Hot hatches

The new VW Golf R is among the most powerful Volkswagens ever produced, and there’s still an estate version

Cupra’s heavily revised Leon comes with more kit, but at a higher price

The very best hot hatchbacks offer giant-killing performance and an engaging drive, all wrapped up in a family-friendly package

The all-electric Cupra Born has picked up some serious added firepower and chassis upgrades, but it’s not cheap

MINI’s truly hot electric Cooper will be previewed at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Honda Civic Type R is the 2024 Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year, with the Ford Focus ST Track Pack and Mercedes-AMG A 45 S commended

Suzuki plans to launch its first electric car in 2025, with more due to arrive by 2030

The updated Volkswagen Golf R is here, with more power and an all-new Black Edition trim

Audi’s updated hyper hatchback and saloon still features a 395bhp five-cylinder engine, and goes on sale at the end of August

The facelifted Golf GTI goes on sale on 20 June, while plug-in hybrid versions of VW’s family hatchback are available from 27 June

VW’s smallest hot hatch is an impressively grown up car that’s wrapped up in a compact body, and it’s our Car Deal of the Day for 14 June

Small, powerful and stylish, the compelling new A290 hot hatchback is about to take Alpine mainstream

Our Car Deal of the Day for 10 June is a very affordable offer on Cupra’s fun to drive family hatchback

Volkswagen’s hottest front-wheel drive Golf gets an update, but no more power

The updated GTI Clubsport be unveiled at the Nürburgring 24 Hours as part of 50th anniversary for the VW Golf

Cupra’s bespoke Born brought electric power to the hot hatch segment and at £266 a month it’s our Deal of the Day for 16 May

The updated Audi S3 hot hatchback and saloon benefit from new chassis hardware and more power

The all-electric family hatchback produces between 215 and 416bhp, and is likely to make it to the UK

Also part of the mid-life refresh are a revised infotainment system and new plug-in hybrid with 62-mile EV range

Chinese maker looks to fill every available niche, revealing a hot electric hatchback at the Beijing Motor Show

The wraps will come off the high-performance Cupra Leon alongside an updated Formentor next week

Ford is making big claims about its latest fast family car, which adds exclusive equipment but no more power

Is an electric hot hatch a match for a petrol one?

Need an affordable car which delivers on both power and practicality? These cheap hot hatches fit the bill

Alpine is broadening its range with a new Renault 5-based model

The 600e will be Abarth’s most powerful car ever, and benefit from traditional hot hatch technology

The MG4 XPower can beat a Porsche 911 to 62mph yet is a fraction of the price, especially with our Deal of the Day for 28 March

The GR Yaris ‘Gen 2’ comes with 276bhp three-cylinder motor, plus two rally driver-tuned special editions

The GV60 Magma Concept will spawn a hot production car that will come to the UK

From electric cars to supercars, this is our list of all the best new cars coming in 2025 and beyond

AMG’s distinctive Green Hell Magno paintwork has been applied to an A45 S with some yellow highlights alongside

A celebration of Abarth’s 75th anniversary and its 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, just 1,368 examples of limited-run hot hatch will be made

The hottest Golf has been spotted trying to cool off