Best hot hatchbacks
It all started in the 1970s, when a group of Volkswagen engineers undertook an after-hours project to create the world's first ‘hot hatchback’ – the MkI Golf GTI. It was never intended as a production car, but little did they know what a pioneering success it would turn out to be.
Since then, almost every manufacturer has had a go at making a definitive hot hatch, and VW finds itself readying its seventh incarnation of the popular Golf GTI. BMW has re-written the rulebook with its new M135i, mixing rear-wheel-drive handling with immense power. Meanwhile, a car like the more modest but equally brilliant Suzuki Swift Sport offers hot-hatch thrills on a lower budget.
So if you’re in the market for a fast, fun hatchback, here are 10 of the best.
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1
Suzuki Swift Sport hatchback
£13,749 - £14,249
Our pick of the bunch, the Suzuki Swift Sport hatchback, has a well-engineered body and lively character that makes it absolutely great fun to drive. The bargain price tag makes it an even more appealing proposition, as does the good quality interior and low running costs. The only disadvantage is the small boot – but the practical interior goes some way to softening that blow to practicality. And it's just so much fun.
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2
Ford Focus ST hatchback
£25,495 - £25,495
Ford has been making hot hatches almost as long as Volkswagen, and its latest model, the Focus ST, has already proved its quality. The ride isn’t as firm as rivals like the Renaultsport Megane and Vauxhall Astra VXR, so it’s more usable everyday, and yet it’s still blisteringly quick on a twisty back road. Spacious and practical, too, the Focus ST represents a great-value package.
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3
BMW 1 Series hatchback
£17,510 - £31,100
The basic BMW 1 Series is currently one of the best family hatchbacks on sale, and the flagship M135i takes the experience to another level. A massive 316bhp makes it capable of 0-60mph in less than five seconds, making overtaking slower traffic a doddle. Quality’s top notch, too, and the driving position is superb – the M135i makes a real case for being the most premium hot hatch if not the hottest of all.
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4
SEAT Leon hatchback
1.8 TSI FR
£20,590
The new SEAT Leon arrived in the second half of 2012 and made various improvements over the model it replaced. A high-powered Cupra model isn’t due until 2014, so for now we must make do with the potent 1.8 TSI FR. Its capable of 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds, while the well-weighted steering makes it a joy to drive.
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5
Volkswagen Golf GTI hatchback (2009-2012)
£25,285 - £27,915
The longest-standing hot hatch is still one of the best. The VW Golf is a superbly rounded package, offering quality, style, badge appeal, and an exhilarating driving experience. Rivals like the Vauxhall Astra VXR and Renaultsport Megane offer an intense drive, but the quick-yet-comfortable GTI is considered one of the most usable hot hatches on sale.
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6
Renault Megane Renaultsport hatchback
These days, hot hatches come in all shapes and sizes, but few are quite as driver-focused as the Renaultsport Megane. The latest in a long line of potent Renaults packs 261bhp and manages 0-60mph in only six seconds. In terms of driver enjoyment, it’s one of the best hot hatches on the market – but the trade off for that is a particularly hard ride.
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7
Skoda Fabia vRS hatchback
£17,150 - £17,150
The flagship Fabia is possibly the biggest surprise here. It’s powered by a 178bhp, 1.4-litre TSI engine, combining a supercharger and turbocharger for effortless acceleration at any speed. It’s great value too – undercutting many of its rivals by several hundred pounds. It also gets the desirable seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox from the VW Polo GTI, making for seamless gear shifts at any speed.
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8
New Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 hatchback
£18,995 - £19,995
The new Renaultsport Clio is a totally different car to the one it replaces. The turbocharged hot hatch is only available with five doors and comes without the option of a manual gearbox. That said, it is immensely quick and very satisfying to drive, with pin-point steering and sharp brakes. It doesn't feel as grown-up as a VW Polo GTI or as fun as a Ford Fiesta ST, but the new Renaultsport Clio is a great compromise and its lively nature will never fail to put a smile on your face.
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9
MINI hatchback
MINI Cooper S
£18,185
The original MINI was a massive success and the BMW remake has captured a huge volume of sales both in the UK and internationally. The Cooper S is the pick of the bunch, has plenty of power and is great fun to drive. The hardcore John Cooper Works version is for enthusiasts only, as the bone-crunching ride is borderline uncomfortable on longer motorway journeys.
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10
Citroën DS3 hatchback
£12,700 - £21,480
Citroen’s DS sub-brand has been a massive success since its launch in 2009. The 1.6-litre THP petrol is the pick of the DS3 range, offering genuine pace in a fun and stylish package. The steering provides plenty of feedback and the interior feels particularly high quality compared to Citroens of old. Running costs can be kept down with fixed-price servicing.
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