MORE AT POPULAR MECHANICS
Ford Focus SE HatchbackPrice: $19,995
0 to 60: 7.4 seconds
EPA estimated fuel economy (city/highway): 26/36
The chassis of the latest Focus is fantastic, and it's remarkable that Ford is able to repurpose this platform for so many other vehicles. The car is solid on highway hauls, forgiving over massacred pavement, yet capable in corners. The steering, too, is sharp without being high-strung. But you'd better vote manual gearbox or you'll be missing out on half the party.
The Focus is a great little speedster that is the opposite of a Golf (especially a GTI): Cops don't see a Focus and think "tuner," and that's exactly why it belongs here.
Hyundai Elantra GTPrice: $18,545
0 to 60: 8.3 seconds
EPA estimated fuel economy (city/highway): 26/37
We hear all the time that Americans don't buy hatchbacks. Wrong. Every crossover in America is a hatchback in diguise (especially now that so many of them are sinking back to carlike ride heights), so hatchbacks rule the road. Part of the reason we love these cars is that a carmaker can squeeze more utility out of a smaller vehicle by adding a fifth door. This is why the Elantra GT is appealing. It's a compact sedan with extraordinary utility, plus 51 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded (the latest lot of small crossovers coming along don't do much better). The Hyundai boasts excellent fuel economy too.
The Elantra may not beat its competitors to 60 mph, but unlike a lot of midsize and compact sedans, it will stand up to a reduced-radius on-ramp at 70 mph with minimal lean and highly predictable steering. For more grip, ditch the all-seasons in favor of summer performance tires.
Hyundai and Kia designs are growing exceedingly easy on the eye, prompting people to react to cars like the Elantra GT with, "but that doesn't look like a Hyundai." That lingering bias against the brand could be your friend, allowing you to drive on by while a car with more prestige gets pulled over.
Mazda 3i SkyActivPrice: $19,495
0 to 60: 7.9 seconds
EPA estimated fuel economy
(city/highway): 27/39
The fact that you can get a Focus-size Mazda 3i with a five-speed manual for $15,200 should make a lot of budget-conscious driving enthusiasts happy. But the 3 you want gets the direct-injected SkyActiv engine, which is more fuel-efficient and adds a sixth gear. Like the Elantra GT, the 3i doesn't stake its driving reputation on horsepower; it's here because it's probably the most engaging compact sedan for the money. Steering, transmission, handling—they all come up face cards if not outright aces on the 3i.
Just get it in a mild-mannered color so the flashy looks don't attract unwanted attention from law enforcement. Sensible people drive silver Mazdas. Speeders drive bright orange ones.
Lexus GS450hPrice: $59,845
0 to 60: 5.6 seconds
EPA estimated fuel economy (city/highway): 29/34
Yeah, that's a lot of bones for a hybrid, but we're talking about one of the highest-performance hybrid cars you can buy. The combo of a 3.5-liter Atkinson cycle direct-injection V-6 and a pair of electric motors adds up to 338 hp, an eye-popping time off the line, and acceleration on par with or better than many of its conventionally powered competitors.
The 450h is only 0.2 seconds slower to 60 mph than the fastest GS, yet the best gas-powered version of this car only manages 19/28 fuel economy. It might take you a while to earn back the extra money you spent on the hybrid through fuel savings, but Lexus is betting that a good many customers are willing to pay the premium, and don't want to suffer the horrid fuel economy a V-8 delivers in stop-and-go traffic.
And while it might not be fair, it's going to be easier to argue your way out of ticket or avoid getting one at all if you're driving a hybrid Lexus as opposed to the F-Sport edition (not to mention any car with an AMG or M on its trunk).
