Best Hot Hatch of the 21st Century – nominations

[BenLowden]

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

• 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...

[Krikkit]

Megane R26.R for being out-and-out mad. Golf Mk5 GTI for the everyday hatch.

[RT7500]

Clio 172 cup

[TurboHatchback]

Clio 182 cup pack for being everything a hot hatch should be: Small, fast, fun, practical, cheap and French.

[VTECMFR]

Clio 182 Trophy

[Ultrafunkula]

Ford Focus RS mk 2 for me

[Leins]

As much as I love my MINI GP1, it’s got to be the R26R. Not sure there’s ever been a more focused hot hatch

Edit to say I’ve changed my mind and going to nominate the GP1 after all. For me it’s the perfect weight and size, is great fun, was supercharged in a world of mostly turbo’d competition, looks well, can make serious back road progress, works well on track with just a few mods, has a proper diff on the front, etc, etc.

However, the main reason is that, after nearly five years of ownership, I’ve never been tempted to change it for another hot hatch

Edited by Leins on Wednesday 27th November 14:47

[tigamilla]

Not the purists favorite but in stock form the MK6 / MK7 Golf R is a formidable grocery getter and very fast indeed when modded

[AJB88]

MK2 Leon Cupra R 265
MK3 Leon Cupra R ST ABT
Megane R26:R

[Zetec-S]

Mk5 Golf GTI
Mk2 Focus ST

Both breathed new life into their respective manufacturers affordable hot-hatch range and arguably set the trend for later models and the numerous other entrants into the market since.

Also the Mk7 Fiesta ST

Edited by Zetec-S on Wednesday 27th November 14:48

[vtecyo]

Technically available in 2000 but not launched - DC2-R Integra.

Launched post 2000, EP3 (the JDM variant with LSD, better seats etc)

Edited by vtecyo on Wednesday 27th November 14:50

[Turbojuice]

MK3 Megane RS Cup - The renaultsport that does it all


Clio 182 Cup - Pound for pound the best hot hatch ever made


Megane R26R - The ultimate track munching hot hatch

Edited by Turbojuice on Wednesday 27th November 14:58

[Lewis Kingston]

The second-gen ('12-'16, in the UK, IIRC) Suzuki Swift Sport.

[monzaxjr]

EP3 Type R

[Jonny_gti]

Honda Civic Type R Ep3
Megane R26.R
Megane 275 Trophy R

[sjg]

BMW M135i (F20)

[designforlife]

EP3 Type R

[GOATever]

Golf R. Golf R is the answer to everything.

[zedx19]

GOATever said:

Golf R. Golf R is the answer to everything.

Except fun, test drove one, wanted to love it, wanted to buy it, but found it utterly dull and was thoroughly disappointed. Kept my mk2 Focus ST instead which gets my vote, there's more competent hot hatches, better made hot hatches but for sheer fun I've found it very difficult to beat.

[bobbo89]

There's too many, we've been spoilt over the last 20 years but I'll stick with the one I've driven and loved the most.

Fiesta ST180