Best hot hatches 2022

While the Focus ST isn't as fun to drive as the Renault Megane RS, it's well priced and equipped. Plus, it's just as practical as the regular Ford Focus, making it perfect for performance-hungry families. Just make sure you avoid the diesel version.

Hyundai went from zero to hero with the i30 N, because it had never previously built a hot hatch, yet managed to better the efforts of plenty of manufacturers who've been churning them out for decades. The i30 N will really put a smile on your face and comes with lots of standard kit, although it is a little underpowered compared with newer alternatives.

The S3 may not deliver the ultimate driving thrills of some rivals, but it counters with impressive point-to-point pace and a more upmarket interior. True, the closely related Volkswagen Golf R is an even better all-rounder, but the S3 isn't far behind – and it has the obvious allure of a premium badge.

Few fast hatchbacks are as easy to live with as the Golf GTI, and that's why it remains a very desirable option. It's easily a better all-rounder than the Focus ST, but the very best rivals outgun it for thrills and speed.

The Megane RS isn't the fastest of hot hatches, but boy is it agile in the corners, thanks to standard rear-wheel steering. It's also a quiet cruiser by the standards of the class, but it's no longer the bargain it once was now that it's available only in range-topping Trophy form.

This follow-up to the i30 N proves that car was no fluke, because it's much more entertaining than the rival Volkswagen Polo GTI. If you drive the i20 N aggressively, it won’t bite, and if you’re precise, its works with you to generate pace. It gets squirrelly under hard braking, though, and the engine could be more responsive.

Like its predecessor, the latest Golf R combines immense grip with a comfortable ride, but unlike that car it also offers a playful handling balance. Indeed, if it had a smarter interior and a less frustrating infotainment system, it might well have earned our full five-star rating.

With a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine under its bonnet, the Fiesta ST isn't short of punch; in fact, it puts out 197bhp, meaning you can cover the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.5sec. But, crucially, it's also huge fun in the corners and available for a bargain price, making it easier to forgive the bouncy ride.

Spend a bit of time behind the wheel of the RS3, and you’ll find yourself wondering why you should ever have to compromise between performance and usability. It’s remarkably civilised at moderate speeds, yet with a prod of the accelerator, you can catapult from 0-62mph in 3.8sec while basking in the glorious sound of its five-cylinder engine.

Is there a bigger compliment you can pay a hot hatch than setting an early morning alarm just to go for a drive? Well, that’s what you'll find yourself doing with the highly addictive A45 S Plus. It's quicker in a straight line than many sports cars, with a wonderfully linear power delivery. And it only gets more fun on winding roads, because there's almost zero body lean and it's more than happy to send a greater proportion of drive to the rear wheels to aid adjustability.

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