Your hot hatch choices aren’t quite as plentiful as they once were, but there’s still a good selection to pick from.
Many carmakers used to sell model similar to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, but the market has thinned out a little in recent years. This means that we’re left with the best of the bunch, while there are a wide range of options for fast but affordable cars if you’re not dead set on a hatchback body style or even a petrol engine. Here are the best cars like a Golf GTI to buy this year.
Audi S3
Better than the Golf GTI for: flying under the radar
The Audi S3 is mechanically related to the Volkswagen Golf R, rather than the GTI, and that means you get up to 333hp and four-wheel drive. This combination means the S3 is considerably faster off the line than a Golf GTI, while it feels totally unflappable even if a hurricane takes the weather forecaster by surprise. Part of the S3’s appeal is how subtle it looks: get it in a dark colour and it almost looks the same as a 1.0-litre A3 – but you’ve got nearly triple the power of that car to deploy.
Shop used Audi S3 cars for sale or read our Audi S3 review
Cupra Leon
Better than the Golf GTI for: offering a choice of engines
There’s a Cupra Leon that corresponds with almost every version of the Golf. The 2.0-litre 245hp engine matches the standard Golf GTI. The 300hp front-driven model is a Golf GTI Clubsport in another name. A 333hp, four-wheel-drive estate tops the range, and you’ll spot that that’s the same engine as the S3 and Golf R. There’s even a pair of plug-in-hybrid engines, with the 272hp option being a rebadged Golf GTE. Whichever Leon you get, you’re guaranteed sporty styling and a premium, copper-accented interior.
Shop used Cupra Leon cars for sale or read our Cupra Leon review
Mercedes-AMG A35
Better than the Golf GTI for: premium image
You’ll pay extra for the Mercedes-AMG A35 over the Golf GTI, as you might expect. For your extra outlay, you’ll get a fancy interior with premium materials and lots of clever tech – ideal if you think the Golf GTI’s material quality isn’t quite special enough. After all, a hot hatch should make you feel special. Like the Golf R and S3, the A35 has four-wheel drive and more power than the GTI, so it’ll beat the VW in the traffic light grand prix.
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Ford Focus ST
Better than the Golf GTI for: fun
Part of the GTI’s appeal is its duality, because it can entertain you on a fun road and cruise comfortably on the motorway. The Focus ST pushes the needle further towards the entertainment factor – it’s not as good at settling down but it is exceptional at driving fast. You really feel like you’re being egged on in the comparatively antisocial Focus ST. Its bucket seats complete the package and keep you held tight in fast corners.
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Skoda Octavia vRS
Better than the Golf GTI for: boot space
If you want a Golf GTI but need extra boot space, you could either build yourself a Golf GTI estate replica – or go to Skoda, which has done all the work for you already. The Octavia vRS is available as a big hatchback or as an estate – both have over 600 litres of boot space, compared to 380 for the GTI.
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Cupra Born VZ
Better than the Golf GTI for: running costs (if you can charge at home)
You could argue that the Golf’s engine note isn’t particularly characterful, and there’s no manual gearbox any more – so what are you losing by losing the petrol engine? We know that this logic won’t fly with all buyers, but the Cupra Born VZ is still a fun, sporty and fast hot hatch that happens to run on electricity. If you can charge at home, the Born will cost considerably less to run than a GTI’s thirst for petrol, although it’ll be more expensive if you have to rely on public chargers and drive the VZ like you stole it.
Shop used Cupra Born cars for sale or read our Cupra Born review
BMW 128ti
Better than the Golf GTI for: more red accents
Red is a go-faster colour, and the BMW 1 Series 128ti has plenty of that. If you’re not a fan of the red side skirts, you can have them in body colour, but you’ll still get red brake calipers and a host of red accents inside. The 128ti is very similar to the Golf GTI – these cars have similar power outputs and a similar broad spread of talents. Motorway miles are dispatched in quiet comfort, but the car blares into life on a British B-road. There’s a bit of torque steer in the 128ti, which we found engaging and entertaining but you might also find it a bit tiring.
Shop used BMW 128ti cars for sale or watch our BMW 128ti video review
Toyota GR Yaris
Better than the Golf GTI for: driving nirvana
You’re probably buying a hot hatch because you want driver engagement and feeling like you’re in harmony with the car and the road. The Toyota GR Yaris is single-minded in its mission statement – it’s a road-going rally car that’s born to go as fast as possible, with no regard to anything as mundane as practicality. Who needs space when you’ve got a smile big enough to put a suitcase in?
Shop used Toyota GR Yaris cars for sale or read our Toyota GR Yaris review
BMW M240i
Better than the Golf GTI for: being a sports car
A hot hatch is all well and good, but why not consider a classic two-door sports car instead? You’ll spend more on running costs in the BMW 2 Series M240i than you will for the Golf GTI, because you’ve got a lot more power at your disposal. And a much nicer sound because the M240i has a sonorous six-cylinder 3.0-litre engine rather than a more run-of-the-mill 2.0-litre four-banger. Although differently shaped, the boot in the BMW is a similar size to the Golf GTI’s, and it will still fit four people in (not as comfortably, but whatever…).
Shop used BMW M240i cars for sale or read our BMW M240i review
Toyota GR86
Better than the Golf GTI for: more attainable sports car thrills
Ah, we’ve got you thinking about sports cars now, haven’t we? If the M240i is too expensive, too powerful for everyday use or not rear-wheel-drive enough, get a hold of the Toyota GR86. It’s fun without being licence-threateningly fast, and it puts you right at the centre of the action. You get plenty of communication with the wheels, and a few lessons on cause and effect – it’ll teach you about oversteer, understeer and weight transfer based on your inputs. Practicality obviously isn’t as strong as the Golf GTI, and the rear seats aren’t really usable at all, so you’ll have to send a couple of mates on the bus. Nevermind…
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Still thinking about the Golf? Shop used Volkswagen Golf GTI cars for sale, or read our Volkswagen Golf models guide.
