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Compare the best hot hatches

High quality hot hatchbacks from rated and reviewed dealers

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Rated 4.7/5 from 29,609 reviews

Best hot hatches 2022

If you want big performance and big smiles on a (reasonably) small budget, then go for a hot hatchback. Not only will the best cars in this category provide a heap of driving fun, they’ll be practical enough for you to use them every day. Here are our top picks…

toyota GR Yaris

1. Toyota GR Yaris

9/10
With four-wheel-drive and a punchy turbocharged motor, the Toyota GR Yaris feels like a WRC car that’s been converted for road use. It has a pretty cramped interior and a small boot, but it’s the most entertaining car of it’s kind currently out there.
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honda Civic Type R

2. Honda Civic Type R

9/10
carwow price from
£425* / month
There are subtler looking cars than the Honda Civic Type R, but few are more satisfying to drive. Its precise handling, slick gearchange and powerful engine make it a standout car. It’s extremely practical, too.
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hyundai i20 N

3. Hyundai i20 N

9/10
carwow price from
£293* / month (£24,288)
The Hyunda i20 N might be one of the smaller cars on this list, but it feels like it’s been made to take serious chunks out of your favourite race track. Its handling is excellent, and it has a practical interior too. Its looks won’t be for everyone, though.
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mercedes AMG A45

4. Mercedes-AMG A45 S

9/10
carwow price from
£58,671
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S has the most powerful production four-cylinder engine on the planet, kicking out no less than 421hp. Four-wheel drive makes it supremely agile in the twisties, and there’s a drift mode too. It is expensive, though.
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volkswagen Golf R

5. Volkswagen Golf R

9/10
carwow price from
£357* / month (£40,567)
The Volkswagen Golf R is just as at home on a twisty road as it is trundling around town. This four-wheel-drive hot hatchback is arguably the best all-rounder in the business. Fast, practical, and fun to drive, it ticks all the right boxes.
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ford Fiesta ST

6. Ford Fiesta ST

8/10
carwow price from
£330* / month (£24,131)
The Ford Fiesta ST might not be the most practical hot hatch on the planet, but it’s easily one of the most fun. It has a more playful demeanour than the hardcore i20 N, but it doesn’t look quite as in-your-face. It’s an excellent little car.
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audi RS3

7. Audi RS3 Sportback

9/10
carwow price from
£591* / month (£54,655)
With 400hp on tap, the Audi RS3 is one of the quickest hot hatchbacks on the planet. Immense four-wheel-drive traction means it’s fast in all weather conditions, and it has a plush interior. Some hot hatchbacks are more engaging though, and almost all are cheaper.
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bmw M135i

8. BMW M135i

8/10
carwow price from
£341* / month (£37,524)
The BMW M135i mixes a plush, well made interior with impressive straight-line performance and four-wheel-drive all-weather traction. Its four-cylinder engine hits hard, but it lacks the character of the old six-cylinder model.
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ford Focus ST

9. Ford Focus ST

8/10
carwow price from
£425* / month
The Ford Focus ST is the quickest hot hatch Ford sells and it’s one of the most practical fast family cars around. Some less roomy alternatives are a little quicker, however.
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hyundai i30 N

10. Hyundai i30 N

carwow price from
£425* / month (£32,469)
The Hyundai i30 N is a hardcore hot-hatch that’s fun to drive and impressively practical. It might be a little bit too aggressive for some, but on the right road it’s an absolute blast. It comes with impressive amounts of standard kit too.
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Advice about hot hatches

Hot hatchback FAQs

A hot hatch is essentially a sporty hatchback. What’s a hatchback? A small run-around car, with a big boot opening and an almost vertical rear-end. Here's our list of the best hatchbacks you can buy. Nearly every one out there has a sporty variant on offer. Typically they have more aggressive looks to complement their sporty and desirable nature - hence the term hot hatch.

If we’re talking about straight line acceleration, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S has been the king in recent years. However, it’s just been dethroned by the new Audi RS3. Audi claims it can do 0-60mph in just 3.8 seconds - 0.1 seconds quicker than the A45 S. Not much, although our very own Mat Watson could go even quicker in the RS3, managing 3.6 seconds. Either way, that’s mighty impressive for two cars that are also practical, with decent space in the rear seats and a well-sized boot. 

Technically, a sports car has been designed from the ground up to focus on handling and acceleration. A hot hatch starts off as an everyday, practical hatchback. So, not really. That being said, many hot hatches out-perform some sports cars. But what if you couldn’t care less about practicality and really want something sporty? Well, the Mazda MX-5 is a good bet. It’s lightweight nature means it’s seriously fun to drive, and it’s good value for a sports car, too.

With performance characteristics that are comparable to an all-out sports car, hot hatches offer much more practicality and are a whole lot cheaper to buy and run. Sports car performance for the masses? Of course they’re popular. With more speed restrictions on the public roads, many would argue that they’re more fun to drive day-to-day. The Honda Civic Type R handles brilliantly and with plenty of punch, is one of the best cars for driving on country roads.

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