Combining all the practicalities of a regular hatchback with the handling and fun of a performance car, we’re convinced that hot hatches are the best way into the world of fast cars. If you’re a young driver looking to get into performance cars, they might be the best option for you. Here’s why.
1. Performance at an affordable price
Whilst a Mustang GT or a Nissan GT-R are arguably nicer to look at and more powerful than most hot hatches, they’ll cost you a lot more money. One of the most popular hot hatches, the VW Golf R, can be bought used for between £10,000 and £20,000, whereas a used Nissan GT-R can cost anywhere from £40,000 to £80,000. That’s quite the difference.
Granted, the more expensive grand tourer or sports car will have a higher top speed and more horsepower, and we’re not disputing that – we love those cars too. But if you’re looking for a car that can give you a taste of driving fast while also providing the comfort and practicalities of a “regular” car, a hot hatch is a great start.
2. Practical daily driver
Kids’ sporting events, weekly shops, holidays away, helping friends move – daily life is busy and it often comes with lots of, well, things. Things – and passengers – that simply won’t fit in a two-seater convertible with just enough trunk space for a single piece of luggage.
Of course, a more compact performance car that forgoes cargo and seating space in favour of power is perfect for those who can afford to own and maintain two cars, but if you’re looking for a more affordable solution that can be used as both a daily driver and a thrill seeker, the trusty hot hatch blends performance with everyday usability.
Essentially, you still retain rear seats and cargo space while enjoying the extra oomph that that little extra horsepower provides. And all without having to own multiple vehicles.
3. Easy to handle
If you’re a young driver looking for a car that handles well, many of the hot hatch options available in the UK are lightweight, responsive and easy to control. You’ll find that popular hot hatches, such as the Ford Fiesta ST, Volkswagen Golf GTI or Hyundai i20 N, have responsive steering, allowing you to take corners with ease, and decent suspension, so you can go over bumps in the road comfortably.
4. Fun to drive
Of course, you’re here to have fun, and most hot hatches can deliver that in spades. Combine their sharp steering and lightweight design with their turbocharged engines and you’ve got yourself a car that’s fun to drive (within the speed limit, of course), especially on winding B roads.
And you can enjoy the journey with friends in the back too.
5. Usually fairly fuel efficient
Most of the popular hot hatches – including the Ford Fiesta ST, MINI Cooper S, or the Hyundai i20 N – can provide around 35-45 miles per gallon (mpg). Compare this to more expensive performance cars and you get a lot more bang for your buck. Take, for instance, the Porsche 911 Carrera, a much higher-end performance car: its mpg is closer to 20-30.
6. Strong aftermarket support
One of the best aspects of owning a hot hatch is – because they’re so popular and based on regular hatchback models – you’ll find spare parts like tyres, brakes and clutches fairly easily and for an affordable price.
This also means that, in general, you can modify your hot hatch without worrying about skyrocketing costs or limited parts. You can often remap your hot hatch for extra horsepower or change the wheels for a unique look. And, as hot hatches are so popular in the UK, there are plenty of tutorials online to help you.
7. Affordable to run
Combine widely accessible parts with decent fuel efficiency and you’ll find that hot hatches are much more affordable to run than higher-end sports cars. This is perfect for younger drivers who are already facing fairly high costs.
One of the ways you can save is that many hot hatches fall into lower road tax bands due to their smaller engines and fuel efficiency.
And if your hot hatch breaks down, parts and repairs won’t cost you a fortune, nor will you have to take your vehicle to a specialist mechanic to get it repaired, which can sometimes be the case for higher-spec performance cars.
8. Tend to hold their resale value well
Hot hatches have a thriving community full of enthusiasts surrounding them, so there’s usually a lot of demand for the more popular hot hatches, such as the Honda Civic Type R or Renault Megane RS. As a result, they tend to hold onto their resale value well, so when you’re ready to move onto a more powerful car you won’t be left too out of pocket.
As mentioned above, there’s a large community around hot hatches, so you’re sure to find plenty of meet-ups, online discussions and YouTube videos. And if you’re looking for high-speed hijinks, there are plenty of track days you can go to.
10. The insurance is often more affordable too
If you do end up buying a hot hatch and you’re looking for insurance, we can help. As a specialist insurance broker, we have a unique understanding of the needs of hot hatches owners and other high-performance vehicles, so can often get you a better deal on your cover.
If you’re in the market for a hot hatch and you’re wondering how much your insurance would be, get a quote with us to see how much you could save. Simply give us a call on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that suits you.
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