If you want the practicality and fuel efficiency of a medium-sized family car and the pizzaz and performance of a sports car, all in one package, then a hot hatch is the perfect car for you. We’ve seen so many great hot hatches throughout the years, and to compress them into a list of 10 was no easy task. So here they are, the 10 best hatchbacks of all time.
10. Honda Civic Type R Mk2
One of the the few hot hatches with a naturally aspirated engines. Looks great and has enough power to keep its driver busy.
9. Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk4
The world’s first production car with a dual-clutch gearbox. It has 240 horsepower from a unique VR6 engine, and it looks absolutely gorgeous.
8. Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
It’s hard to believe that a 24-year-old hot hatch is capable of producing 230 horsepower. Never underestimate the Japanese.
7. Renault Clio V6 Renault Sport Phase 2
Renault created this beauty to commemorate the 5 Turbo. It was a monster to drive thanks to its mid-mounted 250-hp V6 engine.
6. Ford Focus RS500
This is a particularly unique car as only 500 units were produced; 350 horsepower are all transferred to the front wheels. It doesn’t get any crazier than that.
5. Renault Clio Williams
One does not simply forget about the Clio Williams. It is named after the Formula 1 team and is extremely fun to drive. What more do you want?
4. Renault 5 Turbo
It is powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and it weighs less than a ton. Go figure.
3. Peugeot 205 Turbo 16
The street-legal version of Peugeot’s WRC title-winning rally car. Only 200 were ever made. Need a better introduction?
2. Lancia Delta HF Integrale
It won six consecutive world rally championship titles from 1987 till 1992. This figure alone is perhaps enough proof of the Delta Integrale’s grandeur.
1. Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1
Introduced in 1975, the first-generation Golf GTI gave the world the earliest taste of a hot hatch. It’s not exactly the fastest or the prettiest looking on this list, but its importance earns it the top spot.