10 cheapest fast cars for 2026, from $29,530

The 2026 Toyota GR Corolla tops a list of the 10 cheapest fast cars, starting at $39,920 with a 300-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, reaching 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. Other models include the Hyundai Elantra N, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and Volkswagen GTI, with prices ranging from under $30,000 to nearly $40,000. The list, from U.S. News & World Report, spans hot hatches, sports coupes, sedans, and a roadster, with several offering manual transmissions as automakers phase them out elsewhere. The Elantra N, starting at $35,100, delivers near-Honda Civic Type R performance with 276 horsepower, while the Mazda MX-5 Miata, at $29,530, offers a featherweight 181-horsepower driving experience. The Volkswagen GTI, starting at $34,590, carries the highest Performance Score of 9.2 out of 10, and the Subaru WRX, at $32,495, features standard all-wheel drive with a 271-horsepower engine. The Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 twins share a 228-horsepower naturally aspirated engine, while the Ford Mustang EcoBoost offers 315 horsepower from a turbocharged four-cylinder.