10 Hot Hatches We've Lost In The Last Decade And What They Cost Today (2024)

Once the relatively affordable entry point into the world of high-performance cars for many young gearheads, the hot hatch (or at least, the combustion hot hatch) is unfortunately disappearing from the global car market. While several carmakers have offered a high-performance, fun-focused hatchback as part of their lineup in decades past, the number of cars on sale that fit the bill has been on a steady downward trend. Here are ten hot hatches that have sadly disappeared from the market over the course of the last decade. Each model is listed with its original price when new and the average price range you can find it in on the used market today.

1 Ford Focus RS

Price when new: $36,995

(Used) price range now: $25,000-$35,000

The only Ford Focus RS that made it to the US market was the MK3, which was sold in the States between 2016 and 2018 and powered by a 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 350 hp. When the model was eventually discontinued in 2018, only 1,000 units of its final edition were sold in the US, with a host of cosmetic and tech upgrades to give it the send-off it deserved.

The car didn't do particularly well in the USA. The seating position was odd, and it suffered from highly publicized head gasket issues.

These issues were rectified, and the MK3 Focus RS might become a classic in the future. The 2018 Focus RS was only available in a choice of two colors (Race Red and Nitrous Blue). It also came with the RS2 package (which had previously been an optional extra) as standard. The package includes an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, navigation, and seat inserts to maximize grip, as well as a heated steering wheel and heated front seats.

2 Ford Focus ST

Price when new: $25,170

(Used) price range now: $11,000-$18,000

While the first version of the performance-oriented Ford Focus ST never made it to the US market (unless you count the obscure SVT version), the second one went on sale in the States in 2013. It distinguished itself visually from the “regular” Focus thanks to its more aggressive design, which included a large rear wing, redesigned front bumper, larger air intakes and grille, and wider side sills. Power came from the 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, tuned to produce 252 hp. The Focus ST only lasted until 2018 in the US, as the fourth-generation version was only made for the European market.

The Focus ST divided opinion. With that much power going through the front wheels, it loved to torque steer. Some loved fighting with the car, finding the right amount of power to get it around a corner smoothly, while others dismissed it in favor of the Golf GTI.

3 Ford Fiesta ST

Price when new: $22,015

(Used) price range now: $9,000-$15,000

The only version of the Fiesta ST that made it to the States was its first incarnation, released in parallel with the Fiesta’s sixth generation and sold between 2013 and 2017. The updated version that followed, along with its parent model (the seventh-gen Fiesta), was not sold in the US. The Fiesta ST was first revealed globally as a concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, and in the States its official reveal came a few months later at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Powered by a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, which produced 180 hp, the Fiesta ST also had an “overboost” feature which bumped the output up to 197 hp for up to 15 seconds. On the design front, its redesigned front fascia, large rear spoiler and rear diffuser set it apart from the standard Fiesta.

Though it had less power than its rivals, the Fiesta ST was an epic car to drive. If you had to compile a list of the best hot hatches ever made, it would not be complete without this car on it. We'll just come out and say it. The Fiesta ST was a better can than both the Focus ST and Focus RS.

4 Abarth 500

Price when new: $20,495

(Used) price range now: $10,000-$16,000

This Italian pocket rocket, created as a performance version of the Fiat 500, was first introduced for the 2009 model year, and was on sale until 2019 along with its Fiat sibling. Its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine produced outputs between 133 and 180 hp depending on version (a facelifted version appeared in 2016, and several special editions were released over the years). While the Abarth 500 is no more, the brand is far from defunct: an all-electric version, dubbed the Abarth 500e, was announced two years ago, followed by the 600e last year. However, the jury is still out whether either model will land on American shores.

5 Hyundai Veloster N

Price when new: £32,500

(Used) price range now: $23,000-$29,000

First introduced in 2019, the Veloster N was the first model built by Hyundai’s high-performance N division to be sold in the North American market. It was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 275 hp; with an electronically controlled suspension and electronic limited-slip differential, the Veloster N balances fun and precision. Its signature baby-blue color made it instantly recognizable on the roads, and its driver-friendly character put it in the same league as established players in the hot-hatch world, such as the Golf GTI and Civic Type R. Sadly, however, the Veloster N ended up being discontinued in 2022, a year after the non-N version.

6 Mazdaspeed 3

Price when new: $24,200

(Used) price now: $8,000-$12,000

A high-performance version of the five-door Mazda3 hatchback, the Mazdaspeed 3, arrived on the market in 2007. A second generation arrived three years later, with some mechanical changes, including upgraded brakes, larger tires, and revised gear ratios. Both generations of the Mazdaspeed3 were powered by a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 263 hp and paired with a six-speed manual transmission. The car also came with a limited-slip differential as standard, but it did little to stop the torque steer. A higher-trim GT version was available as well, with embroidered racing seats, Xenon headlights, a premium Bose sound system and rain-sensing windshield wipers. The Mazdaspeed 3 was eventually discontinued in 2013, with the very last model year having a few extra cosmetic touches, such as black mirrors and black wheels.

7 Mini John Cooper Works GP

Price when new: $44,900

(Used) price now: $25,000-$32,000

The John Cooper Works GP version of the legendary Mini hatchback was a limited edition from the start, with only 3,000 units built. It came with a considerable performance upgrade thanks to its engine: the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder also sported by the regular Mini was tuned to produce 301 hp instead of 228 hp. The engine was exclusively paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with the manual offered in the Cooper S not available on the GP, suggesting a focus on raw performance rather than driver enjoyment. All of these upgrades came with a considerably larger price tag compared to other Minis, but as a limited-run collector’s item it was bound to be on the pricey side. For Mini fans who missed out on buying a GP when new, there may be a new version in the pipeline, so watch this space.

8 Subaru Impreza WRX

Price when new: $26,565

(Used) price now: $9,000-$16,000

The first three generations of the Subaru WRX were based on the Impreza, and built between 1993 and 2015; later versions of the WRX moved away from the Impreza name to become a standalone model. The first Impreza WRX model to be sold on the American market was the second generation, introduced to the US for the 2002 model year. It was powered by a turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter flat-four boxer engines found at the top of the standard Impreza lineup. Despite being sometimes overshadowed by its overachieving sibling, the famous WRX STI, it still has a place in the hearts of car enthusiasts around the world.

9 Subaru Impreza WRX STI

Price when new: $36,495

(Used) price now: $18,000-$28,000

The WRX STI was the most powerful member of the Impreza WRX family. It arrived on the American market two years after the Impreza WRX, in 2004. The WRX STI further improved on the turbocharged flat-four engine found in the Impreza WRX, with a boost in power output; it also came with a number of mechanical upgrades, including a high-performance suspension and transmission. You could also set the torque distribution between the front and rear axle manually, which made it good fun on a gravel road. Thanks to the WRX STI’s prominent role in rallying, it quickly became an icon in the world of car enthusiasts, and is still one of the most instantly-recognizable models in the world of motorsport.

10 Volvo C30 T5

Price when new: $25,500

(Used) price now: $10,000-$17,000

The Volvo C30 went on sale in the US for the 2008 model year, and was discontinued in 2013. While the C30 was available globally with a choice of powertrains, the only version available in the US was the one equipped with the high-performance T5 engine: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder which produced 227 hp. It shared this engine with the second generation Focus ST and Focus RS, neither of which came to the USA.

A choice of either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed Geartronic (Volvo’s name for its paddle-shifter automatic transmission) completed the powertrain. A number of special editions of the C30 T5 were released on the American market, including a Boston Red Sox-themed one, an aesthetic-focused R-Design version, and a Polestar Performance edition with a helping of motorsport DNA. What made this car unique was the sound of its engine. Those familiar with the Group B rally days will instantly recognize the same sounds made by the famous Audi Quattro.