Best hot hatches - driven, rated and ranked
There are no hitches with our top 10 hot hatches – but which pocket rocket claims the number one spot? Hot hatches occupy a sweet spot in the performance car world, offering an appealing blend of speed, playful handling, genuine practicality, and sometimes, surprising affordability. It’s hard to find fault with that combination. The classic hot hatch formula, refined over many years, is simple yet effective: transform a standard hatchback by significantly boosting its performance capabilities, enhance its engine and chassis technology, and let the fun commence. Some car makers even hand them over to their own in-house performance sub-brands to work their magic. Think Mercedes-AMG, Hyundai N, Toyota's Gazoo Racing and Ford Performance. Hot hatchbacks are equally capable of zipping through city streets or tackling winding roads, offering exhilarating driving experiences without sacrificing everyday usability. You should make the most of them while you still can. Increasingly strict emissions regulations mean hot hatches are no longer the overtly affordable performance machines they once were. Although internal combustion still rules the roost, there’s a definite sense that these petrol-engined machines are the last of the breed. Two cars on our list are actually electric. But which should you choose? We think the Toyota GR Yaris is the best hot hatch money can buy today, offering stunning cross-country pace, engaging handling and compact proportions. Read on for our full top ten list of the best hot hatches on sale today. Whether you're after speed, style, or versatility, these cars have it all.
There are no hitches with our top 10 hot hatches – but which pocket rocket claims the number one spot?
Hot hatches occupy a sweet spot in the performance car world, offering an appealing blend of speed, playful handling, genuine practicality, and sometimes, surprising affordability. It’s hard to find fault with that combination.
The classic hot hatch formula, refined over many years, is simple yet effective: transform a standard hatchback by significantly boosting its performance capabilities, enhance its engine and chassis technology, and let the fun commence.
Some car makers even hand them over to their own in-house performance sub-brands to work their magic. Think Mercedes-AMG, Hyundai N, Toyota's Gazoo Racing and Ford Performance.
Hot hatchbacks are equally capable of zipping through city streets or tackling winding roads, offering exhilarating driving experiences without sacrificing everyday usability.
You should make the most of them while you still can. Increasingly strict emissions regulations mean hot hatches are no longer the overtly affordable performance machines they once were.
Although internal combustion still rules the roost, there’s a definite sense that these petrol-engined machines are the last of the breed. Two cars on our list are actually electric.
But which should you choose? We think the Toyota GR Yaris is the best hot hatch money can buy today, offering stunning cross-country pace, engaging handling and compact proportions.
Read on for our full top ten list of the best hot hatches on sale today. Whether you're after speed, style, or versatility, these cars have it all.
