1. Kia Forte5 SX
   Ford Focus RS
2. Hyundai Elantra GT Sport
   Peugeot 308 GTi

Ford Focus RS is the latest of a long line of fast Fords designed with one mission: to bring outstanding performance to people with regular paychecks. The engine feels bigger than it is, and the all-around usability of this car is top notch.

1. BMW M140i
   Subaru WRX STI
2. Volkswagen Golf GTI
   BMW X2

The BMW M140i is visually identical to M135i, but there is a different engine under the hood. The M140i has replaced the M135i complete with a new engine, and it has taken its place atop BMW’s 1 Series range.

1. Honda Fit Sport
   Hyundai i30N
2. Volkswagen Golf R
   Audi S3

The Audi S3 is a subcompact hatchback that started manufacturing and marketing in 1996. It's now in its third generation of production and is produced by the Audi subdivision of the Volkswagen Group.

1. Mercedes-AMG A45
   Renault Megane IV RS
2. BMW M135i
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The target audience for the Mercedes-AMG A45 is young drivers in their 30s and 40s, which is much younger than a typical super-saloon buyer. The most powerful hot hatchback on sale is meant to create a place for AMG in the younger market.

1. Audi RS3
   Mini Cooper John Cooper Works
2. Ford Fiesta ST
   Skoda Octavia vRS 245

The Ford Fiesta is a subcompact hatchback that’s shown to be a pretty good performance car with a good value. Its turbocharged 1.6l four-cylinder engine delivers 197 horsepower. The only thing that may limit the potential audience is the car’s manual transmission.

1. Ford Focus ST
   Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S
2. BMW i3s
   Fiat 500 Abarth

Not only has the fun, perky Fiat 500 Abarth got the hot hatch aesthetic nailed down, but it also has the performance to match. For some extra cash, you can turn your 500 Abarth into a playful convertible.

1. Mazda 3 2.5
   Chevrolet Sonic Premier
2. Seat Leon Cupra SC 300
   Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec

Although the beautiful Mazda 3 2.5 is one of the most affordable modern hot hatches, this incredible vehicle is no compromise. It packs an amazing powertrain and delivers a whopping 184 horsepower.

1. Honda Civic Si
   Mercedes-AMG GLA45
2. 2018 Chevrolet Bolt
   MINI Cooper S

The Chevrolet Bolt delivers 200 horsepower packed in a compact electric car. This cute hatch is very practical thanks to its comfortable and spacy interior, high safety scores and an impressive 238-mile range.

1. Vauxhall Astra VXR
   BMW i3s
2. Kia Soul
   Honda Civic Type R

When you think of a hot hatchback, you might not think of a small electric car, but that’s because you haven’t driven the BMW i3s. A powerful motor, fun exterior, and typical BMW luxury and quality inside make this pretty guy very entertaining.

1. Alfa Romeo MiTo
   Seat Leon Cupra 300
2. Subaru WRX
   Audi RS3

Under the hood of the new Audi RS3 is the famous 1.5 liter TFSI turbocharged engine that’s well-known for its remarkable (and unique) firing order along with its inimitable sound.

1. Renault Megane RS Trophy
   Audi S1
2. Ford Focus RS
   BMW M135i

Renault is famous for its incredible hot hatches, but the latest generation goes one step further than the competition. By using tech from Formula 1 cars, Renault managed to create the Megane RS Trophy that rages in 296 horsepower.

1. Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S
   Honda Civic Type R
2. Peugeot 308 GTi
   Seat Leon Cupra SC 300

The Honda Civic Type R is the most powerful, highest-performing version of the Honda Civic line. The hot hatch features a stiffened, lightened body, upgraded brakes and chassis and a specially tuned engine.

1. Honda Fit Sport
   Kia Soul
2. Volkswagen Golf GTI
   Ford Focus ST

The Ford Focus ST gets 252 horsepower from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which is more than enough for everyday driving. The car provides a fine balance of a smooth ride and sharp handling.

1. Mercedes-AMG A45
   Chevrolet Sonic Premier
2. Audi S1
   BMW M140i

Although the Chevrolet Sonic Premier is a smart compact car, it comes in a powerful hot hatch version, too. It's powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, and its lowered suspension adds a touch of sportiness.

1. Kia Forte5 SX
   Peugeot 308 GTi
2. Toyota Yaris GRMN
   Renault Megane IV RS

The Toyota Yaris GRMN was one of the most desirable hot hatchbacks when it was introduced. All 400 European samples were sold instantly. With its beautiful exterior and powerful 1.8-liter engine, it was one of the most in-demand hatches of the year.

1. Volkswagen Golf R
   BMW M135i
2. Honda Civic Si
   Subaru WRX

The Volkswagen Golf R is one of the best all-around performance cars on the market. It’s the ultimate hot hatchback with its powerful engine and crisp styling, and there is also a "superhatch" version available, with a more premium appearance and more horsepower.

1. Hyundai Elantra GT Sport
   Ford Fiesta ST
2. Mini Cooper John Cooper Works
   Mazda 3 2.5

The Mini Cooper John Cooper Works is the most extreme Mini hot hatch on sale. The motorsport-inspired specification list makes it a hardcore motorcar. You might not have much space in the back, but you’ll have tons of fun.

1. Subaru WRX
   Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec
2. Fiat 500 Abarth
   Honda Civic Si

The Hyundai Veloster got fully redesigned for 2019. The R-Spec comes with an exclusive short-throw shift kit and a six-speed manual shifter. With sharper responses and less body roll than before, this hot hatch ranks high in its class.

1. BMW X2
   Chevrolet Bolt
2. Vauxhall Astra VXR
   Renault Megane RS Trophy

Why settle for one type of car when you can have two? The BMW X2 is the love child of a compact, luxury SUV and a hot hatchback, and it delivers the optimal balance of style, power and comfort.

1. Skoda Octavia vRS 245
   Ford Focus RS
2. MINI Cooper S
   Audi S1

The feisty Audi S1 is one of the most favored supermini hot hatchbacks. It’s an eager little beast with a whopping 273lb ft of torque when the turbo starts roaring. It may be expensive for a mini, but it’s worth every penny.

1. Mazda 3 2.5
   Seat Leon Cupra 300
2. Audi S3
   Chevrolet Bolt

For many people, the Seat Leon Cupra 300 represents the very definition of a hot hatchback. It’s a more hardcore version of the Leon Cupra R, and it looks and feels incredibly stylish and powerful with 306 horsepower.

1. Subaru WRX STI
   Mercedes-AMG A45
2. BMW M140i
   Renault Megane RS Trophy

The Subaru WRX STI is among the first super-hot hatchbacks to appear featuring all-wheel drive, Brembo brakes, a 305 horsepower turbocharged engine, performance tires, and a front helical. Many experts compare it to the old Impreza.

1. BMW i3s
   Fiat 500 Abarth
2. Honda Civic Type R
   Hyundai i30N

Hyundai’s first serious attempt at building a hot hatch resulted in the i130N, which battered established rivals such as the Ford Focus ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI. The engineering team behind the powerful performance model is led by ex-BMW M division chief Albert Biermann.

1. Ford Fiesta ST
   Seat Leon Cupra SC 300
2. Audi RS3
   Chevrolet Sonic Premier

Since it first arrived back in 2013, with a choice of either 265bhp or 280bhp, the Seat Leon Cupra has kept evolving. The Leon Cupra 300 is efficiently and effortlessly fast; it gets from 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds.

1. Mercedes-AMG GLA45
   Honda Fit Sport
2. Alfa Romeo MiTo
   Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S

The new Alfa Romeo MiTo is probably one of the cutest, most stylish small hot hatches out there. It’s instantly recognizable, just like all Alfas, but it doesn’t offer the option of five doors like its rivals. Instead, it gives you three engines to choose from.

1. Ford Focus ST
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2. BMW i3s
   Renault Megane RS Trophy

The pace and feel in hard driving of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution allow it to still rank high on many hot hatchback lists. The new Evo is expected to be part hybrid, which might not sit well with the loyalists.

1. Hyundai Elantra GT Sport
   Kia Forte5 SX
2. Mercedes-AMG A45
   Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the first hot hatchbacks, and it still holds steady as one of the best examples on the market to this day. It’s derived from the Golf, and it received more power and refreshed styling in 2018.

1. Mini Cooper S
   Volkswagen Golf R
2. Audi RS3
   Renault Megane IV RS

The exciting new Mini Cooper S and its John Cooper Works trim-line are incredibly fun to drive. This hot hatchback runs faster lap times than most three series sedans. It’s available in three-door and five-door variants.

1. Kia Soul
   Ford Focus RS
2. Skoda Octavia vRS 245
   Fiat 500 Abarth

The Skoda Octavia vRS 245 is the most powerful Octavia to have made production to this day. This hot hatchback’s standard specification list is as long as they get, which makes this grey Skoda very desirable.

1. Vauxhall Astra VXR
   Mini Cooper John Cooper Works
2. BMW X2
   Mazda 3 2.5

The new Vauxhall Astra VXR features a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 276 horsepower and 295lb ft of torque. This hot hatch is a bit of an animal, going from zero to 62mph in 5.9 seconds flat with a top speed of 155mph.

1. Audi S3
   Ford Fiesta ST
2. Subaru WRX
   BMW M135i

The BMW M135i is a fine, powerful car that easily breaks the 300 bhp barrier. It’s packed with a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 322 bhp and 332 lb ft of torque, all of it wrapped up in a dynamic, stylish package.

1. Chevrolet Bolt
   Honda Civic Si
2. Ford Focus ST
   Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec

Honda Civic has gone incredibly far in just two years. A full redo of the Civic line brings a five-door hatch available in two variants: Civic Sport and Type R. It’s sexy, it’s affordable and it means business.

1. Subaru WRX STI
   Volkswagen Golf R
2. Alfa Romeo MiTo
   Kia Soul SX Turbo

The 2018 Kia Soul SX Turbo comes powered with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 201 horsepower. Not only does this hot hatch provide much peppier acceleration from other sedan models, it’s also more fuel-efficient.

1. Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec
   Audi S1
2. Renault Megane IV RS
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

The beautiful French hot hatch called Renault Megane IV RS is packed with a turbocharged 1.8-liter TCE engine that produces 275 horsepower. It accelerates from 0-62 mph in 5.9 seconds.

1. Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S
   Mini Cooper John Cooper Works
2. Hyundai i30N
   BMW X2

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S is the most powerful production Golf ever, but it’s also the fastest front-wheel-drive production car to lap the Nürburgring. It managed 7:49.21 seconds around the Green Hell, which is 1.5 seconds faster than the Honda Civic Type R.

1. Seat Leon Cupra 300
   Hyundai Elantra GT Sport
2. Alfa Romeo MiTo
   Subaru WRX STI

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport is proof you can squeeze 201 horsepower out of an Elantra for a fairly reasonable price. The GT hatchback comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and a choice of manual or automatic transmission.

1. Honda Fit Sport
   Seat Leon Cupra SC 300
2. Vauxhall Astra VXR
   Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Honda Fit Sport is one of the most practical and most affordable cars on the market today. The Sport trim is new for the 2018 model year, and it turned out to be a solid step up from the base model.

1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
   Skoda Octavia vRS 245
2. MINI Cooper S
   Kia Forte5 SX

Although the Kia Forte needs a little tweaking and upgrading to achieve a full hot hatchback status, it’s still a good starting point. The Forte5 SX hatchback comes with a 1.6-liter engine that delivers 201 horsepower.