Other sport compacts
Honda Civic Type R
MSRP: $34,775 Honda fanboys and fangirls, your patience has been rewarded: For the first time in the U.S., the Civic Type R is here, and it’s glorious. A 306-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inlinefour with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive is the only powertrain. A front-strut suspension — Honda calls it dual-axis — eliminates the torque steer normally associated with high-powered front-drive vehicles. Navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 540-watt 12-speaker stereo are all standard.
Ford Focus RS
MSRP: $36,995 Rally-driver wannabes and hot-hatch hooligans, your wait is over: The Focus RS is here. With a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that sends 350 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels, the RS comes standard with a six-speed manual and a unique torquevectoring system. Michelin Pilot Super Sports wrap nineteen-inch wheels; we recorded a 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds in our testing. Developed with input from Ken Block, we judge the RS to be better than the Subaru WRX, WRX STI, and VW Golf R.
Ford Fiesta ST
MSRP: $22,015 As its name implies, the Fiesta ST, with a mighty turbocharged engine and sport-tuned suspension, is hot, spicy, and ready to party. The 1.6-liter inline-four makes 197 hp and pairs exclusively to a six-speed manual. A brake-based torque-vectoring system amplifies the ST’s agility in corners, and the whole setup is not only fun, but urges the driver to push it right to the limit. A 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard; navigation is optional, as are tight-fitting Recaro seats.
Volkswagen Golf GTI
MSRP: $26,415 The Golf GTI is the progenitor of the hot-hatch genre, and age has not dulled its abilities — so we name it a 10Best winner. The base engine is a 210-hp 2.0-liter turbo four with a six-speed manual. A six-speed automatic, an extra-cost option, is almost as much fun as the manual. Choose the Sport model for 10 more horses as well as upgrades to brakes and a torque-sensing limited-slip differential. The GTI’s classic plaid seats come standard, as do agile handling and hatchback practicality.