Hot hatch

A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.

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Mercedes-AMG A45 front cornering

Mercedes-AMG A45

from £31,850
The Mercedes A45 AMG is ferociously quick in a straight line and round corners. However, rivals such as the BMW M135i are cheaper and more engaging.
Toyota GR Yaris front cornering

New Toyota GR Yaris

from £23,165
The GR Yaris is one of the most characterful and entertaining hot hatches of the decade
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Honda Civic Type R front cornering

Honda Civic Type R

from £35,780
The Honda Civic Type R offers awesome performance and precise handling, and yet it's also a practical and comfortable everyday car.
Hyundai i30 N front cornering

Hyundai i30 N

from £24,755
The i30N is a well-equipped hot hatch gifted with sublime handling. There are more powerful and quicker alternatives, though
VW Golf R front cornering

Volkswagen Golf R

from £28,895
With superb performance and four-wheel drive, the VW Golf R is one of the quickest cars point to point, but a Honda Civic Type R is more fun
Audi S3 Sportback front right driving

Audi S3

from £29,725
The Audi S3 is one of the most premium-feeling cars in its class, and quick, too. Not the most exciting, however
Alpine A290 front driving

Alpine A290

from £33,500
The Alpine A290 offers hot-hatch driving fun in a small electric car with a decent range and reasonable practicality
BMW 1 Series front right driving main

BMW 1 Series

from £32,625
The BMW 1 Series is one of the best small family cars. It’s desirable, good to drive and surprisingly cheap to run
Audi RS3 front right driving

Audi RS3

from £61,855
The Audi RS3 isn’t the sharpest hot hatch, but no rival can match its all-weather pace and high quality interior.
BMW M135 front right driving

BMW M135

from £32,625
The latest M135 combines a classy interior with plenty of pace but rivals are more fun
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Mazda CX-80 LT side driving

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