TopGear’s best used cars for driving fun and low costs

TopGear’s editors have compiled a fresh ranking of used cars that deliver maximum thrills for minimal running costs. These are not just frugal choices, but genuine driver’s heroes that blend lightness, responsiveness, and everyday affordability.

The list opens with the Hyundai i20N—a compact hot hatch that can manage about 6 l/100 km even when driven hard. Experts note that the tank may be tiny, yet the enjoyment at the wheel more than justifies every liter.

Next comes the Alpine A110, a lightweight sports coupe proving that low mass matters more than excess power. TopGear adds that it glides along the road with minimal effort and energy use—a neat reminder that smart engineering can outweigh brute force.

The cult BMW i8 also makes the cut: this hybrid supercar with 370 hp can return around 5 l/100 km and even run in electric mode. The British editors wrote that it delivers the sensation of cheating physics—a supercar that does not demand compromise.

Among the modern classics are the Renault Clio 182, Volkswagen Golf GTI MkV, and Toyota MR2, which TopGear described as the embodiment of real, budget-friendly driving fun. All three are simple, dependable, and strikingly alive on the road.

Inevitable entries, too, are the Mazda MX-5 and Lotus Elise. The former stands for that sweet balance of light weight, rear-wheel drive, and emotion; the latter is the gold standard for lightness, delivering up to 40 mpg.

Rounding out the list is the Ford Fiesta ST—a versatile hatchback that blends practicality with verve. Even when pushed, it can keep consumption around 7 l/100 km.

According to experts, these cars show that fuel economy and driving enjoyment are not mutually exclusive. They serve as ideal picks for anyone seeking an affordable yet genuinely engaging everyday car.