When it comes to driving excitement, raw horsepower isn’t everything. Some of the most engaging cars on the road prove that fun behind the wheel comes from sharp handling, lightweight design, and driver-focused engineering, not just big numbers on a spec sheet.
These sporty cars deliver an addictive driving experience through agility, balance, and responsiveness. Whether it’s carving through back roads or tackling tight city corners, they offer a level of connection and control that many high-horsepower vehicles simply can’t match. Most are also more affordable and efficient than their more powerful counterparts.
For enthusiasts who value feel over force, these cars represent the sweet spot between performance and practicality. They remind us that driving joy isn’t measured in horsepower alone, and that less can truly be more when it comes to real-world thrills. Here’s a look at the best lightweight, low-power cars that are still a blast to drive.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed. Models are ranked based on their starting horsepower, from least to most powerful.
102025 Mazda MX-5 Miata
181 Horsepower
The MX-5 perfectly embodies what this list is all about. The current iteration of the roadster is the perfect example of how a car can bring you a ridiculous amount of joy without needing to be particularly powerful. It avoids any complicated gimmicks andkeeps everything as simple as possible.
6-Speed Manual or 6-Speed Automatic
181 HP
151 LB-FT
0-60 MPH
Top Speed
139 MPH
The MX-5 features a rev-happy four-cylinder engine under the hood. While it may not deliver exceptional amounts of power, it is more than enough to get the roadster off the line quickly, in no small part due to the fact that the Miata only weighs 2,454 pounds. While the auto is impressive, we’d stick with the short-throw manual instead.
92026 Honda Civic Si
200 Horsepower
The Honda Civic sits between the regular Civic Sedan and the Type R hatch, both in price and performance. What is so fantastic about this little sedan is that it is just as practical as it is fun to drive. If you’re on a budget and looking for a single car that can befun as it is comfortable, it’s hard to argue against the Si.
200 HP
192 LB-FT
135 MPH
A six-speed manual is your only choice in the Si, which is a good sign that this car aims to please enthusiasts. It may not be the fastest in a straight line, but it is an absolute joy in bendy sections of road. It is also very beginner-friendly, with a rev-matching feature for those who haven’t quite gotten the hang of the heel-and-toe technique.
82025 Acura Integra
If you are a fan of the Civic Si, but you want something that has a little more prestige to it, Acura has reintroduced the Integra nameplate. In the ways that matter most, this sedan is the same as its mainstream sibling, with Acura putting its spin on things. It is one of themost affordable luxury carsyou can buy.
6-Speed Manual or CVT
Where the Si has the edge is that it comes standard with a manual transmission and limited-slip differential. The Acura, however, comes standard with a CVT, with only the top trims getting the manual. The Integra is a little softer than the Honda, which is why it isn’t quite as quick to 60 miles per hour.
72025 Mini Cooper S
201 Horsepower
Mini built its entire brand identity of the instantly recognizable Cooper hatchback, and for the 2025 model year they have made it look sleeker and more modern. The entire identity of the Mini Cooper is steeped in simplicity and driving fun, something that even the most modern version of the hatch continues to offer.
201 HP
221 LB-FT
150 MPH
While the base version of the Mini Cooper only puts out 161 horsepower, the S pumps things up to 201, a big increase from last year’s model. Either way, it isn’t the most powerful car on the road. Despite this, it is refined and lively, and is an absolute joy to drive around back roads.
62025 Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR86
228 Horsepower
Subaru and Toyota teamed up to bring about a rival to the Mazda MX-5, launchingtheir affordable sports carsback in 2012. Since then, the Japanese automakers have made a lot of improvements, with the most modern iterations being some of the most fun that you’re able to have on four wheels.
228 HP
184 LB-FT
140 MPH
The powertrain under the hood of both the BRZ and the GR86 is mostly Subaru’s work. The horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine is up in power compared to the original models. Both coupes feel responsive and well-planted through corners, offering a driving dynamic that is usually reserved for much more expensive coupes.
52025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
It may not be a BMW or Audi, but the Jetta GLI is the most affordable German sports sedan that you may buy today. It is more grown up than a lot of the options on this list, going for a sleek and understated look rather than shouting its sportiness from the rafters. This is something we can appreciate in a segment where boy-racer designs dominate.
6-Speed Manual or 7-Speed Auto-Shift Manual
258 LB-FT
126 MPH
If the Honda Civic Si seemed appealing for its mix of practicality and performance, then the GLI will certainly also catch your eye. It features a more powerful setup that allows it to crack to 60 miles per hour a little more quickly. It also features a well-tuned chassis and a suspension setup that perfectly walks the line between agility and comfort.
42025 Volkswagen Golf GTI
241 Horsepower
Hot hatchbacks are not quite as popular as they used to be, with the rise of SUVs effectively shrinking the segment. However, Volkswagen shows little sign of wavering when it comes to the Golf GTI, a cult favorite all around the world. It is quick and comfortable and themost affordable hot hatchcurrently on the market.
241 HP
273 LB-FT
130 MPH
Under the hood of the Golf GTI is the same turbocharged engine that sits at the heart of the Jetta GLI. However, here it makes more power. Volkswagen has also, quite sadly, gotten rid of the manual transmission as an option in the GTI. Regardless, it is astill an impressively quick car with fantastic driving dynamics.
32025 Mazda 3 Turbo
250 Horsepower
Mazda is one of our favorite mainstream brands right now, offering exceptional levels of quality and keeping the spirit of driving alive across their entire lineup. Their compact car, the Mazda 3, is proof that you don’t have to spend big to get somethingcomfortable as well as fun.
250 HP
320 LB-FT
134 MPH
Base Mazda 3s come with front-wheel drive and a naturally aspirated engine, with some models even configurable with a six-speed manual. Going with the Turbo adds more power and all-wheel drive. It is quick off the line and capable, is very responsive to inputs, and handles tight corners better than most cars in its class.
22025 BMW 230i
255 Horsepower
If you’re looking for a luxury coupe, the BMW 2-Series isone of the most affordable optionsout there. It is also offers one of the most rewarding driving experiences in its segment. As well as featuring high-end interior fitments, this coupe delivers speed and agility, even in its least powerful form.
255 HP
295 LB-FT
RWD or AWD
155 MPH
While many lust over the M2, or even the M240i, we think that the 230i is severely underrated. This lithe coupe perfectly walks the line between comfort and speed, seamlessly transitioning from cruising to raucous fun. It comes with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, but we think the former is more playful.
12025 Hyundai Elantra N
276 Horsepower
Hyundai is pretty good at offering some great bang for your buck. The Elantra N is the perfect example of this, being one of the most hard-edged cars that you can buyfor under $35,000. With outrageous styling, a perky turbocharged engine, and a beautiful exhaust note, it’s clear that the Elantra’s main priority is fun.
6-Speed Manual or 8-Speed Auto-Shift Manual
276 HP
289 LB-FT
While the Elantra N is certainly more powerful than a lot of the cars on this list, we think it is a worthy inclusion. This is mainly because the pure level of enjoyment it offers is usually only found in sedans with six-cylinder (or more) engines under the hood. The N is a love letter to enthusiasts that is too often overlooked because of the badge it wears.
