Hot hatches used to be zippy urban runabouts.
But the hot hatches of today are a totally different breed. Armed with features like massive turbos and all-wheel drive, these modern performance cars are nearly as fast as supercars from just a few years ago.
We've rounded up 10 of the fastest hot hatches you can buy. Some are even available with big discounts as nearly new or used cars for sale at Motorpoint.
- Honda Civic Type R
- Mercedes-AMG A45 S
- BMW M135
- Toyota GR Yaris
- Audi RS3
- Mini Cooper JCW
- Volkswagen Golf R
- MG4 XPower
- Cupra Leon
- Vauxhall Corsa GSE
Honda Civic Type R
- 330hp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol
- Front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 5.4 seconds
Honda has actually stopped selling the current Civic Type R, though we expect the nameplate will return in the future. You might be thankful for a used example anyway since Honda priced this most recent Type R very steeply. It's arguably still worth the money, however, because the speedy Civic remains one of the greatest driver's cars ever built. You get phenomenal handling, addictive turbo power and race-car looks all in a remarkably practical and easy-to-use package.
Search used Honda Civic cars for sale or read our Honda Civic review
Mercedes-AMG A45 S
- 421hp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol
- All-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 3.9 seconds
Even among the ultra-rapid cars on this list, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S is the hottest of them all. The 2.0-litre engine is turbocharged to within an inch of its life and produces a frankly preposterous 421hp. Between the snappy dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the all-wheel drive system, the car catapults to 62mph in just 3.9 seconds – that's firmly in supercar territory. Unsurprisingly, the powertrain totally dominates the experience but you still get typical A-Class benefits like a plush cabin and decent rear-seat space.
Take a look at used Mercedes A-Class cars or read our Mercedes A-Class review
BMW M135
- 300hp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol
- All-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 4.9 seconds
The BMW M135 might be a little outgunned by the hottest Mercedes and Audi hatchbacks, but it's still a supremely quick car in its own right. 300hp is impressive in something this size but it's the all-wheel-drive system directing all that power to the road that makes the M135 so fast in the real world. It's grippier and more stable than traditional rear-wheel-drive BMW performance cars, though perhaps just one notch less playful as a result. Cabin quality is faultless and the sweeping infotainment system looks bang up to date too.
Browse used BMW M135 cars or read our BMW 1 Series review
Toyota GR Yaris
- 280hp, 1.6-litre turbo petrol
- All-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 5.2 seconds
The Toyota GR Yaris isn't the fastest or most powerful car here, but it might just be the most exciting car on this list. It's virtually unique in the modern era as it's a homologation special built specifically by Toyota so it can take the car racing. That means it's the only Yaris you can buy with a three-door body and the only one available with a manual gearbox. It also has a clever rally-ready four-wheel-drive system that can vary how much power is split between front and back wheels to change how the car handles in a corner.
Search used Toyota GR Yaris cars or read our Toyota GR Yaris review
Audi RS3
- 400hp, 2.5-litre turbo petrol
- All-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
If the already quick Audi S3 wasn't enough for you, the full-fat RS3 is the answer. This ridiculously fast family hatch is available in a range of garish colours and is bestowed with a turbo five-cylinder engine – a traditional hallmark of fast Audis. Of course, it also has a slick-shifting dual-clutch auto and quattro all-wheel drive to make sure each of its 400 horses makes their impression felt. Material quality is strong and the design is attractive both inside and out, while the infotainment system may be the slickest of the posh German trio.
Shop used Audi A3 cars or read our Audi A3 review
Mini Cooper JCW
- 231hp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol
- Front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 6.1 seconds
Previously known as the Mini Hatchback, the smallest Mini model is now known as the Mini Cooper following a sweeping update in 2023. The sportiest John Cooper Works (JCW) version is mostly unchanged, however, with a 231hp turbo petrol engine firing through an automatic gearbox directly to the front wheels. It's a raucous and entertaining car to drive, with the tyres scrabbling for grip if you floor the throttle out of a junction. It remains a very desirable car too, with a posh OLED infotainment screen and neat textile cabin details.
Check out used Mini Cooper cars or read our Mini Cooper review
Volkswagen Golf R
- 333hp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol
- All-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 4.6 seconds
The Volkswagen Golf R might be the ultimate do-everything car. You get the timeless and understated looks people associate with the Golf, with just a slight hint that something more aggressive lurks underneath. And, if you drive with a light right foot, you could kid yourself into thinking this is a regular, easygoing Golf. Pin the throttle, however, and it wakes up with a massive 333hp delivered through a swift auto 'box and all-wheel drive. The latter also has a clever rear differential that can send all its power to one side or the other as needed.
View used Volkswagen Golf R cars or read our Volkswagen Golf review
MG4 XPower
- 435hp, dual-motor electric
- All-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 3.8 seconds
If you're just interested in top-trumping any other hatchback out there, the MG4 XPower might be the car for the job. This is a sensible electric family hatch on the surface, with a neat, spacious interior and lots of standard equipment. However, for some incomprehensible reason, MG has fitted the car with a pair of beefy electric motors for all-wheel drive and a very silly 435hp. This results in a supercar-baiting 3.8-second 0-62mph time, all without waiting for a turbo to spin up or a gearbox to choose the right gear.
See used MG4 cars or read our MG4 review
Cupra Leon
- 300hp, 2.0-litre turbo petrol
- Front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 5.6 seconds
The Cupra Leon is essentially a VW Golf GTI wearing a fancy suit. You get the same 2.0-litre turbo engine boosted up to a healthy 300hp and directed solely to the front wheels. This might not be as rapid as the all-wheel-drive Golf R on paper, but the single driven axle makes the Leon feel a little more lightfooted in corners. You get similarly respectable levels of practicality and equipment as other VW Group hatches, along with infotainment software that's much improved compared with its recent stablemates.
Check out used Cupra Leon cars or read our Cupra Leon review
Vauxhall Corsa GSE
- 281hp, single-motor electric
- Front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 5.5 seconds
Most electric cars are quite quick, so the Vauxhall Corsa's 281hp and single-motor setup looks fairly pedestrian compared to monstrous dual-motor rivals. However, the Corsa GSE's setup is a bit special since its front-mounted motor is connected to a mechanical limited-slip differential. This gives it almost impossible amounts of front-end grip that violently hauls the car tighter onto it line when you pin the throttle. It's easily the most entertaining Vauxhall we've driven in several years, and definitely one of the most fun EVs we've tried.
Find used Vauxhall Corsa cars or read our Vauxhall Corsa review
Say hi to your next hot hatch
Shop thousands of nearly new and used cars for sale at Motorpoint. For more inspiration, check out our picks for the best hot hatches on sale.
