Hot hatchbacks have come a long way since their inception in the seventies. The current hot hatches have an accepted formula: taking a standard model, increasing the engine output, and beefing up the suspension to go around corners a bit too quickly. The current high-performance versions offer between 250 and 400 horsepower, with better agility than they did decades ago. The emissions and running costs are infinitely much better. For 2022, automakers have upped the ante with a few offerings that will maintain the ongoing theme. So, with that said, here's a list of 10 hatchbacks to look out for in 2022.
Cupra Leon
Cupra is the performance spinoff of the Seat, so it has some rally pedigree. Based on the Seat Leon, the Cupra Leon's nose features large air intakes and a rear diffuser that adds to the sporty appearance.
Hyundai i20 N
The base i20 is quite a fun car, though the range-topping N makes it even
better. While the regular i20 comes with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine, the N packs a high-output version of Hyundai's 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It produces 201 horsepower and also features an over-boost function that allows it to produce 224 pound-feet of torque from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm for short periods. The i20 N can be had with either a seven-speed DCT automatic or a six-speed manual transmission, which has been tweaked to handle the extra torque and cater to the Launch Control system. It accelerates to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, which is quite respectable for this segment. The Hyundai feels light on its feet, thanks to its relatively compact dimension which compliment the N-suspension set up very well. It comes with six different drive modes, including Eco, Normal, Sport, and N. The interior is well packaged with the checkered flag-designed leather seats taking the spotlight
Honda Civic Type R
The 2023 model Civic Type R, which is expected to release this June, will take a step back from the wild styling of the outgoing Type-R but don't expect it to be sedate in the performance department. The new Type R will be powered by a near-identical turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, though the output is expected to be closer to the 350 horsepower mark>https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/civic-type-r]. It will also keep the same six-speed manual transmission and accelerate to 60 miles per hour in under 5.0 seconds. These performance upgrades, combined with the relatively sedate styling direction, should appeal to a wider demographic. It will feature the latest infotainment from Honda with a 9.0-inch touchscreen and the regular Apple Car-Play and Android Auto packages. The hatchback will also have Honda’s sensing driver-assist and active safety suite, along with adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist.
Skoda Octavia vRS
The Octavia vRS is essentially a stretched-out version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, which gives you a more usable interior room and a more sedate design to appeal to the grown-up GTI fans with families.
Toyota GR Yaris
The Yaris is somewhat a unicorn, because, unlike the other Toyota models, this one exists for the sole purpose of motorsport and rallying to be specific. In fact, it has been so successful that Toyota won the constructors World Rally Championship in 2018 and the driver’s title in 2019 and 2020. The new hot hatch has a three-cylinder, 1.6-liter turbocharged engine that is rated at 257 horsepower. It also has an all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed manual transmission. The even more aggressive body kit currently includes air extractors behind the front wheels and a large wing on the rear. A limited-edition model was also launched earlier this year.
Peugeot 308
The 2022 308 will incorporate Peugeot’s new lion logo, which is the first time the face was illustrated without the body since the 70s. It will take on the likes of the Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Golf, and the Ford Focus. The 308 will have sleek proportions, including Ferrari-style shields to the front wheels and fang-like daytime running lights. There are various engine options, including a 1.2-liter PureTech 120 and 1.5-liter BlueHdi diesel that each produces 128 horsepower. Peugeot will also offer the 308 as a plug-in hybrid entailing a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine, a 12.4 kWh battery, and an 81 kW motor. These are rated at 150 horsepower. It has been said that Peugeot benchmarks its materials and quality from the Golf, but it will exceed it in this iteration. The contemporary design and finish stand out. The new 10-inch infotainment display looks great, and it will be backed up with a smaller interface with shortcuts to the big functions.
Toyota GR Corolla
From Toyota's manic Gazoo Racing division comes the latest and perhaps most highly anticipated hot hatch for 2022, the GR Corolla. It is powered by the same record-breaking 1.6-liter turbo three cylinders and AWD drivetrain that powers the limited run GR Yaris., In the GR Corolla, the inline-three has been amped up to make 300 horsepower and the entire setup will come exclusively mated to a six-speed manual. In the exterior department, Toyota has given this GR model a widebody treatment with a wider track and some substantial aero improvements that should all come together to improve its on-track performance. Toyota will also offer the GR Corolla in three flavors with the entry-level "core" variant estimated to carry a starting price of $32,000 with the range-topping and limited-run Morizo Edition expected to carry a price of $45,000 with a pre-planned production run of just 200 examples a year starting from 2023. The GR Corolla is a dream come true for hot hatchback lovers around the world and it now provides a competitive alternative to brilliant cars that range from the affordable Civic Si to the hardcore Golf R.
Audi RS3 Hatchback
2022 brought us the all-new Audi RS3, which makes its return after a year's absence from the manufacturer's portfolio. The RS3 is based on the brand's successful MQB platform that underpins other brilliant cars like the 2022 Golf GTI, but the RS3 thankfully retains the sonorous turbocharged inline-five engine from its predecessor churning out a healthy 401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in its latest avatar. This is a distinct advantage that the RS3 holds over rivals like the Mercedes AMG A45 and the GR Yaris with fewer cylinder counts so they don't sound as good. Audi has put in a lot of work to nearly eliminate the understeer that comes as a drawback of Audi's Haldex-based AWD system, which is a standard fitment in the new RS3. As a result, the system now manages to feel more tail-happy, and combine that with its brilliant dynamic suspension, and you have got yourself a brilliant canyon carver. With a base price of $60,000, the RS3 sits at the very top of the hot hatch food chain and that price is, of course, without any additional packages which can drive the price up significantly.
BMW 128ti
The BMW 128ti is the Bavarian automaker's attempt to venture into the FWD territory. This is the first generation of 1 Series to feature an FWD architecture, and the 128ti sits at the very top of the FWD line-up right behind the M135i which gets AWD as standard. It shares the front differential and the front suspension with the M135i along with its B48 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that, in this application, produces 261 horsepower and 296 lb-ft of torque. The setup comes mated to an eight-speed auto box. Both the price and performance of this sporty 1 Series are close to the Mk.8 Golf GTI which puts BMW and, by extension, the 128ti in the middle of a heavily contested segment along with established competitors like Civic Type-R and the Focus ST. The 128ti is the winning formula for 2022 that takes all the good things about the M135i XDrive and distills it down into a simpler package.
Ford Focus ST
The Focus ST has been an enthusiast favorite for decades, and each generation brings prominent refinements to the classic hot hatchback formula. The 2022 Focus ST receives significant updates over its predecessor with improved technology and certain design tweaks. The Focus ST is powered by Ford's tried and tested 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine, which, in this application, makes 280 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. It can be had with either a seven-speed auto or a good old-fashioned six-speed manual, sending power to the front wheels. The tech is also a significant upgrade over the previous year with an all-new 13.2-inch touchscreen taking center stage in addition to the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which is now standard across the board. With a starting price of $45,560, the Focus ST still sits on the approachable end of the scale but it has its work cut out courtesy of competitors like the Golf GTI and the Civic Type-R. Unfortunately, Ford has pulled the plug on the Focus in the U.S., but you can buy it until stock lasts.