points, the resounding victory goes to the BMW 216i Active Tourer. Brand cachet plays a big part here, and this Bimmer has tons of it. Success sometimes needs to be put on display, and the practical and well-appointed 216i ticks all the boxes. The points it garnered point to unanimity among the judging panel.
More on the scoring categories used to derive points here.
Congratulations to the BMW 216i Active Tourer for winning the AutoApp Car of the Year 2024 Best Cat A Hatchback!
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