To obtain a new vehicle quickly enough to serve as a getaway car, you don’t need to rob a bank. Several brand-new automobiles, trucks, and SUVs come with price tags of $30,000 or less.
Even though they don’t have powerful engines or neck-snapping acceleration, they’ll make your heart beat faster.
We looked through our new car rankings to locate cars with high-performance ratings, under-$30,000 sticker costs, and plenty of horsepower.
Manufacturers rarely provide zero to 60 mph figures for popular models, and there is far too much variation in performance in independent tests to use such values as an accurate indicator of a car’s acceleration.
Starting with the base model of the range, certain cars on the following pages have exceptional performance, while others are particular trims with improved performance.
Please be aware that as new data becomes available, our vehicle rankings frequently alter. It’s possible that the ratings you see on a vehicle’s review page don’t correspond to those on the pages that follow.
Taxes and destination fees, which are frequently non-negotiable and not reflected in the numbers we display, are additional to the car rates.
The following are the 30 fastest cars you can purchase for under $30,000, listed in no particular order.
1. Ford Mustang EcoBoost Fastback – 2021
Base price: $26,670
A 760-horsepower Shelby GT500 or even a 460-horsepower Mustang GT is obviously out of the question with a $30,000 budget. But you’ll receive a 310-horsepower Mustang fastback instead. 350 pound-feet of torque is produced by its twin-turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The turbo-four is paired with either a six-speed manual transmission as standard or a 10-speed automatic transmission as an option. You can upgrade the base automobile with the 101A equipment group if you have $30,000 to spend.
To function better under various driving and road situations, it has a drive-mode controller. The option also adds 18-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch SYNC 3 touch-screen layout to the standard model’s 4.2-inch infotainment system.
The Ford Mustang by Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0. With a $30,000 budget, a 760-horsepower Shelby GT500 or even a 460-horsepower Mustang GT is plainly out of the question.
Seating for four is indicated on the Mustang’s specification sheet, however, the tiny back seat is inadequate for any but the tiniest children. The 2021 Ford Mustang takes the top spot in our rating of sports cars.
2. Mini Electric Hardtop – 2021
Base price: $29,900
Compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, electric cars deliver electricity differently. Electric automobiles have maximum power from the moment you press the accelerator, in contrast to gas-powered cars, which take some time to build up power. When you accelerate, the power decreases.
This enables vehicles like the 2021 Mini Electric Hardtop to drive nimbly about town and have sufficient power to handle motorway onramps. The Mini Electric Hardtop, commonly referred to as the Mini Cooper SE, generates 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque using an electric motor.
It is one of the shortest-range electric vehicles available right now, though, with a range of only 110 miles on a single charge. Many different charging stations, including CCS DC fast chargers, can be used to recharge it.
The price of the new electric Mini is even more reasonable when you combine state, local, and utility incentives with the $7,500 federal electric car tax credit.
3. Chevrolet Camaro 1LT V6 – 2021
Base price: $27,095
With a $30,000 budget, you may upgrade to the 335-horsepower 2021 Chevrolet Camaro LT1 V6 instead of the base model’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
It uses a 10-speed automatic transmission as an option or a six-speed manual transmission as standard. The budget even allows for an improved interior or infotainment system.
A 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with a Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay is standard on the Camaro.
A touch-screen 8 inches wide is available. Similar to the Mustang, the Camaro claims to have four seats, but only two of them are usable.
Early Camaros were well-known for their drag-strip prowess. The modern Camaro is a capable all-around sports car with strong acceleration and nimble handling on winding roads.
Chevy provides several performance add-ons that increase its agility, but many of them exceed our $30,000 budget.
The Camaro places in the middle of the pack in our rating of sports cars. Its overall score is impacted negatively by a poor anticipated dependability rating.
4. Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring 6MT – 2021
Base price: $28,400
Honda discontinued the sporty Civic Si for 2021, but you can still get a fantastic Honda Civic for less than $30,000. The extensive Civic lineup’s 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring offers the most performance for the money.
A 1.5-liter, 180-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine powers the Civic Hatchback Sport Touring.
Although a continuously variable automatic transmission is standard, for the most intense driving experience, you should pair it with the six-speed manual transmission that is an option.
Five people can fit in the seating with plenty of legroom in both rows, and there is a considerable quantity of cargo space behind the back seat.
The Honda Civic Hatchback by Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0. Honda stopped manufacturing the sporty Civic Si in 2021, but you can still purchase a great Honda Civic for about $30,000.
The Honda Sensing suite, which includes lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlamps, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, is a standard feature on all Civic models.
It wins a slot in the upper half of our incredibly tight compact car rating.
5. Volkswagen GTI – 2021
Base price: $28,695
VW was a pioneer in what is now known as the hot hatchback market. The VW GTI from 2021 strikes an appealing balance between cost, utility, and performance. You can have a 228-horsepower four-cylinder turbo, excellent handling, and the practicality of a hatchback for a little under $30,000.
Even though the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is an option, most enthusiasts would still opt for the manual gearbox because it makes shifts quickly when driving quickly.
There are no all-wheel drive GTIs. Standard features include a limited-slip differential and a multi-mode vehicle dynamics selector that let you customize the car’s setting to your preferences.
Towards the top of our ranking of compact cars is the Volkswagen GTI. Together with its performance prowess, it also has a spacious cabin with five seats that are furnished with high-quality materials. The current GTI body style’s final year is this one. A new version will be available in 2022.
6. Mazda Miata Sport 2021
Base price: $26,830
This will be stated upfront. The Mazda Miata of 2021 isn’t fast in the same sense that a Ford Mustang or Chevrolet Camaro is. The Miata, however, delivers the same amount of driving enjoyment as vehicles that cost three times as much.
The 2021 Miata is powered by a four-cylinder engine with a naturally aspirated 181 horsepower. It doesn’t take much force to move a 2,341-pound automobile with authority, so that’s not a lot of power. It comes with a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission.
You’ll want the manual to get the most performance out of the roadster unless you spend a lot of time in stop-and-go traffic. The Miata, according to some aficionados, is the greatest vehicle for learning how to drive a stick shift.
You’ll be able to purchase the soft-top Miata Sport with a $30,000 spending limit. It has lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and low-speed automated emergency braking as standard features.
Alloy wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and proximity keyless entry are all included as standard features.
7. Subaru BRZ – 2020
Base price: $28,845
The flat-four engine in the BRZ can be mated to either a six-speed manual or an automatic transmission. The engine’s output falls to 200 horsepower when the automatic transmission is used.
The only Subaru model without all-wheel drive is the rear-wheel-drive BRZ. You can purchase the base model BRZ Limited with either transmission for under $30,000 if you have the money.
Nevertheless, its firmness is less forgiving if you’re using the car as a commuter on less-than-ideal roads. The BRZ’s energetic assured handling is superb for negotiating turns.
A Subaru BRZ by Michael Gil / CC BY 2.0. The BRZ’s flat-four engine can be paired with either an automated or a six-speed manual transmission. When the automatic transmission is engaged, the engine’s output is reduced to 200 horsepower.
8. Toyota 86 – 2020
Base price: $27,060
A modern two-door, four-seat fastback with a 205-horsepower flat-four engine is the 2020 Toyota 86. The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ are nearly identical vehicles, so if those specifications sound familiar, that’s because they are.
Subaru has shown a completely revamped BRZ sports car for 2022, but when it comes out later this year, it’ll probably go above our $30,000 budget. The most recent 2020 Subaru BRZ is a 2+2 sports car that is lightweight, agile, and has a four-cylinder engine that can produce up to 205 horsepower.
It claims a middle-of-the-road position on our list of sports vehicles. The two businesses collaborated to create the sports automobile.
In contrast to Subaru, Toyota arranges its options a little differently, so a $30,000 budget will only buy you the base model or the $29,835 Toyota 86 GT.
The list of features included as standard equipment on the GT includes heated front seats, proximity keyless entry, dual-zone automatic temperature control, leather and suede upholstery, and a rear spoiler.
The Toyota 86 has a far smaller set of standard safety features than most Toyotas. There is only a rearview camera present.
If you want the most power, choose the six-speed manual transmission, which is standard. The engine loses five horsepower if the six-speed automated transmission is selected.
The Toyota 86 places in the middle of the pack in our rating of sports cars.
9. Fiat 124 Abarth – 2020
Base price: $29,390
Another outcome of a partnership between two automakers is the 2020 Fiat 124 Abarth. The Fiat 124’s powertrain and suspension tuning are shared with the Mazda MX-5 Miata and are built on the same assembly line.
The Mazda excels at carving corners, whilst the Fiat is a little more laid-back.
The top-of-the-line 2020 Fiat 124 model is available for less than $30,000 in the portfolio. The Fiat 124 Abarth has a limited-slip differential, improved suspension, and a leather interior.
In comparison to the other 124 grades, the Abarth’s four-cylinder turbo produces 164 horsepower. Both a six-speed automatic and a short-throw six-speed manual are offered.
A more boisterous exhaust noise than you’d hear from other 124s or Miatas reveals the car’s Abarth ancestry.
The 124 earns a slot close to the bottom of the pack in our rating of sports cars. Its weak anticipated reliability score serves as its only support.
10. Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-Spec – 2021
Base price: $23,450
While a $30,000 budget won’t quite allow you to purchase the sporty Hyundai Veloster N, it will allow you to drive one of the three turbocharged variants from the portfolio of the 2021 Hyundai Veloster. They have 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines that produce 201 horsepower.
The six-speed manual transmission is standard on the Veloster Turbo R-Spec variant. A quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is standard on the other turbos and is optional on the R-Spec.
High-performance tires, a short-throw gearbox, and sport-tuned steering increase the R-sportiness. Spec’s Both the headlights and the taillights are LEDs by default.
The Veloster Turbo Turbo Ultimate, priced at $28,450, is at the top of the list. It has a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, leather seats, and navigation.
With a single door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passenger side to facilitate access to the back seat, the coupe-like Veloster has a distinctive appearance.
There are enough for four people, but the back seat, like many in the class, is cramped. The Veloster earns a spot in the top half of our rating of compact cars.
The Hyundai Veloster by Ki hoon / CC BY-SA 4.0. A $30,000 budget won’t quite let you buy the sporty Hyundai Veloster N, but it will let you drive one of the three turbocharged models from the 2021 Hyundai Veloster lineup.
11. Dodge Challenger SXT – 2021
Base price: $28,295
The 2021 Dodge Challenger SXT has outstanding performance in a cheap package, but it doesn’t draw as much attention as its more potent brothers.
It has a rear-wheel drive system, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 303-horsepower Pentastar V6 engine. Even though it lacks the power of a Hellcat, the Challenger can be moved with assurance because of this.
None of the Challenger’s sports car competitors are like it. It is the only vehicle with a back seat that is useful and a trunk large enough to accommodate everyone’s belongings.
Even though it hasn’t undergone a complete makeover in more than a decade, it nevertheless holds a position in the top half of our rating of sports cars.
A 7-inch Uconnect touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on Challenger SXT versions.
They also have cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a shifter handle covered in leather.
12. Dodge Charger – 2021
Base price: $29,995
You can buy the 2021 Dodge Charger SXT with the same Pentastar V6 found in the Challenger for less than $30,000. The engine in the Charger produces 292 horsepower. It has rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Dodge claims that the V6-powered Charger can reach 60 mph from 0 in 6.5 seconds. Dodge provides the Charger Pursuit cop car with the V6 for police departments looking for less expensive vehicles and reduced fuel costs because it is swift enough.
The Charger is a spacious sedan with room for five passengers, including adults in the back seat. It has a 7-inch Uconnect infotainment system as standard equipment. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both supported by the touch-screen configuration.
The Charger is built on a foundation that, by automotive standards, is quite old, but the manufacturer has done a great job throughout the years of adding new amenities to it. It receives a spot at the bottom of our large car ranking in part because of a poor expected dependability rating.
13. Honda Accord Hybrid – 2021
Base price: $26,370
For the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid, Honda combines the power of two electric motors with a four-cylinder gasoline engine to produce 212 horsepower. The motors give the sedan plenty of boosts as you leave the stop line, enabling a zero to 60 time in under 7 seconds.
In both the city and on the interstate, the standard Accord Hybrid earns an amazing EPA-estimated 48 mpg. The five-seat sedan comes with plenty of features, even at its starting price of $26,370.
LED headlights, 17-inch alloys, and an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are just a few of the many features that come as standard on this vehicle.
Honda Sensing is standard on all Accord hybrid models. It is a collection of cutting-edge safety and driver-aid features, such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. In our list of hybrid and electric vehicles, the Accord Hybrid comes in close to the top.
The 2021 Honda Accord with a 192-horsepower turbo-four is available for a few thousand dollars less. It offers vivacious performance around town and harmonizes well with the Accord’s nimble demeanor. The model is rated highest in our ranking of midsize cars.
14. Kia K5 – 2021
Base price: $23,490
The superb 2020 Kia Optima was succeeded in the brand’s U.S. lineup by the 2021 Kia K5. It has an eight-speed automated transmission and a four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 180 horsepower. A K5 is available with front- or all-wheel drive.
The Kia K5 by Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0. The excellent 2021 Kia K5 replaced the excellent 2020 Kia Optima in the brand’s U.S. lineup. It boasts a four-cylinder, 180-horsepower turbocharged engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The EPA estimates that the five-seat sedan can achieve up to 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the interstate. It has 16-inch alloy wheels as standard.
A wireless 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is also available. In this market, wireless smartphone integration is still rather rare.
Lane-keeping assistance, automatic high-beam headlamps, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition are included on all K5 models. When you get out of the car, its standard rear-seat reminder works to prevent you from leaving behind people, pets, or items.
Due to the K5’s incomplete set of crash test results, we have not yet included it in our ranking of midsize cars. A Kia K5 GT with 290 horsepower is forthcoming, but it will cost more than $30,000.
15. Mazda6 Sport – 2021
Base price: $24,235
Sometimes a car’s speed is determined by how it uses its horsepower rather than by how much it has in pure form. The 187 horsepower generated by the Mazda6’s four-cylinder engine is used to create one of the most nimble midsize sedans available today.
A six-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels is included with the Mazda6.
The 2021 Mazda6’s base two trim levels are available for less than $30,000. The cheapest model in the inventory is the Mazda6 Sport, however, the $26,925 Mazda6 Touring is also reasonably priced.
Push-button start, remote keyless entry, and dual-zone automatic temperature control are all standard on both. The five seats in the cabin are upgraded to synthetic leather in the Touring specification from the Sport’s fabric seats.
A wide range of driver aid and safety features are included as standard equipment in all Mazda6 models. The list also includes lane-keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and other features.
Near the top of our ranking of midsize cars is the Mazda6.
16. Mazda CX-5 – 2021
Base price: $25,270
Sport utility vehicles and agile handling don’t typically go together. There is an exception to this rule with the 2021 Mazda CX-5. It combines respectable engine power with assured agility, which is uncommon in compact SUVs. Our ranking of compact SUVs places it rather high.
A four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower powers the CX-5 along with a six-speed automated transmission. An all-wheel drive is an option, however, front-wheel drive is the default. A more powerful CX-5 engine is offered by Mazda, but it’s only offered on models costing more than $30,000.
Any of the lower three CX-5 trims, including the brand-new CX-5 Carbon Edition for 2021, may be purchased with a $30,000 budget. In addition to Polymetal Gray paint, black 19-inch alloy wheels, and optional red leather upholstery, it has a unique external appearance.
The luxurious inside of the CX-5 has a 10.25-inch touch-screen infotainment system. Although there is plenty of space up front, you shouldn’t intend to carry more adults than two in the back. Compared to its competitors, the CX-5 has a longer array of standard safety and driving aid equipment on all variants.
17. Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – 2021
Base price: $28,500
The boost you get when you press the accelerator pedal for the first time is one of the best things about well-tuned hybrid drivetrains. An excellent example is the 219-horsepower 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which has two electric motors and a four-cylinder gas engine.
It has a dynamic performance and excellent fuel efficiency. According to the EPA, it will get 41 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Hybrid vehicles frequently achieve their best fuel economy in urban areas.
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid by Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0. One of the finest features of well-tuned hybrid drivetrains is the boost you feel when you initially push the accelerator pedal. The 219-horsepower 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which has two electric motors and a four-cylinder gas engine, is a fantastic example.
Five people can sit comfortably in the RAV4 Hybrid’s elegantly furnished interior. The standard LE model or the XLE model can both be purchased with a $30,000 budget. The XLE is a better purchase than the original LE due to the number of features you receive for the slight price increase, such as blind spot monitoring.
All-wheel drive and the Toyota Safety Sense suite of cutting-edge safety and driving aid technologies are standard on all RAV4 hybrid models. It features automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assistance.
The RAV4 Hybrid earns a spot close to the top of our ranking of hybrid and electric SUVs.
You may purchase the non-hybrid 2021 Toyota RAV4 for roughly $2,500 cheaper. You give up some power because the four-cylinder RAV4 engine only has 203 horsepower as opposed to the hybrid’s 219 horsepower. Its interstate mileage is only a few mpg below the hybrids, but its city fuel economy is substantially worse.
18. Mazda CX-30 – 2021
Base price: $21,900
It’s been suggested that it’s more enjoyable to drive a slow car quicker than a fast car slowly. The Mazda CX-30 in 2021 will adhere to the same axiom upon which the MX-5 Miata was founded.
Although the CX-30’s engine isn’t the strongest in the world, it makes the most of what it has thanks to excellent handling. Its 186 horsepower four-cylinder engine gives it an advantage over most competitors in the subcompact SUV market.
The CX-30 won’t, however, dominate many drag races. Yet once you turn a corner, you’ll find the CX-30’s agility will astound and amaze you.
For 2021, there will be a new CX-30 Turbo, but its $30K price tag is too high.
Like other subcompact SUVs, there is plenty of space in the front, but on long excursions, passengers in the back may find the accommodations a little cramped.
An 8.8-inch infotainment screen, an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot, and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on every CX-30. The CX-30’s center console has a rotary controller for infotainment functions rather than a touch screen.
It ranks very highly on our list of subcompact SUVs.
19. Ford Escape SE Sport Hybrid – 2020
Base price: $28,265
The $28,265 Ford Escape SE Sport Hybrid is the most potent version of either the 2020 Ford Escape Hybrid or the gas-only 2021 Ford Escape. Its gasoline engine and electric motor work together to produce 198 horsepower. Both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive variations are offered.
The Escape Hybrid has a little more vigor than most compact SUVs, even though it is by no means a sports car. In our rating of hybrid and electric SUVs, it is the highest-rated model.
EPA fuel economy estimates for the hybrid powertrain are as high as 44 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Every trim level comes standard with Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of cutting-edge safety and driving assistance features, including the SE Sport that matches our budget.
Five people can ride in the small SUV, but the amount of space they have depends on whether they can recline the seats for the most legroom. Naturally, doing so reduces the amount of cargo space behind the back seats.
20. Toyota Camry – 2021
Base price: $24,970
Yep, the 2021 Toyota Camry is a part of our ranking of the quickest vehicles under $30,000. This is due to the Camry’s refined 203 horsepower four-cylinder engine, which offers more than enough power for the majority of drivers. A V6 with 301 horsepower is offered, but it costs significantly more.
The eight-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive of the Camry are paired with its four-cylinder engine. The 2021 Toyota Camry Hybrid has a little more horsepower, but it costs an extra $2,300 in most trim levels.
A comprehensive number of standard high-tech driver aid and safety systems are included with every Camry, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlamps, lane-centering assistance, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition.
The sedan has seating for five passengers in both rows. It comes standard with a 7-inch infotainment system that supports Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa Auto.
21. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – 2021
Base price: $27,750
In the race for family horsepower, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid barely edges over its gas-only brother, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata. The four-cylinder engine and one electric motor in the Sonata Hybrid work together to produce 192 horsepower.
You can choose between a 191-horsepower four-cylinder and a 180-horsepower four-cylinder turbo in the regular 2021 Sonata. The turbo feels significantly stronger despite having a lower power output because of its higher torque.
The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid by Mr.choppers / CC BY-SA 3.0. The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid narrowly defeats its gas-only sibling, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata, in the battle for family horsepower. The Sonata Hybrid’s four-cylinder engine and one electric motor combine to create 192 horsepower.
For a vehicle of its size, the Sonata Hybrid receives outstanding fuel economy estimations. The EPA scores it at 50 mpg in the city and 54 mpg on the highway in the Hybrid Blue model.
Five passengers may be accommodated in both the hybrid and conventional Sonata without difficulty and with few complaints from the back row. The infotainment system has an 8-inch touchscreen as standard. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported for connectivity.
The Sonata and Sonata Hybrid were recently revamped for the 2020 model year and feature an extensive list of standard safety technology. It features lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and driver attention monitoring.
Our ranking of hybrid and electric cars has the Sonata Hybrid at the top. The non-hybrid sedan occupies a position in the top half of our list of midsize cars.
22. Subaru WRX – 2020
Base price: $27,495
The 2020 Subaru WRX is an excellent performance, equipped with a 268-horsepower horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine, standard all-wheel drive, and a rally car-inspired suspension. Another reason to covet this car is its pricing, which is considerably less than $30,000.
The price you pay for its cat-like grip on both loose terrain and paved surfaces is that its suspension is stiffer than many people want.
Sadly, the outdated WRX only manages to land somewhere close to the bottom of our compact car rating. It has an interior made of bargain-basement materials and a poor anticipated dependability rating.
The base model, which is the only one under $30,000, has automatic climate control, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Smartphone connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is standard. A rearview camera is the only high-tech safety element that is included as standard. More safety measures are offered, but they increase the WRX’s price above our $30K cap.
23. Mini Clubman Cooper S Classic – 2021
Base price: $29,900
The 2021 Mini Cooper Clubman S Classic has a four-cylinder turbo engine with 189 horsepower, and it costs slightly under $30,000. To move the lightweight four-door subcompact around, there is more than enough room.
Its suspension, which is fine-tuned but not harsh, enables you to maximize the Clubman’s power.
You’ll have to stick with the conventional six-speed manual transmission that was introduced for the 2021 model year if you have a $30,000 budget.
This is advantageous since you can maximize the engine’s performance thanks to the stick shift gearbox. A $1,500 add-on for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic will blow your wallet.
The Mini Cooper Clubman is a four-door subcompact car with plenty of baggage space and split back doors that extend to the sides, providing seating for five people. It is considerably longer than a regular Mini Cooper.
Because we do not yet have all of the Mini Cooper Clubman’s crash test results, we are not yet ranking it. Both a rearview camera and automatic emergency braking are standard.
24. Mazda3 2.5 Turbo AWD Sedan – 2021
Base price: $29,990
One of the most exciting little cars to drive is the Mazda3. With the addition of a 2.5-liter, 227-horsepower, four-cylinder engine to the range for the 2021 model year, it gets even better. This is an increase from the standard engine’s 186 horsepower.
The 2021 Mazda3 sedan with a turbocharger comes in slightly under $30,000 on average.
All Mazda3 Turbo models will come standard with all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. In front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive sedan and hatchback versions, the 186 horsepower engine will still be offered.
The amount of cutting-edge driver assistance and safety features that come standard on all Mazda3 vehicles was increased by Mazda last year.
A driver awareness monitor, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, and lane-keeping assistance are now included on the list. It got a Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for 2020.
25. Kia Soul Turbo – 2021
Base price: $27,650
There isn’t a threatening snarl. At stoplights, Camaro drivers won’t argue with it. The 201-horsepower four-cylinder engine in the 2021 Kia Soul Turbo is still powerful enough to deliver a fun driving experience. It is paired with a quick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Near the top of our ranking for subcompact SUVs is the 2021 Soul. It offers roomy seating for five people and has a lot of cargo capacity behind the back seat.
The Soul has an above-average projected reliability rating and one of the finest warranties available, with 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage.
With a long list of standard features, the Soul Turbo is at the top of the model’s lineup.
It has synthetic leather and fabric upholstery, a Harmon Kardon audio system, and a heated leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel.
Together with these features are a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition.
The Hyundai Veloster by Ki hoon / CC BY-SA 4.0
Jim Wicks is the founder of MotorVehicleHQ. With over two decades of experience in the automotive industry and a degree in Automotive Technology, Jim is a certified car expert who has worked in various roles ranging from a mechanic, car dealership manager, to a racing car driver. He has owned more than 20 cars over the past 15 years. Ask him about any vehicle you see on the road and he can tell you the make, model and year. He loves the aesthetics of all things cars, and keeps his vehicles in pristine condition.
In his free time, Jim enjoys getting his hands dirty under the hood of a classic car or taking long drives along the country roads. His favorite car? A 1967 Shelby GT500, a true classic that, according to Jim, “represents the pure essence of American muscle.”