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We look at the best hot hatchbacks available to buy for under £5,000.
Hatchbacks are one of the most popular body types of cars. This is because a hatchback perfectly blends practicality with performance. This means that many kinds of hatchbacks are available on the second-hand market at various price points.
Hatchbacks are usually more prevalent in built-up areas like large towns and cities due to their smaller size and manoeuvrability. Still, their increased boot size also makes them a great option if you’re more rural and need good cargo space.
Here’s a look at some of the best hot hatchbacks that can be bought online for under £5,000.
This article lists hot hatchbacks, a sub-section of the hatchback body type, so it’s essential to understand the difference and what makes a hot hatchback before comparing the various options.
In the simplest terms, a hot hatchback is a hatchback that is high-performance and has good specs in terms of its driveability and power. This makes hot matches very popular among drivers, as they’re fun to drive and can be used in various situations.
Hot hatches, as they’re more casually known, usually have larger, more powerful engines and spirited handling to provide this boost in performance.
The Renault Sport Clio is a good, reliable, average-performing hot hatchback that sets a good benchmark for the quality you should look for when getting a hot hatchback.
The car uses a turbo engine to give it a bit more oomph, making it a pretty snappy, fun drive while also having multiple practical features. The car is pretty lively to drive, and while some might consider that a bit erratic, others will find it thrilling.
The Renault Clio has gone through multiple iterations in the past, with each new variant having a slight tweak and change that has helped it evolve into a reliable hot hatchback. Its modern cars can get to 62mph in a fairly snappy 12.8 seconds; however, this is a bit slower than some other hot hatchbacks on the market.
It’s a comfortable car to drive and has a smooth suspension when on good roads. However, it can struggle if you’re taking bumpy roads and doesn’t do as good a job smoothing out the experience as other options.
With everything considered, this is why the Renault Sport Clio is a solid benchmark, as it’s a reliable, good car with not too many faults, but it also doesn’t offer anything spectacular. It’s a good price, with it being relatively easy to find one well under £5,000.
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The Honda Civic is a slightly bigger hot hatchback designed for family life. Over the years, the Honda Civic has always prioritised fuel efficiency, with it being a core value of the car since its first iteration in 1973.
The Honda Civic isn’t just a hatchback, however, with there being multiple versions in a saloon style too. However, we at Car Adviser think the hot hatchback variety is the best, as it seamlessly blends practicality with style and driving prowess.
It’s much faster than the Renault Clio Sport, boasting an acceleration time of 6.8 seconds to get to 60mph, making it almost twice as quick as the Clio sport.
It’s a fairly quiet car, too, with a comfortable enough ride, although some other hatchback options are noticeably smoother at high speeds.
The biggest plus of the Honda Civic is its practicality, as there’s plenty of storage space and room within the cockpit. Plus, when you get it as a hatchback, you also get increased boot space, which is a nice benefit. The only slight issue is that the Honda Civic has a roof that slants towards the rear, making it slightly uncomfortable for larger passengers.
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Nothing is more iconic in the UK than the Mini Copper when talking about small yet powerful cars. The Mini Copper S exemplifies this, as it’s a small car that can fit into tight gaps and also manoeuvres with neat control and a bit of enthusiasm.
For many people, The Mini Copper S is one of the most fun hatchbacks to drive. However, you do sacrifice practicality for that pleasure. Many older models, which are the ones you’re going to find online for under £5,000, will be pretty compact and struggle to fit a family of four comfortably. However, if you’re willing to increase your budget, it is possible to get a more modern one with an increase in size.
Still, you’ll struggle with adequate boot space, making this hatchback better suited for nipping around congested areas to get to work and other appointments. The Mini Copper S can be rough when driving, as it tends to jolt you about if you’re on uneven roads at speed. Still, the car has a small turning circle, giving it excellent manoeuvrability that will delight many drivers.
The Mini Cooper is a classic for a reason, and the Mini Copper S is an excellent option if you have a smaller budget and want it to stretch.
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The Renault Sport Megane is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to hot hatchbacks. For starters, it’s a mix of an estate car and a hatchback, as it has an extended roof that elongates the vehicle and gives it a more slender look than most hatchbacks. This means that it is larger and has more room from increased practicality, but it isn’t as nippy or fun as other hatchbacks.
The Sport Megane feels like a car stuck between two forms and can make it feel unsure of what it wants to be. That said, it’s still an excellent option for those looking for a budget hot hatchback, as it performs well and has a good mixture of speed and size.
The car has an urgent acceleration, especially at lower speeds, giving you a nice jolt of excitement when driving it. It also suppresses wind and other road noises very well, making it a very comfortable and quiet drive. It also has outstanding emissions, and modern versions of the car come with a hybrid option that’s excellent for ULEZ areas.
The biggest issue with this vehicle is that the steering isn’t as responsive or tight as some other hatchbacks. In fact, as hot hatchbacks are classified by their excellent and fun steering, the Sport Megane and its weak steering is a big issue and makes it one of the weaker hot hatchbacks available.
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The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the gold standard of hot hatchbacks and is the one car that defines this type of vehicle.
One of the most significant selling points for the Golf GTI is that it suits everyone, which is hard for a car to achieve. It has the right level of practical features to please a family, it is compact and handles tight enough to be great for those inner-city drivers, and it also boasts a good deal of power and fun for those who like hatchbacks for that reason.
The Golf GTI has great agility but achieves that without being demanding or hard to drive. It has a great suspension which can make all kinds of roads feel supple, giving you a comfortable drive. It also works great for long distances and has a decent fuel economy.
There’s nothing really to hate or dislike about the Golf GTI. It ticks all the boxes and performs well in every aspect, making it a reliable and safe vehicle with a tonne of flexibility.
Getting a quality Golf GTI on the second-hand market for under £5,000 can be tricky. However, there are great options available if you’re patient. That said, you can also get a VW Golf GTI through finance on websites like Cazoo, which gives you modern second-hand cars with alternative payment options.
