These great-driving automobiles give a lot of smiles per mile, as well as a lot of miles per gallon, in this time of high gas prices.
There are several ways to combat the rising cost of gasoline: you can drive less or drive for less money. However, there's no reason to forgo your fun behind the wheel in order to save money on gas. On the EPA's highway test cycle, every car on this list gets at least 30 mpg and reflects the fun-to-drive attitude we value. Each item is accompanied by the EPA's combined, city, and highway fuel-economy numbers.
"Small, sporty, and pleasant," we describe the Audi S3. Add the word "prudent" to the mix. In a tiny body shell, this little all-wheel-drive bombshell packs 306 horsepower and excellent road manners. It accelerates from zero to sixty miles per hour in 4.3 seconds while maintaining outstanding fuel economy. If you're looking for a box with similar performance, the Volkswagen Golf R, which shares mechanicals with the S3, is a good option. The S3 costs $46,895 as a starting point.
The
Volkswagen Golf GTI has charmed us, and if you enjoy driving, you will
be as well. This feisty 241-hp box on wheels has the heart of a racer,
the manners of a blueblood, and a dislike for petroleum. It's quick,
comfy, and well-balanced, with the added benefit of hatchback
functionality. The mileage shown here is for the seven-speed dual-clutch
automatic; the six-speed manual loses only one mile per gallon in city
driving. $30,540 is the starting price.
The 330i's 2.0-liter turbo-four outperforms the competition in terms of fuel economy and performance, achieving zero-to-60 mph times in the low- to mid-five-second range. You'll have a spicy sports sedan if you find a 330i with the Dynamic Handling package and 19-inch summer tires. $42,445 is the starting price.
The Honda Civic Si is joy on four wheels. Its steering and brakes feel hard-wired to your nervous system, while being light on its feet and appropriately zippy. It also has a large cabin and wears a taut, athletic suit of clothing. The Si also self-selects for eager drivers, with only a six-speed manual transmission available. $28,315 is the starting price.
We
like the Giulia because of its 280-hp turbocharged four-cylinder
engine, its fun handling, and its sultry appearance. This car has enough
personality to help us forget about the difficulties we encountered
getting our long-term Giulia Quadrifoglio serviced. $44,945 is the
starting price.
If you can get beyond the Mini line's quirky styling—which we agree may be difficult—you'll find cars that are both enjoyable to drive and cost a lot of money. Many come with a manual transmission, and every model, up to and including the high-performance John Cooper Works variations, achieves 30 mpg or better on the highway. (These EPA figures are for the two-door hardtop with automatic transmission.) The beginning price is $20,600.
The 2017 Elantra N has a lot of fun baked into it: a snarling 276-hp turbo-four, a sharp-handling, well-riding chassis, and the option of a six-speed manual gearbox. The optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission gets somewhat less gas mileage than the manual transmission car (seen below), but it still gets 30 mpg on the interstate. $32,945 is the starting price.
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