Hot hatches

Renault has taken its latest Clio RS hot hatch in a different direction, with a turbo engine, auto box and five-door body

Honda Civic Type R is a 306bhp pocket rocket, but the looks are divisive

The Ford Fiesta ST hot hatch offers a sweet drive, good looks and great value

With all the thrills of the hatchback, plus added versatility, the Ford Focus ST estate is a winning all-rounder

The latest Renault Megane RS 275 is still as good as ever to drive, but it's much more focused than rivals

The Suzuki Swift Sport provides pocket rocket-style driving thrills to match the MINI, but costs a fraction of the price

Kia Cee'd GT is a five-door hot hatchback, but can it match more mainstream rivals?

The standard Polo is a great supermini, but the GTI model falls short of its hot hatch rivals

The Mercedes CLA 45 AMG four-door coupe uses the same 355bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged engine as the A45 AMG

The MINI JCW Countryman adds storming performance and edgy handling to the 4x4 crossover

The Renaultsport Twingo 133 brings thrilling performance and agile handling to the city car market

The petrol Skoda Octavia vRS is the fastest Octavia ever

The Vauxhall Astra VXR has plenty of attitude but lacks the finesse of the class best

The Skoda Octavia vRS applies the maker's proven value-for-money philosophy to a family-friendly performance car, and it works very well

The Mazda 3 MPS is one of the most powerful hot hatchbacks you can buy, but is some way off the pace compared to more modern rivals

For pure handling fun, huge grip and razor-sharp reactions, choose the Renaultsport Clio

The Audi S3 Sportback is a four-wheel-drive hot hatch that's powered by a 261bhp version of the proven 2.0 TFSI engine

The Audi RS3 matches four-wheel-drive traction with a punchy 335bhp turbo five-cylinder engine and dual-clutch S tronic gearbox

Blending good looks, thrilling performance and excellent handling – the Renaultsport Clio 200 has it all

The Cup is one of the most involving hot hatchbacks money can buy.

We can’t see the Impreza appealing to anyone other than existing WRX owners.

Hot hatch fans shouldn’t ignore the Cupra. It has great acceleration and grip.

Hardcore fan shouldn't dismiss the Cooper S as a town car. It is a superb entertainer and a great investment.

The 197 handles wonderfully. With nimble cornering ability and bags of grip, it's every inch the hot hatch.

The temptingly priced and rapid Focus ST delivers real thrills and practicality in abundance. I

The Astra VXR is every inch the no-holds-barred performance car, and keen drivers won't be disappointed.