10 Fun Small Cars for 2018

2017 2018 Honda Civic Type R white ・ Photo by Honda

There's a wide range of small cars on the market giving you plenty of choices, but not all those cars are fun. Often, small cars are designed to be affordable and fuel efficient with driving dynamics falling somewhere toward the bottom of the priority list.

Then there are the small cars that are nothing short of a joy to drive. Here’s a look at 10 fun small cars for 2018 that will have you counting the minutes until you can get behind the wheel every day.

2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata

No list of fun small cars would be complete without the 2018 Mazda MX-5 Miata. This is the quintessential roadster and with good reason. It’s small and low with great handling and a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. There’s also a choice of a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic paired with a peppy 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower. Starting price for the base Sport trim is only $25,295.

Although the MX-5 Miata has traditionally been a soft-top convertible, Mazda recently introduced the MX-5 Miata RF, which has a retractable hardtop. It has the same powertrains available in two trims with a starting price of $31,910.

Photo by Mazda

2018 Ford Focus

The 2018 Ford Focus is available as a sedan or a hatchback with multiple trims and engines that can make it difficult to choose unless you’re looking to get the one that’s the most fun. If that’s your priority, then you want either the ST or the track-focused RS. The ST has a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 252 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque with pricing from $25,170.

If that’s not enough power for you, then you can take a step up to the Ford Focus RS at $41,120. It has a 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder boasting 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque. All that power means there’s simply no way you can drive the Focus RS without having fun.

Photo by Ford

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT is all-new this year. It’s powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower and 161 lb-ft of torque or a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 195 horsepower and 201 lb-ft of torque in the GT Sport. This engine also has an available 7-speed automatic transmission, but the 6-speed manual that’s standard across the lineup is more fun.

The Elantra GT also comes in with a very affordable starting price of only $19,350 proving you don’t have to break the bank to get a car that’s fun to drive. Even the top GT Sport trim equipped with the automatic transmission is affordably priced at $24,350.

Photo by Hyundai

2018 Volkswagen Beetle

The 2018 Volkswagen Beetle is as fun to look at as it is to drive. There are four trim levels and your choice of a coupe or convertible in a rainbow of fun colors across the lineup. The base S is priced from $20,220 with cloth seats, a 5.0-inch touchscreen, and Bluetooth. The top Dune trim comes in at $26,790 and gets leatherette seats, parking sensors, its own special color palette, and a slightly higher ride height.

Power for the Beetle comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 174 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This is paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Though there’s no manual, the Beetle is still plenty fun to toss through the corners.

Photo by Volkswagen

2018 Nissan 370Z

The 2018 Nissan 370Z is available as a coupe or a convertible with sporty styling that is sure to attract attention. It’s also fun to drive with power coming from a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 332 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. It features a 6-speed manual transmission at a starting price of $29,990 or you can opt for the 7-speed automatic with a price of $31,390.

Take advantage of sunny days with the 370Z convertible. It has a starting price of $41,280 with the same engine paired to 7-speed automatic transmission in base trims with an option for the 6-speed manual in the Touring trim. The 370Z is a sporty ride with plenty of power that’s pure fun.

Photo by Nissan

2018 Honda Civic

The 2018 Honda Civic is available as a sedan, coupe, or hatchback in a range of trims that offer a spirited driving experience. The Civic sedan comes in with a starting price of $18,840 making it a great car for small families. The Civic coupe offers a sleeker, sportier profile with a slightly higher starting price of $19,250.

Then there’s the Civic hatchback with added flexibility for cargo and a starting price of $20,050. Those seeking the ultimate thrill will find it in the Civic Type R with its performance-focused ride and styling at a starting price of $34,100. The Honda Civic is a car of many faces and every one of them is focused on fun.

Photo by Honda

2018 Volkswagen Golf R

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf comes in a variety of body styles and trims, but if you’re looking for the most fun, then you want the Golf R. This hot hatchback has a starting price of $39,385 and unique exterior design elements that differentiate it from the rest of the Golf lineup. There’s an R design front grille, bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler, and dual-exit chrome exhaust tips that hint at how fun it is to drive.

Power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 292 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque paired to either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed automatic. It also features specially-tuned sport suspension and upgraded brakes to further enhance the drive.

Photo by Volkswagen

2018 Subaru WRX

The 2018 Subaru WRX has plenty of curb appeal with an aggressive front end and bold styling that won’t disappoint when you get in the car and drive. It’s available in five trim levels starting with the base WRX at $26,995. Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. An optional continuously variable automatic transmission is available starting with the WRX Premium at $29,995.

Sitting at the top of the trim range is the WRX STI with a more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged engine with 305 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque and only the 6-speed manual transmission. It also gets a sport-tuned suspension and Brembo brakes.

Photo by Subaru

2018 Mazda Mazda3

Mazda earns a second spot on our list with the 2018 Mazda Mazda3. This sporty hatchback is available in three trims with the base Sport coming in with a starting price of $19,345 making it an affordable choice. Even the top Grand Touring trim is priced from only $23,895 so it’s easy to get a Mazda3 that fits your budget.

Power for the base Mazda3 comes from a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque paired to a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. If you’re looking to have a bit more fun, then you’ll find it in the Touring and Grand Touring trims, which get additional features and a larger 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with 184 horsepower.

Photo by Mazda

2018 MINI Cooper

Mini has a reputation for building cars that are fun to drive, so even the base Mini Cooper will put a smile on your face. Pricing starts at $21,600 for this two-door hardtop with room for four. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine with 134 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque paired to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission.

It’s not a powerful engine, but the Cooper’s excellent driving dynamics and small size make up the difference. Add in the ability to customize your Cooper with an endless array of colors and embellishments from hood stripes to spoilers and mirror caps with everything from chrome to the Union Jack, and the Mini Cooper is all about having fun.

Photo by MINI