There is no denying that crossovers are one of the most practical vehicle styles today. An elevated stance, spacious interior, and even off-road capability truly make a crossover a do-it-all car. While maintaining an SUV‘s factor, a crossover has the advantage of a compact footprint, which further elevates its daily driving capabilities. But the fun factor is sacrificed for stance and practicality. Cornering is a weakness for crossovers due to their higher center of gravity.
To retain the fun factor, we need to focus on sports cars, which are generally not suitable for daily driving. However, there exist a lot of well-balanced cars with elevated sporty appeal that don’t compromise on daily drivability and even practicality. From red-hot Minis to non-intimidating M-badged BMWs, this list bundles up ten sporty cars that will put a grin on the driver’s face, every single day.
The models in this list are ranked by horsepower, ordered from least to most powerful.
2025 Mini Cooper JCW
Power: 228 Horsepower
The Mini Cooper 2-door is already a well-balanced and sporty compact car. The $44,300 JCW version, however, takes things up a notch with more power and many more JCW accents. It packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. When coupled with its low curb weight of just 3,047 pounds, the Cooper JCW offers a commendable power-to-weight ratio. The result is a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 150 mph.
It’s fast, but also not all that refined in the way it delivers its performance. Fast Minis have always been about crazy torque steer. This, apparently, is done on purpose to give the car character, and this new one doesn’t mess around in that regard.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
All of this while delivering a respectable combined fuel-economy rating of 30 MPG. While it is not as spacious as a crossover, the Mini Cooper JCW provides a cabin that is spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped, with breezy, urban-ready driving dynamics. The second-row seats fold down, increasing cargo capacity from 8.9 cubic feet to 34.4 cubic feet.
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2026 Subaru WRX tS Series.Yellow
Power: 271 Horsepower
Subaru offers the sportiest iteration of its popular WRX sedan with the top-spec tS trim level. It is powered by the renowned 2.4-liter turbocharged boxer engine, producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Grin-worthy features such as a standard AWD system, a six-speed manual gearbox, and active torque vectoring make this Subaru a fun driver’s car. It even gets sporty, with heated Recaro front seats and gorgeous 19-inch wheels to help look the part, inside and out.
Despite these features, the Subaru WRX is a proper daily driver with a spacious cabin for four, a loaded technology and safety suite, and ample luggage space. The 2025 model is priced from $47,705. However, things will get more enticing in 2026 with a limited-run Subaru WRX Series.Yellow model. Based on the tS trim, only 350 units of the Series.Yellow WRX will feature a bright yellow paint job and bespoke interior trimmings to match the cheerful vibe.
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2026 Hyundai Elantra N
Power: 276 Horsepower
Hyundai has been churning out some very cool cars in recent times. Their design game is strong, and it gets drool-worthy with the N line-up of sporty iterations of their standard vehicles. The Hyundai Elantra N is a prime example of this. It’s sharp and edgy, with sportier visual cues inside and out. Furthermore, the Elantra N is equipped with performance-focused features, including an N Mode Launch Control, a cornering-enhanced differential, a variable exhaust valve, and a powerful four-cylinder engine. Its 2.0-liter turbo four produces 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque.
The Elantra N is as athletic, stiff, direct and engaging as any of its established rivals. I love how loud the exhaust pops can be, or how muted the entire experience can become. The manual gearbox isn’t as slick or as quick as in a Honda, but it can definitely hold its own against a Golf R’s.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
Power is sent via a standard six-speed manual gearbox to the front wheels only. Hyundai also offers an optional eight-speed DCT with paddle shifters to enhance engagement. Despite its elevated sporty appeal, the Elantra N is a cozy daily driver, returning a combined 24 MPG, offering a spacious four-seater cabin with loaded technology and comfort features, and a dedicated cargo space of 14.2 cubic feet.
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10 Reliable Cars That Make Great Daily Drivers For 2025
Are there any good cars left? These ten reliable cars can be great daily drivers and are part of the 2025 model year lineup.
2026 Kia K5 GT
Power: 290 Horsepower
This is the sportiest iteration of the sharp-looking Kia K5 sedan. The GT packs a powerful 2.5-liter turbo four engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via an engaging eight-speed DCT. It includes drive modes and a sport-tuned suspension to further enhance performance. Despite its spirited side, the Kia K5 GT is also a versatile everyday driver.
This is thanks to its peppy yet relatively frugal turbo four-cylinder engine that returns a combined 30 MPG. The cabin is spacious and loaded with comfort, convenience, and entertainment features. Furthermore, this Kia is loaded with top-spec safety and assistive features to make daily commutes a no-frills affair. This wholesome package for under $35,000 is a smashing deal.
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2026 Toyota GR Corolla
Power: 300 Horsepower
This is a Toyota Corolla on steroids. The GR treatment makes it a grin-worthy track as well. It is powered by one of the most energy-dense three-cylinder turbocharged engines, producing 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Couple these figures with its sub-3,500-pound curb weight, and we have a very nimble runabout with a commendable power-to-weight ratio of 0.091 horsepower/pound. Note that this compact Toyota comes with standard AWD and delivers power to the wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching. It can also be equipped with a close-ratio eight-speed automatic transmission.
Although the harder you push it, the more it impresses. It feels very light, but so glued to the road. The grip is unbelievable, and when it does start to slip, it’s one of the most manageable cars I’ve ever driven.
– Garret Donahue for TopSpeed
Despite its aggressive nature, the GR Corolla still has a calm, composed side, thanks to clever electronic intervention via ECO drive mode, relatively commendable MPG in everyday driving thanks to the automatic gearbox, and the famed Toyota reliability and safety suite. This is one car that you can take right away to the racetrack from your office and send shivers down the spine of many seasoned sports cars.
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2025 Honda Civic Type R
Power: 315 Horsepower
This is one of the most desirable front-wheel drive sports cars today. The Honda Civic Type R has a storied history and is a drop-dead-gorgeous machine. Powering it is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 315 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching. Honda has also equipped its most powerful 2025 Civic with an exclusive shift-link mechanism, making shifts even smoother.
Reapply the throttle, and the Type R’s downright magic front differential hauls you out of the corner, working in conjunction with its huge 265-section performance tires.
– Chase Bierenkoven for TopSpeed
Despite its hardcore nature, the Civic Type R is a versatile driving machine, thanks to features such as Comfort drive mode and softer suspension and steering tuning for a comfortable experience on urban roads. Also, since it shares the body with the standard Civic hatch, it offers ample passenger and cargo space, especially for a track-ready car that packs over 300 horsepower.
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The Cheapest Fast Cars For 2026
Looking for a thrill on a budget? These 10 cheap cars for 2026 will leave you breathless with their surprising speed and power.
2025 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD
Power: 320 Horsepower
The Kia EV6 GT-Line shows us the versatile side of a sporty all-electric car. The “GT-Line” showcases the sportiest iteration of the well-rounded and sharp-looking Kia EV6 electric car. It features a dual-motor setup that delivers 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque, enough to propel this comfortable family hauler from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. On the other hand, its swift side is a cozy cabin with a superior blend of comfort and practical technology.
The ride is smooth and offers convenient assistive features such as parking assist, V2L, and more. Comfort features include heated and ventilated seats, a sound-absorbing windshield and side door windows, and a digital key, among others. The GT-Line, however, costs a premium, starting at $58,900.
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2026 Cadillac CT4-V
Power: 325 Horsepower
This American sports sedan is a rival to established German models from BMW, Mercedes, and Audi. But the Cadillac CT4-V stands out for its heightened level of driving appeal and excels in luxury, comfort, convenience, and technology. At the heart is a 2.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 325 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. It is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and delivers power to the rear wheels as standard. AWD is also available.
Other notable drive-enhancing features include Magnetic Ride Control for the suspension, an electronic limited-slip differential, and Cadillac’s StabiliTrak, which delivers both sharp and comfortable driving dynamics at the flick of a button. The lux-appeal is taken care of with features like leather and suede, available 18-way adjustable seats with massage function, ambient lighting, and superior sound deadening for a quieter cabin. For $41,495 for the RWD model, the CT4-V offers solid value.
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2026 Volkswagen Golf R
Power: 328 Horsepower
This fierce Volkswagen is high on sporty appeal. With features such as all-wheel drive, a spirited engine paired with a slick-shifting DSG transmission, driving modes (including a “Drift Mode”), peppy acceleration, and a timeless yet sharp design language, this VW is built to be a hardcore track machine. It packs an R-tuned 328-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill that can do 0-60 in a wicked-fast 4.4 seconds. It gets Adaptive Chassis control and wheel-mounted paddle shifters to engage the driver further.
To put things into perspective, the overachieving Golf R is in a similar ballpark as a BMW M240i or a Nissan Z Nismo. And even once it passes the 60 MPH mark, the Golf R keeps on pulling hard thanks to an engine that seems to do everything right. There’s plenty of low to mid-range torque, but it also likes to rev up to its redline.
– William Clavey for TopSpeed
However, on the flip side, this Volkswagen hatch also offers everyday comfort, a practical seating and cargo layout, and advanced driver-assist features, making the Golf R a breeze to drive. Connectivity features such as Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wireless App-Connect, and Wireless charging make life easier on the road. The compact form factor, coupled with adjustable suspension and tamer drive modes, makes the Golf R a comfortable everyday companion.
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10 Small Cars With Surprisingly Powerful Engines
Choosing a compact car doesn’t mean that compromises have to be made when it comes to power and performance – these pocket rockets are proof.
2026 BMW M340i xDrive
Power: 386 Horsepower
The standard BMW 3-Series is renowned for being a balanced luxury sedan with a hint of sportiness, thanks to a peppy front-mounted engine and standard rear-wheel-drive configuration. The M340i trim takes things up a notch and dials up its sporty appeal further. The M340i is actually the most accessible “M” badged 3-Series today. But that doesn’t make it mundane: this Beamer packs a spirited turbocharged six-cylinder hybrid powertrain, producing 386 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. Being an xDrive model, power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The result is an unintimidating luxury sedan that accelerates from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Furthermore, features such as adaptive M Sport suspension, M Sport differential, and other drive-enhancing elements highlight the BMW M340i‘s engaging, sporty sedan character. The spacious interior is refined and layered with luxury features. Technology is also top-notch for both entertainment and safety.
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