Fastest hot hatches 2025
High quality fast hot hatchbacks from rated and reviewed dealers
Last updated September 02, 2025 by
Mario Christou
Fastest hot hatches of 2025
The word ‘fast’ is an understatement when talking about the fastest hot hatchbacks on sale right now, because the current crop of hyper-hatchbacks pack enough horsepower and technology under the skin to keep up with cars two, three or even four-times their price.
The humble 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine - as you’ll find in a Mercedes AMG A45 S - is now advanced enough to produce over 420hp, a figure not that far off what you’d see from a 5.0-litre V8 Mercedes-AMG just 20 years ago. The Audi RS3 is another example of this power war that’s consumed the German hot hatch industry, as it’ll keep up with a 20-year-old Audi R8 supercar off the line.
But it’s not just the Germans which have gone performance-mad, because ±á´Ç²Ô»å²¹â€™s latest Civic Type R can reach speeds that knock on the doors of Porsche and ³¢´Ç³Ù³Ü²õ’s mid-engined sports cars - while offering a super-sporty driving experience thanks to its manual gearbox and red, Alcantara bucket seats.
And it’s not just the burly, petrol-powered hatchbacks which can keep up with bona fide sports cars these days. ±á²â³Ü²Ô»å²¹¾±â€™s rapid electric offering, the Ioniq 5 N, can hit a higher top speed than most hot hatches on sale right now - while offering a totally silent driving experience, if that’s your thing.
Our expert reviews team has tested every hot hatchback on sale and run through the statistics to bring you this list of the fastest ones you can buy, taking into account top speed and acceleration, where you can’t separate them at the top-end. We also have a list of the best hot hatchbacks regardless of speed, or the best sports cars if you don’t need the extra practicality.
Best for: one of the finest engines ever made
In no uncertain terms, the Audi RS3 Sportback Carbon Vorsprung is the fastest hot hatchback you can buy at the moment, with a top speed of 174mph - which in a five-seater, five-door, commuter-friendly hatchback is absolutely absurd. It’s little wonder that Audi has pulled the plug on the TT RS and R8, as the more sensible alternative is near enough as fast.
It looks the part, too. The basic A3 is one of the most stylish hatchbacks on sale, and the RS3 adds extra aggression with enormous flared wheel arches, a menacing black front grille, deep rear diffuser and large boot spoiler. It’s particularly fetching in green or red.
The interior looks good too, and while it’s a generation behind the latest crop of Audis in terms of design, that’s no bad thing. The dashboard layout is far neater than the garish triple-screen setup in the newer cars, with easy-to-use climate control buttons. The flat-top-and-bottom steering wheel is a bit naff, though.
You get decent space up front, and both the standard sport seats and optional bucket items are hugely comfortable. Tall adults might feel a bit cramped in the back, but it’s the boot space that disappoints. Audi has raised the boot floor to accommodate the RS3’s trick rear axle, reducing cargo space to 281 litres. Boo.
But the loss in boot space is all but forgotten when you get the RS3 onto a good road or even a runway, because its 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine is an absolute work of art. Not only does it produce a whopping 400hp, but it will propel you from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and relentlessly carry on up to that silly top speed.
And yet for all of that straight line speed, the RS3 will potter around town comfortably, absorbing potholes and bumps with relative ease, while motorway journeys are even more comfortable as the suspension settles down. You do get a bit of road noise at high speeds, though.
Combined with its epic engine and exhaust noise, unlike any other car on this list thanks to its mechanical scream, the RS3 is a hugely desirable hot hatch.
In no uncertain terms, the Audi RS3 Sportback Carbon Vorsprung is the fastest hot hatchback you can buy at the moment, with a top speed of 174mph - which in a five-seater, five-door, commuter-friendly hatchback is absolutely absurd. It’s little wonder that Audi has pulled the plug on the TT RS and R8, as the more sensible alternative is near enough as fast.
It looks the part, too. The basic A3 is one of the most stylish hatchbacks on sale, and the RS3 adds extra aggression with enormous flared wheel arches, a menacing black front grille, deep rear diffuser and large boot spoiler. It’s particularly fetching in green or red.
The interior looks good too, and while it’s a generation behind the latest crop of Audis in terms of design, that’s no bad thing. The dashboard layout is far neater than the garish triple-screen setup in the newer cars, with easy-to-use climate control buttons. The flat-top-and-bottom steering wheel is a bit naff, though.
You get decent space up front, and both the standard sport seats and optional bucket items are hugely comfortable. Tall adults might feel a bit cramped in the back, but it’s the boot space that disappoints. Audi has raised the boot floor to accommodate the RS3’s trick rear axle, reducing cargo space to 281 litres. Boo.
But the loss in boot space is all but forgotten when you get the RS3 onto a good road or even a runway, because its 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine is an absolute work of art. Not only does it produce a whopping 400hp, but it will propel you from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and relentlessly carry on up to that silly top speed.
And yet for all of that straight line speed, the RS3 will potter around town comfortably, absorbing potholes and bumps with relative ease, while motorway journeys are even more comfortable as the suspension settles down. You do get a bit of road noise at high speeds, though.
Combined with its epic engine and exhaust noise, unlike any other car on this list thanks to its mechanical scream, the RS3 is a hugely desirable hot hatch.
Best for: old-school hot hatch thrills
While so many high-powered hot hatchbacks have defaulted to four-wheel drive to put their power down, Honda has stuck to its guns with the Civic Type R and opted for a front-wheel drive setup instead. It’s more lively in the corners as a result, but that comes at the expense of a rapid 0-62mph time.
It’s also the raciest-looking hot hatch you can buy right now, with pumped-up wheel arches to match the Audi RS3 and Mercedes AMG A45 S, but with an enormous fixed wing on its boot lid, centrally-mounted trio of exhausts at the back and a sportier silhouette than the other cars on this list.
The interior feels the most purposeful too, with lashings of red suede and fabric on its seat and carpets, as well as a stunning billet aluminium knob on the gear level for its manual gearbox. The dashboard isn’t all that interesting to look at, but the metal mesh trim looks smart and material quality is very high.
You get lots of space up front and those red bucket seats are very comfortable, but while rear legroom is good the sloping roofline eats into head space for tall adults. The boot is a very useful 410 litres, but the rakish rear window means you won’t get very bulky items in.
It’s a bit bumpy around town, because the Type R has far stiffer suspension than the regular Civic, and the heavier steering and manual gearbox makes it harder to zip around tight roads. Motorway drives aren’t quite as comfortable either, with noticeable road noise from the wide tyres, but get it on a country lane and you’re in for a treat.
Being front-wheel drive, the Civic Type R feels far more fun than most other hot hatches on sale, while having plenty of grip, a super-involving manual gearbox and enough power to get you all the way to 169mph - should you find an appropriate place to do so. Zero-62mph takes 5.4 seconds on your way there.
While so many high-powered hot hatchbacks have defaulted to four-wheel drive to put their power down, Honda has stuck to its guns with the Civic Type R and opted for a front-wheel drive setup instead. It’s more lively in the corners as a result, but that comes at the expense of a rapid 0-62mph time.
It’s also the raciest-looking hot hatch you can buy right now, with pumped-up wheel arches to match the Audi RS3 and Mercedes AMG A45 S, but with an enormous fixed wing on its boot lid, centrally-mounted trio of exhausts at the back and a sportier silhouette than the other cars on this list.
The interior feels the most purposeful too, with lashings of red suede and fabric on its seat and carpets, as well as a stunning billet aluminium knob on the gear level for its manual gearbox. The dashboard isn’t all that interesting to look at, but the metal mesh trim looks smart and material quality is very high.
You get lots of space up front and those red bucket seats are very comfortable, but while rear legroom is good the sloping roofline eats into head space for tall adults. The boot is a very useful 410 litres, but the rakish rear window means you won’t get very bulky items in.
It’s a bit bumpy around town, because the Type R has far stiffer suspension than the regular Civic, and the heavier steering and manual gearbox makes it harder to zip around tight roads. Motorway drives aren’t quite as comfortable either, with noticeable road noise from the wide tyres, but get it on a country lane and you’re in for a treat.
Being front-wheel drive, the Civic Type R feels far more fun than most other hot hatches on sale, while having plenty of grip, a super-involving manual gearbox and enough power to get you all the way to 169mph - should you find an appropriate place to do so. Zero-62mph takes 5.4 seconds on your way there.
3. Mercedes-AMG A45 S - 168mph
Mercedes-Benz AMG A45 review
Best for: sheer horsepower
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S is similar to the Audi RS3 in spirit, but with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine under the bonnet, uses a different recipe to reach its top speed. It’s arguably more stylish than the Audi, but it’s not as comfortable over long journeys.
While it has a big boot spoiler and an assortment of aerodynamic fins stuck to the bumpers, the A45’s soft curves and teardrop-shaped headlights are prettier than most hatchbacks on sale. You can get it in some snazzy colours as well, should you wish. The yellow is our favourite.
And though the interior isn’t quite as posh to look at as the latest batch of Mercedes cabins, it’s still very easy on the eye with a trio of intricate vents on the dashboard beneath the slim infotainment system. The bucket seats look great and they’re very supportive, but they’ll leave your bum feeling rather numb on anything resembling a road trip.
Up front there’s enough room and adjustability in the seats to find a comfortable driving position, but rear passengers will find headroom a bit tight – and it’s a bit dark thanks to the big bucket seats blocking some light; the boot is a handy 370 litres.
The little Mercedes is a real pocket rocket, because it’s the most powerful car on this list putting out a mighty 420hp through all four wheels. That’s enough for a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 168 mph.
Having such a raucous engine under the bonnet and being designed for outright performance has robbed the little AMG of some driving manners. You don’t get too jiggled around too much on rough roads, and the car feels civilised, easy to park and practical enough for day to use, but once the road opens up you feel the differences.
Get on the motorway and it’s the seats which are the biggest letdown, but there’s also a lot of wind and tyre roar to contend with from the sporty tyres and stiff suspension. Country roads are where you’ll have the best time in the A45 S, with rocket ship acceleration between corners and buckets of grip in the bends.
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S is similar to the Audi RS3 in spirit, but with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine under the bonnet, uses a different recipe to reach its top speed. It’s arguably more stylish than the Audi, but it’s not as comfortable over long journeys.
While it has a big boot spoiler and an assortment of aerodynamic fins stuck to the bumpers, the A45’s soft curves and teardrop-shaped headlights are prettier than most hatchbacks on sale. You can get it in some snazzy colours as well, should you wish. The yellow is our favourite.
And though the interior isn’t quite as posh to look at as the latest batch of Mercedes cabins, it’s still very easy on the eye with a trio of intricate vents on the dashboard beneath the slim infotainment system. The bucket seats look great and they’re very supportive, but they’ll leave your bum feeling rather numb on anything resembling a road trip.
Up front there’s enough room and adjustability in the seats to find a comfortable driving position, but rear passengers will find headroom a bit tight – and it’s a bit dark thanks to the big bucket seats blocking some light; the boot is a handy 370 litres.
The little Mercedes is a real pocket rocket, because it’s the most powerful car on this list putting out a mighty 420hp through all four wheels. That’s enough for a 0-62mph time of 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 168 mph.
Having such a raucous engine under the bonnet and being designed for outright performance has robbed the little AMG of some driving manners. You don’t get too jiggled around too much on rough roads, and the car feels civilised, easy to park and practical enough for day to use, but once the road opens up you feel the differences.
Get on the motorway and it’s the seats which are the biggest letdown, but there’s also a lot of wind and tyre roar to contend with from the sporty tyres and stiff suspension. Country roads are where you’ll have the best time in the A45 S, with rocket ship acceleration between corners and buckets of grip in the bends.
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Best for: understated speed
While the GTI is the most legendary version of Volkswagen's hot hatchback, the Golf R has rightfully earned its place as the top dog sporty Volkswagen. It’s quiet, comfortable and fast, but the infotainment system isn’t the slickest out there.
It looks purposeful, with deeper bumpers with a larger front grille than the regular Golf - as well as an intricate wheel design, signature blue paint finish and four enormous exhaust tips. It's still less head-turning than the other cars on this list, but you might think this is a good thing.
The interior is similar to the standard car, but you get blue flashes throughout the cabin, a flat-bottom wheel and pair of comfortable bucket seats to sink into up front - but the fixed headrests can be a bit annoying on a long drive.
The updated infotainment display has crisp graphics but it’s still fiddly to use; not as bad as the touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel, though. There’s plenty of space across both front and back in the Golf R, but the rear differential for the four-wheel drive system drops boot capacity down from 381 to 340 litres in the R.
Find a long enough runway and the Golf R’s 2.0-litre engine will get you all the way to 167mph with the R-Performance pack - even though it only produces 333hp. Around town you’ll get jiggled around a bit more than in a regular Golf, but it’s easy to drive and uneventful until you get to a twisty road, where it becomes a whole heap of fun to drive.
While the GTI is the most legendary version of Volkswagen's hot hatchback, the Golf R has rightfully earned its place as the top dog sporty Volkswagen. It’s quiet, comfortable and fast, but the infotainment system isn’t the slickest out there.
It looks purposeful, with deeper bumpers with a larger front grille than the regular Golf - as well as an intricate wheel design, signature blue paint finish and four enormous exhaust tips. It's still less head-turning than the other cars on this list, but you might think this is a good thing.
The interior is similar to the standard car, but you get blue flashes throughout the cabin, a flat-bottom wheel and pair of comfortable bucket seats to sink into up front - but the fixed headrests can be a bit annoying on a long drive.
The updated infotainment display has crisp graphics but it’s still fiddly to use; not as bad as the touch-sensitive pads on the steering wheel, though. There’s plenty of space across both front and back in the Golf R, but the rear differential for the four-wheel drive system drops boot capacity down from 381 to 340 litres in the R.
Find a long enough runway and the Golf R’s 2.0-litre engine will get you all the way to 167mph with the R-Performance pack - even though it only produces 333hp. Around town you’ll get jiggled around a bit more than in a regular Golf, but it’s easy to drive and uneventful until you get to a twisty road, where it becomes a whole heap of fun to drive.
2025
Tech Trailblazer Award
Battery range up to 278 miles
Best for: video game-like thrills
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a bit of a cheeky addition to this list, because while it looks like a retro hot hatch, it’s actually the size of a family SUV. Unlike the rest of the hot hatches on this list, it’s electric, too, and offers supercar-baiting performance that few hatchbacks can match.
The basic Ioniq 5’s retro styling translates very well to the hot N version, with a deep body kit covered in angles and a contrasting dark orange pinstripe, while the pumped-up arches and aggressive, pixel-inspired lights give the car a lot of road presence.
Hyundai hasn’t been as bold with the 5 N’s cabin, but it still features some marked differences from the normal Ioniq 5 such as a chunky centre console, supportive sports seats and a steering wheel with drive mode buttons suspended from its spokes. Being such a large car means you get a plentiful 460-litre boot and loads of space all round, too.
A claimed 278 miles to a charge means the Ioniq 5 N is a road-trippable car - so long as you plan ahead - but it’s the electric motors’ performance that you buy this car for, and with 650hp on tap, a 161mph top speed and a dedicated drift mode, it’s a riot when you want to be a bit of a yob - in a safe environment, of course.
Around town and on the motorway it’ll drive almost as quietly and comfortably as the base Ioniq 5, but it’ll blow your mind on a country road; prodigious grip and monster acceleration will have you beaming, as will the simulated gearshifts and engine noise.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a bit of a cheeky addition to this list, because while it looks like a retro hot hatch, it’s actually the size of a family SUV. Unlike the rest of the hot hatches on this list, it’s electric, too, and offers supercar-baiting performance that few hatchbacks can match.
The basic Ioniq 5’s retro styling translates very well to the hot N version, with a deep body kit covered in angles and a contrasting dark orange pinstripe, while the pumped-up arches and aggressive, pixel-inspired lights give the car a lot of road presence.
Hyundai hasn’t been as bold with the 5 N’s cabin, but it still features some marked differences from the normal Ioniq 5 such as a chunky centre console, supportive sports seats and a steering wheel with drive mode buttons suspended from its spokes. Being such a large car means you get a plentiful 460-litre boot and loads of space all round, too.
A claimed 278 miles to a charge means the Ioniq 5 N is a road-trippable car - so long as you plan ahead - but it’s the electric motors’ performance that you buy this car for, and with 650hp on tap, a 161mph top speed and a dedicated drift mode, it’s a riot when you want to be a bit of a yob - in a safe environment, of course.
Around town and on the motorway it’ll drive almost as quietly and comfortably as the base Ioniq 5, but it’ll blow your mind on a country road; prodigious grip and monster acceleration will have you beaming, as will the simulated gearshifts and engine noise.
Best for: a fun, sensible daily driver
There’s a reason why the Volkswagen Golf GTI has been around for over 50 years, and that’s because few cars offer such a compelling mix of sensibility and silly fun. The latest Golf GTI is a bit too sensible, though, unless you opt for the Clubsport version.
All versions of the GTI look sporty though, with a far more aggressive body kit than a regular Golf, but the Clubsport dials it up to 11 with even deeper bumpers, blacked-out light inners and a big spoiler on the boot lid.
Inside you’ll find the same handsome dashboard as in a standard Golf or a Golf R, but instead of grey or blue accents there’s plenty of red splashed around the cabin to remind you that you’re in something sporty.
You get the same bucket seats as in the Golf R, too, and the same amount of rear seat space - but a larger 381-litre boot as there’s no rear differential in the front-wheel drive GTI Clubsport, eating into the luggage space.
While the standard GTI is a bit vanilla to drive, the Clubsport spices things up a bit with fettled suspension, sporter driving modes and a more powerful 300hp engine, which gets you from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds and on to 155mph.
The Clubsport’s tweaks barely impact comfort around town and on the motorway, while turning the GTI into a proper hoot to drive on a twisty road.
There’s a reason why the Volkswagen Golf GTI has been around for over 50 years, and that’s because few cars offer such a compelling mix of sensibility and silly fun. The latest Golf GTI is a bit too sensible, though, unless you opt for the Clubsport version.
All versions of the GTI look sporty though, with a far more aggressive body kit than a regular Golf, but the Clubsport dials it up to 11 with even deeper bumpers, blacked-out light inners and a big spoiler on the boot lid.
Inside you’ll find the same handsome dashboard as in a standard Golf or a Golf R, but instead of grey or blue accents there’s plenty of red splashed around the cabin to remind you that you’re in something sporty.
You get the same bucket seats as in the Golf R, too, and the same amount of rear seat space - but a larger 381-litre boot as there’s no rear differential in the front-wheel drive GTI Clubsport, eating into the luggage space.
While the standard GTI is a bit vanilla to drive, the Clubsport spices things up a bit with fettled suspension, sporter driving modes and a more powerful 300hp engine, which gets you from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds and on to 155mph.
The Clubsport’s tweaks barely impact comfort around town and on the motorway, while turning the GTI into a proper hoot to drive on a twisty road.
7. Mercedes-AMG A35 - 155mph
Mercedes-Benz AMG A35 review
Best for: stylish cruising
No, you’re not seeing double. The Mercedes-AMG A35 is the A45 S’s smaller, less obnoxious and less sporty twin. It’s not as fast or as thrilling as the A45, but the A35 is more comfortable to live with.
Unless you had them side-by-side, you’d be hard pressed to find any real differences between the two at a first glance. The A35 also has aggressive bumpers and a sporty roof spoiler, but without the deep grilles and bulbous arches of the A45.
The interior is largely the same too, though the steering wheel isn’t suede-trimmed and you don’t get bucket seats - but that’s a good thing, as the standard seats are far more comfortable. They don’t affect knee-room in the back either, and the boot is an identical 370 litres.
Put your foot down in the A35 and you’ll see nothing but taillights from the A45 S, with a more lethargic 5.7-second 0-62mph time and a top speed limited to 155mph. The trade-off is that Mercedes has fettled the A35 to be almost as comfortable around town and on the motorway as any other A-Class.
That means it’s a much more pleasant car to live with day-to-day, though it comes at the expense of driving thrills on a country road, where it’s neither as rapid nor as fun to drive as the A45 S.
No, you’re not seeing double. The Mercedes-AMG A35 is the A45 S’s smaller, less obnoxious and less sporty twin. It’s not as fast or as thrilling as the A45, but the A35 is more comfortable to live with.
Unless you had them side-by-side, you’d be hard pressed to find any real differences between the two at a first glance. The A35 also has aggressive bumpers and a sporty roof spoiler, but without the deep grilles and bulbous arches of the A45.
The interior is largely the same too, though the steering wheel isn’t suede-trimmed and you don’t get bucket seats - but that’s a good thing, as the standard seats are far more comfortable. They don’t affect knee-room in the back either, and the boot is an identical 370 litres.
Put your foot down in the A35 and you’ll see nothing but taillights from the A45 S, with a more lethargic 5.7-second 0-62mph time and a top speed limited to 155mph. The trade-off is that Mercedes has fettled the A35 to be almost as comfortable around town and on the motorway as any other A-Class.
That means it’s a much more pleasant car to live with day-to-day, though it comes at the expense of driving thrills on a country road, where it’s neither as rapid nor as fun to drive as the A45 S.
Battery range up to 429 miles
Best for: space-age looks
The Cupra Leon is a bit like the Volkswagen Golf R’s flamboyant Spanish cousin. You get a mechanically-similar engine and four-wheel drive system, but with more striking looks and a more relaxed driving experience.
Though it’s not necessarily more handsome than it was before a 2024 update, because while it looks very aggressive, the Leon has a bit of a dead-eyed stare to its front end, and the copper-coloured detailing is a bit naff. Still, it’s more subtle than the Honda Civic Type R.
Inside you get a more convincing design, with lots of angular details such as the air vents and dashboard detailing, while the 12.9-inch infotainment screen features crisp graphics - but the touchscreen controls are annoying to use.
It’s spacious inside, too, with more room than you get in a Volkswagen Golf, though the boot is a paltry 270 litres and the front sports seats mean the rear row feels a little claustrophobic.
Out on the road the Cupra will get you to 62mph in 5.7 seconds, and like most comparable hot hatches will hit an electronically-goverened limit at 155mph. It feels a bit sportier and more hard-edged than a Volkswagen Golf GTI around town, while there’s noticeable tyre roar on the motorway.
Country lanes are good fun in the Cupra Leon, only the top-spec VZ models offer performance and handling to match the other hot hatches on this list, as entry-level cars have engines which prioritise fuel economy.
The Cupra Leon is a bit like the Volkswagen Golf R’s flamboyant Spanish cousin. You get a mechanically-similar engine and four-wheel drive system, but with more striking looks and a more relaxed driving experience.
Though it’s not necessarily more handsome than it was before a 2024 update, because while it looks very aggressive, the Leon has a bit of a dead-eyed stare to its front end, and the copper-coloured detailing is a bit naff. Still, it’s more subtle than the Honda Civic Type R.
Inside you get a more convincing design, with lots of angular details such as the air vents and dashboard detailing, while the 12.9-inch infotainment screen features crisp graphics - but the touchscreen controls are annoying to use.
It’s spacious inside, too, with more room than you get in a Volkswagen Golf, though the boot is a paltry 270 litres and the front sports seats mean the rear row feels a little claustrophobic.
Out on the road the Cupra will get you to 62mph in 5.7 seconds, and like most comparable hot hatches will hit an electronically-goverened limit at 155mph. It feels a bit sportier and more hard-edged than a Volkswagen Golf GTI around town, while there’s noticeable tyre roar on the motorway.
Country lanes are good fun in the Cupra Leon, only the top-spec VZ models offer performance and handling to match the other hot hatches on this list, as entry-level cars have engines which prioritise fuel economy.
5. BMW M135 - 155mph
BMW M135i review
Best for: a high-quality cabin
Another member of the 155mph club, the BMW M135 is BMW’s alternative to the Audi S3 and the Mercedes-AMG A35. It’s not quite an out-and-out fighter, but it makes for a fast, comfortable and practical hot hatch nonetheless.
Though it’s not the most handsome car on this list, even after a 2024 update gave it some sleek headlights and a smaller grille than the earlier version had. It’s hard not to compare it to its rear-wheel drive predecessor, which was a rather sleek-looking thing.
You can ignore its looks from the inside though, because the M135 has one of the nicest cabins you can get in a small hatchback at the moment. The minimalist dashboard with BMW’s curved dual-screen setup is very easy-on-the-eye, and the bucket seats are very comfortable to sit in.
There’s also enough room for five adults to sit comfortably in the small BMW, while the 380-litre boot is one of the biggest on this list.
Opt for the adaptive suspension and you’ll have a pleasant experience over bad roads, so long as you’re in comfort mode, that is. Put your foot down and you’ll get to 62mph in 5.9 seconds, carrying on to a top speed of 155mph, though the M135i doesn’t feel as sporty as its alternatives at any speed.
Another member of the 155mph club, the BMW M135 is BMW’s alternative to the Audi S3 and the Mercedes-AMG A35. It’s not quite an out-and-out fighter, but it makes for a fast, comfortable and practical hot hatch nonetheless.
Though it’s not the most handsome car on this list, even after a 2024 update gave it some sleek headlights and a smaller grille than the earlier version had. It’s hard not to compare it to its rear-wheel drive predecessor, which was a rather sleek-looking thing.
You can ignore its looks from the inside though, because the M135 has one of the nicest cabins you can get in a small hatchback at the moment. The minimalist dashboard with BMW’s curved dual-screen setup is very easy-on-the-eye, and the bucket seats are very comfortable to sit in.
There’s also enough room for five adults to sit comfortably in the small BMW, while the 380-litre boot is one of the biggest on this list.
Opt for the adaptive suspension and you’ll have a pleasant experience over bad roads, so long as you’re in comfort mode, that is. Put your foot down and you’ll get to 62mph in 5.9 seconds, carrying on to a top speed of 155mph, though the M135i doesn’t feel as sporty as its alternatives at any speed.
10. Mini John Cooper Works - 155mph
MINI Cooper JCW review
Best for: small country lanes
By far the smallest car on this list, the Mini John Cooper Works is one of the last truly tiny hot hatchbacks left on sale. It’s a good laugh to drive on tight, twisty roads, but the Mini JCW is very uncomfortable and impractical.
It looks great, with the Mini-typical big, round headlights, two-tone paint and big, aggressive body kit to stand out against the regular versions; especially if you opt for the bright red roof and mirror caps.
The interior is excellent, too, with a very swish circular display dominating the minimalistic, fabric-trimmed dashboard. The chequered-flag motif around the cabin is particularly fetching, but it’s a shame there aren’t any other JCW-specific features such as bucket seats or a racy steering wheel.
Space is poor inside, too, with very little in the way of space in the back and a miniscule 210-litre boot, though that’s a compromise you have to make in such a small car.
Around town the JCW isn’t very pleasant to live with, not for its lack of practicality but because its suspension is oh-so stiff, jiggling you around and crashing through potholes. It’s not much more comfortable on the motorway as the suspension only settles down at very high speeds.
With a 231hp 2.0-litre engine, lots of grip and darty steering, the Mini JCW is a riot on a twisty lane, while carrying on top a top speed of 155mph, after hitting 62mph in 6.1 seconds.
By far the smallest car on this list, the Mini John Cooper Works is one of the last truly tiny hot hatchbacks left on sale. It’s a good laugh to drive on tight, twisty roads, but the Mini JCW is very uncomfortable and impractical.
It looks great, with the Mini-typical big, round headlights, two-tone paint and big, aggressive body kit to stand out against the regular versions; especially if you opt for the bright red roof and mirror caps.
The interior is excellent, too, with a very swish circular display dominating the minimalistic, fabric-trimmed dashboard. The chequered-flag motif around the cabin is particularly fetching, but it’s a shame there aren’t any other JCW-specific features such as bucket seats or a racy steering wheel.
Space is poor inside, too, with very little in the way of space in the back and a miniscule 210-litre boot, though that’s a compromise you have to make in such a small car.
Around town the JCW isn’t very pleasant to live with, not for its lack of practicality but because its suspension is oh-so stiff, jiggling you around and crashing through potholes. It’s not much more comfortable on the motorway as the suspension only settles down at very high speeds.
With a 231hp 2.0-litre engine, lots of grip and darty steering, the Mini JCW is a riot on a twisty lane, while carrying on top a top speed of 155mph, after hitting 62mph in 6.1 seconds.
Factors to consider
If outright speed is your only prerequisite for a car, look no further than the Audi RS3 and its massive 174mph top speed. For bragging rights, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S is worth a look, because its 420hp engine makes it the most powerful petrol car on this list.
Back down to earth, the Mercedes-AMG A35 or Volkswagen’s Golf GTI Clubsport and Golf R make for the easiest-to-live-with petrol-engined offerings, but the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 N offers the most space inside and the option to waft about in silence.
The Mini JCW and Honda Civic Type R are the most fun to throw around on track or on a country lane, but where the Mini is totally hard-edged and uncomfortable for daily use, the Civic Type R might just be the best all-rounder on this list.
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