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Hot hatchbacks

Abarth 595 (2012-2024) review – low on sophistication, big on fun
Abarth 595 front
In-depth reviews

Abarth 595 (2012-2024) review – low on sophistication, big on fun

There are faster and more accomplished hot hatches out there, but it's hard not to fall for the 595's recipe for simple, honest fun
18 Dec 2024
The Hyundai i20 N is dead; we take it for one last drive
Hyundai i20 N – front
Features

The Hyundai i20 N is dead; we take it for one last drive

We take the now-discontinued Hyundai i20 N for a farewell drive. It truly is a modern hot hatch great
7 Dec 2024
Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy (2005) review – an all-time great hot hatch
Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy
In-depth reviews

Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy (2005) review – an all-time great hot hatch

The ultimate Clio 182 came close to hot hatch perfection, and is one of the most significant performance cars launched in evo's lifetime
4 Dec 2024
Vauxhall Astra GSe 2025 review – a hybrid you'd live with rather than live for
Vauxhall Astra GSe
Reviews

Vauxhall Astra GSe 2025 review – a hybrid you'd live with rather than live for

Vauxhall’s hybrid-powered Astra range-topper looks the part. Don’t be deceived…
2 Dec 2024
BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3
BMW M135
Reviews

BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3

The M135 has lost an ‘i’ and gained chassis revisions and a restyle. Is it enough to make it a benchmark hot hatch?
30 Nov 2024

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Peugeot 205 Rallye (1988 - 1992): a featherweight homologation hatch
Peugeot 205 Rallye
Features

Peugeot 205 Rallye (1988 - 1992): a featherweight homologation hatch

Most modern high-performance cars struggle when it comes to the UK’s narrow, gnarly back-roads. What’s needed here is something small, light, French a…
29 Nov 2024
BMW 128ti (2020 - 2024) review – does BMW's first front-drive hot hatch have the GTI beat?
BMW 128ti
Reviews

BMW 128ti (2020 - 2024) review – does BMW's first front-drive hot hatch have the GTI beat?

BMW's first front-drive hot hatch has some issues against more focused rivals, but is very well priced and does enough to worry the basic Golf GTI
28 Nov 2024
Ford Focus ST Edition 2025 review – a worthy alternative to the Honda Civic Type R?
Ford Focus ST Edition
Reviews

Ford Focus ST Edition 2025 review – a worthy alternative to the Honda Civic Type R?

A suite of upgrades sharpen the Ford Focus ST's already-capable formula, making it more engaging than ever
22 Nov 2024
​Best hot hatchbacks 2025 – you can still buy a great hot hatch
Best hot hatches 2025 evo
Best cars

​Best hot hatchbacks 2025 – you can still buy a great hot hatch

Contracted though the hot hatch market may be, there are still some great models out there, from the electric Alpine A290 to the five-cylinder Audi RS…
20 Nov 2024
Skoda Octavia vRS 2025 review – the ultimate accessible Q car?
Skoda Octavia vRS
Reviews

Skoda Octavia vRS 2025 review – the ultimate accessible Q car?

The Octavia vRS has become a mainstay in the practical performance segment, and now the fourth generation car has received an update
18 Nov 2024
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Suzuki Swift Sport (2018 - 2024) review – a warm hatch that aged with grace
Suzuki Swift Sport front
In-depth reviews

Suzuki Swift Sport (2018 - 2024) review – a warm hatch that aged with grace

Though the third-generation Swift Sport erred on the tepid side of warm, rather than hot, its charms matured over the years as its main rivals disappe…
15 Nov 2024
Volkswagen Golf R v Golf GTI Clubsport – car pictures of the week
Volkswagen Golf GTI v Golf R
Features

Volkswagen Golf R v Golf GTI Clubsport – car pictures of the week

In the latest issue of evo, we test the Mk8.5 Golf R against the GTI Clubsport – these are our favourite shots
10 Nov 2024
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance 2025 review – an electric Golf GTI? 
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX
Reviews

Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance 2025 review – an electric Golf GTI? 

The GTX badge has been applied to the ID.3 in efforts to bring a sharper drive to Volkswagen’s smallest EV. We find out if it’s pulled it off
7 Nov 2024
Honda Civic Type R (FL5) review – the undisputed king of hot hatches
Honda Civic Type R – front
In-depth reviews

Honda Civic Type R (FL5) review – the undisputed king of hot hatches

The FL5 is more exciting, tactile and rewarding than any other current hot hatchback, and one of the best everyday performance cars you can buy
7 Nov 2024
Alpine A290 GTS 2025 review – is the Renault 5 relative a true hot hatch?
Alpine A290 review
Reviews

Alpine A290 GTS 2025 review – is the Renault 5 relative a true hot hatch?

Alpine’s all-electric future starts here, with the Renault 5-based A290. We put it through its paces to find out if it's retained the Alpine edge
6 Nov 2024
Mercedes-AMG A45 S 2024 review – still a foil for the Audi RS3?
Mercedes-AMG A45 S front
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG A45 S 2024 review – still a foil for the Audi RS3?

Big hitting AMG A45 S hyper-hatch gets the mildest of facelifts but still packs a heavyweight punch 
1 Nov 2024
Audi RS3 2024 review – can it topple Mercedes-AMG’s A45 S?
Audi RS3 – front
Reviews

Audi RS3 2024 review – can it topple Mercedes-AMG’s A45 S?

With no power boost, the new Audi RS3 relies on a host of chassis and drivetrain upgrades to take on the AMG A45 S and Honda Civic Type R
27 Oct 2024
'Renault Sport set the bar for 21st-century hot hatchbacks'
Renaultsport Megane R26.R 24
Opinion

'Renault Sport set the bar for 21st-century hot hatchbacks'

Richard Meaden reflects on the golden age of Renault Sport hot hatches, and what the future might hold for Alpine EVs
27 Oct 2024
Mini Cooper S (F56, 2014 - 2024) review – the last manual Mini
Mini Cooper S 2022 – front tracking
In-depth reviews

Mini Cooper S (F56, 2014 - 2024) review – the last manual Mini

The F56 Mini Cooper S marked the end of an era for the Mini hatch, being the last to offer a manual transmission
24 Oct 2024
2025 Mini John Cooper Works gets design tweaks but no more power
2025 Mini JCW
News

2025 Mini John Cooper Works gets design tweaks but no more power

Following the launch of the JCW Electric, Mini has revealed its updated petrol-powered John Cooper Works 
22 Oct 2024
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5 2024 review – a cut-price Honda Civic Type R?
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5
Reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5 2024 review – a cut-price Honda Civic Type R?

The Golf GTI Clubsport lifts the Mk8.5 GTI to a higher level, but it’s still not quite a match for the best in class
15 Oct 2024
Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 2024 review – back to its best?
Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5
Reviews

Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 2024 review – back to its best?

The Golf R lost its sparkle with the introduction of the Mk8, Volkswagen says it has rectified its shortcomings with the Mk8.5 facelift, so has it?
15 Oct 2024
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The new Mini John Cooper Works is the firm’s hottest electric hatch
Mini John Cooper Works Electric front
News

The new Mini John Cooper Works is the firm’s hottest electric hatch

Mini’s new John Cooper Works E will join the electric hot hatch fold later this year, and this is our first look at the production model
14 Oct 2024
Is the new Volkswagen Golf GTI a return to form? – car pictures of the week
Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Features

Is the new Volkswagen Golf GTI a return to form? – car pictures of the week

In issue 326 of evo, we get to know the Mk8.5 Golf GTI on some of the best roads in the UK – these are our favourite shots
6 Oct 2024
Peugeot 206 GTi 180 – the car world's greatest misses
Peugeot 206 GTi 180
Features

Peugeot 206 GTi 180 – the car world's greatest misses

Late to the party and betraying its heritage, the GTi 180 marked the end of Peugeot’s hot hatch highs
3 Oct 2024
Could the GR Corolla be coming to the UK? Toyota weighs in
Toyota GR Corolla
News

Could the GR Corolla be coming to the UK? Toyota weighs in

An updated Toyota GR Corolla has been spied at the Nürburgring, leading to speculation about a European introduction for the model. We asked and the J…
25 Sep 2024
Mini Cooper S 2024 review – is the last petrol Cooper S one of the best?
Mini Cooper S – front
Reviews

Mini Cooper S 2024 review – is the last petrol Cooper S one of the best?

The new Cooper S is one of the few hot superminis that remain on sale in 2024, and the final generation to use a combustion engine
30 Aug 2024
Abarth 695 75 Anniversario edition 2024 review – a fitting send-off for Abarth’s hot supermini?
Abarth 695 75 Anniversario
Reviews

Abarth 695 75 Anniversario edition 2024 review – a fitting send-off for Abarth’s hot supermini?

Production of the Abarth 595 and 695 has come to a close; a drive in the 75 Anniversario edition reminds us what we’ll be missing
27 Aug 2024
Audi S3 2024 review – the best S3 yet
Audi S3 – front
Reviews

Audi S3 2024 review – the best S3 yet

The S3 has been injected with a new level of dynamic ability as part of a mid-life update. Is it now a worthy Mercedes-AMG A35 rival?
27 Aug 2024
The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance electric hot hatch costs more than a Golf R
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX
News

The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Performance electric hot hatch costs more than a Golf R

Volkswagen's first electric hot hatchback is finally ready to hit the road, but it doesn't come cheap
27 Aug 2024
Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk8.5) 2024 review – the update we've been asking for?
Mk8.5 Volkswagen Golf GTI
Reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk8.5) 2024 review – the update we've been asking for?

The underachieving Mk8 GTI gets a shot at redemption with the new, revised Mk8.5 version. Is it the leap forward it needs to be?
26 Aug 2024
The petrol-powered Abarth 500 has been discontinued after 16 years
Abarth 500
News

The petrol-powered Abarth 500 has been discontinued after 16 years

Abarth shuts up shop on the petrol-powered 595 hot hatch after a long and successful run
21 Aug 2024
The 2025 Audi RS3 gets a host of improvements – and smells nicer too
2025 Audi RS3
News

The 2025 Audi RS3 gets a host of improvements – and smells nicer too

Audi has revealed its mid-life update for the ‘8Y’ RS3, enhancing its design, dynamics and interior tech
19 Aug 2024
Daihatsu Charade 926R – dead on arrival
Daihatsu Charade 926R
Features

Daihatsu Charade 926R – dead on arrival

This mid-engined miniature hero was another rally-ready special lost with the cancellation of Group B
14 Aug 2024