Best Hot Hatch of the 21st Century – nominations
Discussion
lemmingjames said:
Probably due to entry cost on buying a Renault vs its competitors
Yes sure, that's a factor although they're no cheaper than the equivalent Fords, Mazdas or Hondas. If anything RS products hold their value better.The key is how well set up they are for track use and how much abuse they can take on track.
I certainly feel the 182 would be a worthy winner. It has the compact dimensions of the older hot hatches, but still feels fairly modern. It still feels quick today, but isn't so quick that you're fearing for your license.
Its also one of the last cars set up primarily for the road, whilst being a track day weapon with only a few mods. For me a hot hatch has to be usable on bumpy back roads and the Clio exceeds on that score.
Even as a 14/15 year old car now, It also stacks up very well against the cars that replaced it like the Fiesta ST Mk7 and 8. That's the mark of greatness surely.
I'll be surprised if the winner isn't a Renaultsport tbh, as from 2000 to 2015 they absolutely dominated the hot hatch scene. Yep, I reckon the Clio Trophy will win.
Its also one of the last cars set up primarily for the road, whilst being a track day weapon with only a few mods. For me a hot hatch has to be usable on bumpy back roads and the Clio exceeds on that score.
Even as a 14/15 year old car now, It also stacks up very well against the cars that replaced it like the Fiesta ST Mk7 and 8. That's the mark of greatness surely.
I'll be surprised if the winner isn't a Renaultsport tbh, as from 2000 to 2015 they absolutely dominated the hot hatch scene. Yep, I reckon the Clio Trophy will win.
The Clio Trophy is so well regarded for sure. I met a chap who had a 911 Turbo S and he also had a Clio Trophy. I thought to myself why would you want something so slow when you are used to something so fast. So that was massive praise for the Clio in my eyes.
The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
cerb4.5lee said:
The Clio Trophy is so well regarded for sure. I met a chap who had a 911 Turbo S and he also had a Clio Trophy. I thought to myself why would you want something so slow when you are used to something so fast. So that was massive praise for the Clio in my eyes.
The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
So the Clio is the Seiko of the car world? Admired and enjoyed by enthusiasts even if they also own a Rolex. The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
I think looking at this thread, one of the Clio's has to take the top spot.greenarrow said:
I'll be surprised if the winner isn't a Renaultsport tbh, as from 2000 to 2015 they absolutely dominated the hot hatch scene. Yep, I reckon the Clio Trophy will win.
Alot of the other manufacturers definitely seemed to drop the ball there; Honda went from the EP3 to FN2 (which some say is/isnt as good) and chased 'grown-ups', didnt import the FD2 (though thats a saloon) but the new civic is a nice drive
Ford had the Focus variants then the Fiesta once it got so big
Peugeot/Citreon never really put an attempt in
Mazda - 3 MPS
Subaru/Mitsi - AWD
Volkswagen - each variation of the golf became more refined
BMW - 1 series, i guess could be classed as a hot-hatch
Nissan - stuck to coupes
Fiat - once the 500 got so big physically, is a nice car
Mini - no need to explain
Seat - Ibiza and Leon
Vauxhall - Astra VXR
lemmingjames said:
Alot of the other manufacturers definitely seemed to drop the ball there;
Honda went from the EP3 to FN2 (which some say is/isnt as good) and chased 'grown-ups', didnt import the FD2 (though thats a saloon) but the new civic is a nice drive
Ford had the Focus variants then the Fiesta once it got so big
Peugeot/Citreon never really put an attempt in
Mazda - 3 MPS
Subaru/Mitsi - AWD
Volkswagen - each variation of the golf became more refined
BMW - 1 series, i guess could be classed as a hot-hatch
Nissan - stuck to coupes
Fiat - once the 500 got so big physically, is a nice car
Mini - no need to explain
Seat - Ibiza and Leon
Vauxhall - Astra VXR
Could you explain why there’s no need to explain? Quite a number of people on here have nominated them as the bestHonda went from the EP3 to FN2 (which some say is/isnt as good) and chased 'grown-ups', didnt import the FD2 (though thats a saloon) but the new civic is a nice drive
Ford had the Focus variants then the Fiesta once it got so big
Peugeot/Citreon never really put an attempt in
Mazda - 3 MPS
Subaru/Mitsi - AWD
Volkswagen - each variation of the golf became more refined
BMW - 1 series, i guess could be classed as a hot-hatch
Nissan - stuck to coupes
Fiat - once the 500 got so big physically, is a nice car
Mini - no need to explain
Seat - Ibiza and Leon
Vauxhall - Astra VXR
I understand I'm late to the party, but I'd nominate the Suzuki Swift sport (Mk1 or Mk2) for the following reasons.
- Its as close as you can get to the original blueprint that made us all want hot hatches in the first place.
- Its a hatch first, hot second, anything with scaffolding in the back is a track day car rather than a hatchback.
- Its small, being small is a seriously under-rated virtue when hammering along a twisty back road, carrying speed is much easier in a small car.
- Its slow enough to mean you can use all of its power all of the time, this adds to the fun more than it takes from it.
- Its light, weighing in at around a ton means a car is agile, flickable and fun. It also means it wears out consumables more slowly.
- Its not overpowered - cars which are, often need to be doing some serious speed before it becomes fun, all great until you meet a police officer or need to stop in a hurry or get to a blind corner. Cars which are fun at low speeds are more fun in general.
- It isn't overtly sporty so its less likely to attract the wrong type of attention, but it still looks good.
- Its cheap, which means you'll use it as intended a lot more often, it also means you are less likely to worry about leaving it somewhere unattended or it being stolen.
I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of for the moment.
- Its as close as you can get to the original blueprint that made us all want hot hatches in the first place.
- Its a hatch first, hot second, anything with scaffolding in the back is a track day car rather than a hatchback.
- Its small, being small is a seriously under-rated virtue when hammering along a twisty back road, carrying speed is much easier in a small car.
- Its slow enough to mean you can use all of its power all of the time, this adds to the fun more than it takes from it.
- Its light, weighing in at around a ton means a car is agile, flickable and fun. It also means it wears out consumables more slowly.
- Its not overpowered - cars which are, often need to be doing some serious speed before it becomes fun, all great until you meet a police officer or need to stop in a hurry or get to a blind corner. Cars which are fun at low speeds are more fun in general.
- It isn't overtly sporty so its less likely to attract the wrong type of attention, but it still looks good.
- Its cheap, which means you'll use it as intended a lot more often, it also means you are less likely to worry about leaving it somewhere unattended or it being stolen.
I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of for the moment.
Leins said:
Could you explain why there’s no need to explain? Quite a number of people on here have nominated them as the best
For that exact reason, they've been nominated and continue to build hit hatches, where as if you look at the list, you'll see how the other manufacturers went about ittoon10 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
The Clio Trophy is so well regarded for sure. I met a chap who had a 911 Turbo S and he also had a Clio Trophy. I thought to myself why would you want something so slow when you are used to something so fast. So that was massive praise for the Clio in my eyes.
The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
So the Clio is the Seiko of the car world? Admired and enjoyed by enthusiasts even if they also own a Rolex. The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
I think looking at this thread, one of the Clio's has to take the top spot.Seiko is more faff than its worth to repair so I've given up on them!
king hideous though.cerb4.5lee said:
The Clio Trophy is so well regarded for sure. I met a chap who had a 911 Turbo S and he also had a Clio Trophy. I thought to myself why would you want something so slow when you are used to something so fast. So that was massive praise for the Clio in my eyes.
The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
Harry Metcalfe has far more exotic machinery & also owns a Trophy, bought it during ECOTY when they were new, he was so impressed with it. The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
LordHaveMurci said:
Harry Metcalfe has far more exotic machinery & also owns a Trophy, bought it during ECOTY when they were new, he was so impressed with it.
That was after it licked an M6 in the twisties in Italy IIRC. He bought the one he drove. Mine is a garage queen and has been for 10 years. I've missed the boat on cars in the past from Mini Cooper S of 1970's vintage, a stunning white Escort Harrier, Mk1 Fiesta XR2, Pug 205 GTI 1.9, R5Gtt. All sold at a loss. Them's the breaks and all that!The Trophy is a legacy car for me, a reminder of how things were. I'll always own it until I die. Even if I just look at it every morning. When I've got a few grand in the bin I'll lavish some love and refresh it. Until then it remains a piece of automotive art.
LordHaveMurci said:
cerb4.5lee said:
The Clio Trophy is so well regarded for sure. I met a chap who had a 911 Turbo S and he also had a Clio Trophy. I thought to myself why would you want something so slow when you are used to something so fast. So that was massive praise for the Clio in my eyes.
The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
Harry Metcalfe has far more exotic machinery & also owns a Trophy, bought it during ECOTY when they were new, he was so impressed with it. The Clio Trophy seems to be a really big enthusiasts choice and a bit of a if you know-you know type of car.
BenLowden said:
Best Hot Hatch of the 21st Century – as voted by PH
Yes we all love a 205 GTI, Mk1 Golf GTI and Lancia Delta Integrale. But what about something more modern from the last 20 years?
For now, lets take nominations.
Rules
Closing date for nominations: 4th December
I'll then whittle down to a shortlist for final voting and run a poll for a week until the 12th December. If there's one thing you vote for on the 12th – make sure it's your favourite hot hatch!
Take it away...
"It had to have been launched in or after the year 2000"Yes we all love a 205 GTI, Mk1 Golf GTI and Lancia Delta Integrale. But what about something more modern from the last 20 years?
For now, lets take nominations.
Rules
- It had to have been launched in or after the year 2000
- Needs to be variant specific – eg. Clio 172 Cup or FK8 Civic Type R, not just Clio 172 or Civic Type R
- Must be a road going production car
- Nominate up to three cars
- Save the conversation for after the vote – just nominations here please
Closing date for nominations: 4th December
I'll then whittle down to a shortlist for final voting and run a poll for a week until the 12th December. If there's one thing you vote for on the 12th – make sure it's your favourite hot hatch!
Take it away...
This might have been mentioned before but hot hatches released in 2000 would not be covered by 21st C best hot hatch.
nickfrog said:
Hub said:
Funny no-one seems to actually buy Renaults though!
Good, more for me 
They're probably the most popular brand on your average track day though.
Gandahar said:
"It had to have been launched in or after the year 2000"
This might have been mentioned before but hot hatches released in 2000 would not be covered by 21st C best hot hatch.
I guess 21st Century would rule out the normal Clio 172 whereas on or after 1st Jan 2000 would include itThis might have been mentioned before but hot hatches released in 2000 would not be covered by 21st C best hot hatch.
Edited by s m on Thursday 5th December 22:39
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