Fun cars come in all shapes and sizes, and to suit all budgets. Whether you want a coupe or roadster – or maybe it’s hot hatches or supercars you prefer – there’s something to fit the bill. Many have decent practicality, too, so choosing a fun car doesn’t mean you can’t use it every day rather than just when you want some driving thrills. Here’s our pick of the best cars on the market for fun.
Best Fun Cars 2024
- Audi TT (2014-)
- Ferrari 296 GTB (2022-)
- Ford Fiesta ST (2018-)
- Honda Civic Type R (2016-2021)
- Mazda MX-5 (2015-)
- MINI Cooper S (2013-)
- Porsche Boxster (2016-)
- Toyota GR86 (2022-)
- Volkswagen Up GTI (2012-2023)
Audi TT (2014-)
The Audi TT has been providing performance car excitement since 1998 and it’s now on its third generation. This means there are plenty of used examples of this stylish coupe or roadster to choose from – although you can no longer find it in new car showrooms. Sleek looks and a stylish cabin are matched by punchy engines. These are mostly four-cylinder motors, unless you choose the blisteringly quick RS model that has a turbocharged five-cylinder motor.
A six-speed manual gearbox is the best way to enjoy the TT, though many opt for the dual-clutch automatic transmission. Either way, the TT is an engaging car to drive in any form and, when fitted with quattro all-wheel drive , it provides superb grip in all weathers. The Audi is also surprisingly affordable to own thanks to decent fuel economy.
Audi TT Review
Search for an Audi TT on CarGurus
Ferrari 296 GTB (2022-)
Supercars almost seem ten a penny nowadays - with Aston Martins, Porsche 911s and Lamborghinis seemingly parked on every corner - but there’s always something special about a Ferrari. Within the exalted ranks of this Italian automotive firm, few are better than the 296 GTB, and it even makes a sizeable nod to economy and running costs because it’s a plug-in hybrid. Drive with some modesty and the 296 can offer 44mpg and 149g/km carbon dioxide output. Those are amazing figures for a car that can also run from rest to 62mph in 2.9 seconds and hit 206mph flat out.
The real fun of the Ferrari’s hybrid power, though, is that it creates 819bhp when the twin-turbo V6 petrol and electric motors work together. Nothing short of a space shuttle launch can compare to the sort of acceleration the Ferrari offers at any speed. Just as impressive is the fact that you can enjoy this supercar on real-world roads without risking your licence.
Search for a Ferrari on CarGurus
Ford Fiesta ST (2018-)
Ford created one of the all-time hot hatch benchmarks when it launched the second-generation Fiesta ST in 2013, and it makes a cracking used buy. The third version of the model arrived in 2018, swapping a four-cylinder engine for a three-cylinder motor, and achieved the seemingly impossible by being even better. A bit more power helped, with the car now producing 197bhp, while the turbocharged 1.5-litre engine is a joy to work hard.
On any road, the ST feels special and ready for fun, but it can also do all the things any other Fiesta can, so it’s a thoroughly practical supermini at a reasonable price. Part of the ST’s appeal lies in its six-speed manual transmission – rather than an automatic – so the driver is fully in tune with the car and its actions to create hot hatch perfection.
Ford Fiesta Review
Search for a Ford Fiesta on CarGurus
Honda Civic Type R (2016-2021)
Honda’s sporty Civics have always had an edge, making the driver work to get the best from them. The Type R model referenced here and sold up to 2021 was the most extreme of the lot, packing a hefty 316bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engines to deliver a 168mph top speed. Bear in mind, this is in a five-door hatchback that will accomodate kids and shopping.
The breadth of the Civic Type R’s talents extends well beyond its straight-line speed. It’s agile in corners and is more than capable of putting its considerable power down on the road without fighting the steering or tyres. Honda’s engineering know-how helps here as the Type R is front-wheel drive where most rivals with this sort of power come with all-wheel drive. There is a newer Type R that’s even better to drive, but it’s very expensive, making the previous version look like something of a used hot-hatch bargain. What’s more, it’s a Honda, so reliability levels should be more Lexus than Alfa Romeo.
Mazda MX-5 (2015-)
The image of a fun car is perfectly encapsulated in the Mazda MX-5, or Miata as it’s known in the US. It works brilliantly as a sports car thanks to its lightweight, rear-drive layout, and simple two-seater design. It also makes for a superb roadster when you want to cruise as the Mazda doesn’t rely on huge horsepower for its kicks. Instead, the MX-5 is all about keeping everything in balance.
The low-slung seats give the same sensation of speed and driver involvement as a Caterham 7 or Lotus Elise, yet the Mazda is much more civilised and capable of daily use throughout the year. The boot isn’t huge, but it can cope with a couple of small cases, while the RF model with its clever top is a more refined option for motorway driving. However, it’s the driving experience on country lanes that has helped the MX-5 become the world’s best-selling sports car of all time.
Mazda MX-5 Review
Search for a Mazda MX-5 on CarGurus
MINI Cooper S (2013-)
Ever since BMW launched the modern MINI in 2001, the Cooper S has been the sweet spot in the range. More than rapid enough to work as a fantastic hot hatch, but it’s also compact, so it’s a great city car. The latest Cooper S comes with a fizzing 176bhp from its 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, and can see off 0-62mph in 6.6 seconds. For fans of electric cars, there’s also an EV Cooper S with 181bhp, but it takes 7.3 seconds to get from 0-62mph due to its added weight.
Stick with the petrol-powered Cooper S and it can offer up to 48.7mpg combined economy and carbon dioxide emissions of 133g/km.
MINI Review
Search for a MINI on CarGurus
Porsche Boxster (2016-)
The Boxster has become an institution among Porsche owners, and not just for being the car that turned around the fortunes of the company. It offers drivers a cost-effective route into ownership of this illustrious make whether you go for a used or new car. All Boxsters, and the Cayman coupe model, serve up sublime handling allied to strong performance to outdo rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-AMG.
Much of the appeal of the Boxster lies in its open-top design and, when it's raised, the hood is one of the best in the business for wind- and noise protection. The Boxster is also roomy, comfortable, and it has two boots – one up front and another behind the engine – so it's surprisingly versatile.
Porsche Boxster Review
Search for a Porsche Boxster on CarGurus
Toyota GR86 (2022-)
Few could believe the Toyota GR86, and its Subaru BRZ sister, could offer so much fun yet remain affordable. It all comes down to the car’s superb handling and using tyres that offer more than enough grip for safe driving but don’t interfere with the balanced rear-wheel drive set-up. Add in pin-sharp steering and a revvy flat-four ‘boxer’ engine, and the GR86 is a laugh a minute to drive and easier on the wallet than mmost other sports cars.
The Toyota GR86 follows on from the previous GT86, but with more power thanks to its 232bhp 2.4-litre motor. This is good enough for 0-62mph in 6.3 seconds and 140mph flat out, which is more than enough fun for most drivers. And it’s still good value, which makes you wonder if you need to spend more on the Toyota Supra. All that, and the potential of a ten-year warranty that has the beating of even Kia and Hyundai.
Toyota GT86 Review
Search for a Toyota GT86 on CarGurus
Volkswagen Up GTI (2012-2023)
Volkswagen has its fair share of fun cars to pick from, so why opt for the slowest in the shape of the Up GTI? Simple really: to us, it’s the most entertaining. There’s nothing to touch wringing every ounce of performance from the engine and tyres of the Up GTI, and its city car size means you can exploit more of the road than in a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Also, the Up might not be as quick as its Abarth-badged rival from Fiat, but it feels swift, and that’s what matters.
The zingy 113bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine sounds great when it’s worked hard and the six-speed manual gearbox lets you make the most it. From a standing start to 62mph may take 8.8 seconds in the Up GTI, but you’ll have masses of fun on the way, and its nimble handling means you won’t be left behind by more powerful cars on sinuous country lanes. All this and the Up can still return a combined 51.4mpg and 124g/km of carbon dioxide emissions.
Volkswagen Up Review
Search for a Volkswagen Up GTI on CarGurus