The best for today: hatchback rating published

No matter what they say, hot hatchbacks are sports cars. They're fast, fun, practical, and some of them are also reasonably priced. What's not to like?

Autocar decided to collect the best models of hot hatchbacks that are currently available on the market. They are equally capable of racing through city streets or winding roads, and at the same time, they are a delight to drive without sacrificing everyday convenience.

Toyota GR Yaris

First introduced in 2020, the model is now the top of the hot hatchback rankings and the best you can buy today. Equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine, the GR Yaris initially produced 256 hp and 360 Nm of torque, but a 2024 update upped the ante to 276 hp and 390 Nm. The all-wheel drive GR Yaris, available with a manual or automatic transmission, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 230 km/h. The interior ergonomics have also been improved with the addition of Toyota's latest infotainment system and digital instrument displays, and the driver's seat has been lowered slightly.

Honda Civic Type R

Under the hood of the updated Civic is a familiar 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, but it has a lighter flywheel, a modified intake, and a freer exhaust, which helped to increase power from 316 to 325 hp. The revised model has a more mature look, but thanks to the BTCC-style rear wing, it still suggests that it has the same hooligan character. The car accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and reaches 275 km/h on the highway. The only thing that lets the Civic Type R down is its rather high price.

Hyundai i20 N

Inspired by rally cars, the model is an attempt to turn the larger i30 N into a simpler and more compact model. It uses a conventional limited-slip differential instead of an active one, a powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, a six-speed manual transmission, and good passive rather than adaptive shock absorbers. The results of this combination are very pleasant. The car's handling, precision at high speeds, and obedience to the steering wheel are very pleasing to the driver. And the speed will be even higher than what you would expect from a car with only 201 hp. The i20 is also impressively spacious and well-equipped.

Ford Focus ST

This hatchback may not be as fast and powerful as its predecessors, but it pays homage to Ford's famous heritage. It's also very affordable. It is the first Focus ST with adaptive dampers and the first with an electronically controlled limited-slip differential for the drive front axle. The latter feature remains quite rare for cars in this price category and undoubtedly adds to the model's attractiveness and handling. Perhaps this is the right balance for the ST model: it is more of a powerful choice for public roads.

Mercedes-AMG A45 S

The Mercedes-AMG A45 S is an all-wheel drive hot hatchback that has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 416 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Not only does this mean that it has the most powerful production four-cylinder engine in the world, but its output is higher than that of the Ferrari 488 Pista. Whatever the case, it is a phenomenal and driver-friendly car. The control at speed is unrivaled, and the chassis is also very compliant. As a multifunctional hot hatchback, the A45 S is undoubtedly a triumph. But it's also a lot of money to spend.

Audi RS 3

There is something unusual even about the new generation of Audi's ultra-hot hatchback. For starters, it's equipped with a superb five-cylinder engine that fits into the engine bays of sports coupes (like the TT RS). Then there is the new rear axle with torque vectoring, which works similarly to the AMG A45 S. The RS 3 combines these elements with an advanced chassis. And perhaps this is the real magic of its recipe. It is suitable for everyday use, despite its ultra-high performance and unusual appearance.

Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen's highly acclaimed super-Golf, the all-wheel drive Golf R, has taken a big step forward in its latest modification. Its 316 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine gives it character and speed. In addition, most Golf R's are equipped with adaptive dampers that can switch between modes at the touch of a screen. Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive system with a full torque vector can juggle drive not only from front to rear but also asymmetrically across the entire rear axle. As with every Golf Mk8, the large touchscreen control interface takes some getting used to and can be slow to respond, but a future update should address this issue.

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen went on a quest for better handling and driver appeal with the eighth generation of its hot Golf but only had questionable success in its quest. Some of the updates haven't had the best effect on the fun-to-drive, easy-to-use character that the GTI has demonstrated for so long. But that doesn't mean the GTI has stopped being a pleasure to drive every day. Its 242 hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is a little underpowered compared to the other cars in this ranking, and it can sometimes feel a little harsh at revs, but it delivers handling that makes it a pleasure to drive. An updated Golf is expected to be released soon, which should solve some of the problems with the Golf's multimedia screen, but will also mark the end of the manual transmission era.

Cupra Born VZ

The electric Cupra Born VZ not only looks like a hot hatchback but also delivers a performance to match. Based on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID 3, the regular Born has a rear engine that produces up to 227 hp. The VZ model increases its output to 322 hp and 545 N-m. It copes well with roads of any complexity and offers a spacious, versatile interior. At the same time, its 77 kWh battery promises a decent range of 550 km.

Cupra Leon

Similar to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the Cupra Leon adds a dose of performance to the regular Leon hatchback from the same automaker. There are no less than seven trim levels for the model, but the main powertrains are a new 329 hp engine and a plug-in hybrid with 268 hp. The Cupra Leon offers excellent style, fast pace, and a balanced and comfortable chassis. The only things that let the model down are the not-so-great interior and problems with steering sensitivity. But it's a great all-around offer that's worth considering if you're looking for a refined hot hatchback.

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