Motor Awards 2019: Best Hot Hatch of the Year
The finest and fastest five-door cars we can find
Voting in The Sunday Times Motor Awards 2019 has closed. The winners will be announced on Driving.co.uk in October.
VOTING is open in the second Sunday Times Motor Awards sponsored by Bridgestone and over the weeks since launch we’ve be giving you the details of each of the shortlisted entries in each category.
Our motoring writers whittled down the long lists of their favourite cars on sale this year to produce the final nominees, but most of the winners will be decided by you. Even better, by voting you could win a seven-night holiday for two in Thailand.
Below are the Hot Hatch of the Year contenders with the reasons behind their nomination. When you’ve found your favourite, be sure to click through to vote for it — the winner will be the one that receives the most support from our readers.
Choose from the Ford Focus ST, Hyundai i30 Fastback N, Mercedes-AMG A 35, Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy and Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.
Our panel of experts were looking for the latest cars that offered the best of both worlds: the practicality, affordability and day-to-day usability of a family hatchback, and the thrilling driving experience of a thoroughbred performance car.
The winners of the 2019 Sunday Times Motor Awards, including the coveted Sunday Times Car of the Year and Jeremy Clarkson’s Car of the Year, will be announced at a star-studded event in October.
Ford Focus ST
Based on the track record of past generations of the Focus ST, good things were expected from the new fast Ford, and the first drive tests suggest it doesn’t disappoint. As before, there will be a diesel version but it’s the petrol, with 276bhp (more than a Golf GTI), that drivers are most excited about.
Hyundai i30 Fastback N
The i30N was already a pleasant surprise: fast, fun and fair value for money, it was a hot hatch for anyone who could see beyond the badge on the boot. The fastback version adds a touch more drama to what was already a great hot hatch. It’s arguably not as polished as a VW Golf R or as wild as a Renault Megane R.S. but it’s a hugely fun all-round package and such an impressive hot hatch debut that it easily deserves a place on our shortlist.
Read the review
Go to the voting page
Mercedes-AMG A 35
This is the most affordable model in the now extensive AMG range. In bringing down the price from the more potent A 45, the car has undergone a personality transformation, losing some of its attitude in favour of more refined manners on the road. It also benefits from the new A-class’s top notch interior. The A 35 is still one of the most imposing small cars around, though, and shouts its presence through its raucous tailpipe.
Read Jeremy Clarkson’s review
Go to the voting page
Renault Mégane R.S. Trophy
The latest Mégane R.S. employs more technology in the quest to be a fast, composed road car, but it still provides the raw hot hatch driving experience that marked previous generations out from the crowd.
Read Jeremy Clarkson’s review
Go to the voting page
Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR
With its motor sport-inspired roots, and 44bhp more oomph from the engine than an everyday Golf GTI, the TCR is the flagship of the GTI range. As you can guess, that makes it faster but it retains the GTI’s refined personality, so that it doesn’t wear you down like some other models.
Read Jeremy Clarkson’s review
Go to the voting page
Tweet to @ST_Driving Follow @ST_Driving
