5 Best Performance Cars With Style, Speed And a Dose of Practicality(Pt.2.)

Volkswagen Golf GTI

In 1975, Volkswagen took a practical front-wheel drive hatchback, added some tech in the form of then-new electronic fuel injection, and created a new segment: the performance economy car, a.k.a. the hot hatchback. Today's GTI is still one of the best.
Under the hood is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four, producing 200 hp and 207 lb-ft, enough for a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.1 seconds.
All of this is concealed in a very stealthy package: a red stripe on the grille and larger wheels are the only clues to the true nature of this car. Unless you look inside and see the plaid seats, that is.
With its combination of affordability, practicality, and fun, the GTI is just about the entire car that most people will ever need.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe

So, what if you want a rear-wheel drive coupe that is not an American muscle car? Hyundai has your answer.
The Genesis Coupe does not have a V8 under its hood or a pony on its grille, but it is a bona fide rear-drive four-seater, making it quite the value. This is Hyundai we're talking about, after all.
The Genesis Coupe is based on Hyundai's Mercedes-fighting Genesis and Equus sedans, but this is not a staid luxury car. Buyers can choose from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four (274 hp, 275 lb-ft, 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds) or a 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 (348 hp, 295 lb-ft, 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds).
Hyundai has come a long way from the 1985 Excel.

Subaru Impreza WRX

Like all of Subaru's other products (except the BRZ) this rally warrior is a fundamentally good car with added benefit of all-wheel drive.
All-wheel drive gives the WRX a lot of grip on dry roads, while allowing it to be completely useless in the rain or snow.
Of course, the WRX is not just an all-wheel drive compact with a large rear spoiler. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer-four, producing 265 hp and 244 lb-ft. It's good enough for a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.0 seconds.
If that's not enough, there's also a STI model with 305 hp and 290 lb-ft, though that's not enough to dramatically affect acceleration times.
Alongside cheap rear-drive two-door and front-drive hot hatchbacks, the WRX represents a third class of affordable performance car: the rally racer for the road. It's the perfect alternative if you live in New England. Or the Northwest, where they apparently hand them out at the border.

Dodge Challenger

The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro get plenty of press, but what of the pony car from the land of Mopar?
The Challenger is the most avowedly retro of the three reborn muscle cars, and it still has the equipment to back up those looks. Base SXT and Rallye models get Chrysler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6, which produces 305 hp and 268 lb-ft. The R/T (Road and Track) gets the legendary 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 375 hp and 410 lb-ft.
The Challenger can scoot to 60 mph in 6.4 seconds with the V6 and 5.1 seconds with the V8. A big brute like this won’t be much fun in the corners, but those straight-line sprints should be endlessly entertaining.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Because the car world loves a good rivalry, here's the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. It's the Mustang to the WRX STI's Camaro.
Like the WRX, the Evo has a full-wheel drive and a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which makes 291 hp and 300 lb-ft. Mitsubishi also features more advanced tech, including dual-clutch automated transmission and Super All-Wheel Control, which adapts the car to different road surfaces. Zero to 60 mph takes 5.3 seconds.
Also like the WRX, the Evo also comes in a practical sedan body and its all-wheel drive traction is just as good at keeping you out of snow drifts as it is at providing grip on your favorite back road.
The Evo sounds like a pretty complete package, but then again, Mitsubishi needs a car this good to stay on enthusiast's radar, considering the mediocre models that currently populate the rest of its lineup.