Top 10 hot hatches of the 21st century

Fast, furious, and functional, these compact performance heroes let you enjoy sports car thrills daily. But with so many epic pocket rockets to choose from over the last two decades, which is your favourite?

Though hot hatches far predate the turn of the millennium, the sporty sub-segment saw an explosion in popularity when the 2000s dawned. Over the last 24 years we’ve been treated to a high-performance equivalent of nearly every run-of-the-mill hatchback on sale.  

Coming in a vast range of shapes, engine sizes, cylinder counts, and even driven axles, you won’t struggle to find one that suits your taste or budget. But which is best? Here are our ten favourite examples of the breed.

10. Alfa Romeo 147 GTA (2002) 

We kick things off with a double-edged sword. Dynamically encumbered by the same blissful Busso engine that made it such a riot to drive, Alfa’s hot 147 was like nothing else on the market. 

They say flaws give a car character, and that’s fairly fitting for the GTA. Throwing a 3.2-litre, 250-bhp V6 into the 147’s lightweight chassis created class-leading acceleration and sound, but also a propensity to understeer. An optional limited slip differential did help to remedy such foibles, though.

9. VW Golf GTI MK5 (2004) 

Though we could have chosen any number of the Golf’s performance evolutions, the MK5 GTI makes this list for its role in reinventing the GTI nameplate.  

Following a succession of increasingly insipid takes on the smash-hit MK1, the punchy fifth generation GTI received rave reviews for its stout 197-bhp turbocharged four-pot and agile handling. Few cars personify practical performance like the Golf GTI, and the MK5 was one of the best.

8. Ford Fiesta ST MK7 (2013)

Given its ubiquity on British roads, it’s easy to forget just how impressively engineered the MK7 Fiesta ST was.  

For just £17,000 new, the baby ST elevated the standard car’s already accomplished handling and added a healthy chunk of extra power — without compromising practicality. With 180 bhp and 214lb ft to push less than 1,200kg, it didn’t hang around. Plus, a respectable MPG figure was even possible if you managed to restrain your inner hooligan…

7. Honda Civic Type R EP3 (2001)

Much like the Golf, a perennial debate rages over which of the Type R’s many generations is best. A rough consensus suggests that this, the fondly named “breadvan” EP3, takes the title. 

Combine one of the best engines ever made (Honda’s ultra-revvy 198-bhp K20) with darty, playful handling, and it’s easy to see why the EP3 is a fan favourite. Whether you’re banging through ratios on track with the dash-mounted 6-speed gearbox, or pootling around town, this Type R feels right at home.

6. Renault Sport Clio 182 Trophy (2005)

Few modern machines can match Renault’s ultimate Clio 182 when it comes to analogue, old-school driving thrills.  

Tipping the scales at less than 1,100 kg, the feisty Clio’s lack of inertia is evidenced by uncannily responsive steering, while trick Sachs dampers afford exceptional compliance and body control. Though it trails some hot hatches for outright pace, the Trophy’s 182-bhp 2.0-litre engine suits the Clio’s doggedly determined character.

5. BMW M140i (2016)

Taking the baton from the popular M135i, the M140i was in a class of its own back in 2016. As one of the only mass-produced hot hatches in history to pair a powerful 3-litre straight six with rear-wheel drive, the BMW mirrored the handling characteristics and performance of far more expensive sports cars.  

Available as either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed ZF automatic, the M140i catered to enthusiasts and those looking for a rapid daily driver. The only caveat: the high-powered rear-drive layout wasn’t as forgiving for inexperienced drivers.

4. Hyundai i30N (2017)

Hyundai’s tuned i30 is worthy of a double commendation. The first, for helping catapult the brand’s image from a maker of anodyne city runabouts and awkward-looking SUVs to a marque with genuine performance appeal.  

The second, for proving affordable, purist-focused hot hatches still exist. With help from ex-BMW M car Guru, Albert Biermann, and several hundred laps of the infamous Nürburgring, Hyundai honed the i30N’s handling to excel in all conditions. And, unlike some of the older alternatives on this list, its front wheels seldom struggled to deploy the engine’s full 275 bhp.

3. Renault Meganne R26.R (2008) 

With styling to churn even the steeliest of stomachs, this hardcore Megane was never winning any “best looking cars” countdown. Look past that swollen rear end, though, and you’ll find one of the most willing and communicative chassis known to man.  

By ditching anything that wasn’t strictly necessary for going fast, the ultimate Megane shed 125 kg. This meant that rather than stiffening the car’s suspension, Renault could make the Megane softer and more useable on British backroads. Add exceptional brakes and a flexible 227-bhp turbocharged engine, and you’ve got a recipe for one the best hot hatches ever.

2. Toyota GR Yaris (2020)

Toyota’s GR Yaris was a legend in the making from the moment it hit showrooms in 2020. Clearly inspired by early 2000s rally icons like Subaru’s Impreza STI and Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evo, Toyota took the sensible Yaris supermini and created a monster.  

Flared arches, four-wheel-drive, a potent turbo 3-pot: the GR has them all. The end result is a stunning turn of cross-country pace — 0-60 mph arrives in just 5.3 seconds — and limpet-like grip come rain or shine. You will have to concede some boot space to make way for a driven rear axle, but that’s surely a small price to pay? 

1. Ford Focus RS MK3 (2015) 

Here it is, our favourite hot hatch of the century: Ford’s Focus RS. No, it doesn’t use the fabulous Volvo-derived five cylinder of its predecessor, nor does it have quite the same visual impact, but in every other way the Mk3 RS is one of history’s greatest hatches.  

Ford knows how to instill excitement in the driving experience of even its most practical vehicles, so just imagine what those engineers can do when given the freedom to run wild.  

Going toe to toe with VW’s equally revered Golf R, the RS boasted more power (345 bhp) from its muscular 2.3-litre turbo four. Plus, an advanced four-wheel drive system was designed to maximize fun on the racetrack and improve security on public roads. Oh, and did we mention how easy it is to extract even more oomph from that engine?  

While some might prefer the Golf’s subtler styling, for the sheer entertainment factor, we think the Focus is king.  

What do you make of our top ten hot hatch countdown? Are you a fan of the lightweight, analogue early 2000s machines, or the heavy-hitting, four-wheel drive hyper hatches?  

Whatever your preference, fitting quality performance tyres from the likes of Michelin, Continental, or Hankook, ensures your hot hatch performs like the manufacturer intended. 

Hero image credit: Stellantis