TOP 5 HOT HATCHES
HONDA C|V|C TYPE R
THE GOOD: Feel, feedback, focus: a phenomenal full-sized hot hatch THE BAD: Nearly £50k for a frontdrive hatchback with barely any more power than before
THE UGLY: Probably the last of its kind; good job it’s one of the best
THE ONE TO BUY: There’s just the one model; expect to pay around £470 on a PCP with a £14k deposit
TOYOTA GR YAR|S
THE GOOD: A modern-day rally homologation special
THE BAD: Road noise like a death-metal gig; joke rear seats
THE UGLY: Long waiting list due to high demand; now has optional auto...
THE ONE TO BUY: ...fear not – manual still available; the excellent Circuit pack is now standard
HYUNDA| |ON|Q 5 N
THE GOOD: Electric gets exciting – synthetic drive modes and gearchange are game changers
THE BAD: |gnore that it’s software driven the car feels real
THE UGLY: £65k! THE ONE TO BUY: Paint and a sunroof are the only options – all the drive modes are included. Looks best in matte blue
HYUNDA| i20 N
THE GOOD: Edgy, agile and full of classic hot-hatch spirit
THE BAD: Firm ride hampers all-round usability
THE UGLY: Massive rear wing doesn’t help you to blend in
THE ONE TO BUY: Only one model but it comes well stocked, with mechanical LSD. A snip at £26.5k; PCP currently from £370
AUD| RS3
THE GOOD: As fun to drive as it is fast, in any weather; five-cylinder engine sounds fab
THE BAD: Well over £50k for a posh Golf
THE UGLY: Muchimproved S3 here soon is likely to make the RS look very pricey
THE ONE TO BUY: Saloon looks slick but Sportback more usable and £1k cheaper at £56,590