While car enthusiasts often obsess over high-horsepower machines that cost a fortune and are about as practical as a screen door on a submarine, if it’s pure driving fun you’re after, there are plenty of other options suited for much smaller budgets that can still deliver a grin from ear to ear. We’ve put together a list of 10 such vehicles that blend usability and performance.Sure, most of these cars aren’t glamorous, and they don’t come with every gadget and gizmo under the sun. But get one with a manual transmission, and you’d be tossing it around corners, heel-and-toeing like you're Ayrton Senna in an Acura NSX every time you hit your favorite winding roads. And since many of the cars on this list can be had for just a bit more than scrap today, you can drive them hard without worrying about a crippling repair bill. Alfa Romeo Stelvio Available From 2017 To Present 2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Intensa (2)Yes, SUVs can be fun to drive, and one of the best in the business is the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as the Stelvio shares much of its mechanical DNA with the Giulia sport sedan, including a carbon-fiber driveshaft and aluminum body panels that contribute to its ideal 50:50 weight distribution. Combine that with punchy engines, strong brakes, and steering that offers plenty of feedback, and the Stelvio delivers a driving experience that rivals many sport sedans on the market.The only drawback is that the chassis feels like it could handle even more power. That’s where the Stelvio Quadrifoglio comes in, with its 505-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6. It’s a serious step-up in both performance and character, and if your budget stretches that far, then Quadrifoglio is well worth the investment. It's no longer available as a new model, but there are loads of nicely depreciated models on the used market. BMW X5 (First Generation) Available From 2000 To 2006 2000 - 2003 BMW X5 (11)It's hard to believe that the BMW X5 nameplate has now been around for 25 years. One thing true from the start is a driving experience that's more like one of BMW’s sedans than a traditional SUV. This trait was particularly rare when the original X5, which features unibody construction, independent suspension, and an all-wheel-drive system with a 38:62 front-to-rear split for a sporty rear-drive bias, made its debut.A five-speed automatic or rare five-speed manual was available to US buyers. Interestingly, BMW actually acquired many of the insights and hardware for the original X5 through its ownership of the Rover Group, which at the time included Land Rover. Chevrolet Spark (Third Generation) Available From 2013 To 2015 2015 Chevrolet Spark Green Front AngleUsually, front-wheel-drive cars are anathema to performance driving, but that's not the case when we're talking about small, low-powered cars designed for city life, such as the third-generation Chevrolet Spark. In fact, having the weight of the engine over the driven wheels gives the Spark good traction in wet conditions. When grip runs out, it tends to understeer rather than oversteer, which is a more predictable and forgiving trait than what you’d find in a powerful rear-wheel-drive car.Of course, with just 84 hp from its tiny inline-four, the Spark is far from quick. You really have to wring out the engine to extract any urgency, but with the standard five-speed manual, the experience can be entertaining when you’re in the mood. The short wheelbase and firm suspension also make the Spark chuckable through corners, though you need to keep it in the power band if you want to exit bends at anything faster than a crawl. Ford Fiesta (Sixth Generation) Available From 2011 To 2019 2011-2013 Ford Fiesta Hatch Mk6 Blue Front View City DrivingAnother small front-wheel-drive hatch we're sure you'd find compelling to drive is the sixth-generation Ford Fiesta. Even in base trims, the chassis feels balanced and communicative, making it a standout in its class. Step up to the Fiesta ST, and the stylish subcompact transforms into something more serious. Its turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four delivers 197 hp, plenty for a hatchback of its size, and the six-speed manual keeps you engaged. Plus, there's lots of aftermarket support.The ST’s suspension is firmer but still forgiving enough for daily use, while torque steer is well-managed for a front-driver. Add in precise steering and a playful chassis, and you have an affordable car that can hold its own against much pricier hot hatches and some sports cars. Honda Fit (First Generation) Available From 2007 To 2008 2007-2008 Honda Fit Sport ActionIf you want a car that costs a little more than loose change and could easily last 200,000 miles or more with little more than regular servicing, the Honda Fit is the answer. And for those of us who actually enjoy driving, the first-generation Fit is a real star behind the wheel. Weighing around 2,400 pounds, it feels light and agile, and its 1.5-liter inline-4 delivers an impressive – for the class – 109 hp. The well-balanced front-wheel-drive chassis, precise steering, and surprisingly sporty suspension make it engaging on twisty roads. At the same time, the standard five-speed manual transmission lets you make the most of the power, though the available five-speed automatic also isn't bad. Jaguar XJ (Fourth Generation) Available From 2010 To 2019 2018 Jaguar XJ575 Front 3/4 ViewYou wouldn't expect a full-size sedan to be a sharp handler, but there are some exceptions. The BMW 7 Series is traditionally the best in the class, but Jaguar's last XJ, with its lightweight aluminum chassis, is also agile. This is especially the case if you can spring for the flagship XJ575, which, as the name suggests, features a 575-hp version of the XJ's available supercharged 5.0-liter V8. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic and drives the rear wheels only. A stiffened suspension results in very little roll through the corners, and an electronic differential helps control torque between the rear wheels to aid handling further. Mazda 2 (Second Generation) Available From 2011 To 2014 2012 Mazda 2 - front angle Mini Countryman (First Generation) Available From 2011 To 2016 2011-2014 Mini Cooper Countryman DynamicMini ruffled quite a few feathers when it announced plans early this century to launch an SUV, a body style not normally associated with a brand known for its small cars. However, the automaker didn't disappoint when it launched the original Countryman for the 2011 model year. The vehicle shared a platform with the BMW X1 on sale at the time and was available with a six-speed manual, which is hooked up to a 120-hp 1.6-liter inline-four in base form.The Countryman retained Mini's signature fun handling, but at higher speeds, there was a lot of body roll, and the standard brakes didn't inspire confidence. If the budget can accommodate it, upgrading to the Cooper S or John Cooper Works is well worth it. Nissan Maxima (Third Generation) Available From 1989 To 1994 1989-1994 Nissan MaximaThe third-generation Nissan Maxima is surprisingly fun to drive despite its front-wheel-drive layout and homely appearance. Nissan marketed it as a “four-door sports car,” and even created a 4DSC emblem. It was a bold claim at the time, hinting at performance beyond what most expected from a mid-sized sedan. Under the hood sat a 3.0-liter V6 engine, which was new at the time. While it wasn't as powerful as engines in later generations, it offered impressively smooth power delivery.If you're also the type who likes to modify their cars, there are plenty of options for this powerplant. When paired with the responsive five-speed manual transmission, it transforms the Maxima into a surprisingly engaging car. Most examples have the four-speed automatic, but it’s the manual version you'd want to shop for. You'd also want the SE trim, as it includes slightly sportier suspension tuning. Volkswagen Golf (Seventh Generation) Available From 2015 To 2021 volkswagen golf 7 tsi frontHalo products such as the Bugatti Chiron and Porsche 911 GT3 RS may be among the most desirable models from the Volkswagen Group. Still, when it comes to the most important, from a financial standpoint, there is the humble offering of the Volkswagen Golf. The Golf is currently in its eighth generation, but for driving enthusiasts, the previous MkVII stands out.It was the first to ride on VW Group's MQB platform and offered enough modern technology without going too overboard. It still uses physical buttons and knobs instead of the annoying slider controls and haptic panels on the current Golf. More importantly, the Mk7 delivers balanced handling, communicative steering, and confidence-inspiring road manners. These days, only GTI and R models are available, but the standard Mk7 with a 1.4-liter or 1.9-liter turbocharged four-cylinder was available from 2015 to 2021. The later 1.4 T was mated to a six-speed manual, and while 147 hp and 184 lb-ft don't sound like much, there's plenty of fun to be had.Sources: Alfa Romeo, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Mazda, Mini, Nissan, Volkswagen
