Ten Most Fun to Drive Cars for Under $30,000
So you’re shopping for a new car, but don’t want to conform yourself to the stale lifestyle of owning a boring crossover? Don’t worry! Because the current car market is filled with little gems that are both fun to drive and affordable. Here are the ten most fun-to-drive cars for under $30,000, ranked in price, before freight and destination charges.
10. Volkswagen Golf GTI (3 door $29,495 / 5 door $30,595)
Although several carmakers now offer a hot hatch in their lineup, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is definitely the most iconic. With us now for over 30 years, the little GTI is almost a legend in the automotive world. This Volkswagen still offers the best balance between sports car and family hauler. Under its hood sits a 2.0-litre turbo four that sends the power to the front wheels. Two transmissions are offered: a six-speed manual and a dual-clutch, six-speed automatic, similar to the one found in a Porsche 911. Thanks to this technology, the Golf GTI accelerates from 0-100 km/h in only 5.9 seconds.
9. Nissan 370Z ($29,998)
Yes, the Nissan 370Z still exists, and its winning formula hasn’t changed a bit. The car is still powered by Nissan’s popular 3.7-litre V6. Power is rated at 332 horsepower and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, rear-wheel-drive is of course the only way to get the power down, and it’ll hit 100 km/h from a standstill in 5.1 seconds. Although the Nissan Z is one of the most expensive cars on this list, it offers handling characteristics that are on par with sports cars costing almost twice as much.
8. Subaru WRX ($29,995)
Here in Canada, the Subaru WRX remains a no-brainer when it comes to performance, especially during winter driving. Remember, the WRX is the only car on this list to be offered with all-wheel-drive as standard, which makes it a lot more livable for everyday driving. Under its hood sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged Boxer flat-four, and output is rated at 268 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, with a CVT automatic being optional. This all-season compact sports sedan will complete the 0-100 km/h time in 5.0 seconds flat.
7. Ford Mustang EcoBoost ($29,898)
“A Mustang isn’t a real Mustang without a V8.” Wrong! And here’s proof with the Mustang EcoBoost. Sure, it may only be powered by a four cylinder, but it’s a 310-horsepower four cylinder that develops 350 lb.-ft. of torque. Not bad! This gives the baby Mustang more power out of the box than a Mustang GT from a decade ago. What’s the secret? A 2.3-litre, turbocharged engine bolted onto a six-speed manual, or a six-speed automatic as well as rear-wheel-drive. This powerful yet very efficient engine (8 L/100 km) also improves the car’s overall weight distribution, making Ford’s pony car handle better, hence also more fun to drive. The Ford Mustang EcoBoost will do 0 to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.
6. Honda Civic Si ($28,490 sedan / $28,890 coupe)
Always very popular with sport compact-car fans, the Honda Civic Si is now powered by an all new 1.5-litre turbocharged four, which pumps out a claimed 205 horsepower and 192 lb.-ft. of torque. The only available gearbox is a good-old six-speed manual, and this new Civic is now equipped with an adjustable suspension. Weather you choose the coupe or the sedan, Honda’s pocket rocket will sprint from 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds.
5. MINI Cooper S ($26,240)
Still very adorable and much appreciated by all generations, the 3-door MINI remains a fun to drive car, no matter the trim level. In Cooper S form, this compact bumps the fun factor a notch by adding a stiffer suspension, larger brakes, and a more powerful turbo engine; a 2.0-liter turbo that develops 189 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. This allows the MINI Cooper S to sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill in 6.6 seconds.
4. Subaru BRZ ($27,995) / Toyota 86 ($29,580)
Some cars don’t need a big engine to be fun, which is precisely the case with the Toyobaru twins. Thanks to lightweight construction, a Boxer flat-four engine that improves the car’s weight distribution, as well as rear-wheel drive, these lovable Japanese sports cars are counted among the most enjoyable machines to throw around on a winding road, or on a racetrack, at any price. If you’re into drifting, then the Subaru BRZ/Toyota 86 is a car you’ll love.
3. Fiat 500 Abarth ($28,245)
Go take a ride in a Fiat 500 Abarth, and I promise you’ll have a giant grin on your face. In Abarth form, the Fiat 500 isn’t the most powerful car on this list, or the most refined, but it’s definitely the angriest. With larger wheels and brakes, and scorpions painted on its body, this tiny hatchback constantly looks like it wants to pick a fight. Under a tiny hood sits a 1.4-litre turbo four that generates 160 horsepower and 170 lb.-ft. of torque (157 horsepower and 183 lb.-ft. with the automatic), and its modified exhaust sounds louder than anything this side of a Dodge Hellcat. The rebellious Fiat 500 Abarth will sprint to 100 km/h from a standstill in only 7.0 seconds.
2. Ford Fiesta ST ($25,948)
After seeing the success of the Focus ST, Ford thought: why not offer it in a smaller format? That’s precisely what the Fiesta ST is, a case of “Honey I shrunk the Focus ST.” However, thanks to a shorter wheelbase and a livelier chassis, the little Fiesta is much more fun to toss around in the bends than its big sister. The 1.6-litre turbo four that lies under its hood may seem tiny, but it develops a healthy 197 horsepower and 202 lb.-ft. of torque. Only available with a six-speed manual, the Ford Fiesta ST accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, making it the quickest subcompact car on the market today.
1. Hyundai Elantra Sport ($24,999)
An Elantra that’s fun to drive? Yes, it’s possible, with the Elantra Sport! Although it doesn’t quite hit the mark in terms of driving dynamics compared to its German and Japanese rivals, the Elantra Sport remains a fun car to drive. The basics are there: a 1.6-litre turbocharged four, a stiffened suspension, larger brakes, as well as a choice of two available transmissions, a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. With a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of only 6.3 seconds, and a starting price that’s lower than all the cars on this list, the Hyundai Elantra Sport is currently the best performance bargain out there.