What's happened to the 'Hot Hatch' market?

[KW15ZZZ]

I'm finally in a position to buy an almost new car and can certainly shop around but I seem to be limited severely by my most basic of requirements: Namely a small car (under 4M) that does 0-60 in under 8.5 / 9 seconds. Where have all the small cute pocket rockets from the 90's and early 00's gone?

I'm 5ft tall, I don't like driving larger cars. 3 door cars are very problematic as I tend to almost dislocate my right arm stretching back to find the seat beat!

I loved my Kia Picanto and have had about 3 of them as well as a previous Kia Pride and Hyundai Getz. All were extremely reliable and fun to drive. I now drive 25 miles each way to work. Partly on the M25 and then the rest in stop / start traffic in London.

What I'm looking for is the following:
Under 4 meters long
Automatic
3 door if something tiny like a Fiat Abarth 595/ 695 otherwise it has to be a 5 door
0-60 in under 9 seconds
2018 plate or higher
Petrol or Electric, not sure about Hybrids (my partner says to stay well away from them)
Nice things like heated seats, infotainment screen, Android Play, blind sport warning, automatic lights etc etc

I've just test driven a Renault Zoe GT Line but it did'n't seem to have any ooomph in moving off from traffic lights. My partners Electric Mini is brilliant to drive but I wouldn't want to buy one myself, I don't like the seats and getting in and out is a pain as they hug you tight and don't let go!

Help me please!!!! I have up to £18K to spend.

[Fusion777]

Up GTI would be perfect, but it's manual only. Polo GTI is a good shout. It's a touch over 4m, but still quite compact.

[ben5575]

If you’re wanting ‘90’s hot hatch appeal/experience then an Abarth 595 is hard to beat. I would go convertible as well as open air fun trumps scuttle shake. Not auto tho.

[abucd4]

i20n maybe?

[biggles330d]

BMW i3s. Brilliant fun, c.180hp, not hugely fast but light (for an EV). I see mine as a modern day interpretation of my old Mk2 golf gti. Small-ish, but great turning circle and practical stuff like that.
£18k should get you into an early 120aH BEV model (about 68 plate like mine).

[OPC100]

There are a few 595/695 Abarths about as auto. The Rivale are the nicest.

Audi a1 s line competition, vw polo gti and mini (petrol) including Cooper s and jcw can be had in auto.

Or go electric and choice between honda e, peugeot e208 and bmw i3s.

Your limiting choice with an auto for a small / fun hot hatch, but I can understand why if you live in and around London. For that usage, I'd probably go electric.

[ChrisH72]

If you’re in London and can charge at home then an EV makes a lot of sense.

Fiat 500E

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305026...

Go for the 42W version and you have 60 in 9 seconds and 200 mile range (in theory). Small, auto, fun and the seats look quite comfy. Easily in budget too.

[leef44]

Suzuki Swift Sport?

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say that given your requirements a last of the line Clio RS Trophy is the pick, if I remember rightly they're pretty much 4m:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305187...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306078...

A1 S Line Competition 200:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306088...

Black Edition 150:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304015...

595 Turismo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202304055...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305177...

Competizione:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306078...

Leftfield Fiat Spider 124 although it may be to big:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212082...

Abarth 124:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306088...

All the above will do 0-60 in under 8 seconds.

[Whataguy]

ben5575 said:

If you’re wanting ‘90’s hot hatch appeal/experience then an Abarth 595 is hard to beat. I would go convertible as well as open air fun trumps scuttle shake. Not auto tho.

I had a plain 500 convertible on holiday, it's a fun car. I much prefer it to the mini convertible I had another time.

The only downside is the glass on the rear window in the convertible top is £2,500. There's another thread going at the moment about someone who has one and the only solution is a new top as the glass is bonded in and can't be replaced.

[Whataguy]

KW15ZZZ said:

Petrol or Electric, not sure about Hybrids (my partner says to stay well away from them)
Nice things like heated seats, infotainment screen, Android Play, blind sport warning, automatic lights etc etc

I've driven quite a few hybrids, they're good but not 'fun'. Also you are likely looking at 11 seconds to 60.

On paper the new Honda Jazz does it in 9 seconds, but I had to reject one due to the issues with the safety systems and infotainment that couldn't be fixed. Despite over £3k in repairs on a new car. Also they don't look that good.

Polo gti is what I'd recommend, it's a downtuned Golf GTI engine and available with automatic/decent infotainment/etc.

It was on my shortlist of Polo, Golf and Octavia when I changed my car last.

Your budget is almost main dealer approved used, so you'd get a 2 year VW warranty too.

[KW15ZZZ]

Fusion777 said:

Up GTI would be perfect, but it's manual only. Polo GTI is a good shout. It's a touch over 4m, but still quite compact.

I can't stand the shape of the UP, but I have been looking at the VW Polo GT and GTI. They do look rather boring style wise through.

[KW15ZZZ]

ben5575 said:

If you’re wanting ‘90’s hot hatch appeal/experience then an Abarth 595 is hard to beat. I would go convertible as well as open air fun trumps scuttle shake. Not auto tho.

Thank you. I have looked at them but as you say they don't do an auto and most reviews say it's no good for long distance or long periods in traffic as it becomes uncomfortable. It's probably more of a fun weekend car.

[KW15ZZZ]

abucd4 said:

i20n maybe?

The only ones I've seen are all over 10 seconds to reach 60mph.

[KW15ZZZ]

biggles330d said:

BMW i3s. Brilliant fun, c.180hp, not hugely fast but light (for an EV). I see mine as a modern day interpretation of my old Mk2 golf gti. Small-ish, but great turning circle and practical stuff like that.
£18k should get you into an early 120aH BEV model (about 68 plate like mine).

I didn't like the wood effect dashboard in them, but I'll have another look. Thank you.

[Macron]

Corsa VXR!

3.999m long!

0-60 6.7, fun in spades!

[Glenn63]

The auto bit takes a massive bunch of cars out the equation. What about m135/m140?

[Dashnine]

OK, it may be a bit too long at 4.5m but the Cupra Formentor Hybrid (245) is good fun to drive and pretty quick to 60 - 7.5 ish I think.

I think the caution of hybrids maybe battery longevity, all depends how long you’re planning on keeping the car really.

[Macron]

Dashnine said:

OK, it may be a bit too long at 4.5m but the Cupra Formentor Hybrid (245) is good fun to drive and pretty quick to 60 - 7.5 ish I think.

I think the caution of hybrids maybe battery longevity, all depends how long you’re planning on keeping the car really.

For £18k?

[ZX10R NIN]

So OP any of the suggestions work for you?