Most brands build hatchbacks to offer practicality and affordability for families. Therefore, they are small and light and feature small engines to keep their prices low. That's why some of the best-selling vehicles worldwide have been hatchbacks.
However, even when creating practical and affordable hatchbacks, some manufacturers tend to offer more performance-oriented variants. They retain the practicality of any other hatchback but focus on delivering more power, better handling, and fun driving character. Here are 10 of the most reliable used hot hatches to buy today.
10 Peugeot 208 GTi
Peugeot takes a bold approach with the i-Cockpit design. It features high-mounted dials and a low-set steering wheel. For most people, it's either a love or hate affair. However, you'll quickly find a natural and comfortable driving position when you adjust your seat and steering wheel.
Besides its unique interior, the 208 GTi has a nicely judged damper and spring setup. It allows excellent body control without feeling uncomfortable over rough roads. In addition, the setup enables you to carry more speed into corners compared to the Ford Fiesta ST.
9 Hyundai i20 N
The goal of a hot hatch is to deliver a great driving experience without breaking the bank. The i20 N perfectly represents the ideal hot hatch. It's a small hatchback that easily rivals the remarkable Ford Fiesta ST.
Under the hood of the i20 N is a punchy 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 201 hp and 202 lb-ft of torque. For such a compact car, the performance is exceptional. In addition, Hyundai throws in a 6-speed manual transmission – making the i20 N more fun to drive.
8 Suzuki Swift Sport
While most of its rivals feature turbocharged powerplants, the Swift Sport uses an old-school naturally aspirated 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. The powerplant produces 123 hp and 109 lb-ft of torque. The rev-happy engine requires you to push it for the most fun.
Like most hot hatches, it feels quicker behind the wheel, managing a 0 to 62 mph time of 8.7 seconds. Some owners claim the Swift Sport is faster than the official figures. Besides having a fruity little engine, the Suzuki Swift Sport has a great chassis. The steering offers excellent feedback, and the brakes are strong.
7 Ford Fiesta ST
The Ford Fiesta ST is one of the best hot hatches on the used market. The 2020 model makes an excellent option for the Golf R, thanks to its punchy three-cylinder engine and lightweight nature. Since the 2020 model has been on sale for a few years, it's easy to find great deals on a low-mileage, used version.
The Fiesta ST is among the most exciting vehicles from Ford. It boasts grippy and adjustable handling that encourages you to find your local twisty roads. Even though it costs more than the standard Fiesta, it offers better poise and pace.
6 Renault Megane RS
The Renault Megane RS starts as a good family car but quickly adds some performance to make it a fun-to-drive hot hatch. Unlike most of its competition, the Megane RS offers rear-wheel steering. It's the only car of this size that can turn its rear wheels according to your steering inputs.
The Megane RS has all the ingredients necessary to make it a great hot hatch. As standard, Renault offers adaptive dampers allowing drivers to dial out the stiff ride. These changes help make the Megane RS more comfortable and add agility and stability when driving enthusiastically.
5 Hyundai Veloster N
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Even though it will be no longer in the coming years, the Veloster N is a great hot hatch. It's a great hot hatch that blends the line between coupe and hatchback. Even with its front-wheel drive setup, the Veloster N is one of the few hot hatches that will give the Volkswagen GTI a run for its money.
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The Veloster N gets a unique 2+1 door layout that doesn't sit well with some people. However, no matter your opinion of this hot hatch, it's a great performer. It gets a punchy turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, producing 247 hp. The powerplant helps the Veloster N deliver a thrilling driving experience while offering accessible performance.
4 Mercedes-AMG A35
Even though the A35 is Mercedes-AMG's mid-range hot hatch, it's one of the best competitors to the Volkswagen Golf R, BMW M135i, and Audi S3. Like its larger sibling, the A45 S, the A35 gets a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
The powerplant offers a supremely lively response and the typical AMG engine sound. It's available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that sends power to all four wheels. The transmission helps contribute to the agile and dynamic driving character of the A35.
3 Honda Civic Type R
The Civic Type R lineup has been iconic since its debut. All versions are gems in their own right. Therefore, getting a used 2020 version will offer incredible performance for family car money. While the modern variant boasts high-performance figures, the predecessors helped keep it alive.
For a great driving experience, the 10th generation is not only modern but also offers a thrilling driving experience. Unlike the older versions, it's more practical, and its price rivals most hot hatches. In addition, the Civic Type R has excellent aftermarket support, allowing you to get more power and better driving dynamics.
2 Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been the go-to hot hatch for most enthusiasts. It's a pocket-sized sports car that can safely ferry your family around. It offers a comfortable interior and plenty of cargo space. Besides being practical, the GTI is fun when needed.
The GTI functions like the Swiss army knife of hot hatches. No matter the model you opt for, you will be glad you purchased a GTI. The GTI is a well-balanced hot hatch that offers great fast driving experiences in classic or modern variants.
1 Toyota GR Yaris
Even though it's a newcomer in the market, you will find plenty of models in the used market. Unlike its competition, the GR Yaris uses a three-cylinder engine. The punchy 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-three produces 257 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque.
Besides having outstanding performance, Toyota only offers the GR Yaris with a 6-speed manual gearbox sending power to all four wheels – a gearhead's delight. These aspects help make the GR Yaris an excellent pocket rocket with Toyota reliability.