Welcome to the Auto Express countdown of the best Hot Hatches.
These cars have to be fast and fun but also practical and useable.
And here’s our round up of the best top 10.
At number 10 is the Kia ProCee’d GT.
The Korean firm is a latecomer to this class class but this keenly priced hot hatch is
well worth a look if you’re after something a bit different.
It’s not the fastest though and won’t be sharp enough for track day fans.
In 9th place is the Peugeot 208 GTI.
After ages in the wilderness this is a return to hot hatch form for Peugeot.
The 208 GTI has strong performance and fine handling yet comfy enough to use for commuting.
Trouble is the steering wheel obscures the speedo – not great in a performance car.
At number 8 is the MINI Cooper S. Now with a 2.0-litre engine and 189 brake horse power
the new MINI Cooper S may have grown up a bit, but it’s still a fun little car with
thanks to that wheel-at-each corner stance.
Shame the ride is still very bouncy.
7th is the Skoda Octavia VRS.
It’s always been the thinking man’s hot hatch, and once again the Octavia VRS is available
with either a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine or a 2.0-litre diesel, which, as you are being
sensible buying a Skoda, is the one to go for.
But then being sensible isn’t always fun.
In 6th place is the Renaultsport Megane 275.
This is one of the very finest driver’s on sale today.
On a race track or the right road the way it handles and accelerates will have you grinning
from ear-to-ear.
At all other times, though, the harsh ride will drive you mad.
5th is the BMW M135i.
A six-cylinder turbo with 316bhp, rear wheel drive and the option of one of the best automatic
gearboxes in the business – the M135i a great drivers car that’s practical too.
However, its also one of the most expensive hot hatches on the market.
In 4th place is the Suzuki Swift Sport.
This car proves that you don’t need to spend big to have fun.
It’s 1.6-litre may only have 134bhp but the lightweight responsive chassis makes up
for this.
Shame it’s rather thirsty considering the modest power output.
At number 3 is the Volkswagen Golf GTI.
It’s the car which created the Hot Hatch class back in the 1970s and it’s still one
of the standard setters today by mixing power, handling, comfort, practicality and desirability
in equal measure.
Unfortunately, it’s now rather expensive.
Second place goes to the Ford Fiesta ST.
When it comes to bang for your buck, the sublime Fiesta ST is king.
Not only is it more fun than its rivals it actually undercuts them by some margin…
what’s not to like… well perhaps the overly firm ride.
And that brings us on to number one and the Auto Express best Hot Hatch – the SEAT Leon
SC Cupra.
Based on the same platform as the Golf GTI but with a lot more power and a clever front
differential as standard, the SEAT is sharper to drive and better value.
Oh, and it’s comfy and practical too.
And that’s why it’s the Auto Express best hot hatch.
Click on the video windows to see our round up of the top 10 4x4s and our list of the
safest cars by category.
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