Small is beautiful, and for some cars, very powerful. Small cars that pack a big punch are a lot of fun. Many gearheads deliver incredible thrills and excitement. Able to overpower expensive sports sedans and confuse many well-respected sports cars, these superminis are a raucous bunch of fun.
Getting decent horsepower under the hood of a small car is harder than it sounds. Balancing raw grunt with handling finesse is key. These little pocket rockets will keep you entertained once you complete them.
A petite fist who never backs down from a fight. Everything bursts with his attitude and muscles. Here are 10 tiny cars that far exceed their weight.
10/10 MK7 Ford Fiesta ST
A standard-setting vehicle, the Fiesta ST is more than just a great little hot hatch, it’s a great performance car. He’s one of the best driving Ford cars ever built. Handling and steering feedback are perfectly tuned. Crispy and sharp like a scalpel. Driving the Fiesta ST is just amazing.
A 1.6-liter turbocharged engine is hidden under the chunky hood. Producing 179hp and 177lb/ft of torque, he hits 60mph in 6.7 seconds. Bursting with explosive gear impact, the Fiesta ST is a bit of a rip-off that loves to tackle twisty roads and seek out the apex.
9/10 MK6 Volkswagen Polo GTI
While it may be perceived as a smart choice, the Polo has a lot of the DNA of the Volkswagen GTI, making it a great sports car. Sleek and very well built, the Polo GTI has a solid feel inside and out and is marked as a quality product.
Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Polo GTI relies on 204 horsepower and a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox to make rapid progress. It takes him 6.5 seconds to hit 60 mph. A capable Polo around the corner, it proudly wears its Volkswagen GTI credentials.
8/10 Audi S1
At any level, the Audi S1 is a fast car. A feature-packed vehicle dynamic that flattens its competition. We will deliver a big thrill even if it is small. An Audi gem that many gearheads have yet to fully discover. An even more enticing bundle of fun at a bargain price.
Quattro AWD drive keeps the S1 glued to the ground, and the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and 228 horsepower accelerate to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Very rewarding to drive, the Audi S1 can be tuned to deliver even higher power, resulting in a supercar-killing miniature.
7/10 Mini Cooper Works GP
Dressed in an aggressive suit and packing a big punch, the Mini Cooper GP looks like it would scare many muscle cars. All wrapped up in a pint-sized shell and visually alert, the Mini GP looks more like a full-on-track day special than a regular street car.
Start the GP and the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine kicks in. 302hp and 332lb/ft of torque are reproduced on tap. Unleash this power to reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. Incredibly agile, the Mini GP cuts into the asphalt and chases the horizon with zeal.
6/10 Abarth 695 Biposto
Touted as the world’s smallest supercar, the Abarth 695 Biposto is a fiery Italian build with impressive parts. Most notable is the Formula 4 racing engine with a 1.4-liter turbocharger. The snappy power that launches menacing fireworks down the road at 190 hp sounds better than ever.
Accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, the 695 Biposto looks great and aggressive. Bulging bodywork and gaping tailpipes add to the appeal. The Abarth 695 Bispoto also has a natural knack for destroying roads. A special, pocket-sized gearhead hero with a sharp edge.
5/10 Toyota GR Yaris
One of the best performance cars released in the last decade, the Toyota GR Yaris can slam a supercar into concrete. Something with finesse using a 3-cylinder engine. A turbo unit that generates 257hp. Impressive power delivered to all four wheels.
As close to a road-based rally car as a buyer can get, the Yaris GR crackles with energy. Out of the gate, accelerate to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Cross-country, it leaves the more expensive and more exotic machines dead and takes the all-time high.
4/10 Peugeot 208 GTI PS Anniversary
The two-tone paint may not be for everyone, but the Peugeot 208 GTI PS Anniversary is a car you’ll want to drive hard. And by delving into the car’s deep bag of talent, gearheads are truly rewarded to experience driving pleasure in its purest form.
The punchy 1.6-liter engine spit out 205 horsepower and 221 lbs/ft of torque. Always boiling, this engine propels the little Peugeot 208 GTI forward. Accelerating to 60 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds, the 208 GTI tackles wide roads with ease and keeps you going thanks to its massive grip.
3/10 Hyundai i20 N
The Hyundai i20 N will be a formidable foe to take the Fiesta ST’s throne. With his 1.6-liter turbocharged engine of 201hp, the i20 N can cover a 0-60mph sprint in 6.4 seconds and reach 144mph. A limited slip differential increases traction in corners.
Very satisfying to drive and hustle from point to point with ease. Hyundai also features a well-appointed interior. It comes standard with Launch Control software, so there’s no excuse for not getting off the line cleanly because it’s packed with great technology.
2/10 Vauxhall VXR Nürburgring
The most sophisticated version of the Corsa VXR series, the Nürburgring Edition was set up specifically to tackle the infamous German racetrack. An enviable parts array has been added. Bilstein dampers, Brembo disc brakes and a mechanical LSD were all on the shopping list.
Its 1.6-liter turbocharged engine produces 202 horsepower and delivers a 0-100 mile time of 6.3 seconds. On the go, the VXR Nürburgring is just sensational. It chops the asphalt in a way that puts a car ten times the value of a VXR to shame. The micro-sized package will make you smile.
1/10 Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy
The early Renault Sport Clio set the standard for small, fast cars. Much of their magic was lost when the range was reviewed. The Clio RS 220 Trophy regains much of what has been lost, but delivers it in a modern and evolved way, ready to take on new types of rivals.
A beefy 1.6-liter turbocharged engine produces 220 horsepower. Available only with a dual-clutch gearbox, the Clio reaches 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The RS 220 Trophy is fast and smooth in corners, allowing drivers to get behind the wheel with confidence and push the car without being overwhelmed.
Source: VW, Toyota, MINI