Automakers, recognizing some buyers' need for speed, oblige by tuning up their inexpensive compact models, delivering more power and better handling. At the same time, most of these cars retain their basic practicality, whether it is the stylish and easily parked Fiat 500 Abarth or the cargo-friendly hatchback design of the Focus ST.
Not only do these cars cost less than top performance models, they can also work as your only car, good for the daily commute, a road trip, and maybe even a track day.
Here are five cars designed to perform.
The standard Fiat 500 is a cool-looking little city car, but its 1.4-liter engine doesn't exactly roar. For the Abarth version, Fiat straps a turbocharger to the engine and tunes the suspension for more-aggressive handling. Even more impressive is the loud exhaust note, unexpected from a little Italian car.
Base price: $22,000
Horsepower: 160
Torque: 170 pound-feet
Ford's newest Focus makes for a very practical all-around car, and includes the very useful Sync feature for hooking up cell phones and digital audio devices. The ST version adds quite a bit to that formula, with a wound-up Ecoboost engine featuring some of the best efficiency technologies available, and seat-of-your-pants handling.
Base price: $23,700
Horsepower: 252
Torque: 270 pound-feet
The Veloster may have looked cool, but it was not really a performance car until Hyundai came out with the turbo version. Adding the turbo to the Veloster's direct-injection 1.6-liter engine, and fitting it with a six-speed manual transmission, should please any enthusiast. And the Veloster Turbo's unique looks will earn it admirers.
Base price: $21,950
Horsepower: 201
Torque: 195 pound-feet
Dropping the John Cooper Works package on any Mini model instantly makes it a superhero version of its former self. That package means a bigger turbo for more power, and even tighter suspension tuning to enhance the already impressive handling. The new Coupe model makes this car a unique style statement.
Base price: $31,200
Horsepower: 208
Torque: 192 pound-feet
Throughout the years, VW offered a series of superpowered Golfs. This year's Golf R comes with a turbocharged and direct injection four-cylinder engine displacing only 2 liters, running power to all wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. It is the only all-wheel-drive vehicle in this lineup, and offers excellent handling.
Base price: $33,990
Horsepower: 256
Torque: 243 pound-feet