When you’re looking for a brand new cool car that you enjoy driving, money doesn’t stretch very far. There are possibilities for you out there, though. Depreciation can be your friend, especially if the prospect vehicle is new enough to retain a warranty. Top Gear compiled a list of 10 possibilities. Mind you, many of the cars are for sale in Europe only. Here are some cool, newish cars you can get for less than a new Toyota Yaris:
- Peugeot 308 GTI
- BMW M140i
- Peugeot 508
- BMW 530e
- Jaguar XE
- Skoda Octavia vRS
- Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance
- Seat Leon Cupra 290
- Mini John Cooper Works
- Hyundai i30N
Peugeot 308 GTI is Top Gear’s favorite Yaris-alternative
Peugeot 308 GTI | Peugeot
Top Gear loves the Peugeot 308 GTI because it is part swivel-eyed hoodlum, part sedate travel companion. The Peugeot is light, planted, and outfitted with loads of helpful handling goodies. This year’s 308 GTI is the last one that Peugeot will produce, so if you’re in the market for a fun hot hatch to better fill garage space than a Toyota Yaris, look no further. Unfortunately for us on this side of the pond, that’s simply not going to happen.
BMW M140i brings the quality of Bavaria’s best to a wallet-friendly package
BMW 1 Series | BMW
The M140i has not dispensed with the tried and true formula that makes a BMW a BMW. The little hatchback, adorned with a beloved badge, produces 350bhp. You read that right. Not only is the power great, but it is also the product of a straight six-cylinder engine and controlled with a six-speed manual transmission. So it is a BMW with a hatch, enough said.
Jaguar XE is a cool Coventry car designed to move you about in elegance for the price of a Toyota hatchback
Jaguar XE | James Lipman, Jaguar
Who doesn’t want an aluminum body Jaguar over a small, sensible hatchback? The XE brings all of the little details consumers love about an exciting Jag to a smaller, city-friendly package. Pair the manageable size and aluminum lightness with a double-wishbone suspension, and you’ve got sedan a with sports car credentials. Given the Jaguar XE’s light weight, the 250bhp is more than enough to motivate the car to 60 mph in just over six seconds.
Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance is a no-brainer
Golf R vs. Golf GTI Performance | carwow
The Volkswagen Golf GTI should always be on the list when choosing an all-around practical yet brawler of a hot hatch. Top Gear points out that it is a tall order for the newest GTI to live up to its predecessors. That is good news for you, though. The Mk 7.5 GTI featured a design refresh and DSG gearbox, meaning you’ll want to take the long way home. Additionally, Top Gear says you can secure a Mk 7.5 GTI for as little as the Toyota Yaris.
Mini Coopers are cool cars, but a John Cooper Works Mini is even cooler
A John Cooper Works Mini Cooper | Mini
Mini Coopers are fun to look at and even more fun to drive. The original Mini was as attuned to rally stages as it was to racing series’ against big Ford Galaxies. The newer Mini Cooper is bigger, heavier, and more powerful. With the physical growth of the Mini, so too did the price tag of the Mini Cooper. However, you can snag a Mini Cooper for as little as a practical hatchback, thanks to depreciation. Play your cards right and you might even be able to find a John Cooper Works example, a Mini Cooper with track day fury.
Keyword: Cool, Newish Cars Cheaper Than a New Toyota Yaris