Performance and efficiency are rarely found in the same sentence, but in 2025, several cars manage to deliver thrilling speed without draining your fuel budget. These standout models prove that you don’t have to sacrifice driving excitement to enjoy great gas mileage.
Thanks to advanced engineering, turbocharged engines, hybrid tech, and lightweight construction, these cars offer sharp acceleration, agile handling, and impressive fuel economy. Whether you’re carving up a canyon road or cruising on your daily commute, they strike the ideal balance between fun and frugality.
For drivers who want the best of both worlds — sporty performance and low running costs — these models rise above the rest. They’re smart, efficient, and still a blast to drive, showing that modern performance no longer has to come with a penalty at the pump. Here’s a look at the cars that deliver speed and savings in equal measure.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA. Models are ranked based on their combined efficiency, from least to most efficient. This list focuses on ICE models, excluding hybrids and EVs.
102026 Toyota GR Supra
Combined Fuel Economy: 26 MPG
The GR Supra has faced controversy ever since it launched due to the fact that it shares many of its components with the Z4. While it isn’t the Toyota-built sports car that people were hoping for, we still think it ranks amongthe top sports cars in the world. Unfortunately, the 2026 model will be the last.
8-Speed Automatic or 6-Speed Manual
382 HP
368 LB-FT
0-60 MPH
161 MPH
Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined)
23 MPG/31 MPG/26 MPG
Toyota decided to remove the turbocharged four-cylinder from the lineup for the 2026 model year, leaving the six-cylinder the only option. This isn’t a bad thing, though, as this model is definitely the best version of the GR Supra. This coupe is quick, agile, and lighter on fuel than you’d expect.
92025 Audi S3
The Audi S3 is easily one ofthe most underrated sporty carsthat you can buy right now. It sits between the sleek and sensible A3 and the bonkers RS3, delivering a fantastic blend of everyday comfort and raucous fun. For 2025, it also receives a 22 horsepower bump, making it that little bit quicker.
328 HP
310 LB-FT
155 MPH
Audi’s subcompact sports sedan gets a boost in power, up from the 306 horsepower it made last year. Its over-achieving four-cylinder engine pairs with a smooth dual-clutch transmission and Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel drive system as standard. Considering how quick and how practical it is, 26 miles per gallon is not bad at all.
82025 BMW M240i
If you’re looking fora compact luxury coupe, then your options are slowly but surely dwindling. The 2-Series Coupe is a rare breed in today’s world, but it easily stands out with fantastic curb appeal and incredibly rewarding driving dynamics. The M240i in particular impresses.
369 LB-FT
RWD or AWD
23 MPG/32 MPG/26 MPG
Despite being one of the least efficient model on this list, the M240i impresses with its balance of performance and efficiency. Its inline-six is absurdly powerful, motivating the coupe to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds, all while being able to remain above 25 miles per gallon combined.
72025 Ford Mustang Ecoboost
While the Ecoboost Mustang often gets dunked on for not having a V-8, it is actually a reallyimpressive coupe for the moneythat you pay. We can’t really blame people for jumping straight to the eight-cylinder engine in the GT, but the Ecoboost offers some great bang-for-your-buck if you’re looking for a sports car on a budget.
315 HP
350 LB-FT
145 MPH
22 MPG/33 MPG/26 MPG
Compared to the V-8 powered GT, the Ecoboost Mustang isn’t that far behind when it comes to acceleration to 60 miles per hour. The GT gets there three tenths of a second faster. The Stang is about speed and performance, but this generation is also much more comfortable in daily scenarios than outgoing models.
62025 Mazda 3 Turbo
Combined Fuel Economy: 27 MPG
Mazda has built their entire modern identity on the sporty feel of all their cars. They may not always be the quickest, but they are always responsive and agile. The Mazda 3 may look unassuming, but equip it withthe optional turbocharged powertrain, and it turns into a veritable hot hatch.
250 HP
320 LB-FT
134 MPH
23 MPG/32 MPG/27 MPG
Compared to some of the other hot hatchbacks on the market, the Mazda 3 Turbo may feel a little more reserved. This is because Mazda tries to strike a balance between everyday comfort and playfulness. For enthusiasts on a budget, this practical hatch is a great choice for a one-car garage.
52025 Kia K5 GT
For a midsize family sedan, the Kia K5 comes with some pretty aggressive exterior styling, especially after its light facelift for the 2025 model year. While the 191-horsepower engine in the base model is uninspiring,the top-of-the-line GTdefinitely better lives up to the muscular sheetmetal this Kia wears.
290 HP
311 LB-FT
23 MPG/33 MPG/27 MPG
The GT gets a ton of performance upgrades over the base K5, including a more powerful turbocharged powertrain. It comes standard with a unique dual-clutch transmission, bigger brakes, and a more refined suspension tune. If you don’t care about what badge your car wears, the K5 is actually a pretty impressive entry-level sports sedan.
42025 Alfa Romeo Giulia
We’re still mourning the loss of the Quadrifoglio, with the high-performance M3 killer being removed from the lineup for the 2025 model year. However, even the base Giulia is impressive, featuring the drama and artistry that you could only expect from anItalian sports sedan.
280 HP
306 LB-FT
149 MPH
24 MPG/33 MPG/27 MPG
The Giulia delivers performance and luxury in bucketloads. Even though it only has four-cylinders under the hood, it is always eager to be pushed and sounds fantastic when you put your foot to the floor. Its fuel efficiency is close to class-leading as well, with the rear-wheel drive model being the lightest on fuel.
32025 Volkswagen Golf GTI
If you’re looking for themost affordable hot hatchbackon the market right now, Volkswagen has you covered with the GTI. This legendary little rocket has continued to survive where many of its rivals have died off thanks to its value for money when it comes to quality and performance.
241 HP
273 LB-FT
130 MPH
24 MPG/32 MPG/27 MPG
The GTI is all about fun, with a punchy turbocharged engine and agility that is genuinely hard to find at this price point. It may not be as hardcore as the Golf R, but the GTI is a ton of fun and impressively practical. The only thing that makes us sad is that Volkswagen has ditched the manual transmission for the 2025 model year.
22025 BMW Z4 sDrive30i
Combined Fuel Economy: 28 MPG
Perhaps one of the most underrated models that BMW currently produces is the Z4. This roadster was designed side-by-side with the Toyota Supra, one of the most highly praised sports cars on the market. The Z4, however, comes witha more luxurious interiorand a roof that folds down.
255 HP
295 LB-FT
25 MPG/33 MPG/28 MPG
Where Toyota is only offering the inline-six in the Supra for the current model year, BMW is still letting buyers equip the Z4 with their inline-four. While not as outright raucous as the M40i, the sDrive30i is impressively peppy, wonderfully agile, and pretty light on fuel considering how quick it is.
12025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI
Combined Fuel Economy: 30 MPG
Fun and affordable cars have certainly been making a comeback in recent times, which is fantastic for enthusiasts who don’t have tons of money to burn. While the Jetta GLI often gets overshadowed by rivals like the Hyundai Elantra N, it is easily one of themost versatile cars in its class.
6-Speed Manual or 7-Speed Auto-Shift Manual
228 HP
258 LB-FT
126 MPH
26 MPG/36 MPG/30 MPG
Under the hood of the GLI is the same powertrain that you’ll find in a Golf GTI, making slightly less power here. While the Jetta may not be the quickest car you can buy, it is incredibly engaging, eager to tackle back roads. The six-speed manual is also still available in the Jetta, making it a great option for driving purists. The manual is also slightly more efficient, with the automatic achieving 29 miles per gallon combined.
