Mazda 3 2025 review – a refreshing take on the hatchback formula
Mazda 3 2025 review – a refreshing take on the hatchback formula
Mazda’s innovation has never been more apparent – the Mazda 3 is flawed but brilliant, and the type of ‘normal’ car we need
Mini Cooper and Cooper S (R50/R53, 2001 - 2006): The 'new' Mini is now a classic
Mini Cooper and Cooper S (R50/R53, 2001 - 2006): The 'new' Mini is now a classic
The R50 Mini Cooper captured all the fun of the original with excellent dynamics and a charming design, making it one of our top 25 cars of the last 2…
BMW 1-series review – Munich’s Audi A3 rival gains focus
BMW 1-series review – Munich’s Audi A3 rival gains focus
New styling, interior tech and powertrain options all come as part of the new F70 1-series package, making it a worthy alternative to its closest Germ…
Peugeot 308 2025 review – does the French hatchback finally outperform the VW Golf?
Peugeot 308 2025 review – does the French hatchback finally outperform the VW Golf?
Stylish, content heavy and good enough to drive, the 308 delivers on its remit, but it’s a thrill-free zone
Peugeot 208 2025 review – a fine alternative to the Ford Fiesta
Peugeot 208 2025 review – a fine alternative to the Ford Fiesta
Today's Peugeot supermini is a very different beast to those that came before; it’s clever, stylish and hides a sweet chassis that’s clawing to get ou…
Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 2024 review – a return to form for the hatchback benchmark?
Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 2024 review – a return to form for the hatchback benchmark?
Lacklustre interior ergonomics gave the Mk8 Golf a lukewarm reception, but Volkswagen has focused its efforts on rectifying its downfalls with a mid-l…
Subaru Impreza WRX (2007) – the car world's greatest misses 
Subaru Impreza WRX (2007) – the car world's greatest misses
Instead of hijacking the hot hatch class, this five-door WRX marked the end of the Impreza’s heyday
Cupra will unveil its new Leon and Formentor next week
Cupra will unveil its new Leon and Formentor next week
The Cupra Leon and high-riding Formentor are set to receive mid-life updates with added performance and ‘next-generation’ hybrid tech
New Renault 5 unveiled – meet the basis for Alpine’s electric hot hatch
New Renault 5 unveiled – meet the basis for Alpine’s electric hot hatch
The all-electric 2024 Renault 5 E-Tech supermini has been unveiled in production form, previewing its hot Alpine A290 relative
Audi A3 review – the original premium hatch reborn
Audi A3 review – the original premium hatch reborn
Despite recent updates, the Audi A3 is perilously close to losing its premium status in a competitive hatchback market
Best small cars 2024 – pocket rockets reviewed and rated
Best small cars 2024 – pocket rockets reviewed and rated
You don’t need 200bhp or more in a small hatchback to have fun – these ‘warm’ small cars are the proof
Cupra Born 2023 review
Cupra Born 2023 review
The Cupra Born is a well-executed electric car – if you put aside any pretence that it’s a genuine hot hatch
Mini announces £600m Oxford factory investment for EV production
Mini announces £600m Oxford factory investment for EV production
Mini’s Oxford factory will become an EV production facility in 2030 as the firm pivots towards an all-electric future
Toyota Corolla 2023 review
Toyota Corolla 2023 review
The Corolla continues to offer honest, no-frills motoring – just don't expect much in the way of fun
Skoda Scala 2023 review
Skoda Scala 2023 review
Scala surprises little, but is a serious upgrade on the Rapid that went before. But thrilling? No.
Ford Focus review
Ford Focus review
An uncomplicated everyday car that drives well and does everything you could reasonably expect
Mercedes-Benz A-class review
Mercedes-Benz A-class review
Now in its fourth generation, the Mercedes A-class is unrecognisable from the car that kicked things off two decades ago.
New 2022 Vauxhall Astra revealed – full details and possible GSe hot hatch
New 2022 Vauxhall Astra revealed – full details and possible GSe hot hatch
Vauxhall’s first PSA-developed Astra arrives with a distinctive look and plug-in hybrid powertrains
2021 Peugeot 308 priced from £24,000
2021 Peugeot 308 priced from £24,000
Peugeot’s 308 hatchback has been given an extreme makeover, and first cars hit the road this December
Vauxhall Insignia GSi 2021 review – throwback family fun 
Vauxhall Insignia GSi 2021 review – throwback family fun
Before Vauxhall benefits from Peugeot’s latest know-how, the Insignia soldiers to remind us of a time we have probably all forgotten
Mini range updated for 2021 – supermini sharpens up to rival A1 and new 500e
Mini range updated for 2021 – supermini sharpens up to rival A1 and new 500e
The Mini hatch range, including the Cooper S and Mini Electric all gain new style and tech features
Ford Fiesta (2017-2023) review – retiring as the best supermini
Ford Fiesta (2017-2023) review – retiring as the best supermini
Regularly Britain’s most popular car, it also happened to be one of its most accessible driver’s cars
SEAT Leon FR 1.5 TSI 2020 review – a spicy chorizo to a Golf’s currywurst 
SEAT Leon FR 1.5 TSI 2020 review – a spicy chorizo to a Golf’s currywurst
An impressive spread of abilities was always on the call sheet, but the balanced chassis and impressive calibration take the package further
Volkswagen Golf (Mk7 2013-2020) review
Volkswagen Golf (Mk7 2013-2020) review
The Volkswagen Golf defines the family hatchback class, for good reason
BMW 2-series Gran Coupe review
BMW 2-series Gran Coupe review
Composed, comfortable and quick, but the 2-series Gran Coupe is short on dynamic flair
New Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Coupe 2020 review
New Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Coupe 2020 review
Mercedes’ four-door CLA Coupe does little wrong, but its uncompetitive pricing means external and internal rivals leave it redundant
New 2020 Volkswagen Golf Mk8 pricing and specs revealed
New 2020 Volkswagen Golf Mk8 pricing and specs revealed
After 35 million units there’s a new Volkswagen Golf, only this time under an increasingly large shadow
New 2020 SEAT Leon revealed – the Golf’s Catalan cousin gets a makeover
New 2020 SEAT Leon revealed – the Golf’s Catalan cousin gets a makeover
The SEAT Leon has been redesigned for 2020, and high-performance Cupra models are on their way
2019 Ford Focus EcoBoost review
2019 Ford Focus EcoBoost review
Some might suggest the UK is falling out of love with family hatchbacks, but the Focus EcoBoost is a good reminder of why it remains a compelling pack…
All-new Toyota Yaris revealed – and hot Gazoo models aren’t far behind
All-new Toyota Yaris revealed – and hot Gazoo models aren’t far behind
It might not be glamorous, but the new Yaris will form a base for some exciting new hotter versions
BMW 2-series Gran Coupe ready to take on Mercedes-Benz CLA
BMW 2-series Gran Coupe ready to take on Mercedes-Benz CLA
All-new front-wheel-drive 1-series spawns its first derivative: the 2-series Gran Coupe
New 2018 Ford Focus revealed
New 2018 Ford Focus revealed
Ford has given its big selling Focus a complete overhaul to take on both traditional hatch and compact SUV rivals
2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 review and pictures
2013 Mercedes-Benz CLA250 review and pictures
The new Mercedes CLA is a mini-me CLS four-door coupe, driven here in CLA250 turbo petrol form
Birth of an icon: 1980
Birth of an icon: 1980
Pre Audi quattro, the Renault 5 Turbo was one of the maddest, baddest hot hatches available