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Hot hatches

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTI: the most powerful GTI ever has arrived
Volkswagen ID.3 GTI - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTI: the most powerful GTI ever has arrived

Rear-wheel drive, over 320bhp and a new GTI-mode bring the fire to VW’s ID.3 Neo
News
16 Sep 2026
Car Deal of the Day: Sledgehammer Audi RS 3 for £441 a month is sweet as a nut
Audi RS 3 Sportback - front action

Car Deal of the Day: Sledgehammer Audi RS 3 for £441 a month is sweet as a nut

Hot hatch favourite delivers sizzling performance at an appealing price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 5 September.
News
5 Sep 2026
New Vauxhall Corsa GSE review: Surprise! EV hot hatch really is good
Vauxhall Corsa GSE

New Vauxhall Corsa GSE review: Surprise! EV hot hatch really is good

The humble Vauxhall Corsa has ideas above its station in GSE hot hatch form, and that’s great news for buyers… 
Road tests
31 Aug 2026
Long-term test: Skoda Fabia 130
Skoda Fabia 130 long-term test - front tracking

Long-term test: Skoda Fabia 130

Third fleetwatch report: Skoda's hottest Fabia comes with a few surprises
Long-term tests
28 Aug 2026
New Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI Clubsport to give EV hot hatch a hardcore edge
Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI prototype - front action

New Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI Clubsport to give EV hot hatch a hardcore edge

The hot Clubsport name will live on in the electric era thanks to the ID. Polo GTI
News
27 Aug 2026
Rally-inspired Rivian R3X hot hatch may signal brand's high performance future
Rivian R3X - front

Rally-inspired Rivian R3X hot hatch may signal brand's high performance future

A tri-motor Rivian R3X hot hatch is in the works, and it’s bound for Europe and the UK
News
24 Aug 2026
New Ford Fiesta ST: ‘non-negotiable’ return of an iconic hot hatch
Ford Fiesta ST render (watermarked) - front

New Ford Fiesta ST: ‘non-negotiable’ return of an iconic hot hatch

Fast Fords are ‘non-negotiable’, the first could be a return of the hot Fiesta ST supermini
News
21 Aug 2026
Kia EV2 GT electric hot hatch canned: VW ID. Polo GTI rival 'not in the plan'
Kia EV2 UK - front action

Kia EV2 GT electric hot hatch canned: VW ID. Polo GTI rival 'not in the plan'

Kia says the EV2 GT isn’t in its current product plan, despite previous comments
News
20 Aug 2026
Cupra Leon review
Cupra Leon - front cornering

Cupra Leon review

Cupra Leon is an eccentric and capable hatchback with impressive powertrains and plenty of appeal
In-depth reviews
18 Aug 2026
New MINI John Cooper Works add-ons let buyers really express themselves
New MINI John Cooper Works accessories - front 3/4 dynamic

New MINI John Cooper Works add-ons let buyers really express themselves

155mph MINI can now shout about its performance with JCW Accessory collection
News
11 Aug 2026
Peugeot GTi future: hybrid power could be coming, but no hot SUVs
New Peugeot E-208 GTi and 205 GTi - front action

Peugeot GTi future: hybrid power could be coming, but no hot SUVs

The electric hot hatch costs £34,995 and lands in the UK next year. We ask Peugeot CEO Alain Favey if a hybrid or SUV GTi will follow it
News
5 Aug 2026
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New Vauxhall Corsa GSE: EV hot hatch is faster and cheaper than an Alpine A290
Tom Jervis with the Vauxhall Corsa GSE

New Vauxhall Corsa GSE: EV hot hatch is faster and cheaper than an Alpine A290

The 276bhp Vauxhall Corsa GSE starts from £32,995, including the Government’s £1,500 ECG
News
4 Aug 2026
Abarth 500e review
Abarth 500e - main image

Abarth 500e review

Abarth has had a stab at recreating its iconic 500 hot hatch for the electric era – with mixed results
In-depth reviews
3 Aug 2026
Car Deal of the Day: scorching VW Golf GTI for a cool £294 per month
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front cornering left 1

Car Deal of the Day: scorching VW Golf GTI for a cool £294 per month

At under £300 a month, VW’s legendary hot hatch is terrific value. It’s our Deal of the Day for 1 August.
News
1 Aug 2026
Learner drivers should ditch the Vauxhall Corsa and try a hot hatch instead
Alastair Crooks learn in a hot hatch

Learner drivers should ditch the Vauxhall Corsa and try a hot hatch instead

Senior news reporter Alastair Crooks explains why sportier cars could develop better drivers
Opinion
30 Jul 2026
New Subaru Impreza WRX STI looks very likely, and it’ll be petrol-powered
Subaru Impreza WRX STI teaser

New Subaru Impreza WRX STI looks very likely, and it’ll be petrol-powered

Growing sales of BEVs and hybrids have opened the door to new high-performance Subaru models
News
27 Jul 2026
Mercedes-AMG A 45 S Final Edition marks end of the road for hell-raising hot hatch
New Mercedes-AMG A 45 S Final Edition - front 3/4

Mercedes-AMG A 45 S Final Edition marks end of the road for hell-raising hot hatch

Mercedes’ 416bhp hot hatchback is being forced into retirement by emissions regulations
News
27 Jul 2026
New Peugeot E-208 GTI on sale now! French hot hatch goodness for under £34k
Peugeot E-208 GTi - Phil McNamara

New Peugeot E-208 GTI on sale now! French hot hatch goodness for under £34k

The electric hot hatch genre is heating up with Peugeot looking to return to former glories
News
23 Jul 2026
The VW Golf GTI shows the secret of a great hot hatch is balance, not brute force
Opinion - hot hatches Richard Ingram

The VW Golf GTI shows the secret of a great hot hatch is balance, not brute force

Deputy editor Richard Ingram argues that not all hot hatches are born equal, so it pays to do your homework before buying
Opinion
23 Jul 2026
Best performance cars to buy 2026
Best performance cars - header image

Best performance cars to buy 2026

Performance cars have reached new heights of speed and interaction - here’s a list of our ten favourites from the current crop
Best cars & vans
15 Jul 2026
Volkswagen Golf GTI review
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 being driven in the UK - front tracking

Volkswagen Golf GTI review

Genre-defining hot hatch delivers a fantastic all-round performance car experience
In-depth reviews
10 Jul 2026
Best hot hatchbacks to buy 2026
Best hot hatchbacks - July 2026 update header image

Best hot hatchbacks to buy 2026

These hatchbacks offer serious driving fun along with room for all the family
Best cars & vans
7 Jul 2026
Three-car garage: used Volvo XC90, MINI Cooper S and Hyundai Ioniq 5 for £45k
Three-car garage: former award winners

Three-car garage: used Volvo XC90, MINI Cooper S and Hyundai Ioniq 5 for £45k

Here’s your chance to snag the best cars of 2014, 2015 and 2021
Features
4 Jul 2026
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Hot Hatch of the Year 2026: Volkswagen Golf GTI
Volkswagen Golf GTI - Hot Hatch of the Year

Hot Hatch of the Year 2026: Volkswagen Golf GTI

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the 2026 Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year, with the Audi RS 3 and Cupra Raval commended
Awards
3 Jul 2026
New Hyundai i20 N hot hatch will get aggressive looks and hybrid power
Hyundai i20 N render

New Hyundai i20 N hot hatch will get aggressive looks and hybrid power

The Koreans are determined to revive the affordable hot hatch, so brace yourself for the hybrid i20 N
News
22 Jun 2026
Car Deal of the Day: Alpine A290 is a hot hatch for a laughably low £269 a month
Alpine A290 UK - dynamic front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Alpine A290 is a hot hatch for a laughably low £269 a month

The Alpine A290 is as sharp to drive as it looks, and is our Deal of the Day for 16 June
News
16 Jun 2026
New Toyota GRMN Corolla is built to crush laps at the Nurburgring
Toyota GRMN Corolla - black front angled

New Toyota GRMN Corolla is built to crush laps at the Nurburgring

There’s no mistaking this Corolla as a commuter car – the GRMN is as focused as a Porsche 911 GT3 RS
News
2 Jun 2026
New Ford Escort XR3i Tolman Edition brings the 80s hot hatch up to date
Ford Escort XR3i Tolman Edition - front static

New Ford Escort XR3i Tolman Edition brings the 80s hot hatch up to date

British-based restomod specialist Tolman has revealed its ‘new’ Ford Escort XR3i
News
1 Jun 2026
Three-car garage: Audi S3, Jaguar I-Pace and Volvo S80 for less than £50k
Three-car garage: Audi S3, Volvo S60 and Jaguar I-Price - header image

Three-car garage: Audi S3, Jaguar I-Pace and Volvo S80 for less than £50k

These three cars all suit different needs but have one thing in common - amazing acceleration
Features
30 May 2026
New Cupra Raval could be in line for a big performance injection
Cupra Raval - front tracking

New Cupra Raval could be in line for a big performance injection

Cupra boss hints at hot hatch version of new five-door EV
News
19 May 2026
Car Deal of the Day: BMW M135 xDrive rocketship hatch at only £358 per month
BMW M135 xDrive - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: BMW M135 xDrive rocketship hatch at only £358 per month

BMW’s hot hatchback is blisteringly fast, engaging to drive and now our Deal of the Day for 17 May
News
17 May 2026
GTI is so loved on the VW Golf, the failure of hot Polos is a real mystery
Opinion - Volkswagen GTI

GTI is so loved on the VW Golf, the failure of hot Polos is a real mystery

Jordan Katsianis explains why the Polo has always been a GTI underdog
Opinion
16 May 2026
New Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI: the first electric GTI has finally arrived
Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI - front

New Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI: the first electric GTI has finally arrived

The hot new Volkswagen ID. Polo takes GTI into the electric era, but will it change the game as original Golf GTI did 50 years ago?
News
15 May 2026
Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI prototype review: a true B-road weapon
Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI prototype - front tracking

Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI prototype review: a true B-road weapon

Our first taste of VW's first electric GTI was a very encouraging one
Road tests
14 May 2026
New Skoda Fabia Motorsport Edition is a petrol warm hatch with a dash of rally flavour
Skoda Fabia Motorsport Edition - front 3/4

New Skoda Fabia Motorsport Edition is a petrol warm hatch with a dash of rally flavour

Based on the Fabia 130, only 125 versions of the Motorsport Edition will be built
News
13 May 2026