Hot hatches
New Volkswagen Golf to live on in the electric era with hot Golf R flagship
New Volkswagen Golf to live on in the electric era with hot Golf R flagship
Volkswagen has no plans to axe the VW Golf name as its switch to electric power comes to fruition. If anything, it’s the future of the ID electric bra…
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: first spy shots and all the latest on VW’s electric hot hatch
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX: first spy shots and all the latest on VW’s electric hot hatch
Volkswagen’s family-friendly ID.3 will soon get the sporty GTX treatment
New MINI John Cooper Works hot hatch confirmed: petrol or ‘JCW E’ electric power
New MINI John Cooper Works hot hatch confirmed: petrol or ‘JCW E’ electric power
A choice of powertrains will be available for hottest new MINI – with a hardcore MINI Cooper GP variant potentially possible too…
Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Honda Civic Type R: 2023 twin test review
Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Honda Civic Type R: 2023 twin test review
A refresh has upped the ante for Mercedes-AMG’s A 45 S. How does it shape up against our reigning Hot Hatch of the Year, the Honda Civic Type R?
New 2023 Volkswagen Polo GTI Edition 25 priced from £31,295
New 2023 Volkswagen Polo GTI Edition 25 priced from £31,295
Upgraded sports suspension and equipment levels due for VW’s supermini hot hatchback
New Mercedes-AMG A 35 2023 facelift review
New Mercedes-AMG A 35 2023 facelift review
The A 35 is still one of the most refined hot hatches you can buy, but its new facelift isn’t a particularly thorough one
New Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 2023 facelift review
New Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 2023 facelift review
The hottest Mercedes A-Class benefits from changes introduced on rest of the range
New MG EX4 concept makes Goodwood debut
New MG EX4 concept makes Goodwood debut
The MG EX4 takes inspiration from the MG Metro 6R4 rally car
MG4 EV XPower 2023 review
MG4 EV XPower 2023 review
Just a week after its reveal, we get behind the wheel of MG’s electric XPower hot hatch
Hot Hatch of the Year 2023: Honda Civic Type R
Hot Hatch of the Year 2023: Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R is the 2023 Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year, with the Hyundai i20 N and Mercedes-AMG A 45 S commended
Ford Focus ST review 
Ford Focus ST review
The Ford Focus ST is neither the fastest nor the cheapest hot hatch, but it’s up there with the very best
New Vauxhall Astra GSe 2023 UK review
New Vauxhall Astra GSe 2023 UK review
A first UK drive in the Vauxhall Astra GSe doesn’t change our perception of the car
Hyundai i30 N (2018-2024) review
Hyundai i30 N (2018-2024) review
Hyundai’s first attempt at a hot hatchback is close to being a class-leading one, despite well-established competition
Ford Focus ST Track Pack vs Hyundai i30 N: 2023 twin test review
Ford Focus ST Track Pack vs Hyundai i30 N: 2023 twin test review
The Track Pack version of the Focus is the latest fast Ford. We put it through its paces against Hyundai’s i30 N hot hatch
New 2023 BMW 1 Series facelift caught testing on the Nurburgring
New 2023 BMW 1 Series facelift caught testing on the Nurburgring
BMW’s premium hatchback will get a complete redesign and new technology
New Ford Focus ST Track Pack 2023 review
New Ford Focus ST Track Pack 2023 review
The new suspension, brakes and wheels of the Track Pack transform Ford’s feisty Focus ST
New Abarth 500e electric hot hatch starts from £34,195
New Abarth 500e electric hot hatch starts from £34,195
Two models have been added to the Abarth 500e range bringing with them a fresh new design
New Volkswagen Golf R 333 teased as the next special edition R
New Volkswagen Golf R 333 teased as the next special edition R
Picking up from where the R 20 Years left off, the VW Golf R 333 dons a new hue but won’t be offered in the UK
New Cupra Leon 2023 facelift spied testing on the Nurburgring
New Cupra Leon 2023 facelift spied testing on the Nurburgring
Cupra is giving the Leon a refresh this year in a fresh attack on the hot hatch market
Volkswagen R cars: history, brand ethos and the best models driven
Volkswagen R cars: history, brand ethos and the best models driven
We mark two decades of VW’s performance sub-brand by driving some of the models that have worn the blue R since it all started with the Golf R32 back …
Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years: 2023 twin test review
Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years: 2023 twin test review
New Honda Civic Type R locks horns with most powerful VW Golf R ever for bragging rights
New Cupra Born V1 2023 review
New Cupra Born V1 2023 review
The V1 is the cheapest version of the Cupra Born, but it certainly doesn't scrimp on quality
Porsche Macan T vs BMW M135i: 2023 twin test review
Porsche Macan T vs BMW M135i: 2023 twin test review
Can a performance SUV compete with a four-wheel-drive hot hatch for driving fun? We find out, courtesy of Porsche and BMW
Skoda Octavia vRS (Mk1, 2000-2006) icon review
Skoda Octavia vRS (Mk1, 2000-2006) icon review
The sporty Mk1 Skoda Octavia vRS showed how far the Czech brand had turned itself around
New 2023 Audi A3 spotted in sporty S3 guise
New 2023 Audi A3 spotted in sporty S3 guise
The Audi S3 hot hatch will receive a mid-life facelift later this year
New Volkswagen ID. X concept ride review
New Volkswagen ID. X concept ride review
We sample the one-off Volkswagen ID. X hot hatch from the passenger seat
New Renault Megane R.S. Ultime is the last of the Renaultsport line
New Renault Megane R.S. Ultime is the last of the Renaultsport line
47 years of Renaultsport has come to a close with a special edition of the Megane R.S.
New Audi RS 3 Performance Edition 2022 review
New Audi RS 3 Performance Edition 2022 review
The Audi RS 3 Performance Edition is an exclusive version of an already talented hatchback, but it's sadly not coming to the UK
New Ford Focus ST 2022 review
New Ford Focus ST 2022 review
The latest Ford Focus ST gets a tech boost and other tweaks to bring it up to date for 2022
Ford Fiesta ST review
Ford Fiesta ST review
Ford’s Fiesta ST is still a vibrant, exhilarating hot hatch to drive, although it's now a little expensive to buy
Ford Fiesta ST vs Volkswagen Polo GTI vs Hyundai i20 N: 2022 group test review
Ford Fiesta ST vs Volkswagen Polo GTI vs Hyundai i20 N: 2022 group test review
Does the revised Ford Fiesta ST have the beating of the Hyundai i20 N? Or is the VW Polo GTI finally worthy of its famous badge?
Cupra Leon 245 VZ1 review
Cupra Leon 245 VZ1 review
Few Cupra Leon buyers opt for this entry-level version of the car. Is it a hidden gem, or the derivative to avoid?
New Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch revealed with 295bhp
New Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch revealed with 295bhp
The first hot Toyota Corolla in around two decades has been revealed, but sadly it won't be coming to the UK
Used Audi A1 (Mk1, 2010-2018) review
Used Audi A1 (Mk1, 2010-2018) review
The Audi A1 has been a wildly successful premium supermini for over a decade, and continues to sell well in its latest generation. Here’s how to buy t…
Abarth 595 and 695 updated for 2022
Abarth 595 and 695 updated for 2022
Hot hatch maker Abarth has revised its entire line-up
Audi RS 3 vs Mercedes-AMG A 45 S: 2022 twin test review
Audi RS 3 vs Mercedes-AMG A 45 S: 2022 twin test review
Two of the hottest hatches on sale do battle as we pitch the new Audi RS 3 against the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S