Best Hot Hatch of the 21st Century – nominations
Discussion
Another vote for the Clio 172 Cup here as it pretty much defines a hot hatch, and truly was one of the last ‘old school’ hot hatches. Notable mentions to both the 106 Gti / Saxo VTS and the Ignis Sport as cars with a similar feel.
Having also owned a Golf Gti mkV (which has been mentioned as a contender) I would agree that it is an incredibly accomplished car as an overall package, but it doesn’t feel engaging enough to be held in the same league as the true greats. As an everyday car it’s hard to beat but it was never a car that I felt like taking out just for the sake of a drive.
Having also owned a Golf Gti mkV (which has been mentioned as a contender) I would agree that it is an incredibly accomplished car as an overall package, but it doesn’t feel engaging enough to be held in the same league as the true greats. As an everyday car it’s hard to beat but it was never a car that I felt like taking out just for the sake of a drive.
In no particular order...
1. MK1 Focus RS for kick-starting the hot hatch revival in the early noughties.
2. Alfa 147 GTA for similar reasons as above, but also for being the most beautiful (in both looks and noise) hot hatch of all time. Such a great car, I loved mine.
3. Mégane R26.R for being the most hardcore hatch ever made and the everyman's GT3 RS. I had a standard R26 which was fabulous, I can only imagine how great the .R was.
4. Clio 200 for being widely recognised as one of the best drivers cars at any price and winning group test after group test for so many years. Again, I had a 197 which was brilliant, and the 200 apparently even better which says a lot.
Ultimately, although they may have lost their way a little in recent times, if I had to pick a manufacturer that's had the biggest impact on the 21st century hot hatch, it would have to be Renault.
1. MK1 Focus RS for kick-starting the hot hatch revival in the early noughties.
2. Alfa 147 GTA for similar reasons as above, but also for being the most beautiful (in both looks and noise) hot hatch of all time. Such a great car, I loved mine.
3. Mégane R26.R for being the most hardcore hatch ever made and the everyman's GT3 RS. I had a standard R26 which was fabulous, I can only imagine how great the .R was.
4. Clio 200 for being widely recognised as one of the best drivers cars at any price and winning group test after group test for so many years. Again, I had a 197 which was brilliant, and the 200 apparently even better which says a lot.
Ultimately, although they may have lost their way a little in recent times, if I had to pick a manufacturer that's had the biggest impact on the 21st century hot hatch, it would have to be Renault.
ow well still miles better if not a full on production variant 
)
Having owned all of the following sporty hatchbacks from this century,
MG ZR 160 - Brilliant VFM and a good drive but unreliable
Mini R53 JCW - Such a cheeky little go-kart but noisy cam chain all it's life
Megane R26 - excellent at everything except cold-weather traction
Clio 172 Cup - horrible on uneven B roads but so much bang for buck
Megane 275 Cup-S - Fast, competent but a little bit dull
Subaru WRX STI - Brutally fast but expensive to run
Ford Focus RS FPM375 - Very fast, very competent, very practical and inexpensive servicing and maintenance
I can safely say they each have their virtues but the best all-rounder is the Focus. I keep thinking I'll sell it for something else but I still have it.
So that's my nomination:
Ford Focus RS Mk3.
MG ZR 160 - Brilliant VFM and a good drive but unreliable
Mini R53 JCW - Such a cheeky little go-kart but noisy cam chain all it's life
Megane R26 - excellent at everything except cold-weather traction
Clio 172 Cup - horrible on uneven B roads but so much bang for buck
Megane 275 Cup-S - Fast, competent but a little bit dull
Subaru WRX STI - Brutally fast but expensive to run
Ford Focus RS FPM375 - Very fast, very competent, very practical and inexpensive servicing and maintenance
I can safely say they each have their virtues but the best all-rounder is the Focus. I keep thinking I'll sell it for something else but I still have it.
So that's my nomination:
Ford Focus RS Mk3.
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