A hot hatch is a car that appeals to both logic and emotion, as it must excel in practical tasks like school runs or supermarket trips while also delivering thrilling performance on winding roads.
Achieving this balance is challenging since the qualities that make a car ideal for urban driving such as a smooth ride and a quiet engine often conflict with the characteristics desired for spirited driving, like sharp handling and a responsive powertrain.
To identify the best hot hatches, our team of reviewers drives each model for hundreds of miles across a variety of roads and on our test track.
We also load them with passengers and luggage to evaluate practicality and assess their fuel efficiency, value for money, and reliability.
Best Hot Hatches
After evaluating every hot hatch currently available, our experts have crowned the Mercedes-AMG A45 as the best option on the market.
For specific model recommendations and insights into other notable hot hatches, keep reading.
Below, you’ll find the ten best hot hatchbacks on sale today, alongside links to hot hatch deals to help you secure the best price.
1. Mercedes-AMG A45 S Plus
Strengths
- Savage acceleration
- Immense grip
- Quick-shifting automatic gearbox
Weaknesses
- Very expensive
- Audi RS3 is more comfortable
- Interior build quality could be improved
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S isn’t just the best hot hatch available—it’s the type of car that might have you setting your alarm an hour early just to hit the road.
Powered by a 415bhp engine paired with four-wheel drive, the A45 S rockets from 0-62mph in a mere 3.9 seconds.
Despite this performance, it remains relatively comfortable and offers impressive practicality, with space for six carry-on suitcases.
AMG-specific features, including sports seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and unique digital displays, enhance the driving experience.
While the Audi RS3 offers more refinement and the BMW M135i comes at a lower price point, few vehicles match the A45 S’s combination of breathtaking performance, playful handling, and premium design.
It delivers supercar-level performance in a more accessible package.
“I’m very happy to sacrifice a bit of civility for extra fun. I found the amount of speed I could carry through corners was remarkable, and the effectiveness of the four-wheel drive system is seriously impressive.”
2. Audi S3
Strengths
- Very fast and capable
- Easy to live with
- Slick-shifting gearbox
Weaknesses
- Not the cheapest hot hatch
- Fiddly infotainment system
- Audi’s reliability record is mixed
The Audi S3 strikes a balance between practicality and performance. While it doesn’t offer the ultimate thrills of rivals like the Honda Civic Type R or Toyota GR Yaris, it excels in delivering rapid acceleration and secure handling.
Thanks to precise steering and a dependable four-wheel drive system, the S3 inspires confidence, even in challenging conditions.
While the Volkswagen Golf R is arguably a more rounded choice, the S3’s premium branding and refined interior give it an edge for those seeking luxury alongside performance.
“The S3’s rear seat backs split in a useful 40/20/40 configuration, which is something you have to pay extra for in a BMW M135i.
It’s a very useful feature, as I found on a long road trip, where the extra flexibility for my luggage came in really useful.”
3. Volkswagen Golf R
Strengths
- Excitingly fast
- Comfortable ride
- Playful handling balance
Weaknesses
- Expensive to buy
- Not as sharp as the Honda Civic Type R
The Volkswagen Golf R is the epitome of a versatile hot hatch, blending exciting performance with everyday usability.
Based on the regular Volkswagen Golf, the Golf R offers ample space for passengers and luggage while delivering more engagement through corners compared to rivals like the BMW M135i and Audi S3.
Its four-wheel drive system enhances traction, making the car feel dynamic as it channels power to the rear wheels during corner exits.
While the interior could benefit from smarter design and a more intuitive infotainment system, the Golf R remains a top choice for enthusiasts seeking a well-rounded hot hatch.
“The Golf R is available with an optional Akrapovic exhaust system. It’s quite expensive, but it’s an option I’d choose because I love the humorous exhaust pops as you lift off the accelerator.”
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Strengths
- Explosive straight-line pace
- Just as practical as the Ioniq 5
- Fast charging speeds
Weaknesses
- Costs more than electric alternatives
- Some features more suited to track use
- Mercedes-AMG A45 S is cheaper and more talented
You might not expect an electric vehicle to feature on a list of hot hatches, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N demonstrates that there’s a valid place for electric cars in this category.
The Ioniq 5 N is powered by two electric motors (one on each set of wheels) combining to produce an impressive 601bhp—rising to 641bhp for 10 seconds when activated via the N Grin Boost mode.
With launch control engaged, the car can hit 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds, making it the fastest car on this list by a significant margin.
However, the Ioniq 5 N isn’t only about brute force acceleration. It introduces some unique driving features and clever tech, including:
- N e-Shift: Simulates an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with paddle shifters allowing you to change virtual gears manually.
- N Active Sound Plus: Pumps artificial engine sounds into the cabin and external environment for added drama and immersion.
The driving experience combines these features with playful handling, making this electric hatchback an absolute joy to drive.
That said, all these tech features come at a price, as the Ioniq 5 N is a very expensive choice in comparison to other electric alternatives.
“Beneath the surface, the Ioniq 5 N is closely related to the Kia EV6 GT. However, it has new suspension, bigger brakes, quicker steering, reinforced underpinnings and a vast array of drive modes to distinguish it from its cousin. I found the difference was like night and day.”
5. BMW 128ti
Strengths
- Sharp handling
- Punchy performance
- Class-leading interior quality
Weaknesses
- Firm ride for a family car
- No plug-in hybrid option
- No iDrive rotary controller
The BMW 128ti offers a more budget-friendly alternative to the BMW M135i.
Although it trades four-wheel drive for front-wheel drive and uses a slightly detuned version of the M135i’s turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, the 128ti counters with a lighter, more agile chassis.
The bespoke suspension setup, stiffer anti-roll bars, and improved steering make this a fantastic driver’s car.
It’s the perfect choice for anyone seeking driving thrills without compromising on the usual usability expected from the 1 Series family.
Additionally, the 128ti boasts the same premium interior design and decent passenger space as the standard 1 Series, making it versatile for family use as well as weekend fun.
“With four-wheel drive, the M135i has amazing traction on greasy, winding roads, but I found the the front-wheel drive 128ti to be the more engaging driver’s car, thanks to its more natural-feeling steering and playful chassis.”
6. Ford Focus ST
Strengths
- Well equipped
- Great driving position
- Even more fun with the grippy Track Pack
Weaknesses
- Infotainment system can be fiddly to use
- Interior is a bit low rent
- Steering is inconsistently weighted
The standard Ford Focus is already one of the best-handling family cars on the market, making it the perfect foundation for the Focus ST.
The key upgrades include a 276bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine that thrives when pushed and a limited-slip differential that helps the car maintain traction on challenging corners.
While it’s a lot of fun to drive and retains the Focus’s family car practicality, there are some drawbacks to consider: the interior can feel basic compared to rivals, and the steering can feel uneven at times.
Compared to competitors like the BMW M135i, the Focus ST offers a more affordable entry into the hot hatch market while maintaining an impressive amount of fun behind the wheel.
“The Focus ST is one of the best hot hatches to drive along a country road. It offers greater agility, playfulness and, ultimately, a higher fun factor than many of its rivals, including the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
What really appeals to me, though, is that it’s more affordable to buy than that car, too.”
7. Volkswagen Golf GTI
Strengths
- Decent practicality
- Tidy cornering
- Quiet and comfy for a hot hatch
Weaknesses
- Some rivals offer more thrills
- Quite pricey for the performance offered
- Rivals sound better
The latest Volkswagen Golf GTI doesn’t quite match the very best hot hatches when it comes to speed and thrills. It’s also relatively pricey for what it offers in terms of performance.
That said, the Golf GTI excels in balancing everyday usability with performance. For instance, its ride is surprisingly smooth for a hot hatch, especially when paired with the optional adaptive suspension.
Furthermore, its performance is closer to the more potent Honda Civic Type R than one might initially expect.
Practicality is another strong point; the boot is spacious enough to accommodate five carry-on suitcases, making it a family-friendly choice.
Unfortunately, the Golf GTI is no longer available with a manual gearbox, which would have added more driver engagement. Instead, it now relies on a seven-speed DSG automatic gearbox.
“I still mourn the loss of the manual gearbox in the Golf GTI. However, the dual-clutch DSG automatic does offer smooth-yet-swift shifts, and you can take back control with the gear-shift paddles behind the steering wheel if you want to.”
8. BMW M135i
Strengths
- Plenty of pace
- Classy interior
- Excellent infotainment
Weaknesses
- Rivals are more fun and engaging
- You’ll want to add options
- Rear headroom isn’t great
The BMW M135i represents the most powerful version of the BMW 1 Series available.
It is powered by a 302bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that competes with the Audi S3 but falls slightly behind the class-leading Mercedes-AMG A45.
Nevertheless, the M135i offers impressive performance. With its xDrive four-wheel-drive system and launch control, it can hit 0-62mph in just 4.8 seconds with minimal traction issues, even in damp conditions.
While the engine and gearbox combination isn’t the most engaging, it excels in everyday usability. It boasts a well-designed, high-quality interior and one of the most intuitive infotainment systems in its class.
“The M135i’s interior is a big step up from what you’ll find in the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI. The dashboard is awash with soft-touch materials, plus it feels solid and built to last.
I found the infotainment system to be very easy to use, partly because of the rotary control dial on the centre console.”
9. Mercedes-AMG A35
Strengths
- Rapid acceleration
- Great traction, even in inclement conditions
- Reasonably comfortable
Weaknesses
- Rivals are more rewarding
- Engine sounds a bit tuneless
- Too much road noise
The Mercedes-AMG A35 provides a slightly more affordable entry into the AMG performance range compared to the A45, but it doesn’t feel cheap. It’s more refined and less aggressive while still boasting impressive performance.
The A35 sprints from 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds with the added benefit of four-wheel drive, giving it great traction, regardless of road conditions.
The cabin is impressive and modern, with features like AMG sports seats and a sleek flat-bottomed steering wheel.
The two 10.3-inch infotainment screens are a stylish addition, though they can be a little less intuitive compared to some rivals.
“I love the interior design, especially at night with the optional multi-coloured ambient lighting fitted. It adds a real dose of drama to the dashboard – although I wish it was just a little easier to use.”
10. Cupra Leon
Weaknesses
- Not the last word in playful, engaging handling
- Cheaper engines cost more than Seat Leon equivalents
- Fiddly touch-sensitive controls
Strengths
- Estate is very fast yet surprisingly comfortable
- Plenty of engine options
- PHEV offers cheap company car tax
The Cupra Leon, once just a sportier variation of the Seat Leon, has become a standalone model with its own styling and distinctive appeal following a mid-life facelift.
The most exciting version is the range-topping 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with 296bhp. Though fast, it isn’t as quick as the Ford Focus ST, while the 328bhp estate offers all-wheel drive for better traction.
The adaptive suspension is a standout feature, allowing drivers to switch between a sportier or softer ride, depending on preference.
“The adaptive suspension, which is fitted on all Cupra Leons apart from the entry-level version, is very useful.
I liked that I could choose from hard and focused for driving down a twisty B-road, or soft and cosseting for a long motorway journey.”
This guide highlights just a few of the outstanding hot hatches available today. Each model offers a unique mix of performance, practicality, and personality to suit different preferences and needs.
