Hot hatches are often forbidden fruit in America, as many models sold in Europe and Japan never make it Stateside. That's because the market for small cars is significantly smaller in the US, but it's still a huge shame. Excellent new releases like the Toyota GR Yaris never made it over, even though a rally-spec 4WD hot Yaris sounds like a hoot to drive.
However, that doesn't mean there are no good hot hatches to be had in America. In fact, there's plenty of them. Buying one new is all well and good, but they're often priced very steeply for the room that buyers get. Get one used though, and buyers have much better options for scoring a cut-price bargain. Although, given the current state of the used market, some don't seem to have depreciated at all! Either way, let's take a look at ten of the best hot hatches the US market has to offer, and how much buyers should pay to own one.
10 Ford Focus RS
Featuring a 2.3L engine out of the Mustang, the Focus RS offers a lot of bang-for-the-buck. Being a mid-size hatchback, it's also a lot more practical than a Mustang in many respects.
It's good for around 350 hp, which is fed to the asphalt via an AWD system. Used examples can be found as cheap as $25,000, but buyers should expect to pay somewhere around $30-35,000 for a good condition one.
9 Fiat 500 Abarth
The Fiat 500 Abarth in many ways shouldn't exist, as it's the hot version of a tiny Italian city car. It sounds more like a marketing novelty than a serious performance car. But, it's actually great fun to drive, even if it's not the fastest hot hatch around.
The Abarth can be found for as little as $8,000 on the used market, for 2012/13 model years. Those who want the facelifted version from 2017 onwards should expect to pay at least $17,000.
8 Honda Civic Type R
The fast version of Honda's ever-popular family hatchback is seeing a revamp for 2022, but that should mean better deals on previous generations of the car. At present, it seems the Type R is holding its value in the used market very well, probably a little too well for most bargain hunters to be happy.
To get any significant discount off the MSRP, buyers will have to go for the cheapest examples around, which still sell for around $33,000. For context, a brand new Type R can be purchased for around $39,000 including destination charge. Many used Civics actually cost as much as buying a new one. But, at least it means buyers can be safe in the knowledge that if they want to sell up in a year or two, they're unlikely to lose much money.
7 Mini John Cooper Works GP
The Mini is one of the most iconic hatchbacks of all time, and the John Cooper Works GP does that legacy justice. Freshly upgraded for the 2021 model year, the car is now Stateside and carries a new MSRP of $44,900. Thanks to the model's popularity, there are very few cars available used, and the few that are still sit around that MSRP.
But, buying used in this case means skipping the waiting list for a new car, so it's worth paying the price. The used market, in general, is a little crazy at the moment, but then so is this Mini. It's the most performance-focused Mini ever, with even the back seats stripped out to remove weight.
6 VW Golf R
Does a Golf GTI feel a bit too slow? Want something even madder but still want a hatchback? Then try a Golf R, a 315 hp version of VW's signature hatch. It's AWD, does 0-60 in under 5 seconds, and sounds great while it's doing it.
It does come at a steep price, with 2019 models costing between $45-50,000. That's an awful lot of money for a small car, although the previous generation of the R, around the 2012-14 model year, can be bought for a much more reasonable $15-20,000. Still, for those with the money, the improvements in the newer models make them the ones to get.
5 Mazdaspeed 3
Mazda's underrated hot hatch was only sold for six short years between 2007 and 2013, before being canned thanks to low sales. But, today it makes for a great used buy, with high mileage cars selling for as little as $6,000.
It's a bargain for anyone on a limited budget, but it's advisable to go for one with under 100,000 miles on if buyers have the means. That should mean less costly maintenance will be needed down the line, but it'll push the purchase price up to around $11-14,000.
4 Hyundai Veloster N
Hyundai's true top-tier hot hatch is the i30N, but like many hatchback models, that isn't sold in America. Instead, Americans get the Veloster N, which is an odd coupe-hatchback hybrid with asymmetrical doors. Yes, there really are two doors on one side and only one on the other.
It's quite an old-school car to drive, with a noticeable turbo lag and a raw, loud engine that pops and bangs when "N" mode is activated. Even by hatchback standards, it's pretty small, so it's probably not going to be very practical as a buyer's only car. Still, it's reasonably priced for such a fun ride, with 2020 Veloster Ns selling for around $28,000.
3 Volvo C30 Polestar
Anyone looking for something both unique and fast should probably consider a Volvo C30 Polestar. That is if they can find one for sale. The Polestar is a special edition of the R-Design C30, which is quite rare in itself. It features a 250 hp inline-5 engine and boasts the title of being one of the earliest examples of a Polestar-badged car to make it to American shores.
With only 250 examples ever made, it's sure to become a serious collector's item in the near future. It was first shown in the US at the 2012 SEMA Show, and it went on sale with a price tag of $32,445. Thanks to the car's extreme rarity, expect to pay about the same amount for a used example today.
2 Ford Fiesta ST
Fiestas in the US might get some slack as being very mediocre economy cars, but the ST is a world away from that stereotype. It's fun to drive, with go-kart style handling which means even if it's not the quickest, it'll still put a big smile on its owner's face.
The cheapest early model examples will sneak in at under $10k, but like most of the cars here, it's best not to buy the cheapest option. Instead, a budget of $20k will get buyers a decent condition example from around the 2016/17 model year.
1 Renault Clio Williams
The beauty of buying used is that buyers have the freedom to choose any car from any era of motoring. So, why not go for something completely different and import a Renault Clio Williams? These cars were never sold Stateside but they're now old enough to be imported under the 25-year rule.
It's widely regarded as one of the best hot hatches ever built, and prices are steadily rising so it's an appreciating asset too. A budget of $30-35,000 should be enough to purchase one of these from Europe and bring it over, although mint-condition examples might cost significantly more. Still, it's well worth it to have this unicorn of a car that's not only unique in the States, but one of the best hot hatches of all time to boot.