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, supercars, electric cars or even SUVs you prefer – the one thing you can be certain of is that there's at least one car out there to suit your needs and put a real smile on your face. 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 that deliver a fun driving experience.
Best Fun Cars 2025
- Ferrari 296 GTB (2022-)
- Honda Civic Type R (2022-)
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (2023-)
- Land Rover Defender 90 (2020-)
- Mazda MX-5 (2015-)
- MINI Cooper S (2024-)
- Porsche Boxster (2016-)
- Toyota GR86 (2022-)
- Used-car fun
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.
Honda Civic Type R (2022-)
Honda’s sporty Civics have always had an edge, making the driver work to get the best from them. The Type R packs a hefty 325bhp from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engines to deliver a 171mph top speed. Bear in mind, this is in a five-door hatchback that will accommodate 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. What’s more, it’s a Honda, so reliability levels should be more Lexus than Alfa Romeo.
Honda Civic Type R Review
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (2023-)
It’s taken a while for manufacturers to come up with electric cars that are genuinely engaging to drive, but Hyundai is definitely the one to nail it the best with the Ioniq 5 N. And that’s a good thing, too, because in order to make room for the fast Ioniq 5, the Korean manufacturer had to ditch the well-loved i30 N and i20 N hot hatches.
Power comes from twin electric motors, kicking out 650bhp and delivering a 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds, but many electric cars can manage big acceleration numbers. Where the Ioniq 5 N really stands out is in the way it involves you, the driver. You can have gearshifts and simulated engine noises, which sounds gimmicky but is actually huge fun, while the handling is genuinely on par with a conventional sports car, EV heft notwithstanding.
Land Rover Defender 90 (2020-)
You may be wondering why a chunky SUV features in a list of most fun cars to drive, but if you genuinely want to head off-road for a bit of mud-plugging, it can be an awful lot of fun. And one of the best cars to do that in, without a doubt, is a Land Rover Defender, which manages to combine serious off-roading chops with a desirable badge, all the in-car gadgets and safety tech you could wish for, and even a six-seater layout in the short-wheelbase 90 model. Land Rover Defender Review
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
MINI Cooper S (2024-)
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, it’s also compact, so it’s a great city car. The latest Cooper S comes with a fizzing 201bhp 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 SE with 215bhp, and takes 6.7 seconds to get from 0-62mph. With a 49.2kWh battery, it should also be good for around 220 miles of range in real-word driving.
MINI Review
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
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 most 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 – or the Toyota GR Yaris for that matter. All that, and the potential of a 10-year warranty that has the beating of even Kia and Hyundai.
Toyota GR86 Review
Used-car fun
Sadly, some of the most exciting cars to drive are no longer available to buy new. Still, if you’re prepared to seek a secondhand car for your automotive fun, then there are plenty of used car gems around. Both the Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Up GTI were axed in 2023, leaving the small hot hatch market bereft of two of its most exciting offerings. The Fiesta, in particular, with its sweet-sounding 197bhp turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and slick six-spped manual transmission was only ever a set of better brakes away from hot hatch perfections. The Up GTI, meanwhile, was always a bit of a cult classic and, though not as fast as the Fiesta ST, could still deliver plenty of smiles thanks to the zingy 113bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine... plus its city car size means you can exploit more of the road than in a Volkswagen Golf GTI... and it could manage more than 50mpg if you drove it carefully.
Of course, if you’re after a bit more class from your performance car (hot hatches can be a touch brash, after all), then an Audi TT is worth considering. Produced between 2014 and 2023 in its Mk3 form, there are plenty of used examples of this stylish coupe or roadster to choose from, even though you can no longer find it in new car showrooms. 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 a surprisingly affordable performance car to own thanks to decent fuel economy.