Hot hatches
Honda Civic Type R long-term test: sensational handling meets overbearing safety

Honda Civic Type R long-term test: sensational handling meets overbearing safety
First report: Civic Type R is as fun as expected, but with some irritating technology
Used Cupra Leon (2020-date) buyers’ guide: hot hatch fun with room for the family

Used Cupra Leon (2020-date) buyers’ guide: hot hatch fun with room for the family
A full used buyer’s guide on the Cupra Leon that has been on sale in the UK since 2020
Hyundai Ioniq 3 N on the cards as demand for hot hatches grows

Hyundai Ioniq 3 N on the cards as demand for hot hatches grows
The Hyundai Ioniq 3 is set to arrive in the UK in 2026, and now the brand has hinted at hot 'N' version will follow
The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is dead: long live the ID.3 GTI!

The Volkswagen ID.3 GTX is dead: long live the ID.3 GTI!
VW’s much maligned GTX models are set to be retired, with the firm confident its EVs can now carry the hallowed GTI badge
Leapmotor reveals performance brand, but will it come to the UK?

Leapmotor reveals performance brand, but will it come to the UK?
Leapmotor is set to enter the electric hot-hatch game, with the recently-unveiled B05 being the first car to get the souped-up treatment
Hot Skoda Fabia to celebrate Czech firm’s 130th anniversary

Hot Skoda Fabia to celebrate Czech firm’s 130th anniversary
We might see a new powertrain to go with this Fabia’s fresh look
New Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI debuts in Munich aiming to be a proper electric hot hatch

New Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI debuts in Munich aiming to be a proper electric hot hatch
Volkswagen is bringing its electric Alpine rival to the Munich Motor Show
Three-car garage: Mazda MX-5, MINI Electric and Volkswagen Golf GTI all for £35k

Three-car garage: Mazda MX-5, MINI Electric and Volkswagen Golf GTI all for £35k
This fantastic trio of small cars is available through Auto Express, and combined cost less than the price of an electric DS 3
VW Golf R to up its game again: could hot new special edition top 400bhp?

VW Golf R to up its game again: could hot new special edition top 400bhp?
It feels like VW has been teasing an ultra-high performance variant of its Golf R for years, but it might be too late for a 400bhp monster
Audi RS 3 swansong special edition will also bid farewell to the brand’s 5-cylinder engine

Audi RS 3 swansong special edition will also bid farewell to the brand’s 5-cylinder engine
Audi’s saying goodbye to its high-performance five-cylinder engine with a very limited-run special
Car Deal of the Day: Sporty Cupra Leon will set pulses racing at only £211 per month

Car Deal of the Day: Sporty Cupra Leon will set pulses racing at only £211 per month
Our Deal of the Day for 24 August is a very affordable offer on Cupra’s fun-to-drive hatchback
Alpine A290 vs MINI JCW Electric: an electric hot hatch clash

Alpine A290 vs MINI JCW Electric: an electric hot hatch clash
Is a pure-electric hot hatch really the future? Well, the Alpine A290 and MINI JCW prove that the road ahead looks very bright indeed
Car Deal of the Day: rapid Audi S3 for a tempting £391 per month

Car Deal of the Day: rapid Audi S3 for a tempting £391 per month
The Audi S3 is a powerful but understated hot hatch that is great value right now. It’s our Deal of the Day for August 8
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice edition is an ultra-violet throwback

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice edition is an ultra-violet throwback
Priced from £48,360, the new ID.3 GTX Fire+Ice is a tribute to the Mk2 VW Golf Fire and Ice special edition from 1990
Nissan Micra Nismo on the way to challenge the hot hatch elite

Nissan Micra Nismo on the way to challenge the hot hatch elite
Leveraging the work Alpine’s done on the A290, a high-performance Nissan Micra could be on the cards and our exclusive image previews how it could loo…
Car Deal of the Day: MG4 XPower offers supercar performance for just £282 a month

Car Deal of the Day: MG4 XPower offers supercar performance for just £282 a month
The MG4 is an excellent electric hatch, and the XPower offers extra excitement. It’s our Deal of the Day for July 25
What is Toyota GR? Past, present and future of the Gazoo Racing brand

What is Toyota GR? Past, present and future of the Gazoo Racing brand
Inside look at Toyota GR, the “Meisters of the Nurburgring”
New Renault 5 Turbo 3E: the amazing £135k, 533bhp EV super hatch in detail

New Renault 5 Turbo 3E: the amazing £135k, 533bhp EV super hatch in detail
The strong appetite for Renault’s limited-run super hatch could even pave the way for further special edition models
Renault 5 Turbo 3E will prove its worth with a Nurburgring record attempt

Renault 5 Turbo 3E will prove its worth with a Nurburgring record attempt
Renault’s quest for performance car pedigree will take the hardcore 5 Turbo 3E to the ‘Ring for a fast lap very soon
Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition: Goodwood reveal and first drive

Honda Civic Type R Ultimate Edition: Goodwood reveal and first drive
The Ultimate Edition is the final Civic Type R - we have a go to see if it’s a worthy send-off
Electric Honda Civic Type R still on the table: performance brand's EV future

Electric Honda Civic Type R still on the table: performance brand's EV future
After some of the best naturally-aspirated performance engines in history, Honda’s Type R division could be looking to go electric
Best hot hatchbacks to buy 2025

Best hot hatchbacks to buy 2025
The very best hot hatchbacks offer giant-killing performance and an engaging drive, all wrapped up in a family-friendly package
Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month

Car Deal of the Day: Hot Volkswagen Golf GTI for a cool £287 a month
The Golf GTI has been a classic from day one – and it’s our Deal of the Day for 8 July.
New Alpine A290 Rallye EV hot hatch is all set for the world’s rally stages

New Alpine A290 Rallye EV hot hatch is all set for the world’s rally stages
The Alpine A290 Rallye takes one of our favourite electric hot hatches and turns it into a rally-ready monster
Hot Hatch of the Year 2025: Honda Civic Type R

Hot Hatch of the Year 2025: Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R is the 2025 Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year, with the Alpine A290 and Audi RS 3 commended
Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch heading to the UK: here’s what to expect

Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch heading to the UK: here’s what to expect
If you missed out on the GR Yaris and GR 86, then this latest GR model might be up your street
Extra-hot electric Volkswagen GTI Clubsport models are on their way

Extra-hot electric Volkswagen GTI Clubsport models are on their way
Electric hot hatches are front and centre in Volkswagen’s electric future
Used Abarth 500 (2009-2024) buyer’s guide: fast and fun if you can find the right one

Used Abarth 500 (2009-2024) buyer’s guide: fast and fun if you can find the right one
A full used buyer’s guide on the Abarth 500 that was on sale in the UK between 2009 and 2024
Used Car Hunter: small and fun hatchbacks for £13,000

Used Car Hunter: small and fun hatchbacks for £13,000
Our Car Hunter has a budget of £13,000 for a small and fun warm hatchback
Powerful new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 celebrates a half century of GTIs

Powerful new Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 50 celebrates a half century of GTIs
VW has answered the call to give us a true successor to the epic Clubsport S with the new GTI Edition 50
Car Deal of the Day: Blistering BMW M135 for a bargain £301 a month

Car Deal of the Day: Blistering BMW M135 for a bargain £301 a month
Not many hot hatchbacks are as complete as BMW’s recently updated M135. It’s our Deal of the Day for 19 June.