Car enthusiasts and amateurs alike have never had any trouble picturing themselves speeding down the open road in a luxurious, sporty vehicle - the enchanting hum and roar, the torque pressing you back against the seat, the thrill of being behind the wheel of a turbocharged engine.
Performance vehicles are always fun to admire, but often times when new drivers are deciding on what to buy, they are either too intimidated by the complexity of a performance vehicle's features or just too caught up in being practical to understand that there are plenty of options while still being realistic about what sporty cars they are capable of handling.
10 Ford Mustang
The Mustang was an instant classic when it was released back in 1964. One of the benefits of this vehicle is its availability - the likelihood of finding one on the used market is relatively high. Although, today, we'll focus on the latest model.
This model combines luxury and accessibility like no other, and with three different drive modes from normal, sport, and track & wet/snow, this car rounds out perfectly for the inexperienced. The interior is designed with the average driver in mind with easy-to-navigate controls and features. That's not to say that there's nothing left for the sporty side of that scale - the base engine of the 2021 model packs a 310 horsepower punch from its 2.3-liter turbocharged engine.
9 Mazda MX5 Miata
The athletic design of the Mazda Miata isn’t the only reason why this vehicle sits at the top of its class. This is a great car for inexperienced drivers looking for something performance-focused on a budget.
Because this vehicle doesn't fit more than two passengers, it simply wouldn't be right for drivers that want a lot of cargo space and legroom. However, what this car lacks in carrying capacity it makes up for in great fuel economy. With a price range between $23,500 and $29,000, this car still sits below average in price for its class.
8 Genesis Coupe
Punchy acceleration, plenty of horsepower, comfortable cargo space, and the balanced handling of a true performance vehicle, the Genesis Coupe still weighs more on the side of accessibility than many of its competitors.
But don’t let that fool you, there’s still enough athleticism left in this car to go around, and with one of the best cost of ownership ratings among cars in its class, this is guaranteed to be a great vehicle to start off with for an inexperienced driver. Keep an eye out for used models floating around on the market as this vehicle was discontinued in 2016.
7 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
It’s hard to say anything bad about this car, especially with such a well-rounded package suitable for the everyday driver. Even with the four seats and more trunk space compared to most of the other vehicles in its class, it's still the sleek, classy design that most buyers are most impressed with. For inexperienced drivers not looking to spend a lot of money and don't want to sacrifice that potent pep in acceleration, this car is highly recommended.
The Jetta GLI is still rated highly as a compact vehicle, which makes it great for commuters that want an energetic ride with great fuel economy. The 2013 model also makes a substantial jump in power from its 2012 release, and buyers can choose from a lot of different options when it comes to engine specs.
6 Hyundai Veloster
Agile, thrilling turbo-charged engine, and still competitive in its rating as a compact car, you get what you pay for with this fun-to-drive, reasonably priced vehicle. The interior isn't quite as luxurious as most of the other options, but it certainly isn't made with cheap materials and still hardly something to groan over especially with the array of impressive engine options.
If not for its sharp handling, the turbocharged options guarantee the inexperienced driver the smooth, sporty drive they're looking for. Compared with the standard engine of the original model, the 2021 version offers a much more stimulating driving experience because of the jump in horsepower.
5 Ford Fiesta ST
The Ford Fiesta ST puts a sporty spin on an otherwise classic, fun-handling, and reliable vehicle. But don’t let yourself be deceived by the somewhat simpler and more practical design - the nimble acceleration backed by its 197 horsepower turbocharged engine of the ST trim packs a big punch when it wants to.
The Fiesta ST is also one of the safest vehicles on the market for performance cars: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety assures its drivers of the highest positive rating, so you can feel confident and safe behind the wheel.
4 Volkswagen Golf GTI
If you think the outside of this vehicle looks good, you'll be in for a treat when you take a look at what's inside. With plenty of cargo space and legroom for up to five passengers, this vehicle is perfect for the everyday driver with friends/family that wants a little extra pep in their engine. Still, this car is no pushover when it comes to performance features.
With a lively turbocharged engine and a highly responsive handling experience, the user-friendly infotainment system is just the cherry on top of the cake. This vehicle is truly the definition of pleasure meets practicality.
3 Subaru WRX
The WRX has one of the greatest performance ratings for cars in its class. The 268 horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine isn’t anything to mess with, and the all-wheel drive makes this vehicle an excellent choice for those drivers looking for a car that works well in most driving situations.
You won’t find a compact vehicle in this class with as much muscle in its engine as this. This vehicle is the right choice for inexperienced drivers that care more about the joy of driving more than anything else. With plenty of driving assist options, it won't take long for the inexperienced driver to bond with this vehicle.
2 Audi TT
The Audi TT is another solid sports car that weighs a little heavier on the side of sport than any of the other cars previously mentioned. Because this car stands out more for performance than anything else, its high reliability and fuel economy standard among the other cars in its class makes it all the more enticing.
The spunky 288 horsepower 2.0-liter engine makes for a snappy ride, and with such sturdy suspension and all-wheel-drive to back the athletic build, there’s nothing jarring about the way this car runs.
1 Fiat 500 Abarth
The Fiat 500 Abarth is heralded as one of the great starting vehicles in its class, and one that inexperienced drivers can expect to get their feet wet with without worrying about if they have what it takes to handle a vehicle of its caliber.
The 2021 Abarth model packs a hefty 160 horsepower turbocharged engine, so there’s a lot of power to get you familiar with the speed of a performance vehicle. If this niche design of this subcompact car suits your tastes, it can be great for the city driver.