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Hot hatchbacks

The new Volkswagen Golf R could be the last petrol version, and it costs £43,320
New Volkswagen Golf R Mk8.5 – front
News

The new Volkswagen Golf R could be the last petrol version, and it costs £43,320

The Mk8.5 Golf R could be the final petrol-powered hyper hatch from Volkswagen
7 Aug 2024
Mini Cooper S Works GP (R53, 2006): a limited-run hyper hatch for £15k
Mini Cooper S Works GP (R53)
Features

Mini Cooper S Works GP (R53, 2006): a limited-run hyper hatch for £15k

The R53-generation Mini Cooper S Works GP is a genuine road-going special – in miniature
6 Aug 2024
Cupra Leon Estate VZ3 2024 review – Cupra’s rival to the Mercedes-AMG CLA35 Shooting Brake
Cupra Leon Estate VZ3
Reviews

Cupra Leon Estate VZ3 2024 review – Cupra’s rival to the Mercedes-AMG CLA35 Shooting Brake

The Cupra Leon has been updated to match its Golf GTI and Audi S3 cousins, bringing more power, a refreshed design and a welcome dynamic edge to the h…
29 Jul 2024
Ford Fiesta ST200 (2016 - 2017): a limited-run hot hatch great for under £10,000
Ford Fiesta ST200
Features

Ford Fiesta ST200 (2016 - 2017): a limited-run hot hatch great for under £10,000

The limited-run Ford Fiesta ST200 is one of our favourite superminis in its very best form
25 Jul 2024
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 2024 review: rally-bred hot hatch is better than ever
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 UK
Reviews

Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 2024 review: rally-bred hot hatch is better than ever

Toyota’s heavily updated Gen 2 GR Yaris has finally arrived in the UK, and we’ve driven it on the road
24 Jul 2024
Ford Focus ST Track Pack v Honda Civic Type R: sharpened Focus tackles the hot hatch king
Ford Focus ST Track Pack v Honda Civic Type R
Group tests

Ford Focus ST Track Pack v Honda Civic Type R: sharpened Focus tackles the hot hatch king

The Civic Type R has so far seen off all challengers, but will it meet its match in the trackday-friendly Focus ST?
8 Jul 2024
Fast Ford heaven: a tour of the ultimate Ford garage
Ford Heritage Collection tour
Features

Fast Ford heaven: a tour of the ultimate Ford garage

Who doesn’t love a fast Ford? Prepare for a nostalgia overload as we get a guided tour of Ford UK’s magnificent, newly rehomed Heritage Collection
7 Jul 2024
Mini Cooper SE 2024 review – a new era of hot Minis
Mini Cooper SE – front
Reviews

Mini Cooper SE 2024 review – a new era of hot Minis

The Cooper SE is Mini’s first ground-up electric hot hatch – does Alpine’s A290 have a fight on its hands?
2 Jul 2024
The new Volkswagen Golf GTI is cheaper and more powerful than the old one
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8.5 – front
News

The new Volkswagen Golf GTI is cheaper and more powerful than the old one

The Mk8.5 Golf GTI gets more power, an interior refresh and a lower asking price – can it right the wrongs of its predecessor?
18 Jun 2024
The new Alpine A290 sounds like the electric hot hatch we’ve been waiting for
Alpine A290 – front
News

The new Alpine A290 sounds like the electric hot hatch we’ve been waiting for

We’ve seen the concept, driven a prototype, and now Alpine has unveiled its A290 hot hatch in its final form
13 Jun 2024
New BMW 1-series arrives with hot M135 xDrive packing less power but a sharper drive
BMW M135 xDrive – front
News

New BMW 1-series arrives with hot M135 xDrive packing less power but a sharper drive

BMW has given its hot hatch a makeover, with sharper dynamics - but less power - to take on Audi’s new S3.
4 Jun 2024
Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk8) review – the quintessential hot hatchback, but is it the best?
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport – front cornering
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk8) review – the quintessential hot hatchback, but is it the best?

The eighth VW Golf GTI is fast, capable and easy to live with, but can it live up to the brilliance of its predecessor?
4 Jun 2024
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MG4 XPower 2024 review – the price-to-performance king
MG4 XPower front
Reviews

MG4 XPower 2024 review – the price-to-performance king

MG’s sales-smash electric hatchback gains a 429bhp twin-motor version – but it’s not as much fun as it sounds
3 Jun 2024
Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes‑AMG A45 S v Hyundai i30 N v Honda Civic Type R
Hot hatch test final four
Group tests

Toyota GR Yaris v Mercedes‑AMG A45 S v Hyundai i30 N v Honda Civic Type R

The rally-bred Toyota GR Yaris, bombastic Mercedes‑AMG A45 S, thrillsome Hyundai i30 N and dazzling Honda Civic Type R are each brilliant in their own…
26 May 2024
BMW M135i (F40, 2019 - 2024) review – a match for the Volkswagen Golf R?
BMW M135i review
Reviews

BMW M135i (F40, 2019 - 2024) review – a match for the Volkswagen Golf R?

BMW’s hot hatch is a good car, but no longer a unique one, and misses the mark for pure fun
22 May 2024
Renault Sport Clio 172 Cup (2002 - 2003): a rally homologation special for under £10,000
Renault Sport Clio 172 Cup
Features

Renault Sport Clio 172 Cup (2002 - 2003): a rally homologation special for under £10,000

A true race-bred special, the Clio 172 Cup is one of the lightest – and purest – Renault Sport models ever
22 May 2024
Acura Integra Type S 2024 review – a Honda Civic Type R with added restraint
Acura Integra Type S
Reviews

Acura Integra Type S 2024 review – a Honda Civic Type R with added restraint

It’s not officially coming to the UK, which is a great shame because this close relation to the Civic Type R is every bit as brilliant in its own way
21 May 2024
Volkswagen Up GTI (2017-2023) review – a modern-day Mk1 Golf GTI?
Volkswagen Up GTI
In-depth reviews

Volkswagen Up GTI (2017-2023) review – a modern-day Mk1 Golf GTI?

The Up GTI was an instant hit when it arrived in 2017, packing a characterful three-pot engine in an affordable, Mk1 Golf GTI-sized package.
13 May 2024
The Abt Audi RS3-S is a 478bhp five-cylinder BMW M2 rival
Abt Audi RS3 S
News

The Abt Audi RS3-S is a 478bhp five-cylinder BMW M2 rival

German firm Abt Sportsline has developed a new Audi RS3 tuning package to sit beneath its limited-run RS3-R upgrade
2 May 2024
Hyundai i30 N (2018 - 2024) review
Hyundai i30 N 22 – front cornering
In-depth reviews

Hyundai i30 N (2018 - 2024) review

The i30 N sits at the top of a very talented field. With a truly engaging chassis and a punchy powertrain, it's a fantastic thing to drive
25 Apr 2024
The new Audi S3 costs £46,925
2024 Audi S3
News

The new Audi S3 costs £46,925

Audi’s S3 hot hatch has been given an update for 2024, gaining powertrain tweaks, a design update and the RS3’s torque-splitting rear axle
17 Apr 2024
Toyota GR Yaris review
Toyota GR Yaris (2020 - 2024)
In-depth reviews

Toyota GR Yaris review

Toyota’s road-going rally special is a great driver’s car of the type we worried we’d never see again. It’s a little gem
16 Apr 2024
Hyundai i20 N (2021 - 2024) review – a cracking supermini hot hatch
Hyundai i20 N eCoty – front cornering
In-depth reviews

Hyundai i20 N (2021 - 2024) review – a cracking supermini hot hatch

An inspiring hot hatch from Hyundai N. Agile, and with a limited slip differential that offers superb mid-corner traction, it's a formidable Fiesta ST…
11 Apr 2024
Ford Focus RS Mk1 (2002 - 2003): a rally-inspired hot hatch icon
Ford Focus RS
Reviews

Ford Focus RS Mk1 (2002 - 2003): a rally-inspired hot hatch icon

It could be unruly but the hottest of the first-generation Focus models was a blisteringly quick and rewarding machine
11 Apr 2024
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Mercedes-AMG A35 review: a fast and effective hot hatch, but is it exciting?
Mercedes-AMG A35
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG A35 review: a fast and effective hot hatch, but is it exciting?

The AMG A35 does an impressive job of being fun and fast, but rivals from Hyundai and Cupra are ultimately more involving
3 Apr 2024
Alpine's A290 electric hot hatch will be unveiled at Le Mans
Alpine A290 concept
News

Alpine's A290 electric hot hatch will be unveiled at Le Mans

Alpine will pull the covers off its A290 hot hatch on 13 June, coinciding with the 24 Hours of Le Mans
2 Apr 2024
Renault Sport Megane R26.R (2009): the most significant hot hatch of the last 25 years
Renaultsport Megane R26.R
Features

Renault Sport Megane R26.R (2009): the most significant hot hatch of the last 25 years

For much of the last 25 years, Renault ruled the hot hatch world. The ultimate expression of its brilliance, the R26.R
27 Mar 2024
The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?
Toyota GR Yaris Gen 2 – front
News

The new Toyota GR Yaris costs £44,250 – too much for a hot supermini?

Our early impressions of the Gen 2 GR Yaris suggest that it’s an improvement in every area that counts, but can it be worth £18k more than an i20 N?
27 Mar 2024
New Lancia Ypsilon HF: iconic badge returns for electric hot hatch
Lancia HF badge
News

New Lancia Ypsilon HF: iconic badge returns for electric hot hatch

Hot Lancias are making a comeback, beginning with the 237bhp Ypsilon HF
14 Mar 2024
The new Audi A3 has arrived, and an updated 328bhp S3 is on the way
Audi A3 – front
News

The new Audi A3 has arrived, and an updated 328bhp S3 is on the way

Audi’s premium family hatch gets a new face and more equipment, with the forthcoming S3 hot hatch set to offer 328bhp
11 Mar 2024
Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupé 2024 review – Audi S3 rivals gains mild-hybrid tech
Mercedes-AMG CLA35 coupe
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 Coupé 2024 review – Audi S3 rivals gains mild-hybrid tech

Subtle updates for Merc’s mini CLA 35 saloon-coupe, but not enough to make it a stand-out driving experience
1 Mar 2024
Renault Sport Mégane RS Trophy‑R – the car world's greatest misses
Renault Sport Mégane RS Trophy‑R
Features

Renault Sport Mégane RS Trophy‑R – the car world's greatest misses

Targeting a Nürburgring lap record proved the undoing of a potentially all-time-great hot hatch
29 Feb 2024
Hyundai i30 N and i20 N axed
Hyundai i30 N and i20 N
News

Hyundai i30 N and i20 N axed

Production of petrol-powered Hyundai N hot hatches has come to an end in Europe, with electric N models picking up the baton
23 Feb 2024
Toyota GR Yaris v Audi S1 – four-wheel-drive hatches go head-to-head
Toyota GR Yaris v Audi S1
Group tests

Toyota GR Yaris v Audi S1 – four-wheel-drive hatches go head-to-head

They’re two dinky performance cars with startlingly similar recipes, but how does the decade-old Audi S1 compare to today’s much-hyped Toyota GR Yaris…
17 Feb 2024
The new Alpine A290 hot hatch is just around the corner
Alpine A290 – front
Spy shots

The new Alpine A290 hot hatch is just around the corner

Alpine’s Renault 5-based hatch will arrive this year – here’s our first look at the new EV in prototype form
16 Feb 2024
New Skoda Octavia vRS revealed - the more practical Golf GTI ups its game
Skoda Octavia vRS – front
News

New Skoda Octavia vRS revealed - the more practical Golf GTI ups its game

The facelifted Skoda Octavia vRS arrives hot on the heels of the Mk8.5 Golf GTI, equipped with the same upgraded 261bhp engine
15 Feb 2024
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