My outright favourite here is the Golf R, but considering they cost more than 40K with options, the i20N is the moral victor. Looks good, drives great and has a manual! That's the kind of 'hot hatch' you'd want to daily.
The Golf R starts at just over £40k which I think stretches the limits of "affordable"; in my eyes at least and it's not even available as a manual as far as I can tell. Others may argue that anything is affordable on PCP...
I went to try and find a 120N to test drive unfortunately I couldn’t so I bought one the first time I’ve ever bought a car without a test drive , 3 1/2 months waiting list though it’s going to be a long few months, but I am so pleased I bought one and to be honest I think the resale value will be great especially as they are stopping production of petrol cars in the UK quite soon Hot hatches will be sought after items
I’ve owned a Golf R, driven a Fiesta ST that I had for 2 months, and test drove the i20N yesterday. The i20N is the best all round without a doubt. I placed my order there and then, cannot wait🤘
I20n looks like a cracking little hatch, and blessed with a manual gearbox too. If I couldn't afford the extra £9k for a Yaris (if you can get hold of one), looks like a great choice to me.....
Strange comparison with so many levels of apples to oranges. Almost every car was a different use case and price? Reviews a fat Fiesta ST, then verbally talked about the Fiesta ST throughout the whole i20 section as being it's direct competitor yet no sign of a Fiesta. As a viewer, that's odd.
Just about to read your write up in this weeks magazine, thought I’d search and watch this first. I always leave reading your magazine to read on a Sunday!
When you start comparing FWD to Four wheel drive and RWD cars to each other as in a “same class” for handling driving and other features, its becomes annoying to watch
Strange you didn’t mention costs at all in your summing up. The i20 N is phenomenal value compared to the Golf R and perhaps this should be a factor in your choice!
Love the i20 N and happy it won. The Golf R is way too expensive to be included. Caterham can't handle a crash and have you live so it can't be included.
My I20N is due October and I cannot wait. Spent a long time shortlisting options and nothing matched it for bang for buck. Kona N looking like it could be a genuine crossover king, too - I30N power in a jacked up I20N body, madness!
My i20N is due by the beginning of November, ordered it on the 13th of August and the dealer gave me no indication other than up to 12 weeks. It's radio silence and it's really great to see all these reviews calling it the next best thing, but at the same time it's killing me not being able to drive it yet. I've got no idea how long I'll have to wait, it's radio silence from my dealer so far. Gotta be patient I guess. I got mine for £22k fully spec'd, how'd you do in battle against your dealer?
@@Tribulation88 Yeah, chased my order up this week (placed 4th August, so almost a month ago) and was basically told the same thing - "no update yet, car still in the factory most likely". I'm just glad this is a really busy time of year, so at least it'll go quick haha. I think mine works out just over £22.5k with perf blue paint and Bose, so not far off :D
@@Jo3yPropane Really annoying, it's likely due in part to the chip shortage too. Hopefully the dealers can get some better tracking from Hyundai, I'd feel a lot better knowing what stage the order is at... like tracking a Domino's pizza lol Hopefully it will fly, maybe it's best to forget I ordered one hahaha. Nice, it's a cracking deal.
@@CJONE764 I'm surprised that the GR 86 wasn't on this Autocar shootout. The GR 86 had its only UK debut at the Goodwood festival of Speed but no where else. All the journalists from Japan and USA have done their videos, so what's going on with Toyota UK?
I can understand the word "affordable" for i20N and puma, however golf r is nowhere close to the meaning of this word. Also, you compare golf r vs 128ti and i20N, I mean... A 100 horse power difference doesn't make sense in a car comparison, especially vs awd and fwd. Also, there is no type r, even though it's not affordable. Bad title choice I guess
@Andrew yeah he's just saying this video seems a bit detached from reality. that disgusting 1 series Bmw starts at 44k€ in my country, that's not affordable at all. The i20N costs "only" 25k, that's what you would actually call affordable. Mid-class citizens don't want to spend 44k on a useless ugly small hatchback. Looking at the cars I instantly knew which one had won, fast forward, was right, checking out now. You might be right that this is a reasonable comparsion, but in that case my domestic (German) brands showed up with a knife to a battleship fight.
Based on the thumbnail and only being able to read "Whats the best drivers car?" I thought this collection of hatchbacks and a Caterham Super Seven was all Autocar could get get this year 😂
It's a drivers car for those who have to have the extra boot space and/or the extra ride height to be able to get in and out of.The Kona N will suffer from the same issues as the Puma as well as the benefits.
I used to run a 1700 cross flow on Webber’s.. they’ve got the sound similar.. but 40£k??? That’s taking the piss.. if it was 20k then perhaps..ps good film! Good reviews!
The I 20N is the car for me, good job seeing as I’ve just bought one hopefully I will get it at the end of this month after three long months cracking little car
@@Maxi86inAction It’s a great car really really fast and its fun to drive and sounds Really really good TH-cam doesn’t give it justice and it can be quite economical if driven sensibly I would definitely recommend it
Unfortunately a lot of these cars are not available here in Canada. We get way too many SUVs. If I had my way there would be none allowed on the road wasting petrol!!!! Thanks for the excellent review.
The golf r is a over 40k and classed as a luxury car now, so it’s not that affordable. However with lease deals it may be common as mud as with the mk7
Great job Autocar! Looking forward to your verdict on the upcoming Toyota GR 86. So many press launch videos from Japan and America by now, I wonder what's taking Toyota UK so long, when they did a very subtle UK launch at the Goodwood Festival of Speed...Unfortunately The GR 86 be ignored by people who prefer turbocharged hothatcbacks (because all they care about is straight line speed and PCP Finance deals) or people who want a more raw experience like a Caterham, but I see it as the perfect sweet spot between the those two types of cars in that spectrum.
I am a big fan of the GR Yaris, but I think that it may work against the GR86's success. I love both of these GR products that Akio san got involved with, but I think most people here will only be interested in 0-60 times and 1/4 mile numbers, so the GR86 may be sadly ignored. I hope both cars get the attention and praise they deserve by car enthusiasts.
i feel like the 1000's of car reporters.. or top gear rip offs or what ever... have completely lost touch with what a normal person is driving around every day... I feel like all of those cars are HOT Hatches.. we are talking above 330 HP in all of them.... most of these with all wheel drive would probably beat an Aventador in a 0-60 or 1/4.. or at least come close, and they are saying they are just MEH... there is a saying.. never take advice from an expert because they have experienced so much they can not give an actually objective commentary on what they are an expert in
I have driven both the old model and the fairly recently revamped and the old model is ace. The new one not so much. It understeers too much and feels a bit too soft. I understand why they’ve done it but they’ve lost more than they’ve gained. It’s not awful but not great.
Not sure about autocar anymore. Always seem to find to many faults or downsides to the cars they drive. Im guessing all the hyper cars they drive must make hot hatches seem dull to them.
I like the review, although, there isn't much of a comparisson to the Puma ST ( which I own proudly). Puma ST is the best car I've driven in years ( coming from 208 Gti and VW Gti ). Fun and functionality combined.
I agree with the findings but i must say when the golf r as a standard car now starts at just over 40k so you'd have to pay much higher road tax 'affordable' might be a bit of a stretch for many when in this group
@@hsvcommodore4111 GR Yaris is just to nervous and unstable at speed, to be even considered an occasional track day car. Let alone on a tough B road!! Sure it's kinda impressive on a bit of dirt road or slippery surface, where you don't even rev 3rd gear all the way out.
@mac sixtyfive except that the Yaris is not twitchy or unstable at speed it is perfectly set up to crush a twisty b-road at speed and with confidence. It’s certainly more suited to road than track… It’s also far cheaper than the golf r and should be on this list. As should the Civic Type R.
Great review thank you. i20N nails it for me and I would take it over any other car here. I cant get over the looks of the Golf or the choice of materials for the interior, I like the look of the BMW and it probably takes second place but loses marks for auto.
Sorry guys, I usually love your videos, opinions and reviews, but this is a properly bad video. 1. Caterham in a hot hatch competition? Rubbish. 2. 2:34 - Some shots have really bad image stabilization, this is one of them. 3. 3:00 - "proper dials" - just because it's a base spec - you can also have it with a full digital speedometer 4. 7:00 - Press department should not provide you guys with such a poorly specced car(s). Golf 8 R is miles ahead as soon as you spec it with the Akrapovic exhaust, the performance pack with Nürburgring mode and more. 5. 9:08 - Comparing it to the GTI which isn't on the test? GTI does not try to be the "hard-hardcore hot hatch", this is just crap. 6. 15:20 - Yes, the same engine but it would be interesting to know that the Puma has 236 lb-ft vs. 214lb ft in the Fiesta. 7. 16:54 - "It wants to be driven hard" = It is an exciting thing? It is. The rotating back is (as mentioned), is awesome, none of the mentioned VAG / BMW cars is agile like that. Ford put quite an aggressive chassis in a crossover and he is still not amused, while he criticized the cars before for trying to be too hardcore? The sound is exciting inside and outside, there is not just "a growl" inside but it also sounds sporty outside. You can hear the turbo really nicely which is again very exciting. The others Golf without Akra, Leon, 128ti are super muted outside. 8. 18:52 - James' audio is really bad 9. 19:35 - "Feels more like a Golf GTI?" No it clearly does not. The torque converter auto (vs. DSG), the grown-up interior, the steering feel (he even mentioned that) the engine and the well-rounded passive dampers make that car way more grown-up than the GTI. Maybe it's more GTI than it's predecessors with RWD, but he does not mention that point. 10. 20:56 - Great to see them having a bit of a laugh, that's what the show should've been like. 11. 24:15 - "The rear is trying to overtake you" - This is a the most fun feature on the Fiesta / Puma ST and again James is criticizing that point. I'm not sure that this editor is the perfect choice for a hot hatch shootout. 12. "Britain's best affordable driver's car" - I thought the video was about Hot Hatches? The Golf is with 40k+ not really "affordable" anymore
Oddly, I’m not a massive BMW fan - though my mate’s tweaked M2 Comp is impressive - but I quite like the look of the 128i. The computer game engine sound is what I immediately don’t like, without having driven one.
Most way out of reach for workers on 15k to 20k a year unfortunately so called drivers car's have all but dissapeard will soon be none existent if govt has its way certainly for normal folk they will be preserved for the rich
An i20n compared to a Golf R.... Apples and oranges... And what about the new Toyota GR86? What about a golf GTI clubsport ... Certainly thats more driver focused than a Golf R.... And no Toyota GR yaris?
What I don’t get is why would you not include cars on sale for more than a year? Average punter doesn’t care if hatch has been available for 2-3 years, and that usually means more development time.
Great vid as always. The 128ti doesn't have those dials because it doesn't have that option fitted. It'll have an older version of idrive with a smaller screen.
The current generation MX-5 was facelift in July 2018, so I think they only chose cars that made their debut on 2021. I was looking forward to the Toyota GR86 to be in this video but Toyota UK are slow with their press launches.
I'm on my second Golf R. I love it. It is very comfortable and the interior is nearly as nice as my Audi. As a hatchback it will haul everything I need with ease and with the appropriate tires, (Continental DWS) it handles inclement weather without pause. It's all wheel drive setup with 300 HP is enough on the windy mountain roads Palo Alto to harass cars with double my horsepower. In highway traffic the power is enough to downshift and get yourself out of traffic if you want. My only complaint with the Golf R in this and the previous MK VI iteration is the pedal configuration is not at all conducive to heal and toe work. The only way you can ever do this is if your foot is completely buried in the break. But let's face it, the Golf R really isn't a track car.
Ah, the famous caterham hot hatch..
Not like the Toyota Yaris GR roadster? 🤷🏻♂️😂
🤣
@@MrBarneyboy1234 or FK8
@@PlanetautoUK convertible? 🤷🏻♂️😂
@@MrBarneyboy1234 😵💫😆
My outright favourite here is the Golf R, but considering they cost more than 40K with options, the i20N is the moral victor. Looks good, drives great and has a manual! That's the kind of 'hot hatch' you'd want to daily.
Had an i20N for over a year 10,000 miles later it still puts a smile on my face
It reminds me of the Cleo 172 sport I had 20 years ago
Analogy of the the Puma ST was brilliant!! "A Fiesta ST that's had a few pints"
The i20N is making waves. I like it!
It also get the best finance value currently in the UK for hot hatches (other than the gr yaris if you want to wait for a 2023 allocation)
The Golf R starts at just over £40k which I think stretches the limits of "affordable"; in my eyes at least and it's not even available as a manual as far as I can tell. Others may argue that anything is affordable on PCP...
Came here for the i20N, and was not disappointed. I want to get a test drive in one as soon as possible
I went to try and find a 120N to test drive unfortunately I couldn’t so I bought one the first time I’ve ever bought a car without a test drive , 3 1/2 months waiting list though it’s going to be a long few months, but I am so pleased I bought one and to be honest I think the resale value will be great especially as they are stopping production of petrol cars in the UK quite soon Hot hatches will be sought after items
@@dylanthedyslexicvillain4294How is it? can you review it for us quickly here?
Got one. Lovely car
I’ve owned a Golf R, driven a Fiesta ST that I had for 2 months, and test drove the i20N yesterday. The i20N is the best all round without a doubt. I placed my order there and then, cannot wait🤘
Hows it treating you? I pick mine up Sun!
@@50dent11 i rejected it after 3 months, engine blew up…… known problem. I’d steer well clear if I was you. Sorry🤷🏼♂️
@@NH-bz9jv oh no😂😂😂
@@50dent11 yep, never again.
@@NH-bz9jv What happened to your i20N engine?!
Love my i20 N - first one in Scotland and even after my Type R, I’m still smiling!
Currently CTR miles better than an I20
I’m hoping when I get mine it’ll be the first one in Leeds lol
I20n looks like a cracking little hatch, and blessed with a manual gearbox too. If I couldn't afford the extra £9k for a Yaris (if you can get hold of one), looks like a great choice to me.....
At the moment it’s not 9k more. People are paying nearly 40k for a GR
@@mitchybenny yep, and already seen the Hyundai with £2k discount.....
@@colinw1591 you can get it for £22k technically, all be it PCP so obviously it’s more in the end. Cash it’s £23,600
Good video but only the I20N at £25K is ‘affordable’. Even the Puma is £30K plus.
The N is for sure my Next car. Pretty N-thuastic about it!
Cupra for power outputs and handling but I'll take the I20N for best allrounder.
I get my i20 N tomorrow!!! 😍
Strange comparison with so many levels of apples to oranges. Almost every car was a different use case and price? Reviews a fat Fiesta ST, then verbally talked about the Fiesta ST throughout the whole i20 section as being it's direct competitor yet no sign of a Fiesta. As a viewer, that's odd.
Love the I20n, would definately replace my 208Gti with one.
That's exactly what I've done
I’m intrigued what it’s like compared to my 182 Trophy.
@@Rascularvideos I would keep the 182 all day is age/wear and fuel economy wasn't a question. The N will be much easier to gain some power though...
How's the 208GTi holding up?
i20 maybe the ugliest car out there
Just about to read your write up in this weeks magazine, thought I’d search and watch this first. I always leave reading your magazine to read on a Sunday!
That Cupra is a good looking thing
The golf for those who have given up on life.The i30n is just amazing.
i20N
This TEST is like Watching PAINT DRY
When you start comparing FWD to Four wheel drive and RWD cars to each other as in a “same class” for handling driving and other features, its becomes annoying to watch
Drivers car not handling. They have another shootout for handling.
Strange you didn’t mention costs at all in your summing up. The i20 N is phenomenal value compared to the Golf R and perhaps this should be a factor in your choice!
Love the i20 N and happy it won. The Golf R is way too expensive to be included. Caterham can't handle a crash and have you live so it can't be included.
I've got an I20 and I haven't seen another one yet!
If I didn't have a GR Yaris, I would be straight to Hyundai for the I20N.
My I20N is due October and I cannot wait. Spent a long time shortlisting options and nothing matched it for bang for buck. Kona N looking like it could be a genuine crossover king, too - I30N power in a jacked up I20N body, madness!
My i20N is due by the beginning of November, ordered it on the 13th of August and the dealer gave me no indication other than up to 12 weeks. It's radio silence and it's really great to see all these reviews calling it the next best thing, but at the same time it's killing me not being able to drive it yet. I've got no idea how long I'll have to wait, it's radio silence from my dealer so far. Gotta be patient I guess. I got mine for £22k fully spec'd, how'd you do in battle against your dealer?
@@Tribulation88 Yeah, chased my order up this week (placed 4th August, so almost a month ago) and was basically told the same thing - "no update yet, car still in the factory most likely". I'm just glad this is a really busy time of year, so at least it'll go quick haha. I think mine works out just over £22.5k with perf blue paint and Bose, so not far off :D
@@Jo3yPropane Really annoying, it's likely due in part to the chip shortage too. Hopefully the dealers can get some better tracking from Hyundai, I'd feel a lot better knowing what stage the order is at... like tracking a Domino's pizza lol
Hopefully it will fly, maybe it's best to forget I ordered one hahaha. Nice, it's a cracking deal.
Wait how come the Yaris GR4 wasn't here?
It was in the 2020 comparison. This one is for 2021 cars only.
@@iBlogGadget ahh fair play. It seemed like a glaring omission.
@@iBlogGadget but the caterham came out in 2020? 🤷🏻♂️😂
Can't believe no gr yaris! WtF
@@CJONE764 I'm surprised that the GR 86 wasn't on this Autocar shootout. The GR 86 had its only UK debut at the Goodwood festival of Speed but no where else. All the journalists from Japan and USA have done their videos, so what's going on with Toyota UK?
I can understand the word "affordable" for i20N and puma, however golf r is nowhere close to the meaning of this word. Also, you compare golf r vs 128ti and i20N, I mean... A 100 horse power difference doesn't make sense in a car comparison, especially vs awd and fwd. Also, there is no type r, even though it's not affordable. Bad title choice I guess
@Andrew yeah he's just saying this video seems a bit detached from reality. that disgusting 1 series Bmw starts at 44k€ in my country, that's not affordable at all. The i20N costs "only" 25k, that's what you would actually call affordable. Mid-class citizens don't want to spend 44k on a useless ugly small hatchback. Looking at the cars I instantly knew which one had won, fast forward, was right, checking out now. You might be right that this is a reasonable comparsion, but in that case my domestic (German) brands showed up with a knife to a battleship fight.
I think the headline cost figures are a bit misleading when most buy on finance and BMW/Volkswagen group are very good at those deals.
Based on the thumbnail and only being able to read "Whats the best drivers car?" I thought this collection of hatchbacks and a Caterham Super Seven was all Autocar could get get this year 😂
Is the i20n better than the i30n for the price difference. Would be an interesting comparison back to back. Whether or not it is justifiable.
If I was looking for a drivers car the Ford Puma wouldn’t be on the list…but the Hyundai looks like a bundle of fun..🥳😎
It's a drivers car for those who have to have the extra boot space and/or the extra ride height to be able to get in and out of.The Kona N will suffer from the same issues as the Puma as well as the benefits.
I used to run a 1700 cross flow on Webber’s.. they’ve got the sound similar.. but 40£k??? That’s taking the piss.. if it was 20k then perhaps..ps good film! Good reviews!
If the i20N is the best affordable drivers car why is it rated 2nd to the Fiesta ST in your road test this week?
Do you prefer I20N before I30N for the city driving? Please consider than I30N offer DCT Clutch which will be useful in traffic jams.
No Megane or civic type r?
The I 20N is the car for me, good job seeing as I’ve just bought one hopefully I will get it at the end of this month after three long months cracking little car
How is it?
@@Maxi86inAction It’s a great car really really fast and its fun to drive and sounds Really really good TH-cam doesn’t give it justice and it can be quite economical if driven sensibly I would definitely recommend it
Unfortunately a lot of these cars are not available here in Canada. We get way too many SUVs. If I had my way there would be none allowed on the road wasting petrol!!!! Thanks for the excellent review.
Wheres GR, most hyped ’hot hatch’ for the 2021?
Nope
Ford's obsession with SUVs is killing them
Yes, puma st is a useless car, god why they didn't make from puma a coupe
Love that you're testing on a stretch of road that I've driven hundreds of times in a variety of interesting cars.
Forgot to say that the Cupra Leon is bigger than the Golf R. BTW hate those touch controls.
the most enthusiastic and full of emotions shootout i have ever seen!)
lolololol
@27.50 come on guys get the accounts department to dip into petty cash for another mic. You are 'Autocar' after all.
I fell to sleep about halfway, who won?
they really dont have much in the way of personalities, do they! I think Mat Watson can sleep easy
I skipped the “Pooma” segment. I don’t care what the verdict on it is, not interested.
Attempting to watch Autocar without an ad blocker was a mistake...I didn't know that it's possible to attach so many ads to a 28 minute video.
I hardly got any and don’t use and ad blocker.
@@Rascularvideos It depends on your region I guess. There were 10-12 ads on this video for me.
Only had one ad viewing in London
The golf r is a over 40k and classed as a luxury car now, so it’s not that affordable. However with lease deals it may be common as mud as with the mk7
Great job Autocar! Looking forward to your verdict on the upcoming Toyota GR 86. So many press launch videos from Japan and America by now, I wonder what's taking Toyota UK so long, when they did a very subtle UK launch at the Goodwood Festival of Speed...Unfortunately The GR 86 be ignored by people who prefer turbocharged hothatcbacks (because all they care about is straight line speed and PCP Finance deals) or people who want a more raw experience like a Caterham, but I see it as the perfect sweet spot between the those two types of cars in that spectrum.
I am a big fan of the GR Yaris, but I think that it may work against the GR86's success. I love both of these GR products that Akio san got involved with, but I think most people here will only be interested in 0-60 times and 1/4 mile numbers, so the GR86 may be sadly ignored. I hope both cars get the attention and praise they deserve by car enthusiasts.
Hyundai, should make a i10N in competition with the vw up gti
Didn't have to watch this video to the end for the verdict...I knew all along they'd pick the new i20N........
i feel like the 1000's of car reporters.. or top gear rip offs or what ever... have completely lost touch with what a normal person is driving around every day... I feel like all of those cars are HOT Hatches.. we are talking above 330 HP in all of them.... most of these with all wheel drive would probably beat an Aventador in a 0-60 or 1/4.. or at least come close, and they are saying they are just MEH... there is a saying.. never take advice from an expert because they have experienced so much they can not give an actually objective commentary on what they are an expert in
Should have included a Suzuki Swift Sport too....?
I have driven both the old model and the fairly recently revamped and the old model is ace. The new one not so much. It understeers too much and feels a bit too soft. I understand why they’ve done it but they’ve lost more than they’ve gained. It’s not awful but not great.
We needed this for the masses thanks
Not sure about autocar anymore. Always seem to find to many faults or downsides to the cars they drive. Im guessing all the hyper cars they drive must make hot hatches seem dull to them.
Golf R..affordable I hear you say?
Love the idea of ' affordable'
You live in a different world..
Expensive and affordable are different thing. These cars are affordable and expensive. They're around £250 a month for the Cupra which is affordable.
I like the review, although, there isn't much of a comparisson to the Puma ST ( which I own proudly). Puma ST is the best car I've driven in years ( coming from 208 Gti and VW Gti ). Fun and functionality combined.
Glad to hear that. I pick mine up in 2 days. I like the i20N but need the ground clearance the puma offers.
Ofcourse youre gonna wave the flag for the puma lol you own the bloody thing. That doesnt mean its the best of the pack. It's an average car.
Where does the Caterham fit in?
Love the way most of the golf R talk was just "it's a golf"
Ford Puma doesn't have the market to itself. The T-Roc R been around a while as well as the Audi SQ2. Both compact SUV's.
yes sure put a puma st for a drivers car but not a megane rs :D
I agree with the findings but i must say when the golf r as a standard car now starts at just over 40k so you'd have to pay much higher road tax 'affordable' might be a bit of a stretch for many when in this group
comparing Golf R with i20N..what are you guys smoking?!
And the winner is...
Suzuki Swift Sport.
No GR, no Type R?
Both of those hatches were in last year's test
I guess MINI is no longer consider a hot hatch.
It’s not considered affordable
Why get a Puma over a Fiesta? I don’t get it
Is there an updated version of this video? Eg 2023.
Quite possibly the least inspiring car line up since the concept of car line ups was envisaged.
Agreed. The gr yaris is a must for this list
@@hsvcommodore4111 True but it's real world affordable cars
@@hsvcommodore4111 GR Yaris is just to nervous and unstable at speed, to be even considered an occasional track day car. Let alone on a tough B road!! Sure it's kinda impressive on a bit of dirt road or slippery surface, where you don't even rev 3rd gear all the way out.
@mac sixtyfive except that the Yaris is not twitchy or unstable at speed it is perfectly set up to crush a twisty b-road at speed and with confidence. It’s certainly more suited to road than track… It’s also far cheaper than the golf r and should be on this list. As should the Civic Type R.
@@HRHTim1 gr yaris is priced within this group though
Best affordable drivers car is either the Toyobaru or the MX5. And both are front engine and RWD, as god intended.
Neither is a hot hatch
@@Birmingham_racing yea, but the title is "what is the best driver's car"..
@@mistreku read the rest of the title
@@Birmingham_racing as opposed to the 7 which is the best hot hatch..
Great review thank you. i20N nails it for me and I would take it over any other car here. I cant get over the looks of the Golf or the choice of materials for the interior, I like the look of the BMW and it probably takes second place but loses marks for auto.
i20 maybe the ugliest car out there
The new auto's are miles ahead of manuals ... manuals are old school. AND the Golf R is miles ahead of the i20N... Very bias review...
Price should of been capped at 30k?
Sorry guys, I usually love your videos, opinions and reviews, but this is a properly bad video.
1. Caterham in a hot hatch competition? Rubbish.
2. 2:34 - Some shots have really bad image stabilization, this is one of them.
3. 3:00 - "proper dials" - just because it's a base spec - you can also have it with a full digital speedometer
4. 7:00 - Press department should not provide you guys with such a poorly specced car(s). Golf 8 R is miles ahead as soon as you spec it with the Akrapovic exhaust, the performance pack with Nürburgring mode and more.
5. 9:08 - Comparing it to the GTI which isn't on the test? GTI does not try to be the "hard-hardcore hot hatch", this is just crap.
6. 15:20 - Yes, the same engine but it would be interesting to know that the Puma has 236 lb-ft vs. 214lb ft in the Fiesta.
7. 16:54 - "It wants to be driven hard" = It is an exciting thing? It is. The rotating back is (as mentioned), is awesome, none of the mentioned VAG / BMW cars is agile like that. Ford put quite an aggressive chassis in a crossover and he is still not amused, while he criticized the cars before for trying to be too hardcore? The sound is exciting inside and outside, there is not just "a growl" inside but it also sounds sporty outside. You can hear the turbo really nicely which is again very exciting. The others Golf without Akra, Leon, 128ti are super muted outside.
8. 18:52 - James' audio is really bad
9. 19:35 - "Feels more like a Golf GTI?" No it clearly does not. The torque converter auto (vs. DSG), the grown-up interior, the steering feel (he even mentioned that) the engine and the well-rounded passive dampers make that car way more grown-up than the GTI. Maybe it's more GTI than it's predecessors with RWD, but he does not mention that point.
10. 20:56 - Great to see them having a bit of a laugh, that's what the show should've been like.
11. 24:15 - "The rear is trying to overtake you" - This is a the most fun feature on the Fiesta / Puma ST and again James is criticizing that point. I'm not sure that this editor is the perfect choice for a hot hatch shootout.
12. "Britain's best affordable driver's car" - I thought the video was about Hot Hatches? The Golf is with 40k+ not really "affordable" anymore
A93, Glenshee?
Hi, you mention the i30 N, but why is it not in this test? Surely its of the same class as the golf and others...??
The i30N with DCT does it for me, Only thing that worries me is the number of issues Hyundai have had with that DCT in other models
WHAT THE **** why no Yaris, unbelievable.
I’m a BMW fan but I have to admit that 128ti is hard to look at
Oddly, I’m not a massive BMW fan - though my mate’s tweaked M2 Comp is impressive - but I quite like the look of the 128i. The computer game engine sound is what I immediately don’t like, without having driven one.
@@Rascularvideos I checked the 135i at the dealer the other day but as much as I wanted to like it it just didn’t click. Great car though.
Most way out of reach for workers on 15k to 20k a year unfortunately so called drivers car's have all but dissapeard will soon be none existent if govt has its way certainly for normal folk they will be preserved for the rich
And I have a i20N too. 🤩 Greetz from 🇨🇭
An i20n compared to a Golf R.... Apples and oranges... And what about the new Toyota GR86? What about a golf GTI clubsport ... Certainly thats more driver focused than a Golf R.... And no Toyota GR yaris?
Its just crap thats what it is. Auto car has lost it.. Seriously.
No type R, no meghane RS.... Wow i just wasted 28 minutes
Terrible sound mixing. One voice is much higher than the other one
Audio - buy another lapel microphone.
This review missed out the yardstick of the hot hatches- The Toyota Yaris GR.
so this lot are just vying for second place
Toyota GR 86
Period
👍
Can't wait for that to be released!
The torsen diff in the M135i can you turn it on and off or in eco to sport does it work differently
A very in depth review. Though there is no way I'd buy the hyundai over an R !
I cant chose this i20N or the Fiesta ST... like i dont really want the back end going out all the time so ive herd the ST dose? feels unsafe
I like you guys you going so slow for the test 😂😂😂
why is a caterham in a hot hatch shoot out ?
What I don’t get is why would you not include cars on sale for more than a year? Average punter doesn’t care if hatch has been available for 2-3 years, and that usually means more development time.
Ford puma is on another level
Great vid as always. The 128ti doesn't have those dials because it doesn't have that option fitted. It'll have an older version of idrive with a smaller screen.
You took a Caterham but not an MX5?
Pity about the sound towards the end of the video.
The current generation MX-5 was facelift in July 2018, so I think they only chose cars that made their debut on 2021. I was looking forward to the Toyota GR86 to be in this video but Toyota UK are slow with their press launches.
Have you included a SUV on a driver's car contest? Really? If this is the best bunch of cars under 50k€ launched in 2021, what a shame
What is the point in buying a car that doesn't have a boot?
As an owner of an i20N I can only agree 😅
I'm on my second Golf R. I love it. It is very comfortable and the interior is nearly as nice as my Audi. As a hatchback it will haul everything I need with ease and with the appropriate tires, (Continental DWS) it handles inclement weather without pause. It's all wheel drive setup with 300 HP is enough on the windy mountain roads Palo Alto to harass cars with double my horsepower. In highway traffic the power is enough to downshift and get yourself out of traffic if you want. My only complaint with the Golf R in this and the previous MK VI iteration is the pedal configuration is not at all conducive to heal and toe work. The only way you can ever do this is if your foot is completely buried in the break. But let's face it, the Golf R really isn't a track car.
Pity you cannot afford 2 microphones!
M8, i had to turn up the volume to know what they’re actually talking about and almost felt out of my bed when i got a youtube ad.
Toyota Yaris GR-4 over every car here.