Although not as commonplace as they once were, there are still a decent selection of hot hatches out there. From tiny tearaways like the Ford Fiesta ST, trackday weapons such as the Honda Civic Type R and posher options like the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, there should be something to tempt most enthusiasts.
In this list we’ll let you know what the 10 best hot hatchbacks are from a range of categories, and which engine to pick should you get the choice. After all, you wouldn’t want a slow hot hatch, would you?
Top 10 best hot hatchbacks 2024
Editor’s choice: Hyundai I30 N
Punches well above its price
Pros:
✅ Exciting to drive
✅ Well equipped
✅ Cheaper than direct rivals
Cons:
❌ Thirsty
❌ Drab interior
No hot hatch can beat the i30 N’s blend of excitement, affordability and practicality. Despite being cheaper than direct rivals, it gets adaptive suspension and a limited-slip differential along with a punchy turbocharged engine. It’s not quite as delicate as a Type R or as plush inside as a Cupra Leon, but you’ll be having far too much fun to care.
Read our full Hyundai i30 N review
Honda Civic Type R
The most involving hot hatch you can buy
Pros:
✅ Involving handling
✅ Rev-hungry engine
✅ Tactile manual gearbox
Cons:
❌ Pricey
❌ Limited supply
Although the Civic Type R is the most involving hot hatch you can currently buy, there’s a simple reason it can’t be our favourite, cost. It’s gone from a sub-£40k i30 N, Focus ST and Golf GTI rival to a near £50k alternative to premium hot hatches. Interior quality improvements make this marginally easier to swallow, but what you’re really paying for is the finely fettled chassis and go-faster bits. It really is the Porsche 911 GT3 of hot hatches.
Read our full Honda Civic Type R review
Ford Fiesta ST
Fun at any speed
Pros
✅ Juvenile fun
✅ Sounds good
✅ Relatively affordable
Cons
❌ Not as cheap as it once was
❌ Firm ride
Sadly, the Fiesta and therefore Fiesta ST aren’t much longer for this world, so you should pounce on the opportunity to buy one when you can. The turbocharged three-cylinder engine sounds good and supplies ample power while the handling is guaranteed to leave you smiling whether you’re carving through the city or B road blasting.
Read our full Ford Fiesta ST review
Mercedes-AMG A 45
The best super hatch of them all
Pros
✅ Ludicrously fast
✅ Entertaining handling
✅ Well equipped
Cons
❌ Over £60k
❌ Interior quality disappointing in places
Despite only having a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine like a number of rivals, the AMG A 45 S pumps out an insane 421hp. That’s enough for sub-4.0-second 0-62mph times and cross-country pace that’d shame many a supercar. It’s not as involving as a Type R, but the ludicrous performance and clever four-wheel drive system means you’ll definitely enjoy yourself.
Read our full Mercedes-AMG A 45 review
Ford Focus ST
More fun and space than a Golf GTI
Pros:
✅ Fun to drive
✅ Plenty of rear legroom
✅ Optional packs add excitement
Cons:
❌ Likes a drink
❌ Uninspiring interior
While the Focus ST can’t quite match the Fiesta ST for giggles, this is still a well-balanced hatchback that’s available with a couple of go-faster packages. The Track Pack is arguably a bit extreme for most, but it really brings the best out of the Focus. It’s practical too, with good rear legroom and the option of an estate version.
Read our full Ford Focus ST review
Ford Focus ST lease deals | VIEW OFFER
Hyundai i20 N
A more serious alternative to the Fiesta ST
Pros
✅ Fast for a nipper
✅ Slick gearchange
✅ More space than a Fiesta ST
Cons
❌ Needs pushing hard to really come alive
❌ Drab interior
If the Fiesta ST is the class clown that’s always messing around, the i20 N is the school swat. Where the Fiesta will cock a wheel at 15mph and happily go sideways on command, the i20 is more neutral and almost certainly faster around a track. It’s also more practical and still comes with plenty of kit, making it well worth considering.
Read our full Hyundai i20 N review
Hyundai i20 N lease deals | VIEW OFFER
Volkswagen Golf R
Mk8 dials up the thrills
Pros:
✅ Feels even faster than numbers suggest
✅ More entertaining than its predecessor
✅ Shockingly frugal on a run
Cons:
❌ Pricey
❌ Infuriating touch-sensitive controls
Although the Golf GTI is easily beaten by the i30 N and Focus ST for sub-£40k fun, the Mk8 Golf R is arguably more entertaining than the old car. A new rear differential makes the R far more resistant to understeer, while the optional Performance Pack even has a drift mode. A Civic Type R is more involving, but the Golf R is a fantastic all weather express.
Read our full Volkswagen Golf R review
Volkswagen Golf R lease deals | VIEW OFFER
Audi RS 3
A Golf R turned up to 11
Pros:
✅ Hot hatches don’t get much faster
✅ Terrific noise
✅ Plush inside
Cons:
❌ Expensive
❌ Supply issues
The RS 3 battles the AMG A45 for the title of the lariest hot hatch available. A 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine produces 400hp and the best noise to come out of a modern hatch, while a similar four-wheel drive system to the Golf R helps it feel livelier in the bends than its predecessor.
Read our full Audi RS 3 review
Cupra Leon
Fun if you pick the right engine
Pros:
✅ 300hp flagship is good fun
✅ Attractive interior
✅ Spacious in the rear
Cons:
❌ PHEV is a letdown
❌ No manual option for the spiciest versions
You need to be careful which Cupra Leon you pick. Unlike old Leon Cupras that only had the most powerful engine going, there’s now a whole range to pick from. We’d avoid the 150hp petrol and plug-in hybrids if you want a giggle and move straight to the 245 or 300hp models.
Read our full Cupra Leon review
Cupra Leon lease deals | VIEW OFFER
Skoda Octavia vRS
More hatchback than hot
Pros:
✅ Exceedingly practical
✅ 245hp petrol is quick
✅ Tidy handling from petrol and diesel
Cons:
❌ Not all that exciting
❌ Another unentertaining PHEV option
If you’re after a thoroughly practical hatchback that’s capable of getting a move on once in a while, the Octavia vRS is worth considering. It’s not as exciting as the other cars on this list, but it handles tidily, is brisk enough and has a giant boot. We’d avoid the diesel and stick to the 245hp petrol.
Read our full Skoda Octavia review
