We’d Love To Own These Affordable Hot Hatchbacks

The hot hatchback is a category that has never been big in America. The same way pickups aren’t as popular in Europe as in North America. It is all tied to space and fuel efficiency, and there was no urgency to downsize in States. That is why you will find some best hot hatches available in Britain and not in the US.

The hot hatch driving clan is christened juvenile petrol heads, but we doubt they care much about it. They are a unique group that love their fun in tiny packages; a hot hatch combines performance, compact practicality, and value for money. The difference between hot hatches and standard hatchbacks is in more sporty looks, more powerful engines, and tighter suspensions. That said, these are affordable hot hatches that we would love to own.

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Ford Fiesta ST – $29,600

Ford

The Focus ST has remained a great little car over recent model years. It is even better in its current form, thanks to its Ford Performance-tuned suspension and an economical and unpredictably powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that makes 200hp. Add a more high-tech kit, and you have a car that is loads of fun to drive and much faster than its predecessors.

Via: Ford Media

The car is reasonably cheap to run, and you will be able to launch to 60mph in just 6.5 seconds, accompanied by pops and bangs from the exhaust. Also, the interior looks sporty and well laid out.

RELATED: Auction Dilemma: Ford Fiesta ST Vs Volkswagen GTI

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Mini Cooper S – $26,900

Mini

Anyone who has driven the humble classic Mini has a different reason they have high regard for the car, primarily because of how it drives. This has lived on in the modern Mini, which prides strong engines, a high-class cabin, and Mini’s unlimited personalization, with the Cooper S offering a big engine with the little-car level of fun.

Mini

While the car remains an impractical with a joke of a rear seat and boot space, the Mini has remained popular for sixty years, not for its capabilities as a family carrier. Instead, you get a hot hatch that offers a baby BMW’s quality and driver appeal.

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Peugeot 208 GTI – $27,500

via autoexpress

Remember the iconic Peugeot 205 GTI? The French automaker might just have recaptured the spirit of one of the best hot-hatches ever made in this well-built, fast and fun to drive Peugeot 208 GTi. The car launched in 2014 with bigger brakes, more power and a lower sport-tuned suspension and has progressed into one of the best of the new breed of hot hatches with its quick and responsive handling.

caradvice.com.au

After a poor run by the 206 GTi (which, in all honesty, was a great car) and 207 GTi, the current car seems to carry the magic of the 80s GTi. Although we don’t expect Peugeot to return the raw frenzy of the 205 GTi, the Peugeot 208 GTi is very well-equipped and is an awesome car in its rights. It also surprisingly rides very well on bad roads.

RELATED: 2022 Honda Civic Type R: Everything We Know So Far

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Škoda Octavia vRS – $38,720

Via: Heycar

Where most hot-hatches struggle with practicality, the Škoda Octavia vRS stands out as a fantastic all-rounder that is very practical. One might even argue the car is a bit too sensible. It is very usable as a daily driver, with plenty of legroom and boot space. Still, it offers plenty of performance and driving fun to stand tall among the best of hot hatches.

Via Top Gear

The Škoda Octavia vRS is one of the few hot hatches available in diesel, gasoline and hybrid engine options. Most will prefer the 240hp 2-liter gasoline engine that also powers the Volkswagen GTI.

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Vauxhall Corsa VXR -$25,700

via vauxhaul

The Vauxhall Corsa VXR is a great deal of fun to drive. It faces tough competition and is in the shadow of rivals like the Ford Fiesta ST in terms of dynamic ability. Regardless, the current iteration comes with improved refinement, cabin, and dynamics, making it an entertaining and impressive tiny pocket rocket.

via vauxhaul

It is a predictable and expressive hot hatch that you can push to the limits of its abilities and easily grab it by the scruff if it tries to steer away. Choosing the VXR Performance pack makes you half a second faster than the Ford Fiesta ST.

RELATED: These Are The 5 Fastest German Hot Hatches In 2021 (5 That Can Put Up A Fight From Other Countries)

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Suzuki Swift Sport – $20,500

via suzuki

When everyone is rushing to include the latest developments in their cars, Suzuki manages to keep building simple and fun-to-drive cars like the Suzuki Jimny and this Swift Sport. Yet the Swift Sport is a thoroughly enjoyable hot hatch, thanks to its low weight and tiny size, making it a fun city car that is very capable on twisty roads.

The Suzuki Swift Sport’s engine provides great performance while returning impressive fuel economy. 127hp from the hybrid turbocharged engine doesn’t sound impressive, but the car’s lightweight results in an impressive performance. Also, you get plenty of standard features that competitors reserve for their options lists, like the advanced safety package.

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Hyundai i30 N – $34,000

Via: Hyundai

For a long time, Hyundai didn’t have a fast and exciting car, and they didn’t have to as long as they made practical and dependable cars. The South Korean automaker only recently created the Hyundai N division to satisfy a special group of gear heads who prefer a bit of fancy from their cars. And the Hyundai i30N has everything it needs to earn respect among veteran hot hatches like the Golf GTI and Honda Civic Type R.

Via caradvice.com

Hyundai has made subtle upgrades that make the i30N faster, better handling, and more fun. High performance from its 271hp turbocharged engine and reasonably aggressive pricing makes it a worthy hot hatch option.

RELATED: This Is What Everyone Loves About Hot Hatches

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Mazda 3 Hatchback- $21,815

Via: News.mazdausa.com

Thanks to a nicely-crafted interior and a fun-eager chassis, the Mazda 3 offers a more high-end feel among rival compact cars. Its hatchback trim is handsome, athletic, and provides the driver much to play with for their money. The newly introduced turbo engine making 250hp will have hot hatch fanatics thinking about this car.

Via: News.mazdausa.com

The 2022 Mazda 3 brings the new blacked-out package for extra beauty. Also, the car offers class-topping safety ratings among small cars. The Mazda 3 proves that you don’t need deep pockets to enjoy driving fun cars with its performance and relatively affordable pricing.