10 Hottest Hatches for 2015

The new ST is a huge change from the old model it replaces. Obviously it is based on the new Focus shape but it is now only available as a 5 door. It has a smaller 2.0 litre 4 cylinder engine opposed to the previous 2.5 litre 5 cylinder and it is still just front-wheel-drive. Don’t worry though, Ford have taken a few steps back to make a giant leap forward. The new 2.0 litre unit produces 247hp, which is 20hp more than the previous model, and it also has improved economy and running costs too. The car is 10mm lower than the Standard Focus hatchback and while the power is on par with competitors, the absence of a tricked-differential means it may fall short when cornering.

Perhaps one of the most obvious choices on this list is in the form of the Golf GTi from Volkswagen, the latest alteration of one of the first hot hatches ever built, the Mark 1 Golf GTi. The ‘hooligan-pedigree’ still shines through and the latest model is filled with tech and comfort but still provides the hair raising driving experience due to new tricks such as the highly complex electronic differential which can drag the Golf through bends at breathtaking speeds. The latest GTi offers a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder turbo unit which churns out 220hp to the front wheels, a winning combination in the hot-hatch segment.

Every Clio that has been tweaked by the guys at Renaultsport has gone on to become a cult-classic and legend among enthusiasts due to the impeccable handling, endless grip and lightning change of direction. There has been drastic changes in the approach for the new model and due to the new turbocharger, maximum torque output (177lb) can be achieved from just 1750rpm opposed to the 6,000rpm required in the old model. This means you can pull quickly in higher gears and have more usable power instead of having to cane the life out of each gear in order to go quick. This is perfect for when a little open stretch opens up on your commute. Sadly though the Clio RS is auto-only so if you love negotiating your way through the gears you’ll have to keep searching...

The UK’s best selling car for countless years now has a meaner, faster, more aggressive twin brother in the form of the Fiesta ST. This car has been praised for its fantastic grip and cornering as it lies flat through twisty bends. The ST offers a perfect blend of enjoyment and practicality for the everyday driver and the 1.6 litre turbo unit can return decent fuel economy too. Highly rated by the likes of Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson, this car really is a great first-fast car for young drivers who look for something with a bit of a kick.

While the new MINI might not be very ‘Mini’ anymore, the current model still benefits from the strong residual values due to the constant desirability that the MINI brand has thrived upon since the turn of the millennium. While the size may have increased across the MINI range the winning formula is still true. 4 wheels lodged right in each the corners of the car with minimal overhang. This provides direct and linear steering and the short wheelbase means the MINI sits flat as it darts through the bends. The Cooper S is the hottest version of the new MINI although a John Cooper Works edition is likely to be announced soon. 0-60 in the 2.0 Cooper S can be achieved in 6.5 seconds which is certainly ‘nippy’ on paper but feels absolutely thunderous when behind the wheel.

The M135i is the standout vehicle in this list for one reason; the BMW is typically front-engined and rear wheel drive. BMW have always claimed that this is the winning combination which turns their cars into the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine.’ After taking the M135i for a spin it’s extremely difficult to disagree. 0-60 in 4.7 seconds is better than some full on M-Power cars of the last 10 years, 315bhp is more than you’ll ever need for motorway overtakes and 37 miles per gallon is simply exceptional from such a high-output petrol car. What more would you need? The 5 seats and substantial boot also help turn this car into the perfect all rounder.

The original 205 GTi was an exceptional car which will go down in history as one of the best pre-millenium hot-hatches but since production ended in 1998 the Peugeot lineup has been missing a true hatchback hero to really put the fun back into driving. Now though they have launched the new GTi. The GTi can only be appreciated in 3 door form, like the Fiesta, which is more fitting with how a hot-hatch should be but may not suit all buyers. The 208 will spit out 200hp through the front wheels all while returning a brilliant 47 mpg on a combined cycle. Another brilliant all-rounder.

When it comes to value for money, the new VXR Corsa is a force to be reckoned with by all the cars in the hot-hatch segment. The new VXR is actually more affordable than the model it replaces and if you go for the Performance Pack you will find yourself navigating one of the fastest hatches on the roads thanks to the massive brakes, tricked differential and sophisticated suspension setup. Fuel economy and Road Tax are where the Corsa does fall slightly short with a maximum of 37mpg and £205 annual fee respectively.

The Fiat 500 has proven to be an exceptionally popular vehicle for people of all ages providing cheap and easy motoring which can facilitate 2 parents and 2 children easily and has a boot substantial enough for the weekly supermarket run. It is a ‘tip of the hat’ to the original 500 from the 1960s-70s era. The Fiat model is only available with small and weak engines however which don’t really provide any true enjoyment to the driver. Enter Abarth, the tuning company owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Power is increased to 160hp via a turbocharger which may not sound like huge gains, but when you remember the wheelbase is only 90 inches long and the car weighs just 1100 kilos, 140hp is an awful lot. You won’t feel short changed when darting through the city centre and the Abarth feels comfortable and powerful on motorways too.

The Megane 275 Trophy really is a rolling exhibition showing off just why Renaultsport are the true masters of the hot-hatch segment. The Trophy edition is a car that needs to be driven at pace around bends to be really appreciated. This is the road going vehicle that set the front wheel drive record of 7 minutes 54 seconds round the Nurburgring in June 2014. Under ‘enthusiastic’ instruction the driver will struggle to tear this car off the tarmac to which it is seemingly superglued. Performance-wise the 275 has, you guessed it, 275’PS’ (271bhp in imperial ponies) which takes the car to 60 in 6.0 seconds flat and 266lb ft of torque to sink you into the Recaros. It may not be the quickest hot-hatch in a straight line, but on a track it will not be beaten by any front wheel driven competitors.