Top 5 Performance Hatchbacks for under R300k

The sheer practical enjoyment of loading and driving a hatchback makes this type of car very popular in South Africa. Numerous versions of hatchback models come from manufacturers’ yards, and below follows a pick of five of the best value options when shopping for a great used hatchback. Looking for a marriage of performance and great UX? Need to feel more snug and zippy than a large sedan allows for? You’d do well to consider these five cars, all valued below R300,000 in the secondhand car market and all capable of great style, performance and practical enjoyment.

1. 2013 Opel Astra OPC 2.0T

Opel has always been a slightly under-sung brand, except among the die-hard fan fraternity in SA, but the manufacturer produces some top-end cars and its hatchback options are no exception. Pushing 206kW and 400Nm from its 2.0 liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, this is not a sluggish hatchback! A two liter, four-cylinder Opel engine was never exciting audio, but this hatchback has surpassed that previous omission and, thanks to some good engineering, this car will never leave you wondering what’s happening at the exhaust end.

Not sluggish and capable of pushing you back in your seat when you hit the gas, the car handles remarkably well on corners and unlike some other front-wheel drive hatches in the chicanes, the 2013 Opel Astra OPC 2.0T doesn’t disappoint. With ZF Sachs-tweaked suspension, coming standard with Pirelli tyres and Brembo brakes, this hot hatch also had Drexler Motorsport develop its limited-slip differential. It hugs corners like few other hatches. With OPC mode (read: race track!), fuel consumption can be a little high at 11.8 liters/100km and Eco Mode doesn’t really help bring that down much. With start/stop switching and the engineering at play beneath, who cares? The drive is worth it! Seats are deluxe although the overall cabin feel is less luxurious than other hatchbacks. There’s Bluetooth, a USB port, auto Xenon lights that swivel as you steer, a great sound system, rear parking distance control - it goes on - automatic wipers, a lap timer, a G-force meter and the boot is a double decker, costing you a spare tyre that is compensated for with a puncture repair kit.

At first glance perhaps this hatch seems pricey to some, but a test drive will soon demonstrate why Audi A3s and sporty Volkswagen hatches notice when it’s lined up next to them at the robots. It’s a safe hatch, with six airbags, braking assist and stability control. There’s also an electronic park brake that gives hill-hold assistance. A gutsy hatch that handles more like a sports car, this is a gloriously loud small car that packs a wallop. You’ll find excellent condition models of this make with reasonable mileage at under R300,000.

2. 2013 BMW 1 Series M135i 5DR A/t(f20)

BMW shoved a 3.0 liter, six-cylinder turbocharged engine under the hood of this wicked hatch. Giving 240kW and 450Nm, the BMW makes a statement few other hatches can emulate. Pushing 240kW, this is beyond a zippy hatch, and the car holds its own alongside many other larger, sporty sedans found on SA roads. Although electronically capped at around 240 km/hour, this car is sure to give as much driving pleasure as it does utility.

Fast between robots, this hatch sports a few external trims poached from the racing fraternity. At the back, twin exhaust pipes add an impressive touch. With 18-inch M double-spoke alloy wheels outside, the interior maintains BMW’s posh reputation, with Alcantra/Hexagon upholstery and an M leather steering wheel. There is a choice of economy driving (Eco Pro) and racetrack guts (Sport), with start/stop. The interior comfort is standard with BMW.

A rear-wheel drive, the 2013 BMW 1 Series M135i 5DR’s most endearing feature is probably its ability to gear up for a drag while also being able to slip back down to sedate town driving for the more conservative user. With a range of colours to choose from and a Harmon Kardon sound system, you can find used cars of this type below R300,00 and often with remarkably low mileage. Ask for a service history, as drivers of this hatchback tend to stay within a motor plan or at least favour BMW dealerships for their regular services.

3. 2012 Volkswagen Golf 6 R

With all-wheel drive and a no-holds-barred build under the hood, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R out-powers any GTi. Not a sedate drive, but stylish and punchy, this Golf has the engineering to match its reach. With a turbocharged, direct-injected “inline-four” like the TTS, this hatch coughs up 188kW and struggles to behave, no matter who’s behind the wheel.

A comfortable ride in every way, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf R will still wag its tail a little in fast, sharp bends, although a better rear axle construct has addressed this Golf tendency with this model to a large extent. Understeer is pretty much eliminated and, luckily for those looking for a reasonably priced secondhand model, those available seem usually to have fairly low mileage. This is not a tourer, although its quite capable of long distance travels.

With the trademark center-split exhaust, this car lends itself to severe modding, although as it comes it’s already stylish and awake on the roads and definitely not a modest family car. Volkswagen improved the front and rear brakes on this model and handling is great. Remember that it’s fairly low-slung so South Africa’s love of speed humps needs to be approached with caution if you want to keep the paintwork good all round. You won’t easily find this car under R200,000 - not in good condition anyway - but finding a low-mileage, great condition 2012 Volkswagen Golf 6 R under R300,000 isn’t too hard.

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4. 2015 Volkswagen Polo GTi 1.8tsi DSG

An improved version of the 2011 model, this hatch sports the GTi badge on its front fender. Boasting 17- inch Parabolica alloy mags, the car is stylish yet less so than many other sporty hatchbacks available in SA. It’s visual presentation is somewhat muted and Volkswagen could have spiffed that up a bit. That said, it’s a wildly popular car, and justifiably so. Possibly the best-balanced offer of economy and power, this model still scores high on those terms. Often faster than more powerful (and heavier) hatches stop light to stop light, the 2015 Volkswagen Polo GTi 1.8tsi also boasts the dual-pedal DSG gearbox.

Posting 6.7 seconds for a 0-100km/h sprint, this is a nippy and economical hatch that does well with regular town driving. Probably most noteworthy of its performance is that fact that it has a real punch approaching the 100km/h overtake moment and it won’t leave you standing there. With great handling based largely on its final weight and engineering, kicking it into Sport mode involves some tyre screech and excitement, but also a lot less wobble than you’d expect.

With the XDS+ electronic diff holding things together in the chicanes, this is a very confident, sporty hatch and, although it doesn’t shout out its attitude like others do, it’s a great buy under R300,000. With Volkswagen being so popular in South Africa, you won’t struggle to find a good condition model that meets your needs. One addictive feature of this hatch is the Composition Media system, boasting a colour touchscreen, the usual Bluetooth connectivity and also a smart “proximity sensor” that anticipates your moves as your hand approaches the screen. With a top speed of 236km/h, this car asks no compromise of performance from the enthusiastic driver.

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5. 2014 Renault Megane RS 265 RB8

This is a sneaky hatch - sneaky because it’s miles ahead of many of its competitors - and the French have done themselves proud with this two-door beauty. Skirting the sometimes negative perceptions of Renault’s being a fiddle to maintain, this hatch’s engineering and punch justify the impression you get when looking at the single, fat rear exhaust. It looks like it can pack a wallop, and it does.

The 2014 Renault Megane RS 265 RB8 has a spec list that reads like a court transcript, and style seekers won’t be disappointed with the trimmings on this hatchback. It has navigational aids, Bluetooth, a touchscreen display with voice control and more tweaks and mods on the engine and suspension than you can mention. In a nutshell, this hatch gives a very smooth, powerful ride with loads of comfort and a permanent grin on its face. Powered by a 2,0 liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the six speed transmission glides this front-wheel drive, badass hatch easily into top speeds, capped at 255km/h. Reaching 100km/h in just six seconds, this Renault has a lot of punch and handles excellently too. There are driving modes for town driving and it also does well as an everyday car, one with a constant willingness to race!

Although well over R400k new, it’s possible to pick up great condition models at under R300,000. Although not common, drivers of the 2014 Renault Megane RS 265 RB8 swear by its unique combination of style, luxury and speed. The cabin is super-slick and the seats and overall interior trim don’t disappoint. An unashamedly sexy hatch, you’ll want to watch the front bumper approaching speed humps in some SA cities.

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Struggling to find the hatch of your dreams? Just not up to the schlep of wading through everything on offer? No sweat. Buzz us first as we’re trading constantly and might very well have the car of your dreams in our pipeline!