They're not hot hatches, but these three models from Cupra, BMW and Mazda still have sporty pretensions. PICTURE the scene: you've got 30 grand to spend on a new car. You're not a fan of SUVs, so a five-door hatchback will suit you fine, and you want something that has a whiff of sportiness about it, but without the hefty running costs that come with a full-blown hot hatchback. What choices are there? Well thanks to Cupra, the options have just grown by one. The Leon, previously available with either an expensive plug-in hybrid powertrain or as a 306bhp hot hatch, has a new entry point with a modest 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Yet it retains the sporty looks to satisfy hot-hatch fans. For similar money, BMW gets in on the act with the 118i, which in M Sport guise is almost indistinguishable from the range-topping M135i, but costs far less to buy and to run. Then there's the Mazda 3. There's no hot version of the Japanese hatch, but then the brand has always focused on making its entire range simply great to drive. All cost similar money and offer similar performance, so which is best?
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