When it comes to driving, fun doesn’t always mean fast. Some cars, despite their modest power, offer an incredibly enjoyable driving experience. Here are 20 surprisingly fun rides that prove you don’t need high horsepower to have a blast on the road.
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Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a lightweight roadster that epitomizes fun driving. With a 2.0-liter engine producing 181 horsepower, it’s not about raw power but about balance and agility. The Miata’s precise steering, rear-wheel drive, and exceptional handling make it a joy on winding roads, proving that driving enjoyment doesn’t require high horsepower.
Mini Cooper
The Mini Cooper is a classic icon known for its compact size and playful handling. With a 1.5-liter engine delivering 134 horsepower, it provides a go-kart-like driving experience. The Mini’s nimble steering, quick acceleration, and distinctive design make it a fun and stylish choice for urban driving and beyond.
Fiat 500 Abarth
The Fiat 500 Abarth combines Italian flair with sporty performance. Its turbocharged 1.4-liter engine produces 160 horsepower, offering a spirited drive. The Abarth’s compact size, sharp handling, and distinctive exhaust note make every journey engaging, proving that small cars can be big on fun.
Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ
The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are twin sports cars celebrated for their balance and precision. Powered by a 2.0-liter flat-four engine with 205 horsepower, these cars offer a pure driving experience. Their rear-wheel-drive layout, low center of gravity, and excellent handling make them perfect for driving enthusiasts who appreciate finesse over brute force.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The Volkswagen Golf GTI is the quintessential hot hatch, blending performance and practicality. Its 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces 228 horsepower, delivering brisk acceleration. The GTI’s agile handling, comfortable ride, and versatile interior make it a fun and practical choice for everyday driving and spirited weekend outings.
Honda Civic Si
The Honda Civic Si is a sporty variant of the reliable Civic, featuring a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 205 horsepower. It’s known for its engaging driving dynamics, thanks to a sport-tuned suspension, precise steering, and a limited-slip differential. The Civic Si offers a lively driving experience that appeals to enthusiasts seeking a balance of performance and practicality.
Mazda2 / Mazda Demio
The Mazda2, also known as the Mazda Demio, is a subcompact car that delivers a surprisingly fun drive. With a 1.5-liter engine producing around 100 horsepower, it emphasizes lightness and agility. The Mazda2’s responsive steering and nimble handling make it a joy to drive in urban settings and on twisty roads.
Ford Fiesta ST
The Ford Fiesta ST is a performance-oriented subcompact car with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 197 horsepower. Its lively handling, quick acceleration, and sport-tuned suspension make it a blast to drive. The Fiesta ST’s engaging driving dynamics and compact size make it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra is a compact car that offers more fun than its modest specs suggest. Its 1.6-liter engine produces 109 horsepower, but the Micra’s light weight and responsive handling make it agile and enjoyable to drive. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a fun and economical city car.
Suzuki Swift Sport
The Suzuki Swift Sport is a hot hatch with a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine producing 138 horsepower. Its lightweight design, sharp handling, and sporty suspension make it a joy to drive on twisty roads. The Swift Sport’s playful character and zippy performance make it a standout in the subcompact segment.
Hyundai Veloster N
The Hyundai Veloster N is a performance hatchback with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 275 horsepower. It’s one of the more powerful cars on this list, but its sharp handling, adaptive suspension, and playful character make it incredibly fun to drive. The Veloster N proves that Hyundai can create a thrilling driving experience.
Chevrolet Spark
The Chevrolet Spark is a small city car with a 1.4-liter engine producing 98 horsepower. It may not be powerful, but its compact size and tight turning radius make it incredibly maneuverable and fun to drive in urban environments. The Spark’s nimbleness and ease of parking make it a practical yet enjoyable choice.
Ford Focus ST
The Ford Focus ST is a hot hatch that combines practicality with performance. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine produces 252 horsepower, offering plenty of power for an engaging drive. The Focus ST’s sharp handling, responsive steering, and sporty suspension make it a joy to drive, whether navigating city streets or carving up mountain roads.
Volkswagen Beetle
The Volkswagen Beetle is an icon that offers a fun driving experience with its unique design and nimble handling. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine produces 174 horsepower, providing a good balance of power and efficiency. The Beetle’s retro charm, combined with modern driving dynamics, makes it a fun and enjoyable car to drive.
Honda Fit
The Honda Fit is a subcompact car known for its versatility and surprisingly fun driving experience. Its 1.5-liter engine produces around 130 horsepower, providing enough power for zippy acceleration. The Fit’s agile handling, spacious interior, and clever design make it a great option for those seeking a practical yet enjoyable car.
Kia Soul
The Kia Soul stands out with its unique boxy design and fun driving dynamics. Its 2.0-liter engine produces 147 horsepower, offering a good balance of power and efficiency. The Soul’s high seating position, spacious interior, and responsive handling make it a fun and practical choice for city driving and road trips alike.
Scion FR-S
The Scion FR-S, a twin of the Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ, is a sports car designed for driving enthusiasts. Its 2.0-liter flat-four engine produces around 200 horsepower, but it’s the FR-S’s balanced chassis, rear-wheel drive, and precise handling that make it a joy to drive. It offers a pure and engaging driving experience that’s hard to match.
Smart ForTwo
The Smart ForTwo is a tiny city car that offers a unique and fun driving experience. Its small size and tight turning radius make it incredibly easy to maneuver in urban environments. The ForTwo’s 1.0-liter engine produces around 89 horsepower, but its light weight and compact dimensions make it surprisingly zippy and enjoyable to drive.
Renault Twingo
The Renault Twingo is a small city car with a rear-engine layout, providing a fun and unique driving experience. Its 0.9-liter turbocharged engine produces around 90 horsepower, but the Twingo’s light weight and agile handling make it a joy to drive in tight urban environments. Its playful character and quirky design add to the fun factor.
Peugeot 208 GTi
The Peugeot 208 GTi is a hot hatch that offers a fun and engaging driving experience. Its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine produces 197 horsepower, delivering brisk acceleration. The 208 GTi’s sharp handling, sporty suspension, and distinctive styling make it a standout choice for those seeking a lively and enjoyable drive.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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