Top 100 Cars 2016: Top 5 Warm Hatches

1 Ford Fiesta ST

This car defies all business sense. It’s great to drive, economical and above all, desirable — yet it starts at less than the price of a humdrum, mid-spec Ford Focus.

The rev-happy 1.6-litre turbocharged engine easily thrusts the ST towards the next bend where beautifully precise, direct steering works with the driver to slice through the corner and onto the next one.

There are three versions, all powered by the same engine; buy the cheapest, equipped with alloy wheels, Recaro seats and a dual exhaust.

• PRICE £17,545-£19,545
• OUR PICK 1.6T ST-1 (£17,545)
• ENGINE 1596cc, 4 cylinders
• ACCELERATION 0-62mph: 6.9sec
• TOP SPEED 139mph
• FUEL | CO2 47.9mpg | 138g/km

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2 Mini Cooper

It’s not normal to introduce a sporty model by talking about its build quality, but that’s what sets this Mini apart. The cabin — with just the right amount of retro — is as solid as it is stylish.

The car is calm and quiet, but offers plenty of driving fun: the engine has a sporty burble when revved and the power to send the car zooming away; the gearstick requires just a flick of the wrist. It might not have the engagement of the Fiesta but it’s the better car away from a B-road.

• PRICE £15,485-£16,085
• OUR PICK Cooper 3dr (£15,485)
• ENGINE 1499cc, 3 cylinders
• ACCELERATION 0-62mph: 7.9sec
• TOP SPEED 130mph
• FUEL | CO2 62.8mpg | 105g/km

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3 Peugeot 208 GTi

Every modern Peugeot GTi fails to live up to the memories of testers who once owned a 205 GTI. It casts an unwarranted shadow over the 208 GTi — a car that’s a hoot to drive and also passes emissions and safety tests that barely troubled engineers 30 years ago.

Shame about the silly steering wheel that forces you to either break the speed limit or run out of fuel (many drivers can’t see all of the gauges at once).

• PRICE £19,145-£21,995
• OUR PICK 1.6 GTi (£19,145)
• ENGINE 1598cc, 4 cylinders
• ACCELERATION 0-62mph: 6.5sec
• TOP SPEED 143mph
• FUEL | CO2 52.3mpg | 125g/km

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4 Suzuki Swift Sport

This might look slow on paper, and in the metal too, but get in and you won’t want to release the steering wheel. The Swift’s non-turbocharged 1.6-litre engine is a gem: smooth, revvy and full of heart.

The car grips tenaciously and steers with energy. The subtle go-faster tweaks mean nobody else is likely to realise the fun you’re having, particularly if you opt for the five-door version. The three door is a sub-£14,000 bargain.

• PRICE £13,999-£14,499
• OUR PICK 1.6 Sport 3dr (£13,999)
• ENGINE 1586cc, 4 cylinders
• ACCELERATION 0-62mph: 8.7sec
• TOP SPEED 121mph
• FUEL | CO2 44.1mpg | 147g/km

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5 Vauxhall Corsa VXR

Big rear wing? Bonnet scoop? Gaping air intakes? Vauxhall is unashamedly repeating the recipe of the 1980s with its Corsa VXR, which behaves like a bit of a racer too. It’s quick and feels it, as the 1.6-litre turbocharged engine’s full torque comes low down the range.

But that can make it a handful: on rough public roads the wheels can be unsettled, causing the steering wheel to try to gain control of the car. If this sounds like fun, the VXR is for you. If not, it still makes a great car on the track.

• PRICE £18,375
• OUR PICK Corsa VXR (£18,375)
• ENGINE 1598cc, 4 cylinders
• ACCELERATION 0-62mph: 6.5sec
• TOP SPEED 143mph
• FUEL | CO2 37.7mpg | 172g/km

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Top 100 Cars 2016 contents

• Introduction and star cars launching this year
• Sunday Times Driving Car of the Year 2016

1. Top 5 Sports Cars
2. Top 5 Large 4x4s & SUVs
3. Top 5 Luxury & Prestige Cars
4. Top 5 Electric & Hybrid Cars
5. Top 5 City Cars
6. Top 5 Superminis
7. Top 5 Hot Hatches
8. Top 5 Two-seat Roadsters
9. Top 5 Warm Hatches
10. Top 5 Supercars
11. Top 5 Family Convertibles
12. Top 5 Coupés
13. Top 5 Compact Crossovers
14. Top 5 Large Crossovers
15. Top 5 Five-seat MPVs
16. Top 5 Seven-seat MPVs
17. Top 5 Mid-size Estate Cars
18. Top 5 Large Estate Cars
19. Top 5 Mid-size Family Cars
20. Top 5 Large Family Cars

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