Autocar.co.uk is polling its readers to find the best hot hatch ever built.
You can cast your vote from a shortlist drawn up by Autocar writers.
To help you make your decision, we've assembled pictures of every car on our shortlist.
See the best ever hot hatch pictures here
To vote, follow the link below.
Vote for favourite hot hatch ever here
The shortlist for the best hot hatch ever built is:
Alfa Romeo Alfasud, Citroen AX GT, Citroen Saxo VTS, Daihatsu Charade GTti, Fiat Abarth 595, Fiat Cinquecento Sporting, Fiat Strada 130TC Abarth, Ford Escort Cosworth, Ford Fiesta XR2, Ford Focus RS (pre-gen), Honda Civic Type R (pre-gen), Lancia Delta Integrale, Mini Cooper S (original), Mini Cooper S (new), Nissan Almera GTi, Nissan Sunny GTi-R, Peugeot 106 GTi, Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6, Peugeot 306 GTi-6, Renault 5 GT Turbo, Renault Clio 197, Renault Clio 182 Trophy, Renault Clio Williams, Renault Megane R26R, Seat Leon Cupra R, Skoda Fabia vRS, Toyota Corolla GT, Vauxhall Astra GTE, Volkswagen Golf GTi 16v Mk1, Volkswagen Golf GTi 16v Mk2I, Volkswagen Golf GTi 16v Mk5.
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Re: The best hot hatch ever
Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 is probably the best hot hatch of all time in my mind. It is pretty and beautifully balanced. Its a design classic. But if I had to have only one hot hatch, it would be the Lancia Delta Integrale Evo. Its a masterpiece.
Today there are some seriously quick hatchbacks that handle and go incredibly well. The newer Focus RS and the Audi RS3 many would argue are much better than the Peugeot and Lancia but for me the price makes these modern hot hatches, including the Golf, ineligible for this title.
My top 5:-
1. Lancia Delta Integrale Evo.
2. Peugeot 205 GTI.(1600)
3. Ford Focus RS.(mark one)
4. Renault Clio 182 Trophy.
5. Honda Civic Type R (mark one)
Not the best hot hatch ever!
But my favourite because I had a couple of them as my company demo’s in the mid-eighties. The Citroen Visa GTI ! It had the 1.6 205Gti engine and front sub frame. It avoided the tail lift habit of the 205 and amazed me and all who drove it with just how well it handled.
Re: The best hot hatch ever
Renault GT5 turbo, 205 GTi 1.9, Mk2 Golf GTi 16V