Skip advert
Advertisement

Hot hatches

Audi RS 3 review – better to drive than ever
Audi RS 3
In-depth reviews
27 Oct 2024

Audi RS 3 review – better to drive than ever

“The Audi RS 3 is fearsomely quick but can be just as easy to drive as the regular A3”
New MINI John Cooper Works unleashed with 228bhp petrol engine
MINI John Cooper Works front quarter
News
22 Oct 2024

New MINI John Cooper Works unleashed with 228bhp petrol engine

The new petrol-powered MINI John Cooper Works is here, and it’s almost as quick as its electric twin
Volkswagen Golf R review – the ultimate Golf
Volkswagen Golf R
In-depth reviews
15 Oct 2024

Volkswagen Golf R review – the ultimate Golf

“The Volkswagen Golf R is one of the hottest Golfs ever, and handles very well”
Volkswagen Golf GTI review – the quintessential hot hatch
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport front 3/4 tracking
In-depth reviews
15 Oct 2024

Volkswagen Golf GTI review – the quintessential hot hatch

"Favouring precision over power, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is a sophisticated hot hatch"
New MINI John Cooper Works Electric arrives with Golf GTI-rivalling performance
MINI John Cooper Works Electric front quarter
News
14 Oct 2024

New MINI John Cooper Works Electric arrives with Golf GTI-rivalling performance

MINI turns up the wick on its electric city car, resulting in a sub-six second 0-62mph time
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: electric hot hatch costs more than a Golf R
Volkswagen ID3 GTX front quarter
News
27 Aug 2024

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: electric hot hatch costs more than a Golf R

You’ll need to cough up £46k for the Volkswagen ID.3 GTX when it goes on sale in the UK
Mercedes-AMG A 45 review – a powerful, but pricey hot hatch
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S
In-depth reviews
22 Aug 2024

Mercedes-AMG A 45 review – a powerful, but pricey hot hatch

"Incredible power sets the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S apart but its price tag is almost as breathtaking"
New Audi RS 3 revealed: five-cylinder hot hatch updated for 2024
2024 Audi RS3 front quarter static
News
19 Aug 2024

New Audi RS 3 revealed: five-cylinder hot hatch updated for 2024

Audi’s high-speed hatchback is updated for 2024, but performance is unchanged from outgoing RS 3
New Skoda Octavia vRS undercuts the VW Golf GTI – but only just
Skoda Octavia vRS estate
News
13 Aug 2024

New Skoda Octavia vRS undercuts the VW Golf GTI – but only just

Pricing has been confirmed for the new Skoda Octavia vRS, with the hatch costing from just under £39k
New Volkswagen Golf R revealed: 329bhp hot hatch as quick as Audi R8, costs £43k
Volkswagen Golf R front quarter
News
6 Aug 2024

New Volkswagen Golf R revealed: 329bhp hot hatch as quick as Audi R8, costs £43k

Volkswagen’s performance flagship, the Golf R, gets more power, new tech and a fresh look for 2024
Brand new Cupra Leon is cheaper than before
Cupra Leon front quarter
News
25 Jul 2024

Brand new Cupra Leon is cheaper than before

Pricing for the facelifted 2024 Cupra Leon has just been revealed, and it’s now more affordable
Feistier Cupra Born VZ gets 322bhp and sports suspension – yours for £45k
Cupra Born VZ front quarter
News
18 Jul 2024

Feistier Cupra Born VZ gets 322bhp and sports suspension – yours for £45k

Spain’s hottest electric hatchback is on sale now – meet the £45k Cupra Born VZ
New electric MINI John Cooper Works E shakes down before Goodwood debut
MINI JCW E prototype front quarter
News
4 Jul 2024

New electric MINI John Cooper Works E shakes down before Goodwood debut

MINI gives its electric hatchback the full JCW makeover – here’s its first teaser
Cupra Leon review – a sporty hatchback that’s also a great all-rounder
Cupra Leon
In-depth reviews
25 Jun 2024

Cupra Leon review – a sporty hatchback that’s also a great all-rounder

"The Cupra Leon is a stylish, high-performance take on the standard hatch that's a desirable alternative to mainstream rivals"
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Alpine A290: fast, stylish and very blue electric hot hatchback revealed
Alpine A290 front quarter
News
13 Jun 2024

New Alpine A290: fast, stylish and very blue electric hot hatchback revealed

The electric hot hatch era heats up with the arrival of the new Alpine A290 that offers more performance than the Renault 5 it’s based on
New Volkswagen Golf R: 329bhp super-hatch details and prototype drive
Volkwagen Golf R prototype front quarter
News
11 Jun 2024

New Volkswagen Golf R: 329bhp super-hatch details and prototype drive

The hottest Golf gets even faster this year – and we’ve driven the prototype
Hot car deal: Fun-focused BMW 128ti hot hatch for £309 a month
BMW 128ti front quarter
Deals
21 May 2024

Hot car deal: Fun-focused BMW 128ti hot hatch for £309 a month

The most driver-focused model in BMW’s 1 Series lineup can be yours for just £309 a month
New MINI John Cooper Works first look! Petrol and electric hot hatch coming this year
MINI John Cooper Works camo front quarter
News
20 May 2024

New MINI John Cooper Works first look! Petrol and electric hot hatch coming this year

First glimpse of the MINI John Cooper Works reveals a suitably sporty-looking hot hatch
BMW M135i review – a fast and practical hot hatch, but lacks character
BMW M135i driving
In-depth reviews
29 Apr 2024

BMW M135i review – a fast and practical hot hatch, but lacks character

“The latest BMW M135i is undoubtedly fast, and a recent update has added some of the old car’s character”
Bargain Volkswagen Golf R: Hot hatch lease deal
Volkswagen Golf R driving
Deals
26 Apr 2024

Bargain Volkswagen Golf R: Hot hatch lease deal

Our hot car deal for 26 April is a performance hero; the Volkswagen Golf R for £354 a month
Audi S3 Sportback review – now it’s fun as well as fast
Audi S3 Sportback front dynamic
In-depth reviews
23 Apr 2024

Audi S3 Sportback review – now it’s fun as well as fast

“The Audi S3 is still a subtle hot hatch, but its driver will now have a much broader smile”
New Audi S3 revealed: £47k hot hatch brings greater focus on handling
Audi S3 saloon front quarter
News
17 Apr 2024

New Audi S3 revealed: £47k hot hatch brings greater focus on handling

New facelift for the Audi S3 packs more power and a raft of chassis upgrades, with some models topping £50k
Ford Focus ST review – a great handling hatch, made hotter
Ford Focus ST Track Pack front 3/4
In-depth reviews
11 Apr 2024

Ford Focus ST review – a great handling hatch, made hotter

"The Ford Focus ST is one of the most exciting hot hatchbacks on sale, but it's no longer a cheap option next to its rivals"
Skip advert
Advertisement
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review - sensationally quick and engaging
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Carbuyer drive
In-depth reviews
20 Mar 2024

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review - sensationally quick and engaging

“The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N sets the benchmark for fast EVs, but all its tech doesn’t come cheap”
2024 Audi S3 promises to be sportier than ever with 328bhp – prototype review
Audi S3 prototype front quarter
News
13 Feb 2024

2024 Audi S3 promises to be sportier than ever with 328bhp – prototype review

Audi’s hot hatchback will receive a facelift this year along with multiple performance upgrades – we drive the prototype
New Volkswagen Golf GTI is here with 20 extra horsepower
2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI static quarter
News
23 Jan 2024

New Volkswagen Golf GTI is here with 20 extra horsepower

The grandfather of hot hatchbacks is revised for the Mk8.5 generation, with visual tweaks and more power
New Volkswagen Golf GTI: hot hatch icon gets a refresh
VW Golf GTI tracking front quarter
News
9 Jan 2024

New Volkswagen Golf GTI: hot hatch icon gets a refresh

Iconic performance car will receive tweaks for its mid-life facelift, including visual changes and a potential bump in power
The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024

While hatchbacks might normally be used for trips to the shops, the hot hatch power war has resulted in the fastest models being quicker than most spo…
Top 10 best hot hatchbacks 2024
Best hot hatchbacks
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best hot hatchbacks 2024

A hot hatch should combine driving thrills with everyday usability at a reasonable price – we round up the best
Smaller and cheaper electric Hyundai N car on the way
Hyundai N car
News
25 Dec 2023

Smaller and cheaper electric Hyundai N car on the way

The new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N could be joined by a smaller electric performance car, according to a senior figure at the company
Honda Civic Type R review - the ultimate hot hatch?
2023 Honda Civic Type R - front
In-depth reviews
7 Dec 2023

Honda Civic Type R review - the ultimate hot hatch?

“The latest Honda Civic Type R could go down in history as one of the hot hatch greats, but its high price tag could prove a step too far for some ent…
UK Hyundai Ioniq 5 N pricing announced, starting from £65k
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
News
26 Oct 2023

UK Hyundai Ioniq 5 N pricing announced, starting from £65k

The Ioniq 5 N gets 641bhp in a bid to be the ultimate enthusiast’s EV, and we’ve had a chance to drive the latest prototype
New Skoda vRS hot hatch could be a cut-price VW ID.2 GTI
skoda small vRS
News
23 Oct 2023

New Skoda vRS hot hatch could be a cut-price VW ID.2 GTI

Volkswagen ID.2-based supermini could spawn a hot vRS version, if Skoda can make a credible case
Updated Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatch inbound for next year
Facelifted Volkswagen Golf GTI
News
10 Oct 2023

Updated Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatch inbound for next year

Volkswagen’s Golf Mk8.5 is set to come back fighting, armed with a slew of updates to take on rivals
Ford Puma ST SUV review
Ford Puma ST Powershift 1
In-depth reviews
9 Aug 2023

Ford Puma ST SUV review

"The Ford Puma ST is great to drive, has a brilliant engine and offers all the practicality of an SUV with hot hatch thrills"