The REV Test: Hot hatches

Racing driver Vicki Butler-Henderson, Millennial motoring journalist Rachael Hogg, and motoring journalist mum Erin Baker (REV!), are testing three of the UK’s most popular hot hatches, based on how people search for them at Auto Trader.

They look at how easily each car can fit into your lifestyle, how offended your mum will be by it, how practical it is for hooning, how easy the technology is to use and, obviously, what it’s like to drive.

Of course you’re going to want your hot hatch to handle like a dream, so VBH puts each one through a cone challenge.

So, which one gets your vote? The lairy Civic Type R, the sensible-looking (but definitely not sensible) Seat Leon Cupra ST, or the granddaddy of the hot hatches, the Golf GTI?

Find out why we're doing all this, and what The REV Test is all about.

Watch our first REV test on small sports cars featuring the Mazda MX-5, Fiat 124 Spider, and Audi TT.

Watch our second REV test on hybrids, featuring the Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq, and Audi’s first plug-in hybrid, the A3 Sportback e-tron.

Watch our third REV test on small hatchbacks, featuring the UK's biggest selling car ever, the Ford Fiesta; a serious contender for the Fiesta crown, the Seat Ibiza; and the Vauxhall Corsa, which will be getting an upgrade next year.

Watch our fourth REV test on small SUVs, featuring the stylish and practical Hyundai Tucson, immensely popular Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar, which is the sister car to the Qashqai.

Watch our fifth REV test on sports cars featuring the muscly Ford Mustang, the potent Porsche Boxster and amazing BMW M4.

Watch our sixth REV test featuring super practical seven-seaters: the great to drive Ford S-Max MPV, stylish Peugeot 5008 SUV, and huge and practical Citroen Grand C4 Picasso/SpaceTourer.

Watch our seventh REV test on luxury SUVs. It’s the turn of the high quality and tech-filled Audi Q5, the well-rounded Mercedes-Benz GLE, and the sleek and sexy Range Rover Velar.

Watch our eighth REV test on budget SUVs, featuring the Jeep Renegade, with its proper off-road ability, the value for money Dacia Duster, and the stylish Suzuki Vitara S.

Watch our ninth REV test on electric cars, featuring the sporty BMW i3, the quirky Kia Soul EV and the sensible Renault Zoe.