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Top Gear Crowns the Toyota GR Yaris as King of the "Quickfire" Hot Hatch Guide

Although 2020 has been one of the most troubled years in automotive history, the magic wheels of the hot hatch segment still managed to turn in the right direction. And not only by one particular automaker because the second half of the year alone has seen both all-new introductions as well as great midlife cycle revisions. At least, that’s what Top Gear’s latest video seems to suggest.
Top Gear "quickfire" hot hatch comparison guide 35 photos
Photo: Top Gear/YouTube
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Actually, it’s rather true “there’s been a tsunami” of introductions over the past few months, and Top Gear’s seven-car roster doesn’t even have all the additions. For example, Hyundai could have joined the fray with two models instead of just one if the British publication had been given the chance to drive the first-ever i20 N as well.

Still, it’s a rather extensive lineup gathered for a “quickfire” hot hatchback comparison guide; one that’s easy to swallow because it compresses all the talk about these seven representatives of the high-performance segment in less than six minutes.

That also means there’s no time for Jack Rix, the Top Gear host, to preside over some direct battles. The shoot clearly shows the renowned Dunsfold Aerodrome (Surrey, UK) test track as the backdrop, but The Stig is nowhere in sight and we’re not even treated to an all-out drag race between these magnificent seven (we almost said samurais, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves).

Instead, after a beauty shot of the roster, we get to see every example quietly aligned (a rev battle would have made our day better!) as the editor explains some of the best and worst features for each car.

First up on the line is the eternal VW Golf 8 GTI (it may not be on top anymore, but it does have the prerogative of being talked about first as a courtesy), followed by the refreshed Honda Civic Type R, and probably the most affordable of the bunch – the Ford Fiesta ST, seen here in the new Edition trim.

Next up is the most powerful and (probably) most expensive hot hatch available right now, the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S. It’s followed by the facelifted Hyundai i30N, which sits in between the Benz and another premium representative, the Audi S3.

Last on the line, but first among the hot hatches according to the Top Gear preferences is the Toyota GR Yaris, the little rally homologation special that is said to have “blindsided” every other rival involved in the pocket rocket auto sector with its attitude. “We wanted to love this car when we saw the specs... and you know what – it has absolutely blown us away,” says Rix in the conclusion.

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About the author: Aurel Niculescu
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Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution.
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