Last updated August 20, 2025 by
Mario Christou
Best hot hatches of 2025
The best hot hatchbacks really are cars that do it all. They combine the everyday practicality and ease-of use of a family hatchback with enough performance and cornering ability to put a massive smile on your face while hurling one around on a twisty country lane.
Not all hot hatches are created equal though, and they vary massively in their recipes. The most popular examples of the breed include the Audi S3 and Volkswagen Golf GTI, because they are very firmly in the middle of the sporty-sensible spectrum. That’s not to say they’re perfect, though.
For some they simply won’t be posh or fast enough, which is where the frenetic Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45 S come in. They’re practically propelled by atom bombs, with enough power under the bonnet to keep supercar owners on their toes - while also being very luxurious inside.
They’re a bit too polished and posh for some; if that’s the case for you then it’s worth checking out the Toyota GR Yaris and Honda Civic Type R. They’re the rowdiest hot hatchbacks on sale, and while they’re still packed full of niceties and standard kit, they’re more exciting to drive than any of the other cars on this list.
But most importantly in a hot hatch, it needs to be a sensible, easy-to-drive, go anywhere sort of car. Fortunately, they’re still around, and there are even some electric options trying to future-proof the concept, too.
Our expert reviews team has put together this list of the best hot hatches you can buy, after extensively testing all of the options on sale in the UK. If you’d rather your hatchback a little colder, we also have a list of the best non-performance versions for sale, or conversely, the best sports cars on sale, instead.
2025
Pleasure of Driving Award
Highly Commended
1. Toyota GR Yaris
Toyota GR Yaris review
Best for: rally car thrills
Toyota could have just spiced up a normal Yaris with a bigger engine and stiff suspension to turn it into a hot hatch, but instead designed the GR Yaris from the ground up to get advantage on the rally stage. That’s why it’s such a blast to drive and looks fantastic with its motorsport proportions - though it could do with a bigger boot.
The GR Yaris really does look epic, especially parked next to a run-of-the-mill Yaris. It’s a three door for starters - one of very few left on sale - with a far lower roofline than the normal car. Its bulging wheel arches give it far more road presence than a small hatchback has any right to have, too.
You get a funky-looking dashboard which resembles an old arcade machine inside the GR Yaris, again, far removed from the regular version. All of the controls are easily within the driver’s reach, and there’s a slick, 12.3-inch infotainment system set into the dash, but it’s far from the sleekest-designed interior on the market right now.
Interior space is fine up front, though no more than that. You get a pair of comfortable bucket seats and some small cubbies for odds and ends, but passengers in the back don’t even have the luxury of storage bins…or headroom, as a result of that sloping roofline. The boot is even worse, with a paltry 174-litre capacity, far less than you even get in most two-seater convertibles.
It’s the driving experience that makes the GR Yaris as brilliant as it is, because it’s quite unlike anything else on the road. Get it onto a country lane and you’ll forgive it for all its foibles, because it’s easily one of the most fun, exciting and capable hot hatchbacks of all time.
The steering is perfectly judged, the stiff suspension feels just right when chucking it into corners and the four-wheel drive system means you have buckets of grip to play with. Combine that with powerful brakes and a slick gearbox - either as a manual or automatic - and the GR Yaris just fills you with confidence.
Around town the GR Yaris is compromised, because its large turning circle, chunky rear pillars and stiff, bouncy suspension can become tiresome to deal with. Motorways are more tolerable, though the wind noise and fidgety suspension never quite let you settle into a relaxed cruise.
Toyota could have just spiced up a normal Yaris with a bigger engine and stiff suspension to turn it into a hot hatch, but instead designed the GR Yaris from the ground up to get advantage on the rally stage. That’s why it’s such a blast to drive and looks fantastic with its motorsport proportions - though it could do with a bigger boot.
The GR Yaris really does look epic, especially parked next to a run-of-the-mill Yaris. It’s a three door for starters - one of very few left on sale - with a far lower roofline than the normal car. Its bulging wheel arches give it far more road presence than a small hatchback has any right to have, too.
You get a funky-looking dashboard which resembles an old arcade machine inside the GR Yaris, again, far removed from the regular version. All of the controls are easily within the driver’s reach, and there’s a slick, 12.3-inch infotainment system set into the dash, but it’s far from the sleekest-designed interior on the market right now.
Interior space is fine up front, though no more than that. You get a pair of comfortable bucket seats and some small cubbies for odds and ends, but passengers in the back don’t even have the luxury of storage bins…or headroom, as a result of that sloping roofline. The boot is even worse, with a paltry 174-litre capacity, far less than you even get in most two-seater convertibles.
It’s the driving experience that makes the GR Yaris as brilliant as it is, because it’s quite unlike anything else on the road. Get it onto a country lane and you’ll forgive it for all its foibles, because it’s easily one of the most fun, exciting and capable hot hatchbacks of all time.
The steering is perfectly judged, the stiff suspension feels just right when chucking it into corners and the four-wheel drive system means you have buckets of grip to play with. Combine that with powerful brakes and a slick gearbox - either as a manual or automatic - and the GR Yaris just fills you with confidence.
Around town the GR Yaris is compromised, because its large turning circle, chunky rear pillars and stiff, bouncy suspension can become tiresome to deal with. Motorways are more tolerable, though the wind noise and fidgety suspension never quite let you settle into a relaxed cruise.
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2025
Tech Trailblazer Award
2. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review
Battery range up to 278 miles
Best for: electrifying performance
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a properly head-turning, practical and ballistically fast hot hatchback - that happens to be electric, too. Ignore the stigma around EVs, this is a properly fun car to drive. However, it’s far bigger than most hatchbacks - more like an SUV - and all the driving modes can be rather complicated to wrap your head around.
You can’t tell how big the Ioniq 5 N is until you see it in person, so good is its design. It’s full of retro-futuristic touches such as the upright front end, arrow-straight body lines and funky pixel light details. Park one next to a typical family SUV however, and you’ll find the Ioniq 5 N is roughly the same size.
The interior looks almost as futuristic as the exterior, with a double-screen setup perched on top of a curved dashboard and sports steering wheel covered in buttons and switches.
An advantage to its size is that you get lots of space inside; a very roomy cabin with ample storage and supportive bucket seats up front. There’s tons of headroom both front and rear, and passengers in the back have enough legroom to stay comfortable on a long drive. The 480-litre boot is plenty big, too.
The performance on tap with the Ioniq 5 N is prodigious, frankly, with 609hp available from its powerful electric motors. That doesn’t stop it from being a perfectly docile car to drive around town, though its stiff suspension makes it a bit crashy over bumpy roads.
Motorways are a breeze, as getting up to cruising speed takes no effort at all, though there’s a fair amount of road noise from the Ioniq 5 N’s enormous sports tyres. Get the Ioniq 5 N on a twisty road, put it in its sportiest ‘N’ mode, and you’ll soon understand what makes it special.
It does an entertaining job of simulating the sounds, gear shifts and even the rev-limiter of a petrol car, all while putting an enormous smile on your face and carrying as much speed through tight bends as you’d like it to.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a properly head-turning, practical and ballistically fast hot hatchback - that happens to be electric, too. Ignore the stigma around EVs, this is a properly fun car to drive. However, it’s far bigger than most hatchbacks - more like an SUV - and all the driving modes can be rather complicated to wrap your head around.
You can’t tell how big the Ioniq 5 N is until you see it in person, so good is its design. It’s full of retro-futuristic touches such as the upright front end, arrow-straight body lines and funky pixel light details. Park one next to a typical family SUV however, and you’ll find the Ioniq 5 N is roughly the same size.
The interior looks almost as futuristic as the exterior, with a double-screen setup perched on top of a curved dashboard and sports steering wheel covered in buttons and switches.
An advantage to its size is that you get lots of space inside; a very roomy cabin with ample storage and supportive bucket seats up front. There’s tons of headroom both front and rear, and passengers in the back have enough legroom to stay comfortable on a long drive. The 480-litre boot is plenty big, too.
The performance on tap with the Ioniq 5 N is prodigious, frankly, with 609hp available from its powerful electric motors. That doesn’t stop it from being a perfectly docile car to drive around town, though its stiff suspension makes it a bit crashy over bumpy roads.
Motorways are a breeze, as getting up to cruising speed takes no effort at all, though there’s a fair amount of road noise from the Ioniq 5 N’s enormous sports tyres. Get the Ioniq 5 N on a twisty road, put it in its sportiest ‘N’ mode, and you’ll soon understand what makes it special.
It does an entertaining job of simulating the sounds, gear shifts and even the rev-limiter of a petrol car, all while putting an enormous smile on your face and carrying as much speed through tight bends as you’d like it to.
3. Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R review
Best for: old-school thrills
Where most hot hatchbacks have become tech-heavy, four-wheel drive, point-and-shoot rockets, the Honda Civic Type R has retained all of the rowdy charm that made its predecessors so adored. It’s a fun, handsome, desirable hatchback - but it loses out on practicality compared to the normal Civic.
The last generation of Civic Type R looked like it had been designed by a teenager in a street racing video game, the latest model is a sleek, aggressive and handsome hot hatch. Its bulging wheel arches blend into the bodywork seamlessly, while its deep front bumper and even its spoiler manage to look relatively restrained.
The interior is just as easy on the eye, if not better. The standard Civic has one of the best interiors of any hatchback on sale, with its clean, minimalist dashboard covered in high-quality plastics and a fetching strip of aluminium mesh across it. The Type R’s red Alcantara bucket seats, aluminium gear knob and red badge on the steering wheel make it even better.
Those bucket seats are hugely comfortable, and you don’t lose any storage space compared to the standard car. Rear seat passengers have plenty of room and big door pockets, though the sloping roofline can feel a bit claustrophobic for tall adults. The boot is a handy 410 litres, too.
In town the Civic Type R is more comfortable to drive than its racy looks suggest thanks to clever adaptive suspension, but the heavy steering and manual-only gearbox mean it can be a bit tiresome to drive in heavy stop-start traffic around town. Motorways are fairly comfortable too, but the sports tyres do introduce more road noise than in a standard Civic.
On a twisty road, the Type R is an absolute joy to drive. It’s actually a bit more unhinged and tail-happy than its predecessor, but that’s a good thing because it’s exciting to drive quickly - and it puts a proper smile on your face with its crisp gear shift and plenty of grip feel through its beefy, suede-trimmed steering wheel.
Where most hot hatchbacks have become tech-heavy, four-wheel drive, point-and-shoot rockets, the Honda Civic Type R has retained all of the rowdy charm that made its predecessors so adored. It’s a fun, handsome, desirable hatchback - but it loses out on practicality compared to the normal Civic.
The last generation of Civic Type R looked like it had been designed by a teenager in a street racing video game, the latest model is a sleek, aggressive and handsome hot hatch. Its bulging wheel arches blend into the bodywork seamlessly, while its deep front bumper and even its spoiler manage to look relatively restrained.
The interior is just as easy on the eye, if not better. The standard Civic has one of the best interiors of any hatchback on sale, with its clean, minimalist dashboard covered in high-quality plastics and a fetching strip of aluminium mesh across it. The Type R’s red Alcantara bucket seats, aluminium gear knob and red badge on the steering wheel make it even better.
Those bucket seats are hugely comfortable, and you don’t lose any storage space compared to the standard car. Rear seat passengers have plenty of room and big door pockets, though the sloping roofline can feel a bit claustrophobic for tall adults. The boot is a handy 410 litres, too.
In town the Civic Type R is more comfortable to drive than its racy looks suggest thanks to clever adaptive suspension, but the heavy steering and manual-only gearbox mean it can be a bit tiresome to drive in heavy stop-start traffic around town. Motorways are fairly comfortable too, but the sports tyres do introduce more road noise than in a standard Civic.
On a twisty road, the Type R is an absolute joy to drive. It’s actually a bit more unhinged and tail-happy than its predecessor, but that’s a good thing because it’s exciting to drive quickly - and it puts a proper smile on your face with its crisp gear shift and plenty of grip feel through its beefy, suede-trimmed steering wheel.
4. Audi RS3 Sportback
Audi RS3 review
Best for: a glorious engine
The Audi RS3 is one of the best sounding cars on sale, full stop, even taking into account supercars and muscle cars. The 2.5-litre, five-cylinder motor is a masterpiece, the RS3 looks great and feels oh-so-luxurious inside, but it’s got a rather small boot.
It’s got a proper ‘get out of my way’ look to it, too, with a blacked-out grille protruding out of its front end like something out of the movie Alien vs. Predator. The wheel arches are menacingly boxy and swollen, while a roof spoiler and enormous rear diffuser carry the aggression right the way round the RS3.
The interior is equally as sporty as it is luxurious, because the handsome dashboard, plush materials and crisp infotainment system are joined by a pair of sporty seats with honeycomb stitching and a flat top-and-bottom steering wheel. The physical climate controls are a welcome touch, too, even if the whole package isn’t as slick as Audi’s latest designs.
You get decent storage up front and those sports seats are massively comfortable, but particularly tall adults might find their hair brushing up against the roof in the back. Boot space is a poor 281 litres though, due to the four-wheel drive RS3’s rear differential raising the boot floor.
Still, you’ll forget about all of the RS3’s foibles when you put your foot down and get a load of its epic exhaust note and thunderous acceleration. You’ve got buckets of grip in corners, and the RS3 feels much more agile than most four-wheel drive hot hatchbacks, all while staying rather comfortable around town and on the motorway.
The Audi RS3 is one of the best sounding cars on sale, full stop, even taking into account supercars and muscle cars. The 2.5-litre, five-cylinder motor is a masterpiece, the RS3 looks great and feels oh-so-luxurious inside, but it’s got a rather small boot.
It’s got a proper ‘get out of my way’ look to it, too, with a blacked-out grille protruding out of its front end like something out of the movie Alien vs. Predator. The wheel arches are menacingly boxy and swollen, while a roof spoiler and enormous rear diffuser carry the aggression right the way round the RS3.
The interior is equally as sporty as it is luxurious, because the handsome dashboard, plush materials and crisp infotainment system are joined by a pair of sporty seats with honeycomb stitching and a flat top-and-bottom steering wheel. The physical climate controls are a welcome touch, too, even if the whole package isn’t as slick as Audi’s latest designs.
You get decent storage up front and those sports seats are massively comfortable, but particularly tall adults might find their hair brushing up against the roof in the back. Boot space is a poor 281 litres though, due to the four-wheel drive RS3’s rear differential raising the boot floor.
Still, you’ll forget about all of the RS3’s foibles when you put your foot down and get a load of its epic exhaust note and thunderous acceleration. You’ve got buckets of grip in corners, and the RS3 feels much more agile than most four-wheel drive hot hatchbacks, all while staying rather comfortable around town and on the motorway.
5. Mercedes-AMG A45 S
Mercedes-Benz AMG A45 review
Best for: yobbish fun
The AMG A45 S is Mercedes’ answer to the Audi RS3, and as such it offers a similar end result, but with a very different recipe. It’s another pocket-rocket, offering lots of power in a handsome hatchback, but the front seats are very uncomfortable.
Where the Audi RS3 is all angles and the Civic Type R looks like a Fast and Furious car that’s all grown up, the A45 S has one of the sleekest designs of any hatchbacks on sale. It also features pumped-up wheel arches and an outrageous boot spoiler, its smooth bodywork and sharp lights are very chic.
The interior also looks very swish, if not quite as posh as the latest generation of Mercedes interiors. Bucket seats, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and the intricate air vents all add to a blend of style and sportiness. It’s a shame material quality is so hit-or-miss, though.
Both the front and rear are spacious enough for adults to sit in decent comfort, but the front seats are rock-solid and taxing on your bum. The 370-lire boot is a good chunk bigger than in an Audi RS3, too.
The A45’s engine is nowhere near as sonorous or exciting as the RS3’s unit, but it has an extra 20hp on top, so it feels just as rapid. Around town you have a bit of jiggling and crashing through potholes to deal with, but motorways are a bit jarring with a lot of wind and road noise. Still, you have buckets of grip to play with on a country lane, where the A45 S feels shockingly fast.
The AMG A45 S is Mercedes’ answer to the Audi RS3, and as such it offers a similar end result, but with a very different recipe. It’s another pocket-rocket, offering lots of power in a handsome hatchback, but the front seats are very uncomfortable.
Where the Audi RS3 is all angles and the Civic Type R looks like a Fast and Furious car that’s all grown up, the A45 S has one of the sleekest designs of any hatchbacks on sale. It also features pumped-up wheel arches and an outrageous boot spoiler, its smooth bodywork and sharp lights are very chic.
The interior also looks very swish, if not quite as posh as the latest generation of Mercedes interiors. Bucket seats, an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and the intricate air vents all add to a blend of style and sportiness. It’s a shame material quality is so hit-or-miss, though.
Both the front and rear are spacious enough for adults to sit in decent comfort, but the front seats are rock-solid and taxing on your bum. The 370-lire boot is a good chunk bigger than in an Audi RS3, too.
The A45’s engine is nowhere near as sonorous or exciting as the RS3’s unit, but it has an extra 20hp on top, so it feels just as rapid. Around town you have a bit of jiggling and crashing through potholes to deal with, but motorways are a bit jarring with a lot of wind and road noise. Still, you have buckets of grip to play with on a country lane, where the A45 S feels shockingly fast.
6. Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport
Volkswagen Golf GTI review
Best for: a silly/sensible compromise
Don’t get the Clubsport confused with a run-of-the-mill Golf GTI, because it’s a far more enjoyable, far quicker and far more desirable hot hatch than its regular counterpart. It’s just as sensible and practical, but that little bit sharper to drive.
It looks miles better, too, thanks to a more aggressive bumper package, dark lights front and rear and a larger bootlid spoiler - without being too in-yer-face. It’s not any wider than a standard Golf, but that low-key sportiness is perfect for those who don’t want to shout about their car’s performance.
The interior is also much the same as a typical Golf, but with some extra flashes of red. That’s no bad thing, as the Golf interior is very pleasant - minus the irritating touchscreen climate controls. The sporty bucket seats can be a bit annoying after a long drive, too.
You get lots of room up front with loads of adjustment to get comfortable, but the bulky seats make the rear cabin feel a little tight, and there isn’t a huge deal of legroom in the back, either. The 374-litre boot isn’t capacious, but there’s a useful amount of under-floor storage to go with it.
To drive, the GTI Clubsport is a night-and-day improvement over the slightly dull Golf GTI. The steering is far more darty, the suspension copes better with bumpy country lanes and the whole car just feels more agile on a back lane - without much compromise on comfort around town or on the motorway.
Don’t get the Clubsport confused with a run-of-the-mill Golf GTI, because it’s a far more enjoyable, far quicker and far more desirable hot hatch than its regular counterpart. It’s just as sensible and practical, but that little bit sharper to drive.
It looks miles better, too, thanks to a more aggressive bumper package, dark lights front and rear and a larger bootlid spoiler - without being too in-yer-face. It’s not any wider than a standard Golf, but that low-key sportiness is perfect for those who don’t want to shout about their car’s performance.
The interior is also much the same as a typical Golf, but with some extra flashes of red. That’s no bad thing, as the Golf interior is very pleasant - minus the irritating touchscreen climate controls. The sporty bucket seats can be a bit annoying after a long drive, too.
You get lots of room up front with loads of adjustment to get comfortable, but the bulky seats make the rear cabin feel a little tight, and there isn’t a huge deal of legroom in the back, either. The 374-litre boot isn’t capacious, but there’s a useful amount of under-floor storage to go with it.
To drive, the GTI Clubsport is a night-and-day improvement over the slightly dull Golf GTI. The steering is far more darty, the suspension copes better with bumpy country lanes and the whole car just feels more agile on a back lane - without much compromise on comfort around town or on the motorway.
7. Skoda Octavia vRS
Skoda Octavia vRS review
Best for: unmatched practicality
The Skoda Octavia vRS really is, in essence, a Volkswagen Golf GTI in a bigger package, with a much bigger boot. It’s the most sensible car on this list, offering the most interior space, though it’s not very sporty to drive.
It doesn’t look particularly sporty, either, with its saloon-esque body shape, long bumper overhangs and non-aggressive - though angular - body lines. It’s a great car if you like a hot hatch that blends into traffic, though.
The interior is similar, in that it’s nice to look at but rather plain. The dashboard swoops down under the touchscreen infotainment display, but the expanse of charcoal plastics and fabrics mean that even the flat-bottom steering wheel and sporty seats don’t stand out against the rest of the cabin.
Still, you get loads of room both front and back, and a cavernous 600-litre boot - far more than any other hot hatchback on this list.
The standard Octavia vRS is a bit uncomfortable around town, but if you opt for the adaptive suspension you can soften up the shocks and improve the ride comfort. Motorways are more comfortable as the car settles down at speed, but even with its stiff suspension the Skoda isn’t much fun on a country lane, even with its strong brakes and plenty of grip.
The Skoda Octavia vRS really is, in essence, a Volkswagen Golf GTI in a bigger package, with a much bigger boot. It’s the most sensible car on this list, offering the most interior space, though it’s not very sporty to drive.
It doesn’t look particularly sporty, either, with its saloon-esque body shape, long bumper overhangs and non-aggressive - though angular - body lines. It’s a great car if you like a hot hatch that blends into traffic, though.
The interior is similar, in that it’s nice to look at but rather plain. The dashboard swoops down under the touchscreen infotainment display, but the expanse of charcoal plastics and fabrics mean that even the flat-bottom steering wheel and sporty seats don’t stand out against the rest of the cabin.
Still, you get loads of room both front and back, and a cavernous 600-litre boot - far more than any other hot hatchback on this list.
The standard Octavia vRS is a bit uncomfortable around town, but if you opt for the adaptive suspension you can soften up the shocks and improve the ride comfort. Motorways are more comfortable as the car settles down at speed, but even with its stiff suspension the Skoda isn’t much fun on a country lane, even with its strong brakes and plenty of grip.
8. Ford Focus ST
Ford Focus ST review
Best for: a left-field choice
Ford is no stranger to the hot hatch game, and the Focus ST can trace its roots back decades, all the way to the Escort XR3 of the 1980s. The latest Focus ST is fun to drive and has a spacious cabin, but it’s not as refined as its alternatives.
It does look adequately sporty, though, with big, aggressive front grilles and air intakes and a pair of racy looking exhaust tips at the back. The big, red brake calipers look purposeful, too.
The Focus ST’s interior looks a bit dated when compared to the other cars on this list, and while it’s not necessarily ugly, there are a few too many cheap plastics within arm’s reach - even if it does feel well screwed together.
There’s enough space for four adults to sit comfortably in the Focus, and the driving position is excellent, plus the boot is an adequately-sized 380 litres. You can opt for an estate version if you need a bit more cargo capacity, too.
For all of its practicality, the Focus ST isn’t particularly pleasant to drive around town. The large turning circle and stiff suspension mean that tight roads can be a chore to navigate and you get shaken around over bumps.
It settles down on the motorway, but you’ll enjoy the Focus ST most on a country lane, where its steering comes alive, though sometimes it’s a bit too twitchy and nervous-feeling for its own good.
Ford is no stranger to the hot hatch game, and the Focus ST can trace its roots back decades, all the way to the Escort XR3 of the 1980s. The latest Focus ST is fun to drive and has a spacious cabin, but it’s not as refined as its alternatives.
It does look adequately sporty, though, with big, aggressive front grilles and air intakes and a pair of racy looking exhaust tips at the back. The big, red brake calipers look purposeful, too.
The Focus ST’s interior looks a bit dated when compared to the other cars on this list, and while it’s not necessarily ugly, there are a few too many cheap plastics within arm’s reach - even if it does feel well screwed together.
There’s enough space for four adults to sit comfortably in the Focus, and the driving position is excellent, plus the boot is an adequately-sized 380 litres. You can opt for an estate version if you need a bit more cargo capacity, too.
For all of its practicality, the Focus ST isn’t particularly pleasant to drive around town. The large turning circle and stiff suspension mean that tight roads can be a chore to navigate and you get shaken around over bumps.
It settles down on the motorway, but you’ll enjoy the Focus ST most on a country lane, where its steering comes alive, though sometimes it’s a bit too twitchy and nervous-feeling for its own good.
9. BMW M135
BMW M135i review
Best for: a high-quality interior
The BMW M135 is a much more conventional hot hatchback than the M140i that came before, ditching its rear-wheel drive and 3.0-litre engine for a 2.0-litre unit and four-wheel drive. It’s plenty quick and grippy around tight bends, but it’s a bit boring - and divisive-looking.
Its big grille, aggressive headlights and slightly dowdy silhouette don’t do it any favours in the looks department. Neither does the grimacing lower air intake, which is a shame because the last 1 Series was a rather handsome small car.
The interior is far better though, with a minimalist dashboard featuring BMW’s crisp, curved two-in-one widescreen setup on top. The touchscreen climate controls are annoying, but the seats are very comfortable and feature funky stitching.
You get enough room for five comfortable passengers in the M135, though its 380-litre boot is merely okay, on par with the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport.
Around town the M135 is very similar to the Skoda Octavia vRS, as you’ll want the adaptive suspension for maximum comfort; the standard setup is a bit too firm and jiggly. Getting up to motorway speeds is easy, but it’s more comfortable there than on a twisty road.
It’s very grippy and responds well to being chucked into corners, but it’s not fun or engaging in the way a Honda Civic Type R or Audi RS3 is.
The BMW M135 is a much more conventional hot hatchback than the M140i that came before, ditching its rear-wheel drive and 3.0-litre engine for a 2.0-litre unit and four-wheel drive. It’s plenty quick and grippy around tight bends, but it’s a bit boring - and divisive-looking.
Its big grille, aggressive headlights and slightly dowdy silhouette don’t do it any favours in the looks department. Neither does the grimacing lower air intake, which is a shame because the last 1 Series was a rather handsome small car.
The interior is far better though, with a minimalist dashboard featuring BMW’s crisp, curved two-in-one widescreen setup on top. The touchscreen climate controls are annoying, but the seats are very comfortable and feature funky stitching.
You get enough room for five comfortable passengers in the M135, though its 380-litre boot is merely okay, on par with the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport.
Around town the M135 is very similar to the Skoda Octavia vRS, as you’ll want the adaptive suspension for maximum comfort; the standard setup is a bit too firm and jiggly. Getting up to motorway speeds is easy, but it’s more comfortable there than on a twisty road.
It’s very grippy and responds well to being chucked into corners, but it’s not fun or engaging in the way a Honda Civic Type R or Audi RS3 is.
10. Audi S3 Sportback
Audi S3 Sportback review
Best for: understated poshness
The Audi S3 is the more sensible, less exciting and less expensive version of the Audi RS3 - or more specifically, the slightly hotted-up version of the Audi A3 hatchback. It doesn’t have the RS3’s jet-like engine or pumped up bodywork, but for most drivers it’s a better car day-to-day.
And though it’s not as aggressively styled as the full-fat RS3, the S3 is still a handsome car with large grilles and quad exhausts at the back. The lights are particularly fancy, with intricate LED details.
Though Audi’s latest cars have a swoopier interior design, the S3 is still handsome inside, and it’s filled with plush materials and soft-touch plastics. It also feels better put together than the newer models, and it’s refreshing to have physical climate controls.
Adults across both rows of seats will be comfortable in the S3, and there’s useful storage all around the car. Headroom in the back could be better, but you’ll have to be quite tall for it to be a problem. The 325-litre boot is larger than you get in the RS3, but still down on the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
The Audi S3 strikes a great balance between comfort around town and cornering ability on a twisty road - especially with the adaptive suspension fitted - thanks to its trick rear axle. The S3 feels at home on motorways, with a well insulated cabin and surprisingly economical engine under the bonnet.
The Audi S3 is the more sensible, less exciting and less expensive version of the Audi RS3 - or more specifically, the slightly hotted-up version of the Audi A3 hatchback. It doesn’t have the RS3’s jet-like engine or pumped up bodywork, but for most drivers it’s a better car day-to-day.
And though it’s not as aggressively styled as the full-fat RS3, the S3 is still a handsome car with large grilles and quad exhausts at the back. The lights are particularly fancy, with intricate LED details.
Though Audi’s latest cars have a swoopier interior design, the S3 is still handsome inside, and it’s filled with plush materials and soft-touch plastics. It also feels better put together than the newer models, and it’s refreshing to have physical climate controls.
Adults across both rows of seats will be comfortable in the S3, and there’s useful storage all around the car. Headroom in the back could be better, but you’ll have to be quite tall for it to be a problem. The 325-litre boot is larger than you get in the RS3, but still down on the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
The Audi S3 strikes a great balance between comfort around town and cornering ability on a twisty road - especially with the adaptive suspension fitted - thanks to its trick rear axle. The S3 feels at home on motorways, with a well insulated cabin and surprisingly economical engine under the bonnet.
Factors to consider
All of the cars on this list are both practical and fast, so with a hot hatchback it really comes down to personal preference above all else - or where you enjoy driving, for that matter. If you want a shouty hot hatch that turns heads, you’ll be hard pressed to better a Honda Civic Type R in white or an Audi RS3 in yellow or green.
They differ to drive, too, because the Audi is four-wheel drive, and a car with four driven wheels feels safer and more secure on poor roads and in bad weather. A front-wheel drive car, meanwhile, will often feel a bit more fleet-footed - which can be exciting when carving through corners.
An unfortunate statistic is that some hot hatchbacks - especially posh, German ones - are frequently targeted by car thieves, so something Japanese, Korean or low-key could be the smartest choice if you live in an area with frequent car thefts.
Hot hatchbacks to avoid
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