Just because you live in a city doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, too
Yes, crossovers and SUVs are topping the sales charts, but what if you want to enjoy your drive AND be able to park downtown on a Saturday night? You’re not stuck shopping for econoboxes: Here are 10 city-sized cars that fit curbside and are still a blast to drive.
Mazda MX-5
A Miata? Of course, a Miata. While it has become almost cliché to love, the Miata might be the ultimate small-but-fun sports car. With the 2016 model, you’re getting 155 naturally aspirated ponies out of the 2.0-liter Skyactiv I4. While that might not seem like a ton, remember that this thing only weighs 2,332 pounds in manual trim.
Ford Focus RS
No, it hasn’t come out yet (as of this writing) — but it’s close. While it might look too aggressive for some in the Nitrous blue, the black paint job will make this just nondescript enough to wield for daily use. The all-wheel-drive system should also make it excellent in snowy northern climates.
We drive the 165-mph Ford Focus RS
After decades of sitting on the wrong side of the Atlantic looking longingly at any number of fabulous Ford Focus RS models, we in The States will finally get the Focus RS performance …
Subaru BRZ/ Scion FR-S
What could be more fun than a compact coupe powered by a naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine? This only problem is deciding whether you want your car to look happy (BRZ) or mad (FR-S).
2015 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue Edition review notes
ASSOCIATE EDITOR GRAHAM KOZAK: I didn’t realize how much I missed our now-gone long-term BRZ until I hopped into this 2015 Subaru BRZ Series.Blue Edition car for the weekend. Amazing how quickly …
Hyundai Veloster Rally Edition
Hyundai’s hot hatch, the Veloster, might seem more boy racer than actual performance car, but that isn’t exactly the case. It’s no Focus RS, ST, or Subaru WRX STi, but this Hyundai is more than enough fun around town.
Mini Cooper JCW
Yes, it is expensive — but it’s also small, fast and different.
2015 Mini Cooper JCW review
It’s been over a year since Mini updated the Cooper model, introducing a number of mechanical and stylistic changes to the base two-door hatch. So we’ve had a good amount of time to get …
Honda Fit
It’s tough to argue against the ultimate urban utility vehicle with a manual trans. A rev-happy I4 moves this lightweight subcompact nimbly through traffic. Oh, yeah, it also won’t break the bank.
Long-term wrapup: 2015 Honda Fit EX
In an age when V8 pickups are used to commute to financial-sector jobs 4 miles away, the concept of a small hatchback with a small engine and a very manual gearbox can seem downright retro. After all, …
Volkswagen Golf R
The Volkswagen Golf R is 292 hp worth of all-wheel-drive madness, packaged in the perfectly sized Golf. If you want something that should be able to keep up with the Focus RS, but don’t want to own a Ford, this might be perfect.
BMW M2
The M2 is just a smidge longer than the Volkswagen Golf but delivers a 365 hp turbocharged I6. While it might be the most expensive on this list at $ 50K-plus, many would argue it’s worth it.
Subaru WRX STi
The ultimate boy racer machine is also small enough to meander around congested city streets. If the harshness of the STi isn’t your cup of tea, the regular WRX offers much of the fun in a softer, less-expensive package.
2016 Subaru WRX STI Series.HyperBlue review
There aren’t many blues I’d pick over Subaru’s famous “WR Blue Pearl” but this “Hyper Blue” is one of the few. This exterior is exactly how I’d spec out …
Honda Civic
Again, like the Fit, just because this isn’t designed to be a sports car doesn’t mean it isn’t sporty. When the Si and Type-R come out, you should buy those. Until then, the basic Civic is small, peppy and perfect for roaming around the city.
2016 Honda Civic sedan first drive
What is it? This Honda marks the transition from high-revving, naturally aspirated tradition to factory turbocharging. It isn’t likely to go back, so it’s pretty critical …
