There are 13 different hot hatchbacks currently on sale in South Africa.
Hot hatches have always been popular with motoring enthusiasts owing to their great performance, but the segment has sadly waned in South Africa over the last few years owing to ever-rising prices.
Part of the appeal of these small cars is that they are meant to be relatively affordable compared to something like a BMW M3 or an Audi RS6, but there is only a single example left in our market that asks for less than half a million rand.
The unit in question is the Suzuki Swift Sport, which may not be around for much longer as the Swift recently entered a new generation, and the company has yet to confirm whether it will re-introduce the Sport nameplate.
Beyond that, you’ll have to go for the Polo GTI, which is the last B-segment hatch in the country since we no longer have options like the Ford Fiesta ST or Renault Clio RS, and Hyundai has elected not to introduce the i20 N to our roads.
Most hot hatches therefore go for around R800,000 or more, such as the i30 N, VW Golf GTI, and Toyota GR Corolla.
The most expensive option you can look for right now is the Mercedes-AMG A45, which will set you back a cool R1,475,690.
Of course, you are well compensated for these price tags, as even the Swift Sport can deliver a spirited performance, relatively speaking, with a 0-100km/h time of 8.0 seconds and a top speed of over 200km/h.
On the opposite end of the scale is the Audi RS3, which can sprint to 100km/h in just 3.8 seconds with a max speed of nearly 300km/h, provided you raise its electronic cap with an optional performance package.
The Fast and the furious
These are all of the hot hatchbacks you can currently buy in South Africa.
Click on the underlined prices for more information.
Audi RS3 Sportback
- Starting price – R1,330,800
- Engine – 2.5-litre turbo
- Power – 294kW/500Nm
- 0-100km/h – 3.8 seconds
- Top Speed – 250km/h (opt 290km/h)
Audi S3 Sportback
- Starting price – R930,300
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 213kW/400Nm
- 0-100km/h – 4.9 seconds
- Top Speed – 250km/h
BMW 1 Series M135
- Starting price – R982,767
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 233kW/400Nm
- 0-100km/h – 4.9 seconds
- Top Speed – 250km/h
Honda Civic Type R
- Starting price – R1,021,600
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 235kW/420Nm
- 0-100km/h – 5.5 seconds
- Top Speed – 272km/h
Hyundai i30 N
- Starting price – R848,900
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 206kW/392Nm
- 0-100km/h – 5.4 seconds
- Top Speed – 250km/h
Mercedes-AMG A-Class A35
- Starting price – R1,315,548
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 235kW/400Nm
- 0-100km/h – 4.7 seconds
- Top Speed – 250km/h
Mercedes-AMG A-Class A45
- Starting price – R1,475,690
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 310kW/500Nm
- 0-100km/h – 3.9 seconds
- Top Speed – 270km/h
Toyota GR Corolla
- Starting price – R849,400
- Engine – 1.6-litre turbo
- Power – 221kW/370Nm
- 0-100km/h – 5.2 seconds
- Top Speed – 230km/h
Toyota GR Yaris
- Starting price – R848,600
- Engine – 1.6-litre turbo
- Power – 198kW/360Nm
- 0-100km/h – 5.5 seconds
- Top Speed – 230km/h
VW Golf GTI
- Starting price – R836,700
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 180kW/370Nm
- 0-100km/h – 6.4 seconds
- Top Speed – 250km/h
VW Golf R
- Starting price – R996,700
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 235kW/400Nm
- 0-100km/h – 4.8 seconds
- Top Speed – 250km/h (opt 270km/h)
VW Polo GTI
- Starting price – R573,300
- Engine – 2.0-litre turbo
- Power – 147kW/320Nm
- 0-100km/h – 6.7 seconds
- Top Speed – 238km/h
Suzuki Swift Sport
- Starting price – R478,900
- Engine – 1.4-litre turbo
- Power – 103kW/230Nm
- 0-100km/h – 8.0 seconds
- Top Speed – 205km/h
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