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best-hot-hatches-2024-–-the-most-fun-and-the-one-to-avoid

A hot hatch is a car many will buy with their head as well as their heart, because they must be as capable on the school or supermarket run as they are at raising pulses on a winding road.

That duality can be tricky to achieve, because much of what makes a car good around town – a soft ride and hushed engine – is often the precise opposite to what you’d want on a twisting back road.

To determine the best hot hatches, our reviewers drive hundreds of miles in each model, both on a wide variety of roads and our test track. And we cram them full of passengers and luggage to assess practicality, then we examine their fuel economy, value for money and reliability.

After testing every hot hatch on sale, our expert team of reviewers have determined that the Mercedes-AMG A45 is the best hot hatch you can buy. To find out which version we recommend, though, as well as which other hot hatchbacks are worth considering – and which aren't – you'll need to keep reading.

Below you can see the ten best hot hatchbacks on sale today, and we’ll point you in the direction of our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/hot-hatch">hot hatch deals</a>&nbsp;pages to help you get the very best price.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Best hot hatches 2024 – the most fun, and the one to avoid

Hatchback

The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

Like Abarth, some of Cupra's models including the Ateca and Leon are extensively reworked Seats, but models such as the Born and Formentor are exclusive to Cupra.

Whilst Cupras are closely related to equivalent models from Seat and Volkswagen, they are generally tuned to provide a more engaging driving experience.

CUPRA

LEON

Previously, the Cupra Leon was a go-faster version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/leon/hatchback/review/n89">Seat Leon</a>. However, following a mid-life facelift in 2024, it's now a&nbsp;standalone model, with bespoke styling that aims to give it a more distinctive, sporty look.&nbsp;

For the most fun version of the Cupra Leon hatchback, you have to go for the range-topping&nbsp;2.0-litre turbocharged engine. It produces 296bhp and can sprint from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, which is not quite as quick as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n141">Ford Focus ST</a>,&nbsp;but it's still pretty punchy.&nbsp;

One issue with that version is that it can struggle for grip in wet conditions, which is why the&nbsp;328bhp engine offered in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/estate-cars/n16998">estate</a>&nbsp;is even better, because it gets four-wheel drive. No matter the version you go for, though, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is more comfortable for everyday driving, while the Focus ST is more engaging to drive down&nbsp;a twisty road.

“The adaptive suspension, which is fitted&nbsp;on all Cupra Leons apart from the entry-level version, is&nbsp;very useful. I liked that I could choose from&nbsp;hard and focused for driving down&nbsp;a twisty B-road, or&nbsp;soft and cosseting for&nbsp;a long motorway journey.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/darren-moss/n1005" target="_blank">Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor</a>

10: Cupra Leon

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Estate is very fast yet surprisingly comfortable</li>
	<li>Plenty of engine options</li>
	<li>PHEV offers cheap company car tax</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not the last word in playful, engaging handling</li>
	<li>Cupra’s reliability record</li>
	<li>Fiddly touch-sensitive controls</li>
</ul>

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

The Mercedes-AMG A35 might be a cheaper version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n17170">A45</a>&nbsp;that sits high on our list of the best hot hatches – but it doesn’t feel cut-price. Indeed it’s best thought of as a softer, slightly less shouty alternative.

It’s no slouch, though, because it’ll accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.7sec. And with grippy four-wheel drive, it’ll do that in pretty much any weather condition. If there’s a drawback, it's that the steering doesn’t engage you quite as much as that of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n20208">BMW M135i</a>, but it’s certainly more relaxed at a cruise than the A45.

The interior has a genuine wow factor, boosted by the appearance of two AMG sports seats and a racy flat-bottomed steering wheel, although you’ll need to overlook a few low-rent interior plastics. The A35 has a pair of 10.3in screens – one for the instruments, one for the infotainment – which look impressive, although they’re not as easy to use as those in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n26">BMW 128ti</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;M135i.&nbsp;

It’s a shame that the automatic gearbox isn’t more alert and the engine sound lacks character – and that it’s practicality is merely average.

“I love the interior design, especially at night with the optional multi-coloured ambient lighting fitted. It adds a real dose of drama to the dashboard – although I wish it was just a little easier to use.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a>

9: Mercedes-AMG A35

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rapid acceleration</li>
	<li>Great traction, even in inclement conditions</li>
	<li>Reasonably comfortable</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rivals are more rewarding</li>
	<li>Engine sounds a bit tuneless</li>
	<li>Too much road noise</li>
</ul>

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

M135i

The M135i is the most powerful version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n26">BMW 1 Series</a>&nbsp;you can buy. It's powered by a 302bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine; that’s on a par with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n17152">Audi S3</a>&nbsp;but a bit behind the&nbsp;big hitters in the class, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n17170">Mercedes-AMG A45</a>.

Despite that, the M135i is hardly a slouch. With its launch control system engaged, it&nbsp;can dash off&nbsp;the line with immediacy and hit&nbsp;62mph in just 4.8sec.&nbsp;It hardly ever struggles for traction, too, thanks to its xDrive four-wheel-drive system –&nbsp;even on damp conditions.

Is the engine and gearbox the most exciting combination? No, not quite. The engine produces a bit of a monotonous drone, even when you step on it,&nbsp;and it's not quite as&nbsp;engaging in the corners as an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/rs3/hatchback/review/n175">Audi RS3</a>. Mind you, the M135i&nbsp;does win back some points for everyday usability, because it&nbsp;has a smart, high-quality interior and one of the best infotainment systems in the business.

“The M135i's interior&nbsp;is a big step up from&nbsp;what you'll find in the&nbsp;Ford Focus ST and&nbsp;Volkswagen&nbsp;Golf GTI. The dashboard is awash with soft-touch materials, plus it feels&nbsp;solid and built to last. I found the infotainment system to be very easy to use, partly because of the rotary control dial on the centre console.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/claire-evans/n1100" target="_blank">Claire Evans, Consumer&nbsp;Editor</a>

8: BMW M135i

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Plenty of pace</li>
	<li>Classy interior</li>
	<li>Excellent infotainment</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rivals are more fun and engaging</li>
	<li>You'll want to add options</li>
	<li>Rear head room not great</li>
</ul>

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

GOLF GTI

The latest Volkswagen Golf GTI is outgunned by the very best hot hatches when it comes to outright thrills and speed. It’s also quite pricey considering the performance on offer.

However, it does nail the balance of everyday usability. The ride, for example, is surprisingly supple for a hot hatch (especially with the optional adaptive suspension fitted), and performance is closer to the more powerful&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>&nbsp;than you might think. Plus, its boot managed to swallow five carry-on suitcases in our tests.

Unfortunately, the GTI is no longer available with a manual gearbox, so instead&nbsp;you have to make do with a seven-speed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">automatic gearbox</a>. This is a shame, because the manual was ultimately more fun to use.

“I still mourn the loss of the manual gearbox in the Golf GTI. However, the dual-clutch DSG automatic&nbsp;does offer&nbsp;smooth-yet-swift shifts, and you can take back control with the gear-shift paddles behind the steering wheel if you want to.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/lawrence-cheung/n23691" target="_blank">Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor</a>

7: Volkswagen Golf GTI

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Decent practicality</li>
	<li>Tidy cornering</li>
	<li>Quiet and comfy for a hot hatch</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Some rivals offer more thrills</li>
	<li>Quite pricey for the performance offered</li>
	<li>Unintuitive infotainment system</li>
</ul>

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

The regular&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n37">Ford Focus</a>&nbsp;is one of the best-handling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/family-cars/n16996">family cars</a>&nbsp;on sale, making it an excellent starting point for a hot hatch.&nbsp;

So, where does the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/focus/hatchback/review/n141">Focus&nbsp;ST</a>&nbsp;version differ? Well, the key differences include a 276bhp 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine that’s happy to be revved hard, plus a limited-slip differential to help you get the most traction out of corners.&nbsp;

In essence, it’s great fun to drive while retaining the practicality of the regular Focus. However, the steering can be inconsistently weighted at times, and the rather low-rent interior might put you off. The BMW M135i, for example, has a nicer interior and features an infotainment system that's easier to get along with.

“The Focus ST is one of the best&nbsp;hot hatches&nbsp;to drive along a country road. It offers greater agility, playfulness and, ultimately, a higher fun factor than many of its&nbsp;rivals, including&nbsp;the&nbsp;Volkswagen Golf GTI. What really appeals to me, though, is that&nbsp;it's more affordable to buy than that&nbsp;car, too.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/steve-huntingford/n1018" target="_blank">Steve Huntingford, Editor</a>

6: Ford Focus ST

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Great driving position</li>
	<li>Even more fun with the grippy Track Pack</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Infotainment system can be fiddly to use</li>
	<li>Interior is a bit low rent</li>
	<li>Steering is inconsistently weighted</li>
</ul>

The BMW 128ti is essentially a pared-down version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n20208">BMW M135i</a>, with front wheel drive rather than four-wheel drive and a detuned version of that car’s turbocharged 2.0-litre engine.

On paper, you might think these factors count against it, but they don’t; the 128ti is lighter and more agile, and it benefits from a bespoke suspension set-up, stiffer anti-roll bars and revised steering.

If you're looking for the most thrilling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n26">BMW 1 Series</a>&nbsp;you can buy, and one that is guaranteed to have you smiling after every journey, then this is it. It's also eminently usable as family transport, benefitting from the same high-quality interior and decent space as the standard&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n20208">1 Series</a>.

“With four-wheel drive, the M135i has amazing&nbsp;traction on greasy, winding roads, but I found the the front-wheel drive 128ti to be the more engaging driver’s car, thanks to its more natural-feeling steering and playful chassis.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/will-nightingale/n1020" target="_blank">Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor</a>

5: BMW 128ti

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Superb build quality</li>
	<li>Sporty handling</li>
	<li>Class-leading infotainment system</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Mercedes A-Class is safer</li>
	<li>SE trim not that well equipped</li>
	<li>Road noise at speed</li>
</ul>

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

IONIQ 5 N

You might be surprised to see an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>&nbsp;on this list, but the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N proves there's a place for them in the hot hatchback class.

It's powered by two electric motors (with one on each set of wheels) that combine to produce a whopping 601bhp –&nbsp;or 641bhp in 10-second bursts using the&nbsp;N Grin Boost mode. Using launch control, the car is said to hit 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds – that makes it the quickest car on this list by quite some&nbsp;margin.

However, it's not just about power and pace with the Ioniq 5 N, because it has some&nbsp;very clever party tricks. The most notable is the N e-Shift and N Active Sound Plus driving modes; the former makes the car&nbsp;drive as if it has an eight-speed<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/automatic-gearboxes-everything-you-need-to-know/n17022">&nbsp;automatic gearbox</a>, and you can shift the simulated gears up and down with the steering wheel-mounted&nbsp;paddles, while the latter&nbsp;pumps fake engine sounds into the interior&nbsp;and outside the car.

The combination, along&nbsp;with the car's playful handling, is an electric car&nbsp;that's great fun to drive. Of course, with all those&nbsp;gadgets, you do have to pay a price for the Ioniq 5 N, because it's very expensive.

“Beneath the surface, the Ioniq 5 N is&nbsp;closely related to the Kia EV6 GT. However, it has new suspension, bigger brakes, quicker steering, reinforced underpinnings and a vast array of drive modes to distinguish it from its&nbsp;cousin. I found the difference was like night and day.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/oliver-young/n22317" target="_blank">Oliver Young, Used Cars Reporter</a>

4: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Explosive straight-line pace</li>
	<li>Just as practical as the Ioniq 5</li>
	<li>Fast charging speeds</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Costs more than electric alternatives</li>
	<li>Some features more suited to track use</li>
	<li>Mercedes-AMG A45 S is cheaper and more talented</li>
</ul>

GOLF R

The Golf R is the kind of hot hatchback we love – exciting to drive when you're pressing on, but perfectly civilised when you're not.

You see, being based on the regular&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17371">Volkswagen Golf</a>, it offers plenty of space for your passengers and all of their luggage, yet also offers more feedback through corners than the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n20208">BMW M135i</a>&nbsp;and the mechanically-similar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n17152">Audi S3</a>.

The Golf R's&nbsp;four-wheel drive system also aids traction, yet you can feel power being sent to the rear wheels to help the car rotate on the way out of corners.

Indeed, if it had a smarter interior and a less frustrating infotainment system, the latest Golf R might rise even higher up this list.

“The Golf R is available with an optional Akrapovic exhaust system. It's quite expensive, but it's an option I'd choose because&nbsp;I love the&nbsp;humorous exhaust pops as you lift off the accelerator.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/neil-winn/n1101" target="_blank">Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor</a>

3: Volkswagen Golf R

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Savagely fast</li>
	<li>More fun than the Audi S3 and BMW M135i</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride, especially with optional adaptive suspension</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Won’t thrill you like the very best hot hatches</li>
	<li>Lacklustre interior and infotainment for a car of this price</li>
	<li>Relatively expensive to buy and run</li>
</ul>

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n17152">Audi S3</a>&nbsp;may not deliver the ultimate driving thrills of some hot hatchback rivals, but it counters with impressive point-to-point pace.&nbsp;

It’s absurdly rapid in a straight line, and there’s always plenty of grip on offer in corners. That’s partly down to the accuracy of the S3’s steering, and the assured nature of its four-wheel drive system. It never feels intimidating, unlike some hot hatch rivals such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/gr-yaris/hatchback/review/n22315">Toyota GR Yaris</a>.

While the closely related&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17162">Volkswagen Golf R</a>&nbsp;is a better all-rounder, the S3 isn't far behind – and it has the obvious allure of a premium badge and a more upmarket interior.

“The S3's rear seat backs split in a useful 40/20/40 configuration, which is something you have to pay extra for in a BMW M135i. It's a very useful feature, as I found on a long road trip, where the extra flexibility for my luggage came in really useful.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/stuart-milne/n25965" target="_blank">Stuart Milne, Digital Editor</a>

2: Audi S3

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Very fast and capable</li>
	<li>Easy to live with</li>
	<li>Slick-shifting gearbox</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not the cheapest hot hatch out there</li>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment system</li>
	<li>Audi's so-so reliability record</li>
</ul>

AMG A45

As well as being the very best hot hatch on sale today, the Mercedes-AMG A45 might just be the finest alarm clock, too – because it’s precisely the kind of car you’ll find yourself waking an hour early for, just to head out for a drive.

You’ll cover a lot of miles in that hour, because its 415bhp engine is coupled with grippy four-wheel drive to enable a 0-62mph time of just 3.9sec – remarkable performance in a car that’s relatively comfortable and can carry six carry-on suitcases. Features like AMG sports seats, a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel and AMG-specific digital dials all add to that incredible driving experience.

It’s worth noting that because the A45 is at the scorching end of the hot hatch market, you’ll find the Audi RS3 more civilised and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n20208">BMW M135i</a>&nbsp;cheaper. But few blend such savage performance with playful handling and an upmarket look and feel. Supercar performance has rarely been more accessible.

“I'm very happy to sacrifice a bit of civility for&nbsp;extra fun. I found the amount of speed I could carry through&nbsp;corners was remarkable, and the effectiveness of the four-wheel drive system is seriously impressive.” –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/dan-jones/n23433" target="_blank">Dan Jones, Reviewer</a>

1: Mercedes-AMG A45 S Plus

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Savage acceleration</li>
	<li>Immense grip</li>
	<li>Quick-shifting automatic gearbox</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Very expensive</li>
	<li>Audi RS3 is more comfortable</li>
	<li>Infotainment controls could be easier to use</li>
</ul>

A former motorsport team and independent tuning company, Abarth has long&nbsp;produced high performance versions of Fiat's cars.

In recent years, Abarth has been established&nbsp;as a standalone brand – in the same way that Citroën split off its DS luxury division several years ago. However, the major difference is that DS cars look completely different from the Citroëns on which they’re based, whereas Abarths rely on bodykits and big wheels to mark them out.

The Abarth 500e is a sporty version of the Fiat 500 Electric, whilst the Abarth 595 is a beefed-up version of the older Fiat 500 hatchback.

ABARTH

The go-faster version of the Fiat 500 is startlingly quick and wonderfully stylish. Unfortunately, this isn't backed by composure in corners and the bouncy ride can become extremely wearing.

And the hot hatch to avoid: Abarth 595

A great hot hatch needs to combine driving fun with everyday usability. So, which models do it best – and which one is best avoided?

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