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Looking for something a bit more exciting than a plain SUV? We have rounded up the top cars that handle like a dream without costing an arm and a leg.
Cars That Are a Blast to Drive
The automotive marketplace may be overflowing with crossovers and SUVs these days, but that doesn’t mean fans of the traditional car are out of luck. With the likes of Ford and Chevrolet discontinuing cars altogether, you will have to look at the used market for a deeper roster of options. Which we’ll be doing today, but specifically late model cars known for great handling.
Generally referred to as sports sedans, the crop of cars listed below are all currently available for under $30,000, are less than 5 years old, and promise excitement behind the wheel. There should be something here for any enthusiast on the lookout for a fun daily commuter or great weekend driver.
Mazda 3 2.5T Premium Plus
This 2023 Mazda3 in 2.5T Premium Plus guise is a strong blend of zoom-zoom handling and range-topping amenities. Featuring a 2.5L turbocharged inline-4 rated for 250 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque (on 93 octane), the elegantly styled 3 with the boosted engine is “satisfyingly quick” in Car and Driver’s words.
All-wheel drive (AWD) helps tame torque steer and though Mazda offers a manual transmission for the 3, these AWD variants come with a 6-speed automatic, which you’ll appreciate in traffic jams. On any occasion, however, the standard moonroof, heated steering wheel, and Bose 12-speaker audio system make this top-spec Mazda3 a compelling option.
Honda Civic Si
Honda’s Civic Si is a shoo-in for fun-to-drive sedans on a reasonable budget. You can pick up an example like this 2023 model, with about 20,000 miles, for under $25,000. A regular member of Car and Driver’s 10Best list, the 2023 Civic Si is an enthusiast special with its standard 6-speed manual transmission and rev-matching technology to lend a hand with perfect downshifts.
The 200-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder under the Si’s hood is not the best for drag racing. However, the helical limited-slip differential (LSD) up front, specially tuned suspension with a multi-link rear setup, and larger brakes mean the Civic Si will be a blast in the twisties. Inside, the bolstered front buckets help keep you from sliding around and although the aluminum shift knob adds no performance benefit, it sure does look good.
Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Akin to the lauded Volkswagen GTI with a trunk, the current Jetta GLI is a low-key, and affordable, sports sedan. The 2023 model year, like this example currently on sale for about $25,000, came only in fully loaded Autobahn trim. That means amenities like leather upholstery, climatized and bolstered front seats, a Beats audio system, and a panoramic moonroof are all on the docket.
Of course, we’re after used cars with great handling and on that front, the GLI delivers. Lowered 0.6” versus stock Jettas, these athletic variants have the hardware to back up the dropped looks. Up front, there is a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 churning out 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed stick came standard, but a fast-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch automatic was available. Brakes lifted from the Golf R provide ample stopping power, adaptive dampers keep things planted, and an electronically-controlled LSD lends a hand with wheelspin.
Dodge Charger Scat Pack Widebody
Lest you think the brash Dodge Charger is only made for stoplight racing, Motor Trend has this rebuttal. “People like to repeat the stereotype that Chargers can’t go around corners, but it’s never really been true, and the Widebody makes it very not true.” Now, we are talking specifically about the Charger Scat Pack with the Widebody package, a thundering sedan you can find for under 30 grand, as with this 2020 example.
So equipped, you’ll get a 6.4L V8 making 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, an LSD and 3.09 rear axle ratio, heavy-duty engine cooling, SRT drive modes, fender flares, Brembo brakes, 305 section-width rear rubber, AND a competition suspension with adaptive dampers. It’s a lot. Turns out, the Charger is a fairly practical, fun-to-drive car too.
BMW M340i
No list of best-handling sedans would be complete without a BMW 3 Series and its autocross abilities. With the 2021 M340i, you can get into one of these German icons for under $30,000. A 3.0L turbocharged straight-6 provides ample motivation thanks to its 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of twist. That’s enough to do the 0-60 run in less than 4 seconds, which is impressively quick. But BMW goes further than sheer power by equipping the M340i variant with a sport-tuned suspension, upgraded brakes, a sport differential, and big 19” wheels.
Optional performance-minded upgrades included adaptive dampers and summer tires, but the mean-mugging body kit comes standard. According to Car and Driver, “…the 3’s fantastic chassis can seamlessly shift from calm to frisky at a moment’s notice.” Sounds like solid handling to us.
Genesis G70 3.3T
The value-packed foil to BMW’s 3-Series is the G70 from Genesis, the luxury division of Hyundai. As with the Bimmer, RWD is the base configuration and all-wheel drive can be optioned. Output is also similar with the G70 in 3.3T spec, like this 2021 model currently for sale, making 365 horsepower and 376 torques from its twin-turbo V6.
Genesis may not enjoy the brand cachet of BMW, yet, but don’t discount its sport sedan bona fides, which include a multi-link rear suspension, an LSD, a Brembo braking system, and a sport-tuned chassis. These G70 3.3Ts also impress in the luxury department with Nappa leather seating, a suede headliner, and a Lexicon 15-speaker audio system. Not too shabby for around $26,000.
Cadillac CT6
Cadillac offers a wide range of late-model cars with great handling, including the CT4 and CT5. But we’re going with the big CT6 for its blend of full-size sedan presence and road manners that belie its footprint. Car and Driver says it is “…hands down the most satisfying large sedan out there to drive…” and with a naturally aspirated V6 rated for 335 hp, it has oomph to spare.
Long and lean, the CT6, like this 2020 model for about $28,000, came standard with AWD and 19” wheels. The CT6-V with the famed Blackwing V8 is out of reach with our budget, but a base CT6 fitted with options like Magnetic Ride Control, a Bose 34-speaker audio system, 20-way climatized and massaging front seats, and Super Cruise hands-free driving tech seems like a pretty good consolation prize.
Subaru WRX STI
Channel your inner rally hero dreams with a lightly used 2021 Subaru WRX STI like this one finished in the must-have World Rally Blue Pearl paint. As Kelley Blue Book notes, “The Subaru WRX and WRX STI are a blast to drive, rain, snow or shine…”, but we have to say, the STI is where you want to spend your dollars. It comes with the larger 2.5L boosted boxer-4 breathing on 16 psi of boost to put 310 horses and 290 torques to all four wheels via the standard AWD system.
Only sold with a 6-speed manual, the WRX STI burnishes its sports sedan credentials with a driver-controlled center differential, active torque vectoring, a specially tuned suspension with double wishbones out back, and cross-drilled Brembo brakes hiding behind 19” wheels. The available Recaro front buckets trimmed in leather and suede add eye candy and keister grip for those times you cut the STI loose in search of rally glory.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Veloce
Nice as it would be to include the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio here, that fire-breather is just too expensive. Fortunately, the Veloce variant, like this 2022 example currently for sale, has a lot to offer in the handling department for under $28,000. Its boosted four-cylinder mill puts 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic.
60 mph comes in just 5.1 seconds, thanks in part to the mechanical LSD and 19” rubber, which happens to be mounted on some of the most iconic 5-hole wheels in history. The rear diffuser adds visual excitement, while the bolstered front sports seats with extending thigh cushions add cabin performance. The market for Italian sports sedans in the US is tiny, and the Giulia is an interesting way to try one out.
Lexus IS 350 F Sport
Lexus may be best known for building luxury vehicles and the IS sedan does fall into that category. But in 350 F Sport guise, like this 2021 model up for sale with a sub-$24,000 price tag, it becomes a true sports sedan. Highlights range from its RWD architecture and 311-horse naturally aspirated V6 to the double wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear, and staggered-width 19” wheels.
Highlights range from its RWD architecture and 311-horse naturally aspirated V6 to the double wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear, and staggered-width 19” wheels.
The IS in F Sport trim looks the sporty part with an aggressive body kit and can be further improved upon with adaptive dampers, a Torsen LSD, and sweet BBS rims. Motor Trend says, “It’s happy in the curves”, and we’d say that when fitted with the stunning Circuit Red leather cabin, the IS 350 F Sport looks as good as it drives.
