Peugeot 307 2.0 180GT
The Pug 205 GTi was the greatest hot hatch of all time. What happened?
Seat Ibiza 1.8T Cupra
Nothing to recommend it against a Focus ST or Swift Sport. Not special enough.
Mitsubishi Colt CZT
Good looking little thing, but a bit ropy in the chassis and steering.
Peugeot 207 GT
What happened Peugeot? What happened? What? We want to know. We do.
Citroen C2 VTS
More fun than you expect and cheap, too, at £12k before the discount.
Volvo C30 T5
Stodgy and soft. Same engine/chassis as Focus ST, but you'd never know.
Seat Leon Cupra
Disappointing. Powerful, but lacks quality. Should be better on GTI chassis.
VW Polo GTI
Golf GTI lookalike but without the chassis or power or much else, really.
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
If style and charisma mean more to you than anything, this is number one.
Citroen C4 VTS
We like this car, but isn't it about time Citroen released a properly quick version? Mr Loeb is destroying all comers in the WRC, but the Loeb special edition was pants. How about it Citroen? 200bhp please, not 138. Must try harder.
Mazda3 MPS
Extremely fast and the most capable motorway tool here. Zero charm.
Ford SportKa
Ancient little battler which oozes character. Haggle and you'll get one for eight grand.
Skoda Octavia VRS
Shares its chassis with the Golf GTI, but lacks that car's grace and character.
Fiat Panda 100HP
Along with the Fiesta and the Swift, proves power isn't everything. Brilliant.
Skoda Fabia VRS
Its grunty diesel gruffness makes it stand out. Fast. Approach with caution.
Vauxhall Astra VXR
Very capable, very quick. Will worry any of the top ten in every area.
Suzuki Swift Sport
Number one choice for those on a budget - it's only 12 grand - or those who find insurance a pain (group 9 compared to the Fiesta ST's 12). Punches way, way above its weight. If you're not laughing after three corners, we don't want to know you.
Ford Fiesta ST
Best of the lukewarm cheapies. £13,595 bargain and 0-60 in 7.9secs.
BMW 130i
Not exactly a hot hatch but its wonderful straight six and rear-drive lift it to eleventh.
VW Golf R32
A heavier, 4x4, 246bhp V6 Golf GTI was never going to be bad. Expensive, though.
Renaultsport Megane 225 Cup
Doesn't have the same trick diff as the higher-placed R26, but shares all of its drama.
Audi S3
At £26,975 its 4x4 greatness isn't worth the extra over the Golf GTI.
Renaultsport Megane R26
No. 1 for petrolheads. Awesome grip and power, but getting old now.
Mini Cooper S
Comes as close to the 197 as it's possible to get, but it's an estate agent's car
Renaultsport Clio 197
Scrapping like a rabid little mad-eyed terrier among the top four big dogs, the Clio cares not a jot for its smaller size. Some think it's too soft after the 182. Others think its refinement makes it better. Either way, it's a great car.
VW Golf GTi Edition 30
An extra 20bhp, but the Ed 30 doesn't justify three grand extra. Doesn't look right either.
Ford Focus ST
222bhp for only £17,795 and the equal of any chassis here. Very close to number one.
VW Golf GTi
Still the best all-rounder. The Type R pips it with its edginess, but just feel the quality.
Honda Civic Type R
The best hot hatch, just. Rev-hungry, powerful engine an utter gem.
Et la vidéo pour ceux qui veulent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QhS6FKeP1s