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 a car you’ll use every day, it should also deliver respectable running costs.

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Mercedes-AMG A45 front cornering

Mercedes-AMG A45

from £30,430
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.
Honda Civic Type R front cornering

Honda Civic Type R

from £31,575
The Honda Civic Type R offers awesome performance and precise handling, and yet it's also a practical and comfortable everyday car.
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Toyota GR Yaris front cornering

New Toyota GR Yaris

from £19,957
The GR Yaris is one of the most characterful and entertaining hot hatches of the decade
Hyundai i20N front cornering

Hyundai i20N

from £16,995
Hyundai's cheapest hot hatch blends perky performance with well-balanced handling
Hyundai i30 N front cornering

Hyundai i30 N

from £24,770
The i30N is a well-equipped hot hatch gifted with sublime handling. There are more powerful and quicker alternatives, though
Audi S3 Sportback front right driving

Audi S3

from £28,245
The Audi S3 is one of the most premium-feeling cars in its class, and quick, too. Not the most exciting, however
VW Golf R front cornering

Volkswagen Golf R

from £23,300
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
BMW 1 Series front right driving main

BMW 1 Series

from £29,135
The BMW 1 Series is one of the best small family cars. It’s desirable, good to drive and surprisingly cheap to run
Alpine A290 front driving

Alpine A290

from £29,998
The Alpine A290 offers hot-hatch driving fun in a small electric car with a decent range and reasonable practicality
Audi RS3 front right driving

Audi RS3

from £57,370
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 £29,135
The latest M135 combines a classy interior with plenty of pace but rivals are more fun
VW Golf GTI front right driving

Volkswagen Golf GTI

from £23,300
The VW Golf GTI is a superb hot hatch that’s also extremely easy to live with. It’s expensive, but worth the money.
Ford Focus ST front cornering

Ford Focus ST

from £23,997
The Focus ST is still one of the most enjoyable all-rounders in the hot hatch class. It's good value and easy to live with.
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé front cornering

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé

from £31,850
The 2 Series Gran Coupé has great driver appeal and comfort but limited rear head room
Golf GTE front dynamic

Volkswagen Golf GTE

from £23,300
The GTE is a Golf for people with an eye on performance, but also on the environment and running costs
Blue Suzuki Swift Sport front cornering

Suzuki Swift Sport

from £17,404
The Suzuki Swift Sport is well equipped and fun to drive, but a high list price and underwhelming handling stop it from achieving hot hatch greatness
Red VW Polo GTI front right driving

Volkswagen Polo GTI

from £18,241
A fine all-rounder, but rival hot hatches will put an even bigger smile on your face
Cupra Leon front dynamic

Cupra Leon

from £25,000
The Cupra Leon combines sporty looks with sharp handling and is also available as a practical estate car
Mercedes-AMG A35 front right driving

Mercedes AMG A35

from £30,430
Hot hatchback is fast and grippy, but there are more rewarding cars drive
Abarth 500e front right driving

Abarth 500

from £30,995
The Abarth 500 is entertaining but can't match the sharpness of truly great hot hatches
Skoda Octavia vRS front right driving

Skoda Octavia vRS

from £22,585
The Skoda Octavia vRS is quick and spacious, although it can't compete with the best hot hatches for driver involvement.
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More on Hot hatch

Volkswagen ID Polo front static

New Volkswagen ID Polo GTI revealed: electric hot hatch gets 223bhp

Hot hatch version of the upcoming Volkswagen ID Polo gives you plenty of bite, if not so much bark

Best used hot hatches for less than £20,000

A budget of £20,000 could buy you a sensible family car, or you could inject some excitement into your life with one of these 10 used hot hatches

Cupra Leon long-term test with George Hill

Cupra Leon long-term test

Can a plug-in hybrid hot hatch be efficient for the commute but fun on the weekends? Our Used Cars Writer is finding out

Cupra Leon long-term test: report 4

Can a plug-in hybrid hot hatch be efficient for the commute but fun on the weekends? Our Used Cars Writer is finding out

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