2025 Tesla Model 3 PerformanceTesla was the OG in the performance sedan game with the Model S. Still, we reckon the Model 3 is a more entertaining car to drive. The latest 2024 upgrades to the Performance variant made it even quicker in a straight line, with a 510-hp dual-motor powertrain delivering a 0-60 time of 2.9 seconds. The 163-mph top speed is impressive, too. The Model 3 Performance also has an impressive 298-mile EPA range and can charge quickly on Tesla's Supercharger network.But the Model 3 Performance didn't deserve to be on its list just because of the performance figures. In fact, any Tesla is quick in a straight line. The upgraded 2024 model brought a sportier suspension with a 0.4-inch lower ground clearance, along with special modes that allow the driver to choose between understeer, oversteer, or neutral handling. Yup, it's all made through algorithms, but it works. The result is a significantly more engaging EV than the pre-facelift model. Maybe not as fun to drive as a Taycan, or even an i4 M50, but easily one of the best performance cars starting at $56,630. With incentives, it would drop below $50k!The best part — the Model 3 is a very usable daily driver. The cabin is spacious, both for passengers and cargo. It feels airy, too, thanks to the generous greenhouse area with huge side windows and panoramic glass roof.2025 Mini John Cooper Works Aceman SportMini announced the Aceman last year, giving us hints of its all-electric future. At only 160.24 inches long, this subcompact crossover will slot below the Countryman Electric in the range. Although not yet offered in the U.S., the Aceman has been on sale in Europe for a while, blending Mini's modern styling approach with an advanced electric drivetrain.Still, looking at the numbers alone, it's hard to be impressed by the Aceman. The most powerful John Cooper Aceman Sport has only one 258-hp motor on the front axle, and a tiny 49.2-kWh battery. That's only enough for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) acceleration of 6.4 seconds, and a 214-mile range on the generous WLTP cycle. Expect a sub-200-mile EPA range if the Aceman arrives in America.But you know what? The small battery also makes the Aceman lighter than most modern EVs, weighing in at just north of 4,000 pounds. That, along with Mini's expertise in making excellent front-wheel-drive hot hatches, makes the Aceman quite an agile EV. Heck, Mini even employed a Go-Kart Mode that amps up the responsiveness to eleven, turning the Aceman into a fun-to-drive machine on tight, twisty roads.2025 Alpine A290The fact that straight-line speed doesn't always equal fun-to-drive is best displayed in Alpine's electric hot hatch, the A290. Yup, this is the same EV as the gorgeous Renault 5 but improved by the French automaker's performance division.Just like the JCW Aceman Sport, the A290 doesn't play the numbers game. The entry-level GT model has one 178-hp motor on the front axle, with the GTS bumping the figure to 217 hp. Americans will probably wonder how this even qualifies as a performance car, but a 0-62 mph time of 6.4 seconds is still quick enough on European twisties. It also means you can drive the A290 at 100% on public roads, without losing your license.Alpine's improvements also make the A290 a very nimble cornering tool. It's only front-wheel drive, meaning drifting shenanigans are out of the question, but you can still lift off the throttle to induce oversteer, similar to France's legendary hot hatches, like the Renault 5 Turbo and Peugeot 205 GTI.Thanks to the low curb weight of 3,260 pounds, the Alpine A290 also feels lighter on its feet than an EV, so it's far more engaging in the corners. This means it also has a smaller 52-kWh battery, which is only good for a 226-mile WLTP range (∼190-mile EPA). Still, the A290 is a tiny urban dweller, so the short-ish range is less of an issue.2025 Cupra Born VZThe Cupra Born VZ is another handsome performance EV you can't get in the U.S. Well, at least not yet — the VW Group performance brand should enter the U.S. market by 2030. The Born VZ will probably be replaced by a successor by that point, but even now, it's an attractive proposition.Based on the VW ID.3, this Spanish model tries to blend hot hatch thrills with the power of electrons. Unlike its rivals, though, the Born VZ employs a 322-hp rear motor. So, it's perhaps not a classic European hot hatch, but who cares about phraseology when you can drift out of a corner? The Born VZ feels agile and eager to turn. It doesn't understeer much, if you will. You know, like a real driver's car.It's also faster than the current electric hot hatch norm, reaching 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.6 seconds. Unsurprisingly, since VZ stands for 'veloz', or 'fast' in Spanish. Maybe Cupra should've also added 'batería grande' to the name, because the Born VZ packs a sizeable 79-kWh battery, good for a WLTP-rated range of 366 miles. That's an excellent range for a performance EV and probably a consequence of the rear-motor configuration.