Driving can be an incredibly enjoyable experience, and you don’t need an outrageously expensive supercar to have fun. The market is filled with fantastic, affordable cars that deliver performance and handling capable of bringing a smile to your face every time you get behind the wheel.
To assist you in finding the ideal vehicle to ignite your passion for driving, we’ve curated a list of 10 of the most fun cars to drive. Our selection ranges from nimble two-seater convertibles to agile city cars, and even an exciting electric SUV, proving that driving pleasure comes in many forms.
1. Alfa Romeo Giulia
The Alfa Romeo Giulia stands out as a sporty sedan engineered to deliver an exceptional driving experience. Its precisely tuned chassis and rear-wheel-drive configuration contribute to sharp handling and engaging dynamics. While the suspension might feel a tad firm for city driving, and the in-car technology is showing its age, few rivals in its class can match the Giulia’s sheer driving pleasure when you decide to push the pace.
Engine options include a choice between a 200hp or 280hp four-cylinder engine, catering to different performance preferences. For those seeking ultimate thrills, the Giulia Quadrifoglio, boasting a formidable 510hp twin-turbo V6, represents the pinnacle of driving excitement in this model range.
Read our in-depth Giulia review
2. BMW 3 Series
The BMW 3 Series has long been recognized as the quintessential sporty sedan, and it continues to set the standard for an involving and rewarding driving experience. You don’t necessarily need to opt for the top-tier M340i or M3 models to appreciate its dynamic capabilities. Even the entry-level 320i, with its 184hp engine, provides brisk acceleration and impressively balanced handling. The 3 Series remains a benchmark for those seeking the Best Cars To Drive in the sports sedan category.
When configuring your 3 Series, exercise caution with optional extras, as the price can escalate rapidly. For most drivers, the mid-range 330i, delivering 245hp, strikes an excellent balance of performance and features, making it a compelling choice within the lineup.
Read our in-depth 3 Series review
3. Hyundai i20 N
Enthusiasts of supermini hot hatches may still lament the discontinuation of the Ford Fiesta ST. However, the Hyundai i20 N emerges as a worthy successor, capturing the spirited essence of its predecessor. This hot hatch features a lightweight build, a potent engine, and the aggressive styling cues characteristic of performance-oriented vehicles. The i20 N is a strong contender in the realm of best cars to drive for those who favor compact and energetic models.
The ride quality can be firm on uneven surfaces, a typical trait of performance-focused hatchbacks. However, this minor compromise is easily justifiable considering the car’s exceptional handling prowess and the engaging driving dynamics it offers.
Read our in-depth Hyundai i20 N
4. Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R has consistently held its position as one of the most dynamically sharp hot hatches available, and the latest iteration elevates this reputation to new heights. Few family hatchbacks can deliver the same level of driving exhilaration and elicit such enthusiastic driver engagement as the Civic Type R. It firmly places itself among the best cars to drive for those who need practicality with performance thrills.
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While it represents a significant investment, especially when compared to previous generations, the current Civic Type R justifies its price with a dramatically improved interior and a more refined, yet still assertive, exterior design compared to its more overtly styled predecessor.
Read our in-depth Mustang review
5. Abarth 500e
The notion of an electric hot hatch being genuinely fun to drive might seem unconventional, but the new Abarth 500e is designed to dispel such doubts. It not only exhibits surprisingly agile handling but also incorporates playful artificial engine sounds projected externally, adding an element of amusement to the electric driving experience. The Abarth 500e is making a case for itself as one of the best cars to drive in the electric hot hatch segment.
Admittedly, the simulated engine noise might not resonate with everyone’s taste, and Abarth acknowledges this by providing an easy option to disable it. Beneath the auditory theatrics, the 500e remains a stylish and distinctive electric vehicle that delivers a genuinely engaging and enjoyable driving experience, particularly in urban environments.
Read our in-depth Abarth 500e review
6. Mazda MX-5
The Mazda MX-5 is an almost automatic inclusion on any list of fun-to-drive cars, and for compelling reasons. Its classic rear-wheel-drive layout, the availability of a manual transmission, and its responsive, naturally aspirated engines combine to create a purist driving experience. For many, the MX-5 epitomizes the best cars to drive for sheer driving pleasure at an accessible price point.
While you can undoubtedly find faster and more practical cars for a similar price, you would likely need to spend considerably more to find a vehicle that so readily and consistently brings a smile to your face. For the optimal MX-5 experience, the 184hp 2.0-liter engine paired with the slick manual transmission is widely considered the enthusiast’s choice.
7. Porsche Cayman
The Porsche Cayman is an exceptional sports car, renowned for its exquisitely balanced handling, a characteristic largely attributed to its mid-engined configuration. The base four-cylinder models offer brisk performance, but they lack the captivating engine note of the more expensive six-cylinder variants. At the apex of the Cayman range, the new 493hp GT4 RS arguably represents the most complete and thrilling sports car currently available on the market, solidifying the Cayman’s position among the best cars to drive, regardless of price considerations.
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Porsche’s extensive options list can significantly inflate the final price, but even in base form, the Cayman remains an outstanding driving machine, offering a level of engagement and precision that few cars can match, further cementing its status as one of the best cars to drive.
Read our in-depth Cayman review
8. Tesla Model 3
Astonishing straight-line acceleration has become a signature trait of Tesla vehicles, and the Model 3 is no exception. The sensation of instant, potent power delivery remains perpetually thrilling. While outperforming supercars in acceleration contests is undoubtedly entertaining, the Model 3 also demonstrates surprisingly competent handling dynamics. It proves that electric cars can indeed be among the best cars to drive, offering a unique blend of performance and technology.
For the most exhilarating Model 3 experience, the Performance variant is the definitive choice. It comes standard with the Performance Upgrade package, which includes a particularly useful Track Mode for optimized performance driving. However, it’s worth noting that the Model 3 Performance is a premium offering, and its build quality, while improving, still doesn’t quite reach the benchmark set by established luxury brands like BMW and Audi.
Read our in-depth Model 3 review
9. Toyota GR Yaris
At first glance, the Toyota GR Yaris might resemble a standard Yaris with sporty body enhancements. However, it’s a far more specialized and focused performance machine beneath the surface. Its potent 1.6-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine generates an impressive 280hp, which, combined with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, results in genuinely rapid acceleration and exceptional grip. The GR Yaris is a compelling contender for the title of best cars to drive in the hot hatch category, particularly for those who value rally-inspired performance.
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The GR Yaris exhibits a somewhat firm ride and noticeable road noise, especially at highway speeds. Furthermore, rear passenger space and cargo capacity are limited. Despite these minor compromises in practicality, opting for the ‘Circuit Pack’ elevates the GR Yaris to an even higher level of performance and driver engagement, making it a truly focused and thrilling driving experience.
Read our in-depth GR Yaris review
10. Suzuki Swift Sport
The Suzuki Swift Sport, while last on this list, is by no means least in terms of driving enjoyment. It serves as a testament to the fact that immense power is not a prerequisite for having a great deal of fun behind the wheel. Its 1.4-liter turbocharged engine produces a modest 129hp, but thanks to its remarkably low weight of just 1,025kg, it feels considerably more energetic and responsive than the horsepower figure might suggest. The Swift Sport is a strong example of the best cars to drive that prioritize lightness and agility over outright power.
The Swift Sport’s light weight contributes significantly to its playful handling, making it a joy to drive through corners. While the interior might be perceived as somewhat basic in terms of material quality, it compensates with a surprisingly generous list of standard equipment, making it an excellent value proposition for drivers seeking an engaging and affordable driving experience.
Read our in-depth Swift Sport review
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