Best Inexpensive Compact Sports Cars - Sports Cars

It's time for reckoning. Compact sports cars segment B in recent years, they are experiencing a new era of gold. The supercharging gave them new life and character, while the quality of the interior and the mechanical solutions reached a truly outstanding level. But the key to their success always revolves around one thing: fun.

We wanted to choose compact a front-wheel drive segment B because they all cost less than 25.000 eurosThey are practical, fast enough and offer hours of enjoyment. During 2015, we drove them far and wide, at any pace and on all types of roads. Their selling price makes them affordable for almost everyone, and consumption (of some models) is at least acceptable.

Let's see together which are the best economical sports compact.

7 Seat Ibiza Cupra 21.500 euros 1.8 TSI 191 hp

La Seat Ibiza it is not in last place because it is not a very good car, on the contrary, but simply because we have yet to thoroughly test it. The Spaniard is the only one with a 1.8 turbo under the hood, and the power of 191 hp is actually much “fuller”, thanks also to the torque of 320 Nm, and the engine always pulls up to 7.000 turns with exemplary regularity.

The Seat Ibiza Cupra is only equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and is also equipped with the XDS electronic limited slip differential and adjustable suspension as standard (in Sport mode, the suspension and steering are reinforced).

The Ibiza Cupra is a candidate for one of the best compact cars of the coming year (2016) and we can't wait to get it back in our hands, this time to squeeze it deeply.

6 Abarth 500 18.850 euros

Nothing divides opinions like Chinkino Abart, either you like it or you hate it. We liked it very much, but, on the contrary, it is not a perfect car ...

Its driving position is simply too high and the steering wheel is too low and too horizontal. So the wheelbase ratio makes it tight to say the least when you're pulling your neck and makes us think for the first time that an ESP that can't be turned off is a good thing. More than once we braked with total resistance (I'm talking about more than a quarter of a wheel). The electronic differential works and doesn't work, and the maximum torque at 2.000 rpm is a complete lie. The version we tried this year is 595 years from 180 hp it was a factory noise up to 3.000 rpm, after which it turned into unleashed fury up to 5.000.

Little Abarth looks a lot faster than it actually is, and his bully temperament makes any cornering road fun (and sometimes unsettling). So the sound of a rally car with lots of popping will bring a smile with 32 teeth.

5 Opel Corsa OPC – 22.100 EUR

New Opel Corsa OPC this is really serious. This is the only one in the group on which a limited-slip differential is installed (with the exception of 208 from Peugeot Sport which, as we said, goes over budget) and its uncompromising customization makes it one of the most track-oriented around.

The engine is very powerful - 207 hp. is the most powerful of them all, but the huge output thrust provided by the differential turns all that power into speed.

The six-speed manual transmission does not shine with speed when switched on, and the chassis of the car is always arranged and will not give you away even in the most "criminal" driving.

4. Renault Clio RS – 23.800 euros

La Megane RS he carries on his shoulders a heavy load, or rather, two. This latest generation got turbocharged and lost the (adorable) manual transmission. If you can be objective and avoid comparing to the version being replaced, RS it's a great car. 1.6 Turbo 200 HP always pushes, the driving position now has a vertical steering wheel and a lower rear seat, while the rear always tends to shorten the trajectory, sometimes even abruptly. The six-speed dual-clutch transmission is fast, though not on par with Volkswagen Group's DSGs, and does a good job; unfortunately, however, this takes away some involvement and connection with the car.

3. Peugeot 208 GTi - 22.800 euros

La Peugeot 208 GTi by PS would easily take the top spot in our rankings, but with a price tag of €26.200, it not only exceeds the 25.000 ceiling, but is perilously close in Mégane RS territory. Normal" 208 GTIHowever, he has a supply of talent. It won't have the limited-slip differential and granite tuning of the Peugeot Sport version, but it will have a softer and more comfortable tuning, making it also the most complete car in the group.

The cockpit is well finished, with red stitching and the famous Playstation flyer, while driving the 208 GTi offers just the right amount of fun. The motor pushes smoothly and smoothly, and the rear stock helps to insert just as much as needed. The gearbox suffers from jamming; consumption, on the other hand, is really low for a 1.6 turbo.

2. Suzuki Swift Sport – 18.200 euros.

Yes: the least promising car (on paper) is in second place in our ranking. There Swift Sports it is the least powerful and cheapest of them all, but at the same time one of the most addicting. Its naturally aspirated 1,6 engine is not afraid to sell: 136 hp. run at 6.900 rpm, and unlike its turbocharged competitors, you'll have to work hard to bring out the best. The six-speed manual transmission with dry and mechanical clutch makes the game even more fun. Fortunately, the Swift also has a perfectly balanced oversteer chassis.

1 Ford Fiesta ST – 21.500 euros

La Ford Fiesta ST it was a surprise to everyone. The latest generation was powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine, which was not very fond of revs, while the chassis was not willing to cooperate in fun driving. New STinstead it appears that he came from another planet.

Its 1.6 turbo engine produces 182 hp. Understeer only appears in tight corners for a second (it doesn't have a limited slip differential), but you really have to make a big mistake to cause this. on the other hand, the steering is the best in its category and delivers a refined feel that even large-caliber sports cars would envy.

It's a shame the interior is not up to par, but this small flaw cannot take it away from the top line in our ranking of cheap hot hatches.