8 hours ago
Every Hot Hatchback You Can Buy In 2025
Hot hatchbacks don't have the same stranglehold over the affordable performance segment that they once did. At least, not in the US. As recently as the mid-2010s, we were spoiled for choice with options like the Fiat 500 Abarth, the Ford Focus and Fiesta STs, the Mazdaspeed 3—and so many more.
These days, the market has dwindled to just a handful of options. Icons like the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen GTI live on. Beyond that, we've been forced to stretch the definition of a "hot hatchback" by including luxury liftbacks from Audi and Porsche, as well as electric options from BMW and Hyundai.
Sadly, hot hatchbacks just aren't as desirable in the US as they once were. But, there are still some excellent options if you know where to look.
Acura Integra Type S
Photo by: Acura
Price: $54,095
320 Horsepower
The
Integra
may look like a sedan, but it is in fact a hatchback. And with the Type S badge, it's a pretty hot one at that. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the Integra Type S sends 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, paired exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. It takes just 5.2 seconds for it to reach 60 miles per hour. Unfortunately, the Integra Type S is also one of the pricier options on this list, with an MSRP of $54,095 for 2025.
Audi S5
Photo by: Audi
Price: $63,995
362 Horsepower
Audi's lineup will look drastically different over the next few years. The longstanding A4 sedan, for example, is gone. In its place is a new A5 with a liftback design—or, a hatchback design. While there's no RS5 (yet), the new
Audi S5
has a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 mild-hybrid with 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, which sends it to 60 miles per hour in 4.7 seconds. If you want to get your hands on a new S5, prepare to dish out at least $63,995 for the luxury five-door.
Audi S7 / RS7
Price: $87,590 / $130,490
444 / 621 Horsepower
The Audi A7 range may not be around for much longer, so get it while you still can. Even though the base A7 packs a turbocharged V-6 with a modest 335 horsepower, it's the
S7
and RS7 Performance models you really want. The S7 makes 444 hp from a turbocharged V-6, while the RS7 Performance packs a whopping 621 horsepower from its twin-turbo V-8. Neither of these performance cars is cheap, with the S7 starting at $87,590 and the RS7 Performance asking $130,490.
BMW i4
Price: $59,075
396 Horsepower
One of only two electric "hatchbacks" on this list, the
BMW i4
comes standard with 335 horsepower and up to 318 miles of range, depending on how you spec it. The all-wheel-drive xDrive40 model gets even more oomph with 396 hp and up to 287 miles of range. But if it's the hottest i4 you're after, the M50 model puts down 536 hp, which sends it to 60 miles per hour in just 3.7 seconds. Sure, that also drops the range figure to 267 miles—but that's a small price to pay. Speaking of price: The base i4 starts at $59,075 while the M50 model is $71,875.
BMW M440i Gran Coupe
Photo by: BMW
Price: $64,375
386 Horsepower
No, you can't get the cute little 2 Series hatchback here in the US; the next-best thing is the X2 SUV. But, BMW does technically have a gas-powered hatchback in the
M440i Gran Coupe
. The sportiest version of BMW's 4 Series Gran Coupe makes 386 horsepower from a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine, and comes with your choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. With AWD, it takes just 4.3 seconds for it to reach 60 miles per hour. The M440i Gran Coupe starts at $64,375.
Honda Civic Type R
Photo by: Honda
Price: $47,045
315 Horsepower
The beloved
Honda Civic Type R
soldiers on into 2025 with minimal changes. Not that that's an issue. The feisty five-door still makes 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. A six-speed manual is the only gearbox option, and power is sent to the front wheels. For 2025, Honda asks $47,045 for the Civic Type R.
Hyundai Ioniq 5N
Price: $67,675
641 Horsepower
Only the second electric "hatchback" on this list, the
Hyundai Ioniq 5N
packs a powerful punch with its 84.0-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors pumping out 641 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. That sends the electric hatch to 60 miles per hour in just 3.4 seconds—supercar speed. Of course, Hyundai won't let you walk away with a new Ioniq 5N for cheap; it starts at $67,675 with destination.
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Mazda3 Turbo
Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1
Price: $34,635
250 Horsepower
Mazdaspeed is gone, and it probably isn't coming back anytime soon. RIP. That said, Mazda does still have a hot-ish hatchback in its lineup: The
3 Turbo
. With a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine making 250 horsepower, it's just powerful enough to keep things interesting. It takes the Mazda3 Turbo 6.0 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, but sadly, it's only available with an automatic. You can get one for $34,635 for 2025.
Mini Cooper JCW
Photo by: Mini
Price: $39,375
221 Horsepower
The
Mini Cooper
has been the quintessential British hatchback since its introduction to the market in the early 2000s. Though it's not as small or lightweight as it was 20-plus years ago, the Cooper hardtop's relatively low weight and simplicity make it a joy to toss around corners. These days, the Cooper JCW is the one to get, powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 221 horsepower, sending power to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission—sorry purists, there's no manual available right now.
Porsche Panamera
Photo by: Porsche
Price: $104,795
348 Horsepower
Designating the
Porsche Panamera
a hot hatch might be stretching the definition of the term a bit, but considering its hatch out back and sporty intentions, we think the car has earned its place here. There's a bevy of different engines to choose from, ranging from a base turbocharged V-6 making 348 horsepower, all the way to the Turbo S E-Hybrid, powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 hybrid making 771 horsepower. No matter which trim you go for, you're in for a lovely driving experience—this is a Porsche, after all.
Toyota GR Corolla
Photo by: Toyota
Price: $39,995
300 Horsepower
The
Toyota GR Corolla
is a hot hatch in the truest sense. It takes a normal, economical package and turns it into something exciting and fun to drive. There are widened fenders, new bumpers, and, most importantly, a turbocharged three-cylinder making a nice, even 300 horsepower. Thrust gets to all four wheels via a six-speed manual or, for 2025, an optional eight-speed automatic. While the auto is nice, we suggest going for the manual, as it delivers the purest experience. It's also the cheapest option, starting at $39,995.
Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Price: $34,110
220 Horsepower
Surprised to see a Prius on this list? You shouldn't be. The
Prius Plug-In Hybrid
(formerly the Prius Prime) may not look very sporty, but it's hiding some serious performance under that sleek, aerodynamically efficient body. The plug-in hybrid system makes a total of 220 horsepower, enough to launch the car to 60 miles per hour in just 6.4 seconds. We'd say that's more than quick enough to qualify the car for hot hatch status. Best of all, you can pick one up for just $34,110, which is pretty cheap for any plug-in hybrid, much less something as efficient as the Prius.
Volkswagen GTI
Photo by: Volkswagen
Price: $33,670
241 Horsepower
The
Volkswagen Golf GTI
might not be the dominant figure it used to be, but if you're shopping for a car that checks all the boxes, it's hard to ignore. Volkswagen's punchy five-door looks great, drives well, and delivers enough comfort to be used every day. Under the hood is a 241-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four spinning the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. You can pick one up for as little as $33,670, making it a relative bargain in a world of ever-ballooning new car prices.
Volkswagen Golf R
Photo by: Volkswagen
Price: $48,325
328 Horsepower
If the GTI is for the everyman, the
Golf R
is for the purists. Save for some minor changes to the bumpers and trim, it looks the same as its less extreme sibling. But it's hiding a more powerful turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 328 horses to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. That bump in power and extra set of driven wheels means a 0-60 time in the mid-four-second range. The upgrades will cost you, though, to the tune of $48,325.
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