An AWD hatchback gives you all-weather confidence and something that’s generally compact and easy to park.
Most of these cars are hot hatches, and their all-wheel-drive systems are there to deploy the engine's power with as much grip as possible. You’ll also find some AWD hatchbacks that are more off-road focused, with a tenacious ability to scrabble across unpaved or tricky surfaces.
Shop all four-wheel-drive hatchbacks for sale at Motorpoint
Audi RS3
Arguably the king of the hot hatches, the Audi RS3 is a supercar for the supermarket car park. Its ferocious 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine is the star of the show but, without its Haldex all-wheel-drive system, the RS3 would waste much of its 400hp to wheelspin. Audi’s torque-splitting system feeds variable amounts of power to the rear wheels, improving cornering and reducing understeer. There’s also the cheaper Audi S3, which looks much more subtle but still has rapid acceleration.
Volkswagen Golf R
Top-tier R-badged Golf models have always had four-wheel drive and more power than the front-driven GTIs. A Golf R is a superb fast family car, with adult-friendly space and serious performance. It feels stable and secure even on damp or leafy roads, so you won’t be holding out for perfect weather to enjoy it.
Shop used Volkswagen Golf R cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our Volkswagen Golf R review
Mercedes-AMG A35
Mercedes, like Volkswagen and Audi, offers two hot hatch versions of its A-Class hatchback. The A35 is overshadowed by the steroidal A45 S, but it’s the cheaper and more widely available of the two. Both use a 2.0-litre engine and the A35 is no slouch with a 4.7-second 0-62mph time. Up to 50% of torque can be sent to the rear wheels, and there’s torque vectoring to split power between each rear wheel. When you’re not in a hurry, the A35 settles down like any other A-Class.
Shop used Mercedes-AMG A35 cars for sale at Motorpoint
Toyota GR Yaris
The Toyota Yaris is an unlikely base for a thoroughbred performance car that harks back to the heyday of rally driving. Mind you, there’s not much ‘Yaris’ in the GR Yaris, which boasts a bespoke three-door body style and an addictive driving experience. The GR-Four AWD system keeps you facing the right way if you want, or slackens off to let you have a bit of fun. (There’s also a manual handbrake…)
Shop used Toyota GR Yaris cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our Toyota GR Yaris review
MG4 XPower
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This is a very different take on the hot hatch recipe, and a very different application of four-wheel drive. Named after MG Rover’s overly ambitious 2003 supercar, the MG4 XPower uses an electric motor on each axle to send power to all four wheels. With all of its 429hp available instantly, the 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in just 3.8 seconds. Besides the orange brake callipers, the XPower looks largely the same as any other MG4.
Shop used MG4 XPower cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our MG4 review
Polestar 2
The top-spec Polestar 2 is another dual-motor electric car, giving you a speedy 0-62mph time in a car that’s otherwise quite calm and collected. You can enjoy its tranquil, Scandi minimalist interior style for up to 370 miles between charges and, by buying used, you can save an absolute fortune over a new equivalent.
Shop used AWD Polestar 2 cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our Polestar 2 review
BMW M135
Another premium German hot hatch choice is the BMW M135, which combines a plush interior with a sub-five-second 0-62mph time. It’s undeniably rapid, and very easy to drive fast, although the keenest drivers might prefer to have a more hands-on experience like you get in the GR Yaris. The appeal of the M135 – and the slightly older M135i – is its duality, with its different driving modes allowing a sporty driving experience or a relaxing cruise.
Shop used BMW M135 cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our BMW 1 Series review
Suzuki Swift
Now that the Fiat Panda 4x4 isn’t on sale, the Suzuki Swift is one of the only small cars available with four-wheel drive. Suzuki’s AllGrip system sends some power to the rear wheels if it detects slippage at the front – a useful feature on greasy or muddy roads. Go for the similarly diminutive Suzuki Ignis AllGrip if you think you’ll benefit from having Suzuki’s Grip Control driving modes and hill descent control – these don’t feature on the Swift.
Shop used Suzuki Swift cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our Suzuki Swift review
Audi A5
Like the Polestar above, the Audi A5 is a hatchback in that the bootlid includes the rear windscreen, although its elongated shape makes it look like a saloon. In any case, its main rivals – the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class – are four-door saloons, with bootlids that don’t include the rear windscreen. Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system is available on the diesel engine – yes, you can still get one of those – and this combination makes the A5 an enviable long-distance muncher and a capable towcar.
Shop used Audi A5 cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our Audi A5 review
Skoda Superb
The Skoda Superb gives you much of the same recipe as the A5 above, but trades some of the premium sheen for more space and versatility. Four-wheel drive is available with a 193hp diesel engine or with a 265hp petrol engine – the latter is a hot hatch wrapped in an immensely practical and smart suit.
Shop used Skoda Superb cars for sale at Motorpoint or read our Skoda Superb review
