10 Everyday Cars That Are Beyond Fun To Drive

Often the automotive world gets a little fixated on fast and shiny new cars that come with the biggest engines, a ton of otherworldly technology, and a massive price tag, and we forget to appreciate the simple joy of driving. Our heads end up in the clouds, thinking about that Porsche 911, and neglecting the everyday heroes that get us from point A to point B.

To be fair, this is often because commuter cars aren’t exactly built to be exciting. However, there exists a plethora of affordable cars, stocked with practicality, that can make the daily commute a little less boring. These average Joes are built with stock and a plucky attitude and can make going 70 miles per hour feel like 100.

We’ve taken a look at 10 cars on the market that transcend the mundane and add a little bit of spice to your daily routine. They may not be sports cars, like those from Porsche or Ferrari, but having one of these in your garage and even just popping out to the store should get your heart racing.

Related: Most Affordable Sports Cars That Make Great Daily Drivers

10 2024 Mazda 3

Starting MSRP: $24,170

Good handling and Mazda are two things that have become synonymous, particularly in the last couple of years. This is something that the Mazda 3 in particular benefits from. With both hatchback and sedan variants available, this elegant little compact car can fit anyone’s tastes.

Turbo Hatchback Performance

It may not be a fully-fledged Mazdaspeed, but the Mazda 3’s top trim punchy turbocharged engine is guaranteed to get your blood flowing. That is assuming that its absolutely gorgeous styling or its incredible agility hasn’t already done that. On top of all that, you can even get it in an all-wheel drive if you’d like. The Mazda 3 aims to take on cars well outside its price range and in a lot of ways it does.

9 2024 Volkswagen Jetta GLI

Starting MSRP: $27,995

Volkswagen has been offering the world economy cars that feature excellent performance from their inception decades ago. The Golf GTI has been the go-to of many, however, some people need just a little more space than a hatchback can offer. Enter the Jetta GLI.

Performance

The sports compact segment has been heating up significantly in recent times and the Jetta has some tough competition from the likes of Hyundai and Honda. However, the Jetta GLI has the horsepower and the standard features to go head-to-head with the very best. For 2024 the GLI also comes in a limited run 40th anniversary trim, which actually sees a price drop over the regular GLI.

8 2024 Honda Civic Si

Starting MSRP: $29,100

The Honda Civic has remained a hallmark of the budget enthusiast segment for the duration of its very long existence. While many dream of owning the raucous Type R, it sits just out of the price range of many. The Honda Civic Si features a ton of sporty excitement at a fraction of the price.

Performance

Besides its practicality and its non-offensive price tag, what is so great about the Civic Si is that it comes as a fully decked-out model with all the bells and whistles off the bat. With an eager little engine and a built-in rev-match feature, this is the perfect starter car for any enthusiast.

Related: Most Affordable Sports Cars That Make Great Daily Drivers

7 2023 Subaru WRX

Starting MSRP: $30,600

While the days of Subaru rally dominance are long gone and so is the STI, the WRX is still a mighty capable car. With the offering of a manual gearbox and handling designed for fun, the WRX still holds on to the essence of what made it so special all those years ago.

Premium Performance

Unlike some of the other competitors on this list, the WRX holds onto its roots by offering all-wheel drive as standard. It also hosts a punchy engine that offers some brisk acceleration and CVT is available for those who don’t want the six-speed. The 2024 model is just around the corner, with the unveiling of the high-performance TR; however, if you’re going for the lower trims the only updates are to driver assist technology.

6 2024 Acura Integra

Starting MSRP: $31,500

For those who know their history, the Integra nameplate is a legendary one. Its revival last year stirred a lot of emotions in JDM fans. The 2024 model comes with a few revisions, including the Type S trim level, which might be a little too expensive for most enthusiasts.

Type A Technology Performance

The Type S may be the pinnacle of the Integra’s performance but you don’t have to shell out tons to enjoy the Integra. The base model comes with a CVT but if you’re looking for fun we’d opt for the A-Spec Technology trim, which comes with a six-speed manual. The Integra may share a lot of tech with Honda but the luxury and comfort it offers is on another level, especially for its relatively low price tag.

5 2023 Hyundai Elantra N

Starting MSRP: $32,900

Hyundai’s N performance division has been knocking it out of the park over the last couple of years; whether you’re into hot hatches or SUVs with a little oomph, they’ve got you covered. The Elantra N, which popped onto the scene in 2022, has taken things to another level.

Performance

This four-door sedan is perfect for those who want the functionality of five seats and a decently sized trunk area but also want to feel like a race car driver. Its styling walks a fine line between aggressive and gaudy, but we like to think that is just part of its playful nature and it adds to the charm of the sports compact. Hyundai’s unmatched warranty will have your wallet thanking you down the line.

Related: 10 Budget Cars That Deliver High Performance In 2023

4 2024 Toyota Camry TRD

Starting MSRP: $33,485

The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling sedan on the U.S. market for more than 20 years, longer than most cars have been around. While to many the safe, family-carting Camry may seem like an odd choice for this list, Toyota has made sure to keep the V-6 TRD in the line-up for those who need a little extra excitement.

Performance

The Camry benefits from being a Toyota in its day-to-day use in that it’s extremely reliable comes with a ton of driver assistance tech, and has a great warranty. If you don’t want to compromise on reliability or excitement, the Camry TRD is a great middle ground.

3 2024 Toyota GR Corolla

Starting MSRP: $36,100

Toyota’s Gazoo Racing has been pumping out masterpiece after masterpiece over the last couple of years, the GR Corolla included. Hot hatches are in short supply in current times but Toyota proves that you can still have track-ready performance in a reliable, compact frame.

Performance

The GR Corolla’s biggest downfall is its low production numbers, making it hard to actually buy. However, if you do manage to get one close to MSRP you’ll own what is possibly the most exciting hot hatchback the world has seen in the last decade.

2 2023 Kia Stinger

Starting MSRP: $36,690

There haven’t been many times throughout history before the Stinger that anyone owning a Kia could brag about how quick their car was. For a brand that hasn’t dabbled too much in the realm of sports cars, the Stinger is exceptional.

GT-Line Performance

The Stinger suffers from not getting much badge respect due to it being a Kia, however, this comes with the side-effect of you being able to buy what is essentially a BMW 4-Series at an incredibly affordable price. The price tag of the GT2 with the V-6 might put you off but the zippy turbocharged four-cylinder in the GT has plenty of power to make day-to-day life more exciting.

Related: 10 Practical Cars That Are Secret Sports Car Killers

1 2024 BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe

Starting MSRP: $38,400

The most expensive car on this list, the BMW 2-Series is the German firm’s entry-level car. The Gran Coupe body style offers four doors and some extra practicality that allows you to mix the excitement of owning a BMW with some space for passengers, without breaking the bank.

228i Performance

The 2-Series Gran Coupe is brilliant. The starting 228i with rear-wheel drive is actually possibly the best choice for the sport compact as well, especially if you can pair it with the Dynamic Handling and M Sport packages. Regardless, you’ll end up with one of the most rewarding cars you could possibly drive.