Hot hatchbacks

Ford's already brilliant Fiesta ST has been given some choice upgrades and a familiar new livery, but is the Performance Edition worth the extra cost?

With no major flaws, yet a real depth of character and a peerless image, the Golf R is popular for good reason. It’s brilliant.

The JCW is certainly fast and relatively sophisticated for a hot hatch but it’s doesn’t quite have the fun factor of its chief rival

SEAT's Leon is much more than a Volkswagen Golf understudy

Accomplished, but not entertaining, Mini’s core model now feels old and a bit awkward. The next-gen car can’t come quickly enough

We can think of few more rounded, gratifying and superbly executed everyday performance cars. Classless, understated and utterly wonderful

Dramatic performance and plenty of grip for AMG's smallest offering, but you can find more fun for less money elsewhere

The Audi S1 brings speed, premium appeal and impressive build quality to the junior hot hatch segment.

The ST was evo’s favourite junior hot hatch, hopefully the new one will be just as fun.

Quick, affordable and fun, but not perfect

Frugal and refined but at the cost of excitement

A wonderfully rear-drive premium compact hatchback

A wonderfully rear-drive premium compact hatchback

Honda's new super-hatch outguns rivals on paper, but edgy +R damping means UK drivers can't exploit its most extreme settings

A talented all-rounder, but one lacking the final few degrees of performance and ability to put it among the greats

A talented all-rounder, but one lacking the final few degrees of performance and ability to put it among the greats