VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTE

Timely reminders that do-it-all practicality can be found in a hatchback

- WILL RIMELL

The popularity of hatchbacks has dipped in recent years, which is sad. Key to this, of course, is SUVs: they account for almost 60% of the new cars sold in the UK so far this year, up from 13% just a decade ago.

Don't get me wrong: I like an SUV. They offer lots of space, a high seating position and a large fuel tank and/or drive battery. Earlier this year, I ran a Dacia Duster Hybrid 140 and heartily proclaimed that it was “all the car you'll ever need”. Yet having spent what feels like more time with my Volkswagen Golf GTE than with my wife over the past few months, racking up nearly 2000 miles during that time, I've decided I'd take a hatch over an SUV.