Skip advert
Advertisement

Hot hatchbacks

Abarth 695C Turismo Fast Fleet test – living with the charming Italian hatch
evo Fast Fleet Abarth 695C Turismo
Long term tests

Abarth 695C Turismo Fast Fleet test – living with the charming Italian hatch

Incredibly, we’ve never run an Abarth supermini on the Fast Fleet. Time to put that right
17 Oct 2025
Toyota GR Yaris Fast Fleet test – living with the homologation hot hatch
evo Fast Fleet Toyota GR Yaris
Long term tests

Toyota GR Yaris Fast Fleet test – living with the homologation hot hatch

GR’s hot hatch made a welcome return to our fleet, this time without the Circuit Pack. So, is the standard spec all you need in its pre-facelift form?
15 Oct 2025
Used Ford Focus ST Edition (Mk4, 2021 - 2025) review – a Honda Civic Type R rival for £20k
Ford Focus ST Edition
Reviews

Used Ford Focus ST Edition (Mk4, 2021 - 2025) review – a Honda Civic Type R rival for £20k

The Ford Focus ST Edition turns an already-capable hot hatch package to 11, and now you can find used examples for much less than they were when new
10 Oct 2025
Skoda Fabia 130 is a confusing special edition with 175bhp
Skoda Fabia 130
News

Skoda Fabia 130 is a confusing special edition with 175bhp

A vRS in all but name, this is the fastest series-produced Fabia ever made
9 Oct 2025
The Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance coming to the UK after all
Toyota GR Yaris with aero pack
News

The Toyota GR Yaris Aero Performance coming to the UK after all

The GR Yaris Aero Performance will be coming to the UK it turns out, but it’ll cost you a pretty penny
1 Oct 2025

Subscribe to evo magazine

Try 3 issues for just £5
Used Ford Fiesta ST200 (2016 - 2017) – a hot hatch great for under £9000
Ford Fiesta ST200
Reviews

Used Ford Fiesta ST200 (2016 - 2017) – a hot hatch great for under £9000

The limited-run Ford Fiesta ST200 is one of our favourite superminis in its very best form. It's also now an affordable used hero
30 Sep 2025
Mercedes-AMG A35 review – the VW Golf R rival is still worth a second look
Mercedes-AMG A35
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG A35 review – the VW Golf R rival is still worth a second look

The Mercedes A-class was thought to soon be discontinued. On the contrary, even the hot A35 soldiers on. It’s still a good hot hatch
25 Sep 2025
Toyota GR Corolla is now even more capable, and UK-bound?
Toyota GR Corolla
News

Toyota GR Corolla is now even more capable, and UK-bound?

Toyota’s given its GR Corolla hot hatch an overhaul for the right-hand drive Japanese market, but these tweaks might be more relevant to British enthu…
18 Sep 2025
Toyota GR Corolla – specs and availability
Toyota GR Corolla US – cornering
News

Toyota GR Corolla – specs and availability

The Toyota GR Corolla is the most exciting car to bear the name since the AE86 Levin and Sprint Trueno, but like those icons it's not for European con…
14 Sep 2025
Mini Cooper and Cooper S (2001 - 2006) review – the 'new' Mini is now a classic
Mini Cooper S
Reviews

Mini Cooper and Cooper S (2001 - 2006) review – the 'new' Mini is now a classic

The ‘new’ Mini was perhaps motoring’s most anticipated sequel. BMW didn’t get it wrong – quite the opposite, as it transpired
11 Sep 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk5, 2004 - 2009) review – one of the best VWs of the last 30 years
VW Golf GTI Mk5 front
In-depth reviews

Used Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk5, 2004 - 2009) review – one of the best VWs of the last 30 years

Volkswagen's quintessential hot hatch saw a stunning return to form in Mk5 guise. It’s aged like a fine wine and is an appreciating modern classic tod…
2 Sep 2025
Hotter Volkswagen Golf R testing at the Nürburgring – more power and focus on the way
Golf R prototype
News

Hotter Volkswagen Golf R testing at the Nürburgring – more power and focus on the way

Vents in the bonnet and a gaping hole for a modified radiator suggest this will be a more extreme, more powerful Golf R
27 Aug 2025
The new Audi RS3 GT will be a track-focused farewell to the five-cylinder engine
Audi RS3 GT – front
News

The new Audi RS3 GT will be a track-focused farewell to the five-cylinder engine

Audi’s five-cylinder engine isn’t long for this world, and a new hardcore RS3 is in the works to send it off in style
26 Aug 2025
Renault Clio 16V (Mk1, 1991 - 1995) review, history and specs – an unsung hot hatch hero
Renault Clio 16V – front
In-depth reviews

Renault Clio 16V (Mk1, 1991 - 1995) review, history and specs – an unsung hot hatch hero

The Clio Williams is seen as the quintessential hot Renault from the 90s, but the earlier 16V was a cracking car in its own right. Here’s what it’s li…
25 Aug 2025
Audi S3 for £5415 off – save 10 per cent on Audi’s popular performance hatch
Audi S3 discount
News

Audi S3 for £5415 off – save 10 per cent on Audi’s popular performance hatch

The Audi S3 has served diligently as a fast, appealing, strong-selling hot hatch. It’s now better than ever and available with discounts.
22 Aug 2025
BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3
BMW M135 – front
In-depth reviews

BMW M135 xDrive 2025 review – all-wheel drive hot hatch eyes Audi S3

The M135 has lost an ‘i’ and gained chassis revisions and a restyle. Is it enough to make it a benchmark hot hatch?
15 Aug 2025
Alpine A290 2025 review – is the Renault 5 relative a true hot hatch?
Alpine A290 – front
Reviews

Alpine A290 2025 review – is the Renault 5 relative a true hot hatch?

Alpine’s all-electric future starts with the Renault 5-based A290. Does it have enough edge to warrant the Alpine badge?
11 Aug 2025
Audi RS3 for £9435 off – save 13 per cent on Ingolstadt’s last hyper hatch
Audi RS3 deal
News

Audi RS3 for £9435 off – save 13 per cent on Ingolstadt’s last hyper hatch

The last five-cylinder performance car Audi will ever make won’t be around for ever and there are deals to be enjoyed, albeit with a catch
31 Jul 2025
New Vauxhall Mokka GSE revealed - the first proper performance Vauxhall since VXR’s death?
Vauxhall Mokka GSE
News

New Vauxhall Mokka GSE revealed - the first proper performance Vauxhall since VXR’s death?

Vauxhall’s taking a leaf (and a few components) out of Peugeot’s book (parts bin) to create a hot 276bhp crossover with a limited-slip diff, upgraded …
22 Jul 2025
Fiat Panda 100HP Fast Fleet test – living with a £2000 pocket rocket
evo Fast Fleet Fiat Panda 100HP
Long term tests

Fiat Panda 100HP Fast Fleet test – living with a £2000 pocket rocket

It ranked among evo’s favourite superminis of the noughties, but is a 15-year-old, £2000, 100,000-mile example worth a punt? Porter finds out
17 Jul 2025
​Best hot hatchbacks 2025 – affordable new performance cars
Best hot hatchbacks 2025
Best cars

​Best hot hatchbacks 2025 – affordable new performance cars

Contracted though the hot hatch market may be, there are still some great models out there, from the electric Alpine A290 to the five-cylinder Audi RS…
14 Jul 2025
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 – specs and initial driving impressions
Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 front
News

Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 – specs and initial driving impressions

Volkswagen is finally letting the Mk8 Golf GTI off its leash with a hardcore, track-honed version called the Edition 50. If it’s anywhere near as bril…
14 Jul 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mini JCW 2025 review – too feisty for its own good
Mini JCW – front
Reviews

Mini JCW 2025 review – too feisty for its own good

The petrol-powered JCW lives on – for now. But in its latest incarnation, has this supermini survivor become too hardcore?
6 Jul 2025
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5 2025 review – a cut-price Honda Civic Type R?
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5
Reviews

Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport Mk8.5 2025 review – a cut-price Honda Civic Type R?

The Golf GTI Clubsport lifts the Mk8.5 GTI to a higher level, but it’s still not quite a match for the best in class
4 Jul 2025
VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport deal
News

VW Golf GTI Clubsport for £6k off – Akrapovic exhaust effectively thrown in free

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport in Mk8.5 guise makes for a tempting prospect at the right price
3 Jul 2025
Honda Civic Type R for £5k off – save 10 per cent on the ultimate hot hatch
Honda Civic Type R deal
News

Honda Civic Type R for £5k off – save 10 per cent on the ultimate hot hatch

The Civic Type R is not long for this world and there are deals to be had on Honda’s pricey but near-perfect hot hatch
26 Jun 2025
£8000 savings on Skoda’s Octavia VRS, and you still want an SUV?
Skoda Octavia vRS
News

£8000 savings on Skoda’s Octavia VRS, and you still want an SUV?

Skoda’s Octavia vRS has never been marked down for being too expensive, but with the latest savings to be had it’s even more of a performance car barg…
13 Jun 2025
Renault Twingo Coupé – dead on arrival
Renault Twingo Coupe
Features

Renault Twingo Coupé – dead on arrival

A first-generation Twingo, stripped-out and powered by a 150bhp Clio Williams engine? If only…
12 Jun 2025
Best cheap hot hatchbacks – used pocket rockets for less than a Dacia Sandero
Best cheap hot hatches
Best cars

Best cheap hot hatchbacks – used pocket rockets for less than a Dacia Sandero

The new hot hatch market is all but barren. Look to the classifieds and the used market and the choice is near-limitless
9 Jun 2025
Used Peugeot 205 GTI (1985 - 1995) review – the ultimate retro 1980s hot hatch?
Peugeot 205 GTI front
Reviews

Used Peugeot 205 GTI (1985 - 1995) review – the ultimate retro 1980s hot hatch?

With the 205 GTI, Peugeot set the blueprint for what we look for in a small fun hot hatch. Willing, chuckable, often a little too exciting for the dri…
8 Jun 2025
Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition waves off our favourite hot hatch
Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition – front
News

Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition waves off our favourite hot hatch

Honda is retiring the Civic Type R, signalling the death of one of the best hot hatches of all time
5 Jun 2025
Mini JCW Electric 2025 review – the Alpine A290 has nothing to worry about
Mini JCW Electric – front
Reviews

Mini JCW Electric 2025 review – the Alpine A290 has nothing to worry about

Mini has given its new-generation electric hatch the JCW treatment, with Alpine’s A290 in its sights. The results are… mixed
4 Jun 2025
After 23 years the Ford Focus ST is dead
Ford Focus ST
News

After 23 years the Ford Focus ST is dead

With the demise of the Focus ST, fast Fords as we knew and loved them are no more
3 Jun 2025
Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk4) – the car world's greatest misses
Golf GTI Mk4 – front
Features

Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk4) – the car world's greatest misses

The Mk4 Golf was a classic piece of design, but the GTI version was barely warm, let alone hot
2 Jun 2025