Best hot hatchbacks

Hot hatchbacks are the best way to experience supercar-like thrills at a fraction of the cost. Offering supreme performance, incredible handling and striking looks, it's no surprise hot-hatches are so popular here in the UK.

Depending on exactly what you are looking for, our list of ten top hot hatches, features a wide range of small cars with huge personaities that deliver on every level.

Whether you're looking for comfort, space, practicality or all out performance, CarBuyer's list has a little bit of everything. Read on and decide which is your favourite.

Our countdown also includes CarBuyer's 2011 Car of the Year award winner, the Citroen DS3.

Suzuki Swift Sport hatchback

5.0 /5

Now in its second generation, the latest Suzuki hot hatch is even better than the first model. Powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine and carrying very little weight the practical Swift makes for an entertaining but highly usable everyday hot hatch. Featuring 17-inch alloy wheels and sporty styling the Swift Sport is also very desirable, even compared with much more expensive rivals like the Volkswagen Polo and MINI Cooper.

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Citroën DS3 hatchback

THP 155 6-speed DSport

£16,800

4.5 /5

By combining sharp looks, lively performance and entertaining handling in such an affordable package, Citroen has crafted the sharpest go-faster supermini around. The turbocharged DS3 DSport is great value, but it will also make plenty of sense once it has left the showroom. Thanks to Citroen's affordable service plan, maintenance costs will be reasonable, and the DS3 should hold onto its value well, too. Buyers can also personalise their car thanks to a huge range of styling accessories, plus, even the entry-level petrol and diesel versions are entertaining to drive.

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MINI MINI John Cooper Works hatchback

MINI John Cooper Works

£22,455

4.3 /5

Unlike the 1959 original, today's BMW-developed MINI is an expensive ‘premium’ small hatchback. That hasn’t stopped thousands flooding the roads, and an extensive options list means it's easy to make every MINI feel unique. Excellent resale values and economical engines make owning a MINI cheaper than you’d think, too. Six versions, from the basic First to the high performance John Cooper Works offer something for everyone, unless you need much space for luggage or rear passengers, that is. All versions share the same quality feel and are brilliant fun to drive.

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Skoda Fabia hatchback

vRS 1.4 TSI 180PS DSG

£16,990

4.3 /5

Skoda's Fabia is the car that put the Czech firm on the map for quality and comfort. It's not the most stylish car in the supermini class, but its plain looks belie the class leading diesel engines, and fun that can be had driving it. Practical, decently priced and with a broad spread of engines and trim choices there should be a Fabia to fit everyone. The vRS model is a riot to drive, while green-minded motorists will be able to eke out over 80mpg from the fuel-sipping Greenline variant.

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SEAT Ibiza Cupra hatchback

4.3 /5

With its distinctive design, SEAT's Ibiza has no problem turning heads. We particularly like the rapid Cupra three-door 1.4 TSI Bocanegra edition, which gets a smart black front bumper, sloping rear end and a coupe-like silhouette that's as appealing as the Ford Fiesta's. Boot space is not the best, although the five-door version does offer reasonable practicality for small families. All versions offer a range of small, economical engines - the same line-up as found in the Volkswagen Polo. Inside, there's a comfortable driving position and appealing design, although overall comfort suffers because of the Ibiza's firm suspension.

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Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 hatchback

£18,135 - £18,135

4.3 /5

If you can’t find a Renault Clio to suit you, then you’re not looking hard enough! The French supermini is offered in either three or five-door body styles, with the choice of engines ranging from an inexpensive 75bhp 1.2-litre petrol, to a feisty 2.0-litre sporting flagship with 200bhp. All Clios offer practicality and space - even the three-door model is big enough to carry four adults in comfort - and are great to drive. The 1.2-litre TCe with 100bhp provides the best mix of performance and economy, while Dynamique trim brings desirable equipment like air-conditioning as standard.

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Volkswagen Polo GTI hatchback

£19,330 - £19,950

4.3 /5

Drivers looking for a classy supermini look no further. The Volkswagen Polo seems to have it all: good looks, a high quality interior, plenty of space and sensible pricing. If it falls down in one area it's the driving experience, which just isn’t as much fun as with some of its supermini rivals. For maximum performance the GTI is a highlight - it manages 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds. With its shrunken Golf looks and plentiful space you might want to try the Polo GTI before opting for the Golf GTI– unless you regularly carry four passengers, there really is very little to choose between them.

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Mitsubishi Colt hatchback

1.5 Ralliart

£14,454

4.2 /5

The Mitsubishi Colt is a surprisingly spacious supermini that is cheap to buy and comes well equipped. Inside, the Colt feels similar in size to a small MPV - such are the levels of head and legroom. Top-spec Ralliart models are fast too, fitted with a 147bhp 1.5-litre engine along with sports seats, traction and stability control, it can go from 0-62mpg in 7.4 seconds.

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Vauxhall Corsa VXR hatchback

£18,910 - £22,305

4.0 /5

The fantastic handling Vauxhall Corsa VXR is a very accomplished hot hatch that offers owners a very well made cabin, excellent seats and striking, slightly aggressive styling. Up against the cheaper and better looking MINI Cooper S however, the Corsa VXR is expensive and will depreciate faster. Nevertheless, with 189bhp, the Corsa VXR is the most powerful production Corsa ever made.

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Abarth Punto Evo hatchback

£16,857 - £16,857

3.9 /5

The Abarth Punto Evo has impressive performance and is great fun to drive on twisty roads. Despite the practical cabin, very few are sold in the UK, which guarantees exclusivity and should help keep residual values quite strong. Not as harsh or as compromised as the Renaultsport Clio 200, the attractive Punto Evo is also comfortable over long distances.

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