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The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time

The key to the success of many famous models is how hot hatches come with a sports car driving experience at a reasonable price.

Greatest Hot Hatchbacks

We grew up loving hatchbacks and now couldn't imagine our lives without them. We watched them as they matured over the years. They're attractive, they never became unpopular, and there have been numerous hits over time.

Hot hatches may be on the small side, but they’re hugely popular – especially in the United Kingdom and Europe. The key to the success of many famous models is how hot hatches come with a sports car driving experience at a reasonable price. They're standard cars with uncommon abilities, and you can utilize them consistently without a trust fund to cover the fuel, maintenance costs, and insurance.

There’s a big market for best-performing hot hatches, and when you look at some good-looking vehicles manufactured over time, it's easy to recall why these are so desirable.

In this article, we have picked the 10 greatest hot hatchbacks of all time. Let's get started!

10Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30 Mk5

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #10. Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30 Mk5

2004–2009

Indeed, the VW Golf GTI Mk5 is the best hot hatch of all time. The engineers of VW not only worked on the car's exterior but also extensively upgraded the interior. In addition, the car comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine generating 197hp (147 kW) that immensely improved performance over the Mk4 model. With this latest engine, the Golf Mk5 could hit 0-62mph (100km/h) in just 6.2 seconds in the innovative DSG transmission and 7.2 seconds if manual trim is selected. This was a vast improvement over the last generation model and put the Golf GTI back on top in the hatchback market.

RELATED: The 10 Best Used Hot Hatchbacks of 2021 (Buying Guide)

9MINI Cooper S

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #9. MINI Cooper S

2001-2006

Four models of MINI hatchback were manufactured in 2001-2006, and all of them were outstanding. However, MINI Cooper S and the limited edition Cooper S Works GP model gained attention. It has more room for people, energetic engines, a stylish cabin, all-weather confidence, a higher seating position, and all-wheel drive to please customers. Moreover, its driving experience is enjoyable, thanks to adept handling and punchy engines. The Mini Cooper S is more expensive than its competitors. You will pay extra for this base model as compared to the most fully loaded rivals.

8Honda Civic Type R EP3

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #8. Honda Civic Type R EP3

2001–2005

The Honda Civic Type R is the high-performing version among the longest-running production vehicles of all time. Japanese manufacturers nailed it with its leather steering wheel, extremely tuned engine, and red interior with its Type R EP3 model. Moreover, the Civics’ 0-62 time of 5.7 seconds is suitable, and the 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is incredibly tremendous and produces 316bhp and 295lb ft. of torque. The amazing thing for the passengers and the drive is that it's very comfortable, high appreciation without a doubt when you think about the current Honda Civics high standard.

7Renault Megane R26.R

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #7. Renault Megane R26.R

2009-2010

The engineers of the Renault Megane R26.R are not just one of the world’s best, but they also know how to polish a serious car for daily use. The 227bhp may be the utmost of all: with the good temperature inside the tyres on a dry road, and also it has the 2.0-liter engine with short-shift six-speed manual transmission. The Renault Sport worked very hard to attain that delicate compromise between track grunt and daily road comfort but still provided a 0-100km/h in 6 seconds. So it's a car for anyone to drive to the roadway.

6Renault Clio Williams

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #6. Renault Clio Williams

1993–1996

The Williams name is guaranteed to bring a true performance power to the “hot hatches” current ongoing battle. The sophisticated newcomer overlived up to its potential with a 16-valve, 2.0-liter engine producing the highest speed of 215 km/h. It looked exceptional, coated with 449 metallic sports blue, ventilated at the front, five-speed gearbox, and disc brake all over. It’s a mini car, with a wheel pushed to an extreme edge of every corner; a slightly smaller, a little broader, and considerably lower as compared to a Clio 172/ 182; so small as to be unrivaled with an existing RS Clio.

5Ford Fiesta MkVII ST

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #5. Ford Fiesta MkVII ST

2013–2017

The Ford Fiesta MkVII ST was a tiny car that mainly felt flawless. Nevertheless, it's appealing and is one of the most pleasant cars that comes with a 1.6 liter EcoBoost engine producing 180bhp (197 on over boost). Moreover, hard work is not required due to the traction control-based torque vectoring software that sent a force to the tyre with the entire grip, efficiently imitating a limited-slip diff. This Ford also comes with disc brakes all around and a rigid torsion bar. As a result, the Fiesta ST is not just exciting to drive on the open highway; it's likewise comfortable and quiet on the motorway and sophisticated around town – the same as an ordinary Fiesta in that manner.

4Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #4. Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2

1993–1994

At the end of the 1980s, the hot hatch market could observe the rally car effect. However, none had the intensity and swagger of the Lancia Delta HF Integrale. Incorporating growths from the 1987 rally season, the Delta was a road car engine similar to a rally car. It comprised the similar innovative technology you would have set up plunging over the forests to countless victories. It comes with 16 valves, a 2-liter turbocharged engine, a five-speed manual, a four-door, five-passenger, a front-engine, and an AWD hatchback. It is one of the successful rally and sensational road cars of the group A era.

3Ford Focus RS Mk1

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #3. Ford Focus RS Mk1

2002-2003

The Focus entirely transformed the family car sector on its launch in 1998, providing high value and proving as reliable and safe as any hot hatch. So it's no wonder that Focus beat the Toyota Corolla in 2012 and became the world's best-selling car. It comes with a 2-liter Duratec engine developing more than 200bhp, front-engine, front-wheel drive, five-speed gearbox, and attains 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds. As a result, the RS Mk1 has become a modern classic and an outstanding car slightly.

2Peugeot 205 GTI

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #2. Peugeot 205 GTI

1984-1994

The French makers have never entirely summoned enough to outperform the achievement of the 205 GTI. Whether you're in the 1.6 or the 1.9 version, driving one gives a definitive hot hatch experience. Similar to the Golf, the 205 set a new target. It comes with a manual transmission, 1.9-liter engine, four cylinders, and Right-hand drive. Moreover, it has fast and fun with a quickly increasing fan base. It was also awarded the "European Car of the Year" title in 1983 by the Fiat UNO.

1Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2

The 10 Greatest Hot Hatchbacks of All Time: #1. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk2

1984-1985

The second generation of the VW Golf GTI has launched in 1984 Europe and 1985 in the United States. The GTI Mk2 version is powerful, fast, and recently developed with double overhead cams, 16 valves, manual gearbox, four-wheel drive, and robust engines. The Mk2 is larger than Mk1, and it was the VW's top seller from 1983, ended in production in 1992, and was substituted by the Volkswagen Golf Mk3. Although with extra power, it’s still adaptable, it rapidly became the new head of the class that it had so proudly designed.

RELATED: Top 10 Fastest Hot Hatchbacks: Ranked by Top Speed

References
[1] ^ YouTube: 1990 Volkswagen Mk2 GTI: The People’s Sports Car
[2] ^ Autocar: History of the Peugeot 205 GTi – picture special
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