Best used hot hatches under $30,000

While sales of small passenger cars in general are slowly receding as buyers opt for SUVs, the hot hatch is bucking the trend and creating its own space.

Here are five used ones for under $30,000 that should make an appearance on your shopping list.

Fun, characterful and premium. The MINI Cooper S runs close to the top in the smile-per-mile factor.

Ideal for the urban trudge with its compact dimensions, the MINI Cooper S is up for as many shenanigans you can throw at it on a snaking ribbon of tarmac, reminding you what a pleasure driving really is.

The punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder has ample power and the six-speed manual is one of the best around.

Throw in a decent entertainment system and plenty of safety tech, a retro dash, an upright windscreen and body-hugging pews for a package that goes beyond being just another daily driver.

Find a MINI Cooper S under $30k on carsales

Another pocket rocket that punches well above its weight is the feisty Ford Fiesta ST that, regardless of price, is one of the best hot hatches going.

Propelling it to a sub-7.0sec 0-100km/h time is a direct-injection turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder that belts out 134kW at 5700rpm and 240Nm from 1600-5000rpm – plus 147kW and 290Nm for up to 10 seconds in overboost mode.

The MacPherson strut front suspension and rear torsion beam combine for go-kart handling complemented by quick-as-a-flash steering and body-hugging seats – making it wicked fun behind the wheel.

The Fiesta ST is also very tractable around town, the only minus being its three-door body, basic-looking interior and old-gen infotainment.

Find a Ford Fiesta ST under $30k on carsales

The exclusive-to-Australia Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy (for 220hp) earns its stripes as one of the best under-$30K hot hatches due in part to its high-revving turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder that delivers a stoking 162kW and 280Nm when its overboost in fourth and fifth gears is triggered.

It features a dual-clutch auto, 40 per cent stiffer suspension, 18-inch alloys, grippy rubber, launch control, three drive modes (with one being ‘race’) and a tricky gearbox that shifts down through several gears when the paddle is held.

This variant prowls the streets 20mm lower at the front and 10mm lower at the rear than a bog-standard Clio. It’s not hard to figure out its mantra.

Annoyingly, the paddle shifts don’t move with the wheel, the vehicle could do with a limited-slip diff, and the interior plastics are cheaper than airline cutlery.

Find a Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy on carsales

You can thank VW for the hot hatch phenomenon that started with the Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI in 1976.

The good news is you can find many examples of the current Mk7 in both manual and DSG dual-clutch auto form for under $30,000.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI can still hold its own in the performance stakes with 162kW/350Nm and a 0-100kmh time of 6.5 seconds.

What sets the Golf apart is its unrivalled aura of upmarket luxury and generous list of standard comfort, entertainment, safety and driver assist features, while still being both a very good corner-carver and long-distance cruiser.

With each generation came a raft of improvements to keep the Golf GTI ahead of the game – and that certainly applies to the five-door Mk7.

Find a Volkswagen Golf GTI under $30k on carsales

The AW-series Volkswagen Polo GTI is a cracker of a car and about the same size as a Mk5 Golf.

Under the bonnet is a zesty 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 147kW/320Nm and delivering a 6.7-second time for 0-100km/h. But it only comes with a six-speed dual-clutch auto.

It rides on wide 17-inch alloys and sits lower than other Polos on its sports suspension.

Inside the spacious interior are signature GTI tartan seats and a bright red dash fascia. It also packs an impressive array of safety tech and driver assist aids, current infotainment features plus plenty of creature comforts.

Find a Volkswagen Polo GTI under $30k on carsales