10 of the Best Performance Hatchbacks

2018 Honda Civic Type R front three quarter top ・ Photo by Honda

The hatchback design was once reserved for small, cheap, boring cars, but that all started to change when the first hot hatches were introduced in the 1970s. Today’s hatchbacks have come a long way, and while some may argue that their added weight and complexity means they don’t offer as pure a driving experience, modern hatchbacks are safer, more powerful, and quicker. They also now come in a wide range of sizes and styles (and prices), ranging from subcompacts to luxury cars, meaning there’s something for everyone who’s looking for a fun-to-drive hatchback with some performance credentials.

Read on to discover which cars made our list of the 10 best performance hatchbacks and determine which one best meets your needs.

2019 Chevrolet Corvette

Yes, the Chevrolet Corvette is a hatchback, and its rear hatch opens to reveal a respectable amount of cargo space. Available with up to 755 horsepower from a supercharged V8 in ZR1 trim, the Corvette can get to 60 miles per hour in under 2.9 seconds, making it the quickest car on our list of the 10 best performance hatchbacks.

Handling is good and ride comfort is decent, but while interior quality is better than it was, it’s still not great — especially if you’re shelling out the $121,000 for a ZR1. If you’re looking for something a little cheaper, the base Corvette starts at $55,495 and comes with a 460-horsepower V8 that can get it to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.

Photo by Chevrolet

2018 Volkswagen Golf GTI / Volkswagen Golf R

The Volkswagen Golf GTI is one of the original hot hatches, and the current model continues the tradition by offering a bit of extra power and better handling than the regular Golf, with the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine making 220 horsepower (versus the standard car’s 170 horsepower).

The Golf R takes it a step or two further with a 292-horsepower version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and all-wheel drive. No matter whether you choose the $26,415 GTI or the $39,785 Golf R, you get a car with relatively subdued and elegant styling that looks at home in whatever situation you put it in — perfect for those who don’t necessarily want to stand out while having their fun.

Photo by Volkswagen

2018 Honda Civic Type R

The latest Honda Civic Type R has taken the front-wheel drive hot hatchback to the next level, and with a starting price of $34,700, it offers accessible performance at a reasonable price. Even though the turbocharged four-cylinder engine sends all of its 306 horsepower to the front wheels, the Type R has an almost perfect suspension setup that does a great job of mitigating torque steer during hard acceleration.

The Civic Type R can hit 60 miles per hour in under six seconds, and it also keeps up with other more powerful all-wheel drive hatchbacks through the corners. Some might find the Type R’s exterior styling a bit excessive, but others will love it, and it does suit the car’s nature.

Photo by Honda

2018 Chevrolet Bolt

While you might not expect the humble Chevrolet Bolt electric car to make our list, it earns its name when it comes to accelerating from a stop with a run to 60 miles per hour that takes just 6.3 seconds. That makes it quicker off the line than most of the other small hatchbacks on our list, and through the corner’s it’s no slouch either (though it could use more steering feedback).

Acceleration peters out at higher speeds, but if you’re keeping it legal the Bolt is plenty of fun to drive, and cheap to run as well — not to mention green, depending on where your power comes from. The Bolt starts at $36,620 before government tax rebates, which can lower the price considerably.

Photo by General Motors

2019 Mini Hardtop 2 Door John Cooper Works

The latest MINI Hardtop might not be quite as revolutionary as the original, but it still provides plenty of fun in a subcompact front-wheel drive package. It also offers more practicality than historic Minis, thanks to its hatchback design where the original had to make do with a tiny trunk.

In JCW (John Cooper Works) models you get 228 horsepower from the turbocharged four-cylinder engine and the choice between either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Starting at $31,900 MINI Cooper JCW isn’t particularly cheap, and the ride is on the firm side, but it’s great fun to drive. And with a 0-60 sprint that takes around six seconds, it’s relatively quick as well.

Photo by MINI

2018 Kia Stinger GT

The Kia Stinger is an affordable near-luxury mid-size hatchback, and when powered by the 365 horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 engine found in the GT models, it’s one of the best performance hatchbacks for the money.

Sure, it isn’t nearly as luxurious as its German competitors, and it isn’t as fast (though it can hit 60 miles per hour in under five seconds). Nor does it handle quite as well. But starting at just $38,350 for the GT model, the Stinger has everything you need in a car, and it can just about match those competitors when it comes to how much fun you can have when you’re behind the wheel. Take a look at one before you dismiss it as just another Kia.

Photo by Kia

2018 Ford Fiesta ST

If the rumors are true, then the Fiesta’s production run is soon coming to an end (for the North American market at least). But for now, the Fiesta ST remains a gem in the rough that can be the subcompact car segment.

With 197-horsepower from a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine in a light and nimble chassis, the Fiesta ST is ready to play and can hit 60 miles per hour in around seven seconds. And with a starting price of $21,285 just about anyone currently shopping for a new car can afford one, making the Fiesta ST the value choice on our list of the 10 best performance hatchbacks — but don’t think that going for the value option means that you’ll have any less fun.

Photo by Ford

2019 Audi RS5 Sportback

The Audi A5 Sportback is the brand’s take on the popular four-door coupe, but the designers have taken it one step further and added a hatchback (which might technically make it a five-door "coupe").

The new RS5 Sportback models will sit at the top of the model range and get their power from a turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 engine that puts out 444 horsepower, which is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed transmission. That much power and grip means that the RS5 should be able to complete the run to 60 miles per hour in just under four seconds. Look for the RS5 Sportback to arrive at dealers shortly with a starting price of somewhere around $70,000.

Photo by Audi

2019 Jaguar F-Type

Whether it be through sight, sound, or touch, the Jaguar F-TYPE is one of the best cars on the market for pleasing your senses. Its hatchback design makes it practical for a two-seat sports car while also giving the exterior an attractive and sleek side profile.

Our favorite is the 340-horsepower supercharged V6, which starts at $68,850. Just starting the motor will get your ears interested, but it’s the noise the F-Type makes when you shift gears that will really get them tingling. Handling and ride quality is quite good, and while it isn’t the fastest car on our list, the top-of-the-line V8 will get you to 60 miles per hour in just over five seconds.

Photo by Jaguar

2018 Porsche Panamera

The Porsche Panamera and Panamera Gran Turismo are both technically hatchbacks, offering plenty of cargo room for you and your passengers. They also offer effortless performance thanks to the available 550-horsepower turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that can get it up to 60 miles per hour in just 3.6 seconds.

And as you’d expect from a Porsche all Panamera models feature excellent handling, though their size and weight mean that they’ll never be able to go around a corner as well as a 911, they come remarkably close. Be warned that while the base model starts at $85,000, top-of-the-line models can easily be configured over the $200,000 mark if you get carried away.

Photo by Porsche