Top 5 Hot Hatchbacks

Welcome to our blog, where we dive into the world of hot hatchbacks! If you're in the market for a car that's practical enough for everyday use, but still offers a thrilling driving experience, then a hot hatchback might just be the perfect option for you. These compact cars are known for their nimble handling, quick acceleration, and sporty styling.

Performance hatchbacks, also known as hot hatch cars, have been around since the 1970s. Even with the recent rise in demand for SUVs and crossovers, there remains a strong market for this type of car. With a great variety of hot hatches to choose from nowadays, we’ve decided to share some of the best hot hatchbacks below. Contact our car leasing specialists for more information about our hot hatch lease deals.

Toyota GR Yaris

First launched in 2001, the Toyota GR Yaris is a hot hatchback, featuring exceptional motorsport technologies. With more power than a regular Yaris, this car has been designed for optimum performance and thrill. It also has a three-door design and a lower roof than the regular Yaris which gives it sportier looks. The Toyota GR Yaris can achieve 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds thanks to Toyota’s 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. This is an exciting alternative to the Ford Fiesta ST. The GR Yaris also features a lightweight body and a tuned suspension system that provides excellent handling and agility. We think the Toyota GR Yaris’ interior is both sporty and classy. Some of the key features include a GR leather steering wheel, premium sports seats and sports 4WD suspension.

The Toyota GR Yaris is only available with the one engine option with 186g/km CO2 and has a fuel efficiency rating of up to 34.4mpg (WLTP-combined). Furthermore, this hot hatch is priced from £32,110 with three versions to choose from. The top spec GR Yaris 1.6 Circuit Pack is priced from £35,610 and comes with Red GR brake calipers, 4WD mode switch, upgraded wheels and aluminium pedals. This hot hatchback is appealing due to its quality features, great handling and even better performance.

Ford Fiesta ST

The Ford Fiesta ST offers high performance at an affordable price, making it one of the best hot hatchbacks. Track ready, the Fiesta ST provides class-leading handling, as well as being powerful. Also, it’s powered by a new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, delivering excellent performance and improved efficiency. In fact, this sporty hatchback can achieve 0–62mph in just 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 143mph! Meanwhile, it offers up to 42.2mpg (WLTP-combined) which is considered good for a car in this class. The Fiesta ST also features a sport-tuned suspension, which provides excellent handling and agility, as well as upgraded brakes. 

In terms of design, the exterior is similar in shape to the standard Fiesta, but it has sportier features. Inside, the Fiesta ST has sporty styling and the seats are especially comfortable. We think this hot hatchback stands out for being fun to drive and sporty, while also representing good value for money. The affordability of the Fiesta ST makes it an accessible option for those who want a performance-oriented hatchback without breaking the bank. The Ford Fiesta ST is priced from £26,645 which makes it a much cheaper alternative to the Toyota GR Yaris. Key features on this Ford include the unique ST front grille and bumper, ST suspension, a rear view camera, red brake calipers and rear privacy glass.  

Hyundai i20 N

Hyundai introduced the new i20 N to rival the Ford Fiesta ST. The Hyundai i20 N is a sporty hot hatch offering greater performance and agility than the standard i20. It’s claimed this Hyundai can achieve 0–62mph in just 6.2 seconds and has a top speed of 142mph! With a powerful 1.6 litre turbo engine this delivers a maximum output of 204 hp. This car also has a six-speed manual transmission, along with a rev-matching feature. Pricing for the Hyundai i20 N starts from £25,250 (OTR), plus it comes with Hyundai’s 5-year, unlimited mileage warranty for new cars.

In terms of the interior, we particularly like the exclusive N sports seats, mood lighting and the large 10.25” TFT screen. As an additional option, you could include the premium sound system from Bose. Furthermore, its 352-litre boot capacity is generous compared to that of the Ford Fiesta ST. Overall, we'd say this hot hatch is rather impressive as it represents value for money with excellent styling and a spacious feel inside. The Hyundai i20 N is a well-rounded hot hatch for drivers who want a fun and exciting hatchback that can also serve as a practical daily driver.

Volkswagen Golf R

The Volkswagen Golf R is a high-performance version of VW’s flagship model. The Volkswagen Golf R has clearly been designed with performance in mind. If your budget allows for £42,695, then this hot hatch is definitely worth considering! With a 2.0 TSI 4Motion engine delivering 320 PS, this hot hatchback can achieve 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds! Also, if you select the optional R Performance package, this increases its top speed from 155 mph to 167 mph. Meanwhile, the Volkswagen Golf R with 176g/km CO2, has a fuel efficiency rating of up to 36.7mpg (WLTP-combined).

Size wise, this sporty hatchback is 4290mm long and 1789mm wide, which makes it somewhat bigger in size than the Ford Fiesta ST. In terms of design, the Golf R is striking and sporty looking. Some of the standard features include front sports seats, Start/Stop function, ambient lighting and lane change assistant. There's also a wide range of optional extras available such as a panoramic sunroof, park assist and a winter pack. This enables you to ensure the Golf R is customised to be your ideal hot hatch. Overall, the Volkswagen Golf R is a highly capable hot hatchback that delivers impressive performance and handling, as well as a range of advanced features and technologies. 

Ford Focus ST Hatchback

This Ford car has been designed to offer fantastic performance as well as a comfortable ride. Since its launch, the Focus ST has become a popular choice among driving enthusiasts who want a fun and engaging hatchback.The Ford Focus ST hatchback is available with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic gearbox. Both options have a 2.3 litre EcoBoost, 280 PS petrol engine, making this a powerful hot hatch which can achieve a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds. Previously, there was a diesel engine available, but this option has now been removed due to a lack of demand. 

Also, the Ford Focus ST is priced from £35,985 which is similarly priced to the Toyota GR Yaris. Key features on this Ford hot hatch include ST suspension, rear privacy glass, heated front seats and 19" 5x2-Spoke Alloys. Despite revised styling externally, the Focus ST still looks very similar to the standard Ford Focus. That said, this hot hatch is fun to drive and in particular, is great at handling corners. This may not be the quickest or cheapest hot hatchback on our list, but overall, it's a fantastic car with a lot going for it. 

In conclusion, hot hatchbacks offer a perfect blend of practicality, performance, and fun. In this blog, we've covered some of the top hot hatchbacks in the market, including the Toyota GR Yaris, Hyundai i20 N, Ford Fiesta ST, Volkswagen Golf R, and Ford Focus ST Hatchback. Each of these cars brings its unique set of strengths, but they all share a commitment to delivering a thrilling driving experience. So, would you be thrilled to drive one of these superb hot hatches? If so, choose your favourite and get in touch with us today to find out more about our latest hot hatch lease deals. Leasing a car is a straightforward and cost-effective way to drive your ideal hot hatch for a fixed monthly cost. Also, if you liked this blog, click here for more of the latest news or follow us on Facebook for more updates.