$6600 for 39hp more? (used)

The Mini JCW is all about extra performance and having the extra notch in your wallet to buy one.

The sole 2-liter turbo engine pumps out 228hp and while it does a good job in larger vehicles such as the BMW X1, we love it even more here because the Hardtop 3-door doesn’t really weigh much so it’s even more of a doddle to drive. You can choose between a proper six-speed manual gearbox and six-speed automatic. We haven’t had the opportunity to test drive this with the proper manual gearbox, but the auto gearbox does a good enough job for those who can’t drive three pedals.

Driving the JCW around isn’t like any other car on the road. The steering weighs up nicely but the ride is overly firm and there’s just way too much wind and road noise for our liking. However, you’ll enjoy how fun to drive the JCW feels, especially when you push through tight corners and bends where the JCW shines. The driving position is spot on good, with excellent visibility all round. The JCW is tiny to begin with and if you have a hard time parking this or driving it around, your only other options are a Smart Fortwo or nothing at all.

The front seat is where you’ll want to be because the rear seat is cramped. You can fit two people in the back but everyone has to be on board about sharing out the space. The boot space is okay, we’re not going to knock it too much considering how small it is, but for those who will use it for weekly shopping there is enough space for that, and if more space is needed you can fold down the rear seat. The dash board is where we’ve always loathe Minis. They are all style and very little in functionality. The newer Minis have easier to use infotainment screens and the dash board isn’t a complete mess like it was in prior generations. It does feel as if Mini has instead changed the switch gear for eye appeal instead of ease of use, the toggle push button ignition is pretty charming to say the least.

Mini tends to be stingy when it comes to standard kit, and our tester car shows it. HID headlights are standard, as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control and 6.5-inch infotainment screen. Navigation system is optional, along with power-folding and auto-dimming exterior mirrors, alarm system, Mini Head-Up display and comfort access. What was once considered a bargain hot hatch turned into a very expensive proposition with nearly $10k worth of options added on, but the tradeoff is residuals are very high and there resale value is strong too because Minis are desirable vehicles.

You’ll have to really want a Mini JCW to pay the premium for one. We certainly had mixed feelings when it came to having one. It’s oddball styling and fun to drive nature will win over many fans, but for everyone else it may seem a tad to impractical. Plus, your options in this segment are limited too. You could get a five-door hatchback and call it a day but you’ll be missing out on the point of this vehicle. It’s the closest thing to a BMW one can buy without having to pay the premium for one, and with all the bells and whistles the JCW is still cheaper than a 2-series BMW. What we are trying to say here is this, you’d buy this with your heart instead of your brain, and your wallet may take a hit with the purchase but your investments are well protected.

Likes: The JCW is more fun to drive than you’d think. It’s easy to live with thanks to sharp steering and responsive handling.

Dislikes: Mini is stingy on standard kit. There’s just way too much wind and road noise for our liking. If you need a rearview parking camera to park this, you don’t need to be driving.

We enjoy the Ford Fiesta ST

The Ford Fiesta ST is best pocket rocket that money can buy.

The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 197hp and is mated to a super slick six-speed manual gearbox. You desire oomph this engine won’t disappoint. Acceleration is more than just brisk it’s downright bonkers on the highway. Even when you are not driving like a total hooligan the Fiesta ST is still a refined enough for daily commutes. Steering and handling are among its sweet spots. You can hurl it into a corner and feel virtually no torque steer. The engine exhaust is contagious and wants you to keep the revs high and demands to be pushed harder. Wind noise won’t be an issue, road noise will thanks to the low profile tires. But it’s far from annoying.

Interior space is decent with plenty of space for both front and rear passengers. Taller passengers in the rear seats will find legroom and headroom slightly cramped. The boot offers decent space too. The dashboard is just too fiddly to navigate through at glimpse. There’s just way too many similar looking buttons and the SYNC MYFORD touch screen display is just too confusing to navigate through. 17 inch alloy wheels, blind spot warning system and temperature control all come standard. You’ll have to pay extra for a sunroof, navigation system and heated front seats. For the money though the Fiesta ST is well equipped.

The Ford Fiesta ST is worth every single penny. Unless you want to have the few add on options we strongly suggest sticking with the standard kit because you’ll be pretty satisfied with what you get. What makes the ST even more appealing is it still offers decent running costs and strong resale value. However it won’t be as strong of a Mini Cooper S but it should be strong thanks to popular demand of this vehicle.

The Fiesta ST is a great all round hatchback with plenty of zip for very little money. If you want to most fun to drive hatchback for very little cash the Ford Fiesta is the most compelling option you can have. It may not be a Mini Cooper S but it does what it’s designed for better plus it’s more practical than the Mini.

Likes: Thumping turbo engine and excellent chassis makes this Fiesta a win-win.

Dislikes: Fiddly infotainment system but that’s just nitpicking.

Hooligans rejoice! (Used)

Feeling the need for speed? But can't pay the premium that comes with it? Well Ford hopes that the Focus ST will lure you in. It's not as sophisticated as the Volkswagen GTI, but it is worth every single penny. Here's why!

Performance: A 2-liter high-output turbocharged four-cylinder produces 252hp mated to a smooth six-speed manual gearbox. Hooligans who wanted speed surely will get plenty of that. The Focus ST is fast and the manual gearbox is smooth. It's exactly what the doctor ordered for a high performance hatchback and these winning combinations won't disappoint!

On the road: We really wish the ST had a limited slip differential because there's just too much torque steer between the first two gears. This is mainly due to the fact that there is 270lb-ft torque only going to the front wheels. It reminds us of the Saab 9-3 Viggen which torque steered like no tomorrow. Handling is pretty good when you aren't pushing it to its limits and steering feel is great too. The Focus ST feels sporty and yet it's quiet and sophisticated interior quality makes it a strong contender against the Volkswagen GTI. The driving experience is even better when you turn off the radio and listen to that sweet revving turbo engine. It's one soundtrack we wouldn't mind hearing over and over again.

Behind the wheel: There driving position is good with plenty of adjustments for the steering wheel. All will find a comfortable driving position. The Touch screen display and dashboard are much easier to navigate through than our previous Focus ST we had as a test car.

What hatchbacks are supposed to offer is plenty of passenger space and cargo space to go along with the speed. In the Focus ST defense we managed to get five passengers in and still enough for luggage. The boot has a decent amount of space.

Equipment: Unique ST body-kit with 18-inch alloy wheels are standard as well as SYNC voice activated entertainment system. Recaro leather seats are optional as well as HID headlights, sunroof and premium audio system with 10 speakers.

Buying & owning: Running costs aren't bad but aren't great either. But for the amount of speed you get with the Focus ST we think that it's pretty darn good, unless you drive with a light food that is. Insurance rates maybe a bit steep for younger drivers because the Focus ST is considered a performance car and will encourage the driver to drive it like a complete hooligan. Resale value should be strong because the ST has been very popular.

Quality & Safety: The plastics used in the Focus interior feel somewhat low rent in certain areas, while other areas it feels very luxurious and classy. Overall feel of the switchgears has been positive. Reliability record a little worrying as most Focus owners have rated their Focus below average compared to rivals. In case you get a little too carried away with your Focus there is stability control, anti-lock brakes both come standard. There's front and side curtain airbags with five-star rating. A theft alarm and engine immobilizer keeps theft at bay.

Hooligans can rejoice because the Focus St is what they've been waiting for. A cheap hatchback that's practical, spacious and roomy. Plus it’s just a complete hoot to drive thanks to that turbo engine. However it's just not as refined as a GTI nor is it as composed because there's just too much torque for the front wheels to handle. We wish it had a limited slip differential, but it's the best hot hatch money can buy and it really is worth every penny.

Likes: It's that one car that makes you want to drive like a complete hooligan and feel good about doing it. Practical and roomy plus it’s an absolute bargain!

Dislikes: It’s not as refined as a Volkswagen GTI. There’s no less powerful version of the ST or an auto gearbox as an option for mainstream buyers.

The Creme de la creme of hot hatches (used)

The GTI is the original hot hatch and still is one of the best that money can buy.

You can still have the GTI with that thumping turbocharged 2-liter four-cylinder producing 210hp and 258lb-ft torque. This makes the GTI a lot easier to live with than the even hotter Focus ST. Standard six-speed manual gearbox is the best way to have the GTI. The shifts are smooth and slick, for those who prefer the automatic the six-speed DSG gearbox is just as good and offers clutchless manual shifting. Want a little bit more power? You can add an optional power pack which adds an additional 10hp for a total of 220hp which is still far cheaper than the A3 hatch.

On the road the GTI feels very comfortable to drive yet agile when you want to get a little aggressive in the corners. Steering weighs up nicely and offers plenty of feedback. Interior quality is what you'd expect of a Volkswagen. Much of the materials used are high quality with excellent fit and finish. The boot has even more space than the previous generation which is also very helpful for those who want to use this as their daily commuter vehicle.
S trim comes with LED foglights, 18-inch alloy wheels, touch screen sound system with 5.8 inch screen and heated front seats. SE trim comes with rain sensing windshield wipers, keyless start and rearview parking camera. Autobahn package offers climate control, leather seating surfaces, navigation system and automatic headlights. Most buyers will be satisfied with the SE trim which is the pick of the range. It offers just enough kit without being overly expensive.

The new GTI is a large improvement over the previous generation. The turbo engine is smooth with plenty of torque to help make it more easy to live with as a daily commuter car. No other hot hatch blends these well like the GTI and is our top pick for hot hatches.

Likes: Smooth turbo engine. Plenty of grip and is very easy to live with. Offers plenty of features for the money.

Dislikes: Can get expensive with options.

Some may say the Focus ST is a better buy because it has 252hp for the same price. However, the Focus ST isn't as comfortable or composed as a GTI and it doesn't feel as classy in the inside. It's a no brainer here the GTI is a great package.

SE trim is our pick of the range. It has all the kit you'll want a a price tag that is affordable.

(Sorry Abba) Volvo has done the radical with its wagon

The chances of Abba returning as a death metal band were once considered higher than Volvo doing anything radical with its wagons. Boy were we wrong, the V60 Polestar certainly has the looks and a thumping turbo engine under the hood. We're guessing Abba maybe making a radical change in genres as well.

The V60 Polestar uses a turbocharged and supercharged four-cylinder pumping out 362hp, if it had 3 more hp it would have 1hp for every single day of the year. There's only a eight-speed auto gearbox that can be had with the Polestar, but we don't mind at all because the thrill is in the drive and that's where the V60 shines. It has the steering feedback that you'll instantly fall in love with and the standard all-wheel-drive helps keep things sorted and under control. What we find most interesting about the V60 is that despite being a wagon with hot hatch turn of pace, it actually is quite easy to live with. You won't have to worry about a rock hard suspension, as you can slip it into comfort mode. The engine isn't loud and annoying when you aren't driving like a hooligan and the front seats are so comfortable that it should be a requirement for all sporty cars to follow suit.

Volvo knows a thing or two about making easy to use infotainment systems that ooze class and refinement. The controls and dials all fall into place and are easy to find at a glance. The floating dashboard design is distinct and the overall quality of the cabin materials are top notch. The front seats offer superb comfort while those in the second row may feel a tad bit shortchanged on legroom. The boot space is class average, some may say that the V60 is just a hatchback trying to be a wagon. We certainly don't feel this is the case, as the V60 is roomier than the 3-series touring and certainly much better looking if we say so ourselves.

Brembo brakes, 20-inch alloy wheels and integrated body-kit with sport-tuned chassis comes standard. You'll also find active xenon-headlamps, auto-folding exterior mirrors and collision warning with full auto brake standard as well. Volvo tends to be quite generous when it comes to standard features and while this is the most expensive of the V60 range, it certainly doesn't leave anyone wanting more. You'll have to step up to the Mercedes E-class AMG wagon if you find this one lacking, and that is only available as special order (sadly).

The V60 Polestar will certianly be a rare breed on the road. Everyone seems to want crossovers these days, but it is a bold move on Volvo's end to offer such an amazing vehicle on our shore. It certainly has the looks and it certainly does deliver when it comes to performance. The price tag maybe a bit steep for some but if you have to bank and you don't want a crossover, trust us when we say this. The V60 Polestar is one hot wagon that you don't want to ignore.

Likes: It decently sized boot and a thumping engine that gives it hot hatch turn of pace. It's easy to live with and as with traditional Volvos it's has plenty of safety kit.

Dislikes: No one will pay it much attention.

R is for refined in the Golf-R

The Volkswagen Golf-R maybe the fastest of the Golf Range but it is also the most expensive. Does this mean that buying one is a false economy?

The 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the GTI has been upgraded to 292hp in the Golf-R. You can choose from a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox or the extremely quick six-speed DSG auto gearbox. We’d say the manual is the way to go but since there wasn’t one available at that time of the test drive we had to settle with the DSG gearbox which isn’t a bad option either. The gearing of the gearbox is perfectly matched to the engine and doesn’t feel like it’s sapping the horsepower away like it does in the Scion BRZ, and the fact that you have a large amount of torque at low revs helps the Golf-R feel responsive at low revs and it does have plenty of pull where it matters the most.

You won’t have to rev it high to get the most of the engine because power delivery is smooth and seamless. It’s much better than the Subaru WRX we tested a while ago which felt like it had turbo lag for days. Our only complaint about the engine is that it doesn’t feel any quicker than the GTI, sure the horsepower figures suggest more horsepower but the all-wheel-drive adds weight and while the suspension is firmer than that of the GTI. You can still option for a similar suspension in the GTI and have almost identical results. However, in the argument for the Golf-R if you’re looking at it vs the Subaru WRX STI; you’re better off with the Volkswagen as it is a much better package and far classier inside.

Driving the Golf-R doesn’t feel like any Volkswagen. The turbo engine does spool well and there’s plenty of oomph when you kick it into high gear. We love that it doesn’t feel like a hot hatch driving on the highway or around town. It has such a grown-up feel to it while the performance is what you’d expect from a hot hatch. We do however agree that the Ford Focus RS is insanely quicker thanks to 365hp and is slightly cheaper. The only problem with the Focus RS is that it’s a bit too showy in terms of the looks, while the Golf-R is more discrete in appearance. Something you’ll appreciate because the less attention you attract the better off you are! Trust us when we say this!

Our Golf-R came pretty well kitted and it wasn’t much more expensive than we’d thought it would. The only expensive option that was fitted was the DSG auto gearbox. Bi-xenon headlamps, push button ignition switch, DCC adaptive drive chassis and Park Distance Control are all fitted as standard as well as; 19-inch alloy wheels, Fender Premium audio system and power-folding exterior mirrors. Active safety features include Blind Spot Monitoring system, Lane Departure warning and Adaptive Cruise Control with active distance control to help keep your distance from the car in front of you.

The Golf-R is just as roomy as the GTI so we will keep this portion brief. The front seats offer extra support thanks to the sport seats and the comfort they provide are exceptional. The rear seats offer good comfort for two passengers, adding a third person to the rear seat will be pushing it due to the high transmission tunnel. The boot space is what you’d expect of a hot hatch, there’s plenty of it and when you fold down the rear seats you’ve got a small cargo van. The infotainment system is pretty easy to navigate through, with many of the controls and dials within easy reach of the driver’s hand. The Golf-R certainly doesn’t feel any different from the GTI in terms of the interior layout, but this isn’t a bad thing because we love the way the Golf’s interior looks and feels. Some of the materials used are much higher in quality due to the higher price tag the Golf-R commands.

The Golf-R is great for those willing to dish out the cash and wants the most expensive Golf of the range. Everyone else will be completely satisfied with the GTI and the performance pack that you can option for. We love the Golf-R and would certainly buy one in a heartbeat but it just doesn’t feel special compared to the GTI and it doesn’t feel any faster either. But compared to the Subaru WRX STI and Ford Focus RS, we’d choose the Golf-R as it is the classier of the two and has the most discrete image, because you have a hot hatch doesn’t mean it should scream look at me!

Likes: It’s easy to drive as a daily commuter car and has the performance that you desire in a hot hatch, plus the boot is spacious for such a small thing. It’s easy to live with and the suspension isn’t harsh or punishing.

Dislikes: It doesn’t feel special or faster than the GTI, plus it’s expensive.

Devon Test Drives A Volkswagen GTI (Used)

Volkswagen GTI ($26,500*)

Likes: Rapid shifting DSG gearbox, interior materials typical VW high quality, turbo four-cylinder provides good fuel economy and excellent performance.

Dislikes: Competitors offer more horsepower for the same price, can get expensive with options, styling a little bit bland.

Overall: Volkswagen has a hot-hatch that's worthy of the title.