By Ben Welham
Last updated: 17 January 2025
Just a few years ago, there was no such thing as the ‘best electric hot hatch’, but now there’s a sea of opportunity and a great selection to pick from.
Of course, they’ve always been quick off the line, but brands have been working hard to capture the essence of the hot hatch in their electric efforts – by making them fun and good around the twisty stuff.
So, to help you choose, here are some of our favourites and why you should consider them.
What are the best electric hot hatches?
MG4 XPower
VW ID.3 GTX Performance
Abarth 500e
CUPRA Born VZ
MINI John Cooper Works Electric
Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
BMW i3s
Alpine A290
The best EV hot hatches in the UK
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MG4 XPower
When the MG4 first came out, it was an instant success, and the fact it was one of MG’s first electric cars, it didn’t phase the public.
The MG4 XPower is the quickest version of the electric hatchback, producing 435hp and 600Nm of torque that gets sent to all four wheels.
In other words, it’s seriously quick. And in a compact package like the MG4, it unlocks endless fun on twisty UK back roads. You have to be careful with all that power if you’re not used to an EV, but the all-wheel drive does inspire some welcome confidence.
Read our MG4 XPower review
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VW ID.3 GTX Performance
Following the popularity of the Golf GTI, we had high hopes for the ID.3 GTX – an all-electric vision of what an electric performance hatchback from VW would be like, and it didn’t disappoint.
The GTX Performance keeps everything good about the ID.3 but bumps power up to 326hp (instead of the standard 201hp) and has a 0-62mph time of just 5.7 seconds.
This, combined with the car’s practicality (a 385-litre boot) and onboard tech, makes it a really well-rounded electric hatch.
Read our VW ID.3 GTX Performance review
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Abarth 500e
In petrol form, the Abarth 595 is hallowed in motoring circles as being some of the most fun you can have in a small, despite being based on the rather tame (but undoubtedly stylish) Fiat 500.
What makes the Abarth 500e so impressed is how they’ve captured that personality in an electric hot hatch. The grunty electric motor and stiff handling gives this little runaround bags and bags of character.
It may ‘only’ produce 152hp and 245Nm of torque, but it can still fire itself from a standstill to 62mph in seven seconds, and the Abarth 500e is about enjoying all the power you have rather than not being able to use a fraction of it.
Watch our Abarth 500e review
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CUPRA Born VZ
Underneath, the Born may share many components with the ID.3, but CUPRA has added its signature flair with more aggressive styling.
Like the ID.3’s GTX Performance, it also produces 326hp and puts the power down in much the same way, so a lot of your decision between the two comes down to the styling you prefer.
So, the main difference between them is the sportiness. Like the standard Golf and Golf R, you’d go for the latter if you want something that’s properly fun to drive and not just practical.
Read our CUPRA Born review
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MINI John Cooper Works Electric
MINI doesn’t just slap the JCW badge on any car, so when it put it on the new MINI Cooper Electric, we knew things were about to get serious.
It bumps the horsepower up to 258hp and gives it a top speed of 124mph and a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds.
Like the standard Cooper SE electric, the JCW is a treat for the senses, especially when you whack it in MINI’s comical ‘Go Kart mode’.
Read our MINI Cooper Electric review
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Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
We didn’t name the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N our electric car of the year 2024 for no reason.
Sure, its fake engine sounds may be a bit gimmicky to some, but hot hatches are about fun. And, as soon as you get behind the wheel of one, it’ll change your perspective on electric hot hatches before you even reach 62mph in 3.4 seconds.
It’s partly thanks to its 609hp setup, but mostly because of its spritely driving dynamics and general fun. Our motoring editor Sam even managed to get air in one on-track.
Read our Hyundai IONIQ 5 N review
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BMW i3s
The BMW i3 was well ahead of its time when it launched in 2013. And since then, it’s gone onto become a bit of a hidden gem in the EV world.
But even fewer people know about the i3s – a performance version that produces 184hp and a 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds.
It also has rear-wheel drive, which is quite unusual for a small electric car (they’re usually front- or all-wheel drive). This makes it that little but more fun around the bends.
Read our BMW i3 review
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Alpine A290
At the end of 2024, Renault-backed performance brand Alpine launched its answer to the excellent new Renault 5 – the A290.
This brought more aggressive styling, a lower ride height and a power bump to 220hp. This helps it get to 62mph in just 6.4 seconds – not long ago, those were performance-car numbers.
Not only that, but the Alpine is full of retro charm
Watch our Alpine A290 review
What is a hot hatch?
A hot hatch is a high-performance version of a hatchback and they’re typically front-engined and front-wheel drive.
But with an electric hot hatch, the rulebook has been shaken up and many are all-wheel drive with motors in the front and rear.
The term ‘hot hatch’ has been used since the 1980s and was given to cars such as the Peugeot 205 GTI and Volkswagen Golf GTI – two pioneers of this type of car.
Are electric hot hatches any good?
Electric hot hatches are often far better than you may initially think. They may not make the same noise as older hatches and they’re certainly bigger but get behind the wheel of one and we bet you’ll change your mind.
They combine a great blend of performance, comfort and acceleration, with comfort often used to be sacrificed in favour of a harsher ride and firmer bucket seats.
What’s it like driving an electric hot hatch?
Driving an electric hot hatch is much like driving any other electric hatchback.
There’s very little to think about because you don’t need to change gear, and they’re very civilised most of the time.
If you want to have a bit of fun, flick it into sport mode, point and shoot.
It’s an overused cliché, but electric hot hatches really are best compared to a go-kart – they’re brilliant fun.
Discover used electric hatchbacks for sale
If reading that has given you the taste for one, then there’s very little else to consider than a used electric hatchback.
With so many brands invested in this type of car, there are so many to choose from.
Not sure which one you want? Why not use our Help Me Choose tool or simply head down to your local cinch Store to see one in the metal.
Read more about electric hatchbacks:
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