The best used hot hatches of 2022

What do you get if you take a standard hatchback, give it extra power and make it more fun to drive? You get a hot hatchback. 

The latest hot hatches are faster and more powerful than ever, but they still combine the performance and driving pleasure of a sports car with the practicality and affordability of a smart family car.

Here is our selection of the 10 most popular hot hatches.

1. Ford Fiesta ST

If your priority is to get the most driving pleasure for the least amount of money, then Fiesta ST should be first on your shopping list. 

Any Fiesta is great to drive, but the ST is really special, it feels even more agile and responsive. The previous Fiesta ST (sold new between 2013 and 2018) was a failure, but we'll focus here on the latest version, which has been sold new since 2018. It's just as fun as the earlier cars, but it's more comfortable, better equipped, and has a more up-to-date infotainment system. The Fiesta ST is inexpensive to buy and run compared to many other hot hatchbacks, but more enjoyable to drive than many more powerful and expensive competitors.

Read our Ford Fiesta review

2. Volkswagen Golf R.

Few vehicles combine everyday ease of use and the thrill of driving as well as Volkswagen Golf R. Available as an all-around hatchback or spacious station wagon, it's comfortable and quiet on long journeys, and even economical enough for a high-performance car. The Golf R is just as fast and enjoyable to drive as much more expensive and less practical sports cars, and it even has all-wheel drive to give you extra confidence in bad weather. 

It's also well-equipped, with standard features including parking sensors, LED headlights and a touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation. You can choose between manual or automatic transmissions, and some versions feature sophisticated adaptive suspension that can be tuned for extra sportiness or increased comfort.

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

3. Seat Leon Cupra

The seats combine great value for money with a youthful, sporty feel, and that's certainly true for Leon Kupra. Beneath the Seat bodywork and badging, it looks a lot like the Golf R, which isn't surprising since both Seat and Volkswagen are part of the larger Volkswagen group. The Leon Cupra has the same engine as the Golf R, so it's surprisingly fast and responsive. 

While the Cupra is fast in both hatchback and station wagon form, the hot hatch is practical enough to be a reliable family car. It also gives you plenty of standard equipment, including a touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation. Cars produced since 2021 have been rebadged as Cupra Leons after Seat gave its sportiest cars its own brand.

Read our Seat Leon review

4. Ford Focus ST

Ford Focus is one of the most popular hatches and defines this type of midsize family car in many ways. Even the most affordable Focus handles well thanks to its responsiveness. 

That feeling is boosted a couple of notches with the Focus ST, which is larger than the previously mentioned Fiesta ST. The Focus is great driving fun and gives you more power thanks to its turbocharged engine. But it's just as easy to live with as a "regular" Focus, and compared to many powerful cars, it's affordable to buy and use.

Read our Ford Focus review

5.Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Volkswagen Golf GTI was the first true hot hatch to go on sale over 40 years ago. The latest version remains one of the best. 

We will focus on the seventh version, which is sold new between 2012 and 2020. Aside from the usual Golf virtues such as superb comfort, high-quality interior and plenty of standard features, the GTI has been given a subtle sporty look. You get smart looking alloy wheels and red trim on the outside; inside the distinctive plaid seat fabric and the golf ball-style gear knob on manual transmission vehicles. The GTI is just as comfortable as a regular Golf, but feels a lot more exciting with acceleration that puts a smile on your face.

Read our Volkswagen Golf review

More car buying guides

Ford Focus vs Volkswagen Golf: new car comparison

Gasoline or diesel: what to buy?

Best used small cars with automatic transmission

6. Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG

Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG (sold new between 2013 and 2018) is one of the fastest hot hatches. In fact, you have to look at some very expensive sports cars before you find something that is comfortable faster than this heavily modified one. Mercedes-Benz A-Class. It's not just fast: with all-wheel drive, the A45 AMG has the grip and composure normally associated with supercars from brands like Ferrari and Porsche. 

It's one of the coolest hatchbacks out there, but because it shares a lot of similarities with other A-Class models, it's still a practical hatchback that's well suited for outings with friends and family or going shopping.

Read our review of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class

7. Mini Cooper S

Even the standard Mini hatch they are more fun to drive than most small cars, but Cooper S even more satisfying. It's rare to find a hot hatch with such a good combination of low driving position, compact size and relatively large windows - this is a really nice car to spend time in. The retro style also makes it stand out.

You can get a Cooper S with three or five doors. Both are compact but can fit four adults in each, and the five-door model can be practical enough for a small family. Part of the fun of buying a Mini is choosing the one that suits your style. There is a wide range of colors and finishes to choose from, so while the Mini is a common sight, it's rare to see two cars that are exactly the same.

Read our mini hatchback review

8. Audi C3

Audi makes a lot of fast, luxurious cars, and all that know-how is packed into a relatively compact and economical package in the form of S3 – high-performance version A3. This high-quality hot hatch has many advantages. A completely new version was released in 2021, but here we will focus on the previous model (sold new between 2013 and 2020).

A powerful 2.0-litre petrol engine delivers fast acceleration, while all-wheel drive gives you extra confidence in bad weather. You can choose between a manual or automatic transmission, both of which change gear quickly. The S3 is available as a three-door or five-door hatchback - Audi calls the five-door "Sportback" - giving you the choice between slightly sportier bodystyle or extra practicality.

Read our Audi S3 review

9. Skoda Octavia vRS

While all hot hatches are practical, none are as spacious as Skoda Octavia VRS. In standard form, its boot is 50% larger than the Volkswagen Golf, and the station wagon has one of the largest trunks. 

Another key part of the Octavia's appeal is value for money. A new car is inexpensive, has a great reputation for reliability (which should keep your maintenance costs to a minimum), and keeps running costs low with fuel-efficient engines. This is especially true for the diesel version; according to official figures, the average fuel consumption is over 60 mpg with a manual transmission. If this all sounds too reasonable for a hot hatch, don't worry - the Octavia vRS is also exciting to drive and damn fast.

Read our Skoda Octavia review.

10. Honda Civic Type R

The latest version Honda Civic Type R arrived in 2018 and, like its predecessors, is one of the wildest hot hatchbacks you can buy. With aggressive styling including a huge rear spoiler, this car stands out from the crowd. The theme continues inside, with bold red highlights on the dash, steering wheel, floor, and sculpted seats that hold you securely in place as you turn.

The Type R backs up its sporty look with a powerful engine that makes it a super-fast hot hatch. It's also one of the most exciting and dramatic ways to drive, with quick steering that gives you a real sense of connection to the road. Despite its aggressive looks and breakneck acceleration, the Civic Type R also has a sensible side to it. Its interior is comfortable and practical, and Honda's reputation for making some of the most reliable cars means you can enjoy stress-free driving even when you make the most of it. 

Read our Honda Civic review.

There are many quality used hatchbacks for sale in Cazoo. Find the one you like, buy it online and then have it delivered to your door or pick it up at your nearest Cazoo customer service center.

We are constantly updating and expanding our range. If you can't find one within your budget today, check back later to see what's available or set up promotional alerts to be the first to know when we have vehicles that suit your needs.