Combining affordability with practicality and performance, hot hatchbacks are a hard choice to beat for anyone looking for an everyday sports car. And despite having smaller engines (almost exclusively four-cylinders) these cars offer bucket loads of performance thanks to engaging handling and sporty dynamics. And with more and more brands embracing hot hatches, 2021 is shaping up to be an awesome year for hot hatches.

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Indeed, the hot hatches of late are so impressive, they're starting to put larger sports cars to shame. Some of them can even outperform recent sports cars. This is impressive considering the size of the car and the small engines. As such, we're still wowed with how amazing many hot hatches are and how they keep getting quicker on the roads. In this list, we rank 10 of the nippiest hot hatches on the roads today by their ability to glue you to the seat with speed.

10 Toyota GR Yaris

The Toyota GR Yaris was very nearly a homologation special for WRC until the rule changed and Toyota decided to produce it anyway. Coming with the same wheelbase as the standard Yaris, the car then goes on to be longer, wider, and lower. In fact, the only thing it shares with the regular model is the headlights and tail lights. It also has an insanely refined 1.6-liter engine that produces 257 hp from three cylinders and a turbo.

In terms of speed, the car excels too. It has the ability to go 143 mph at top speed while accelerating to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Impressive and exciting, it is highly regarded among journalists. It is very fun on the roads and thanks to a clever AWD system, it's a great hot hatch and future classic.

9 Ford Fiesta ST

The Ford Fiesta ST is loved by many and it continues to be a great performer, with many choosing it over the Suzuki Swift Sport and other budget hot hatches. A fun car to drive, the Fiesta ST comes with a brand new 1.5-liter turbocharged powertrain that produces 197 hp. The power may not be massive but it is certainly the right amount for a small hot hatch like this.

Perfect for spirited driving, the car has a wonderful limited slip-differential that helps to improve traction, and launch control is provided in the optional Performance Pack. In terms of acceleration, the car can go 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds and 144 mph at top speed. Here the car is certainly impressive but sometimes it can become a little unsettled when on rough roads so buyers should remember this.

8 Mini Cooper S

The Mini Cooper S may not have wowed everyone but it is quick and is fun to drive quickly. Indeed, the Mini Cooper S is fun and the latest updates make it a seriously tempting car. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine doesn't output that much horsepower, with only 189 hp produced. However, the FWD drive and steering are fantastic and this really enhances the car's abilities.

Also, going 0-60 in 6.7 seconds and going 146 mph may make it one of the slower cars on this list, but it is still impressive and fast. It also has a retro charm and premium feel which makes it a great daily commuter too. Just be warned of the expensive optional extras.

7 BMW M135i xDrive

The BMW M135i xDrive comes as a 4WD hot hatch that allows for fantastic traction on the roads which makes it a great handling car. Along with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine bringing 302 hp to the car, the vehicle is beautiful to take on the roads and it's composed too. Some may not like the car being so composed when many other hot hatches which are on the market are so much more pliant, but we think it works and the M135i xDrive is impressive.

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In terms of speed, the car can go 155 mph at top speed, and it can go 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds with launch control engaged. For some hot hatch lovers, the car may not be everything that the predecessor to the M135i xDrive was, but this speed and the engine capabilities are outstanding and offer a really nice update to the car.

6 Ford Focus ST

The Ford Focus ST is often overshadowed by the smaller Ford Fiesta ST, and while the recent release of the Fiesta has done the same now we think that the Focus ST is a fantastic hot hatch. The power is fantastic as the 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine produces 276 hp and it is better at responding to the driver. Indeed, it is very easy to live with and the car is great for using on a daily as well as being a fun hot hatch.

When looking at the speed of the car, it can go 155 mph at a top speed as well as being able to do 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. This is impressive and coming with a nice handling package too, the car is a good drive. The car is also very agile and the chassis is fantastic, so the car comes with a nice overall package, while still maybe not living up to the Fiesta but managing to become more mature.

5 BMW 128ti

The BMW 128ti brings back the ti name to the BMW brand. The car is a rival to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, and it comes with some fantastic performance. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine produces 261 hp. Coming with fantastic handling and it is great at managing to compete very well against the Golf GTI, with the possibility of the car actually being better than the Volkswagen.

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When looking at the speed of the car, it can go 155 mph and 0-60 mph in 6.1 seconds. These are impressive speeds and it is very attractive for enthusiasts. As such, it is worth looking at purchasing if one is looking for a more traditional hot hatch compared to the M135i xDrive.

4 Volkswagen Golf R

The Volkswagen Golf R is the range-topping model in the Mk8 generation. Coming with a lot of speed and it brings some new power abilities too, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 316 hp which, alongside a torque vectoring differential. Indeed, the car also comes with two driving modes which are new - Special and Drift which should add to the excitement.

Not only does it comes with some great new additions, but the car is also fast too. The 0-60 mph is claimed to be 4.7 seconds, alongside a top speed of 155 mph. Bringing this together with the fantastic driving abilities, the Golf R is a superior hot hatch that performs incredibly.

3 Renault Megane RS

Historically a favorite among enthusiasts, the Renault Megane RS received an update in 2020. The engine is the same 1.8-liter turbocharged engine from the Alpine A110 that produces 276 hp, but the Cup Chassis Pack brings a limited-slip differential alongside a more focused suspension, allowing the car to be able to perform all the better.

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Also coming with fun handling and good grip on the roads, the car is a win for throwing it around corners. It can go 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds and 155 mph at top speed - both are impressive. Combining how fast the car is with the nice handling and performance abilities, the RS is one brilliant hot hatch that is very fun for enthusiasts.

2 Mercedes AMG A 45 S

Mercedes AMG is known for its high-performance cars, and the hot hatch model they have made is no different. The car is absolutely astounding, with its four-cylinder engine that produces an insane 415 hp. Indeed, most hot hatches do not come with the horsepower this high, so the Mercedes definitely has a unique selling point.

Indeed these power levels are definitely enough to rival supercars. The car can go 167 mph at its top seed and it can do 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. The car is truly one of the fastest hot hatches on the market and it is also one of the most powerful ones too. As such, it definitely outperforms plenty of the cars on this list.

1 Honda Civic Type R

The Honda Civic Type R is one impressive hot hatch and it has been at the top of many people's lists for quite some time. The Honda comes with an impressive amount of power through its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with it producing 316 hp. Not only this, but it comes with fantastic handling and a great driving experience. Lauded for being dynamic and stylish, there isn't really much that the Civic Type R can't do.

Unsurprisingly it is very fast too, going 169 mph at top speed and in its acceleration rate of going 0-62 mph in 5.7 seconds. Being such a cool car and having this level of speed makes the Civic Type R a truly successful hot hatch that has very much caught the eyes of many.

Next: 10 Weird And Obscure Hot Hatchbacks We Wish Were Sold In The US