10 Fun Cars That Are Still Economical

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10 2023 Toyota GR86

Combined MPG: 22

Built as a successor to the iconic AE86 the GR86 is a front-engined rear-wheel drive car that was developed in partnership with Subaru based on Toyota’s FT-HS concept car. The GR86 is widely regarded as one of the best budget economical two-seater sports cars money can buy nowadays.

Performance

The 2023 model comes equipped with a Subaru-made flat-four boxer engine that sends 228 horsepower to the rear wheels through either a standard six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic transmission. The GR86 gets a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg that combined with Toyota’s signature reliability makes it a stellar option for budget-conscious enthusiasts.

9 2020 Audi S3

Combined MPG: 25

The S3 is a model that stands in Audi’s lineup between the A3 and RS3. It made its initial debut in 1999 as a sportier version of the first-generation A3 and it featured an affordable price tag, better performance, and decent gas mileage. Since then all generations of the model have followed the same strategy, providing customers with a fun and convenient car.

The fourth generation of the Audi S3 made its debut in 2020 alongside the A3 and it featured a sharp design, more interior features, all-wheel drive, and a powerful engine. On the inside the model features two screens: a large 10.1-inch touchscreen on the dash and an even larger 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. It also comes equipped with comfortable leather seats, an aluminum steering wheel, and carbon fiber accents present throughout to give it a sporty feel.

Performance

With a 306 horsepower 2.0-liter inline-four engine that can take the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and a combined gas mileage of 25 mpg, the S3 perfectly straddles the line between fun and practicality.

8 2023 Audi TT

Combined MPG: 25

Named after the Isle of Man TT, the Audi TT is a small two-door sports car manufactured by Audi since 1998. Based on the same platform as the A3, the TT can either be bought as a front or all-wheel drive car, giving it added versatility among its competitors.

Performance

The third and last generation of the TT came out in 2017 and it’s powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter Inline-four engine that produces 228 horsepower and gets a combined fuel average of 25 mpg. In a review by Top Gear, the TT was quoted as a “car that’s easy-going to drive and to own while still being sharp, especially in terms of styling”

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7 2023 BMW Z4

Combined MPG: 26

The Z model line received its first car in 1989 as the Z1, a two-door roadster based on the E30 3 Series platform. Over the course of its life, the Z series has received four models with the Z4 also known as the G29 debuting at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2018.

Performance

This generation of the Z4 shares its platform and many of its mechanical parts with Toyota’s J29 Supra. The 2024 model’s top-level trim is powered by BMW’s smooth and efficient 382-horsepower inline-six engine that powers the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. Due to this, the Z4 can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 3.5 seconds all while having the ability to give a combined fuel average of 26 mpg under normal driving conditions.

6 2023 BMW 3 Series

Combined MPG: 27

The 3 Series made its initial debut in 1975 with the E21, a two-door sedan powered by 4 and 6-cylinder engines. Since then over a span of 48 years and seven generations it made its way upstream becoming a four-door compact executive sedan.

Over its life cycle, the 3 Series model range has become BMW’s highest-selling vehicle and for good reason, it is an outstanding entry-level car that provides customers with a taste of upscale luxury as they move on from their regular Civics and Corollas without giving them the added burden of impracticality.

Performance

The seventh generation 3 Series was revealed to the public at the 2018 Paris Motor Show. The base variant of the model is known as the 330i and it comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged and inter-cooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4 engine that produces a surprising 255 horsepower and gives a combined fuel average of 27 mpg.

5 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Combined MPG: 27

The Golf is one of Volkswagen’s longest-running models with its initial debut all the way back in 1974 as a replacement for the long-running Volkswagen Beetle. Since then over a span of eight generations it has remained as one of the most sold vehicles in the world.

Performance

The eight-generation Golf GTI was unveiled in 2019 in Wolfsburg, Germany and like its predecessors, it featured a hatchback design with a front-mounted engine and front-wheel drive layout. The 2023 model comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine that stricks a balance between fun and economy by getting a combined fuel average of 27 mpg all while producing 241 horsepower.

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4 2023 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Combined MPG: 30

Since its original debut in 1989, the MX-5 Miata has been the go-to fun economic car for decades. The MX-5 has gone through four generations in a span of 34 years and throughout its life cycle it’s kept at it with the original formula of a cheap low power light weight front-engine rear-wheel-drive roadster.

Mazda’s aim with the MX-5 was not to produce a high-performance sports car but rather a low-power economic roadster that was tuned to put a simile on your face and the fourth generation model follows the same philosophy.

Performance

The fourth-generation MX-5 made its debut in 2015 and with only minor upgrades it’s remained almost the same till the present time. The 2023 model comes equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that produces 181 horsepower and drives its rear wheels through either a 6-speed automatic or manual transmission.

3 2020 Abarth 124 Spider

Combined MPG: 30

The Abarth 124 Spider was introduced in 2016 at the New York International Auto Show and was placed as a performance version of the regular Fiat 124 Spider. With a small number of two-seater roadsters on the market the Abarth 124 Spider sits at the top along with the MX-5.

Performance

Due to the Fiat 124 Spider sharing parts with the MX-5 the Abarth variant also gets some of its handling quarks from Mazda’s famous roadster, existing sort of as a more upscale version of the Miata. The Abarth 124 spider comes equipped with a 1.4-liter 168 horsepower engine that takes the car from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds all while producing an exquisite sound from its Record Monza exhaust.

2 2024 Acura Integra

Combined MPG: 33

The Integra marketed in the United States as the Acura Integra is a front-engine front-wheel drive hatchback that made its initial debut in 1985 as a successor to the Honda Quint Integra. The model is currently in its fifth generation and it was released in North American markets in 2023 as a replacement for the ILX sedan. Upon its release, the model was well received notably being named North American Car of the Year.

Performance

The fourth-generation Integra’s base variant comes equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged 16-valve inline-four engine that produces 200 horsepower and gets a combined gas mileage of 33 mpg.

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1 2024 Honda Civic Si

Combined MPG: 36

The Honda Civic Si is positioned by Honda above the regular Civic as a model for people who want just a bit more performance without actually upgrading completely to the Type R. Honda started producing the Si with the third generation Civic in 1984, and it’s been offered as a variant ever since.

Performance

The 11th generation Civic Si made its debut in 2021 as a 2022 model and it came equipped with a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged 200 horsepower inline-four engine that powered its front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

The engine in this model is notably less powerful than competitors such as the Volkswagen Golf GTI and the Hyundai Elantra N which produce 240 and 275 horsepower respectively. But what the Civic Si lacks in power, it makes up for by providing better fuel economy with a combined average of 36 mpg.