Top Hot Hatches of 2022!
As 2022 comes to an end, we thought we would share our top-5 hot hatches of the year.
What is a Hot Hatch?
Like your typical hatchbacks, they include all the creature comforts that anyone could desire - however, they bring more to the table.
For the performance they deliver, they have an affordable and attractive price range. This makes them a favorite of petrol heads who want to live life at full throttle.
Their style attracts most customers with their sleek design and specious interiors. Most will come with practical features that help everyone enjoy their desired drive.
#1 - Hyundai i20 N
The i20 N marks another impressive step for Hyundai’s performance division, mixing a fun chassis set-up with strong performance. It’s close to landing a knockout blow on the Fiesta ST on driving dynamics, but in its own way it matches the Ford for charm – and then goes on to outscore it on other attributes like space, standard kit and value for money. We’d say that makes it a pretty stellar hot supermini overall.
#2 - Toyota GR Yaris
If you love cars then you’ll be hard-pushed not to find the Toyota GR Yaris an immensely attractive proposition. You won’t find any aftermarket, boy-racer looks here, just an immensely well-executed homologation hero with input from Toyota’s motorsport arm, Gazoo Racing.
#3 - Ford Fiesta ST
More accomplished it may be, but the latest Ford Fiesta ST is as fun as its brilliant predecessor. Prices have crept up but the driving experience alone will convince you it’s worth it, and the Fiesta ST is still one of the best small hot hatches on the market. Yet dial things back and it’s reasonably economical, not to mention comfortable, and there’s a decent level of standard equipment.
#4 - CUPRA Leon
If Cupra’s branding is hard to get your head around, the cars themselves are far simpler to understand. And, in this case, very easy to be impressed by. Good looking, quick, superbly fun to drive and well equipped for the money, the Leon 2.0 TSI 300 is just a great hot hatchback. Better, even, than the already fine VW Golf GTI Clubsport with which it shares much of its mechanical make-up. The Leon feels more focused than the Golf where you want it, but no less civilised when you don’t.
#5 - Hyundai i30 N
These 2020 updates have just added a little extra sophistication to a car that was already one of our favourite hot hatchbacks. The i30 N isn’t about to challenge a Civic Type R for outright thrills, but it’s a fast, fun and practical option – made all the more appealing by a reasonably aggressive price, and suspension that’s now a little better suited to British roads.
