All the Hot Hatches on Sale In the U.S. In 2023
The humble hot hatch is among the most popular enthusiast categories for a reason. The inherent practicality of the added cargo space sitting on an athletic chassis and punchy powertrain makes these spicy little eggs the ultimate daily drivers. These are all the hot hatchback cars you’ll find in the U.S. in 2023. With seven models in total, maybe all hope isn’t lost after all.
2023 Civic Type R: A raucous and refined hot hatch
The Honda Civic Type R is getting all the good attention right now and for good reason. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine punches out an impressive 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The hot hatch comes exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. And Honda’s sublime handling platform makes this one of the best driving cars of the year, full stop.
Integra Type S: The best hatchback of 2023?
More than just a Civic Type R in a fancy hat, the Acura Integra Type S is an unadulterated look at Honda Acura engineering. Because Acura is a US-only brand, all of the global concessions that stifle the Honda Civic Type R don’t make it onto the Integra Type S. At 320 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, the hatchback packs that bit of extra punch. Add in the refinement of Acura’s luxury touches and this is perhaps the hottest of hatches on the market right now.
Golf GTI: The popular legend is falling behind
The Europeans have long been a connoisseur of the hot hatch, starting with this little number. The MK8 Golf GTI may not be quite as good as its MK7 predecessor, but it’s still an exciting, versatile, and downright comfortable way to bomb around town. The updated 2.0-liter turbo gets 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. And with revised interior controls, the 2023 GTI is a capable contender for any driver, not just hot hatch enthusiasts.
Golf R: The luxury hot hatch
The Golf R formula seems simple. Take a GTI, tune it for more power, and add all-wheel drive. But the MK8 Golf R is so much more than that. Yes, the Alltrack all-wheel drive system easily manages the 315 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque with ease. But the heated and ventilated seats, multi-zone automatic climate control, and panoramic moonroof make the Golf R a luxury car in disguise.
GR Corolla: The most hotly-anticipated hot hatch of 2023
The Integra Type S is getting all the attention right now, but it wasn’t long ago that the GR Corolla made more headlines than a corduroy pillow. The buzzy, 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine is good for 300 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The all-wheel drive system includes three torque-split options for rally, sport, and daily driving. And the six-speed manual is the only transmission option. In short, the Toyota crusade to win over the enthusiast market hit a new peak with this hot hatchback car in 2023.
Mini Cooper JCW: An underrated contender
Did you forget about this one? Admittedly, I did too. But the Mini Cooper JCW is a hidden hot hatch gem in 2023. Packing a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the BMW-built hatchback is good for 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. You can have it with an eight-speed autobox or a six-speed stick, as well. And with the aggressive sport suspension and Brembo brake kit, the JCW is one of the most precise hot hatches you’ll find today.
Honorable Mention: Mazda3 Turbo
In truth, the Mazda3 Turbo falls just short of hot hatch territory, but the 250 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque paired with all-wheel drive do make it one of the spicier compacts on sale today. And while it lacks the sport-tuned suspension of its competitors, Mazda’s agile handling platform is better than most out of the box. The biggest disappointment for enthusiasts is the lack of a manual transmission option, but if you just want a quick hatchback for daily cruising, the Mazda3 is a winner.
Hatchback cars offer practical fun for everyone
No matter which hot hatch catches your eye, there’s no doubt that this category sits at the intersection of sports car fun and daily driving practicality. All that matters is the flavor.
