Top 5 hot hatches

HOW DOES NEW GBU WORK? Our road testers rank the best cars currently available in 12 categories, and highlight the ones to buy

PRICE: £20,975–£23,975 The Panda was distinctly endangered for a while there (though you can still buy the old petrol one in Italy), but it’s been given a new lease of life with an electric powertrain

List price £65,045 Best price £60,020 MPG 30.8 CO2 208g/km For Savage acceleration; immense grip; entertaining handling; quick-shifting automatic gearbox Against Very expensive to buy; some hot hatche

GIANT-killing performance, everyday practicality and at least a hint of loutish appearance; if a car has all three, then there’s a pretty strong chance that it’s a hot hatch. The well trodden formula

List price £30,795 Best price £28,750 MPG 64.1 CO2 100g/km For Frugal in real-world driving; comfy and good to drive; generously equipped; well built and reliable Against Tight for adults in rear seat

IN the long line of stunning models in the Civic Type R back catalogue, the current FL5 ranks not only as the greatest hot hatch that Honda has ever produced, but one of the greatest by any manufactur