What are the best hot hatches?

Hot hatches appear to offer it all, giving you the thrills of a sports car, the practicality of a family hatchback and reasonable ownership costs. So what’s the catch? Well, with the best hot hatches there isn’t one – you really can have your cake and eat it!

A hot hatch (or hot hatchback) is a high-performance version of an existing hatchback model that has upgrades to make it faster, more fun to drive and sportier to look at. At the same time,  they retain the everyday practicality of the car they’re based on and while they cost more to buy and run, they’re likely to cost a lot less to own than a full-on sports car. 

Using our expertise and experience we’ve put together a list of the top 10 new hot hatches you can buy. Each one is guaranteed to put the fun back into driving and most are also available to buy used

1.Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the OG of hot hatches. It might not have been the first sporty version of a family favorite when it was introduced in 1977 but it set the template for the hot hatchback as we know and love it today. 

Although the current VW Golf GTI will probably never be an icon like the first one, it’s subjectively a superior car – more practical, safer and much, much quicker. It’s a brilliant all-rounder that allows you to have a lot of fun if you’re in the mood for it but gives you a smooth, relaxing ride if you’re not.

2.Toyota GR Yaris

Toyota is known for its sensible hatchback and hybrid models but the GR Yaris is, frankly, bonkers. In a good way. Gazoo Racing (GR), Toyota’s motorsport division, has taken the humble Yaris and turned it into a pocket rocket ready for a rally stage.

The transformation goes way beyond the usual hot hatch makeover. Almost every body panel is different (the GR Yaris is a three-door rather than a five-door model), while out goes hybrid power and in comes a turbocharged petrol engine with 276bhp. There’s four-wheel drive and completely redesigned suspension, too, with the end result one of the fastest and most remarkable hot hatches of recent years.

3. Alpine A290

If the Alpine A290 looks familiar it’s because it’s the high-performance version of the new, all-electric Renault 5 that went on sale in early 2025. Alpine is Renault’s sporty sub-brand and it’s given the 5 upgrades that bring extra power, sharper handling and a more focused, aggressive look. 

While it’s far from the quickest car here, the A290 is quick enough and it delivers what you want from a hot hatch: fun. It’s even more responsive and nimble than the Renault 5 but it’s similarly comfortable and quiet if you’re just pottering to the shops. There are two versions – a lower-powered GT model that has a maximum battery range of 236 miles (according to official figures) and a GTS version that’s more powerful but gives you 10 miles less range. Both are brilliant.

4. Audi RS 3

Those two letters – RS – tell you that the Audi RS 3 is something pretty special, because Audi reserves them for the most extreme versions of its models. The Audi S3 is an impressively fast, four-wheel drive hot hatch that would be on this list, but for the existence of the RS 3. It cranks things up several notches, with a five-cylinder engine that sounds awesome, upgraded steering and suspension and a 0-62mph time of just 3.8 seconds – that’s quicker than some Porsche 911 models. 

All this comes at a price, and if you’re buying new you’re looking at £60,000+ as a starting point. It’s a lot, but rival cars cost much the same and you may well consider the RS 3’s prodigious performance, extensive list of standard equipment and high-spec interior worth it.

5. Honda Civic Type R

The Honda Civic is one the wildest hot hatches around, and has been since the first version went on sale in the UK in 2001. The latest model arrived in 2022. It’s not quite as lairy as its predecessor, but it’s pretty full-on, with a huge rear spoiler, three exhaust tailpipes, 329bhp turbocharged engine and a 0-62mph time of just 5.4 seconds. 

It’s a hoot to drive, with lots of grip and really responsive steering. While it’s a car that’s at its best when driven hard, the Civic Type R can play the role of family hatchback with ease and it’s more practical than most rival cars, with a huge boot and lots of rear-seat space. The interior is a cut above too, with an appealing design and high-quality materials. And, being a Honda Civic, it should be very reliable.

6. Mercedes-AMG A 45 S

Some cars feel like they can defy the laws of physics, with the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S a prime example. Its ability to grip and change direction through corners, as well as its explosive acceleration, is mind-blowing considering it’s a five-door hatchback and not an exotic sports car. It's also the most powerful car with a petrol engine on this list, with a staggering 415bhp output. 

The A 45 S is a direct rival for the Audi RS 3, with a four-wheel drive layout and a similar price tag. Of the two the Mercedes has a more raw, responsive feel yet it’s just as well-suited to everyday duties and has a similarly plush interior. 

7. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

If, a few years ago, someone told you that one of the best hot hatches of 2025 would be a pure-electric Hyundai you would probably have thought they were pulling your leg. It’s no joke, though – the Ioniq 5 N is the best electric hot hatch yet and is a match for its petrol-powered counterparts. 

In fact, the Ioniq 5 N is the most powerful car on this list, with a ludicrous 601bhp (with 641bhp available for short bursts). With an electric motor at the front and another at the back, there’s four-wheel drive and exceptional grip and poise through corners. The acceleration is on another level, with a 0-62mph time of just 3.4 seconds and the kind of immediate take-off that you only get with an electric car. Maximum (official) battery range is 278 miles, but drive it like it’s meant to be driven and you won’t get anywhere near that!

8. Skoda Octavia vRS

Like the Volkswagen Golf GTI but fancy something a smidge cheaper, with a bit more space? The Skoda Octavia vRS could be the car for you. The two cars share many parts (including their engines) because VW also owns Skoda. As a slightly larger car, the Octavia isn’t quite as fast or nimble as the Golf but we’re talking small margins here. It’s still a very swift and enjoyable car to drive. 

As well as extra passenger space over the Golf, the Octavia has a much larger boot. And if that still isn’t enough load space for you there’s an estate version that has one of the largest boots of any estate car. Add in competitive pricing, lots of standard features and a smart, solid interior and you have a compelling package.

9. Hyundai i20 N

The Hyundai i20 N is a classic hot hatch – small and relatively cheap, with a powerful engine and upgraded brakes, suspension and steering to get you round corners quickly, safely and with a sense of connection to the road. It’s lots of fun. 

Despite being compact and keenly priced, the i20 N is also usefully practical and well-equipped. Its heated front seats and heated steering wheel are perfect for those wintry mornings, for example, while bright LED headlights give a great view when you’re dashing down a country road at night. Production of the i20 N ended in 2024, but if you buy a used one it should still have a good chunk of its manufacturer warranty left, because Hyundai offers longer-than-average coverage of five years, with no mileage limit.

10. Ford Focus ST

There’s something about a Ford hot hatch that just feels right. Perhaps it's because the brand has produced some absolute bangers over the years, with cars such as the Escort RS Turbo, Focus RS and, more recently, the Fiesta ST. 

The latest Ford Focus ST might not be a future classic but it’s a great modern-day hot hatch, hitting a sweet spot for its blend of affordability, up-to-date tech and driving appeal. Power comes from a turbocharged 2.3-litre petrol engine that has an appealing bellow and provides rapid acceleration. If you want a new one you’ll have to be quick because, sadly, Ford is discontinuing the Focus model entirely in late 2025.