The top 6 driver's cars for $25,000 in 2025
For well below the average price of a new car, you can thrill your driving senses with one of these affordable steeds.
You may be a driving enthusiast who loves to nail apexes and carve corners, but you may not have Porsche 911 or BMW M3 money. Heck, you might not have Toyota GR Corolla, Subaru BRZ, or Mazda Miata money. What on earth are you going to do to scratch that driving itch? The good news is that you don’t have to settle for a mushy crossover or a compact car with the steering precision of a fork in a bowl of noodles that also handles like a meat truck just because you don’t have a thick wallet.
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Keep in mind that a car doesn’t have to have gobs of horsepower and torque to be fun to drive, and it doesn’t have to be a sports car or a sports sedan. When you combine a relatively low curb weight, good steering feedback, solid body control, progressive brakes, and good throttle response, you have the makings of a fun car. Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are a handful of great driver’s cars for $25k or less. Here are six excellent choices.
2025 Chevrolet Trax
Forget everything you know about the 1st-generation Trax, a crossover that looked and drove like a running shoe on wheels. The 2025 Trax, with its $20,400 base MSRP, is truly delightful to drive. It’s not because of the power: every Trax is motivated by a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine good for 137 horses. It’s not a knuckle-dragger, either. 2025 Chevrolet Trax exterior
The 6-speed automatic transmission shifts well, and the Trax accelerates to 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds. Its wonderful driving experience comes from its 3,000-lb weight (a tad more than a Toyota GR86) and some of the best steering and body control in the subcompact crossover segment. We found the Trax to be fun to drive and very predictable in its handling. Cheap thrills, indeed.
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2025 Mazda CX-30
The $24,995 Mazda CX-30 is one of those cars that you don’t expect to be so rewarding to drive, but it surprises you with remarkable composure and quick reflexes. It’s attractive, bordering on cute, but don’t let its low-on-the-radar looks fool you.
This affordable subcompact crossover, especially with the upgraded 2.5-liter turbo four, is a little hoot of a sporty car. Crisp steering and athletic chassis make it wonderful to thrash on twisty roads. The small dimensions and good driving position are a boon to those who want to drive this thing at 9/10ths most of the time. We found ourselves grinning every time we got behind the wheel.
2025 Honda Civic Sedan
Honda continues to deliver a great driving experience for just $24,250. The 2025 Honda Civic Sedan does not disappoint. Even if the combination of a 150-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder, front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable automatic transmission won’t set your hair on fire, it belies the Civic’s superb steering and handling that’s rewarding at any speed. 2025 Honda Civic Sedan exterior
The excellent, driver-centric cabin and top-notch driving position ensure an enjoyable commute or weekend jaunt. Of course, you can always spend a bit more to get the Civic Sport Hybrid, which delivers the same connectivity as the gas-only model but with more power (200 horses) and improved efficiency (50 mpg). Regardless of which version you choose, the Civic continues to live up to its reputation for cheap driving fun.
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2025 Kia K4
The long-in-the-tooth Forte’s replacement is all-new and not just in name. The $21,990 2025 Kia K4 is Kia’s bold new compact sedan, and it’s a real looker. Most importantly, at least to driving enthusiasts, it’s entertaining to drive even though it only emits 142 horses from its turbo-four that’s mated to a CVT. 2025 Kia K4 exterior
Although it’s not quite as agile and connected as the Honda Civic, the K4 provides good steering feedback, a tight turning radius, and predictable body control. Upgrade to a little over $25k, and you can get the slightly sportier GT-Line that provides a multi-link rear suspension for better ride and handling. Whatever trim level you choose, you’ll find that Kia is doing things right with small sedans.
2025 Volkswagen Jetta
The venerable Jetta still sells in good numbers, and not just because it’s sensible. For $21,995, the 2025 Jetta has been mildly refreshed, and it still delivers a good dose of driving fun as it has since its inception nearly half a century ago. As much as we lament the disappearance of the 6-speed manual transmission for 2025, the Jetta remains a great choice for an affordable sporty sedan. 2025 Volkswagen Jetta exterior
All non-GLI Jettas get a punchy 158-hp turbocharged inline-four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 0-60 comes in 7.1 seconds, and the Jetta delivers composure, along with good steering and handling. Its conservative looks just may hide how much fun you’re having on the way to the office.
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2025 Mazda3 Hatchback
The 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback ($24,950 base MSRP) is a compact hatchback that borders on premium. Its looks, both inside and out, will have you scratching your head when you hold them up against the asking price. It's remarkable how well the styling has held up since it debuted as a 2019 model. 2025 Mazda3 Hatchback exterior
The slick sheet metal is paired with a sublime driving experience thanks to taut manners and great steering. The base engine is a 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which can be paired with either front- or all-wheel drive. For dedicated enthusiasts who love to rope their own gears, a six-speed manual transmission (front-wheel drive, non-turbo only) is also available.
Related: 2025 Honda Civic Type R: 6 reasons to love it, 3 reasons to think twice 2025 Mazda CX-30 exterior
Final thoughts
Although the price of new cars is perpetually on the rise, this list shows that if you really shop around, you can still have a lot of driving fun without breaking the bank.
Is there a car we missed that you think absolutely deserves a spot on our list? Is there a car we shouldn't have included for some reason? Let us know in the comments below!
