Small cars often carry a reputation for being cheap commuters or entry-level rides, but the last 25 years have shown that compact size can deliver massive fun. With light weight, responsive handling, and rev-happy engines, these cars have become cult favorites for enthusiasts who care more about smiles per mile than raw horsepower. For Canadian and American drivers alike, small cars bring a unique sense of connection to the road, often reminding us why we fell in love with driving in the first place. Expanded with more detail and context, here are 20 small cars from the last quarter-century that prove less can truly be more.
Mazda MX-5 Miata (1999–Present)
The Miata remains the gold standard for affordable driving fun. Its recipe hasn’t changed much: a lightweight body, perfect 50/50 balance, and just enough power to keep you entertained without ever feeling overwhelming. Whether carving up twisty B.C. mountain roads or cruising through Ontario cottage country, the Miata is pure joy. Canadians love it for being reliable and inexpensive to maintain, making it one of the most accessible true sports cars on the market.
Mini Cooper S (2002–Present)
When BMW revived the Mini, it didn’t just bring back a classic name — it reinvented the hot hatch for a new generation. The Cooper S delivers a turbocharged punch and handling that feels like a go-kart for the street. It’s cheeky, quick, and endlessly entertaining. Canadians enjoy its mix of European charm and compact size, which makes it ideal for narrow city streets, yet still thrilling on winding rural roads.
Honda Civic Si (1999–Present)
The Civic Si has always been a favorite for young enthusiasts, offering affordable performance in a reliable package. The high-revving engines of older models and the turbocharged punch of newer ones both bring serious fun. In Canada, the Si has a massive fanbase, thanks in part to its availability, tuner-friendly nature, and its ability to survive harsh winters while still being a thrill in summer.
Volkswagen GTI (1999–Present)
The GTI is the car that wrote the modern hot hatch rulebook. Every generation in the last 25 years has delivered a mix of turbocharged speed, sharp handling, and everyday usability. It’s practical enough for families but playful enough for spirited drives. Canadians love the GTI because it feels just as at home on snowy commutes as it does on winding backroads.
Ford Fiesta ST (2013–2019)
The Fiesta ST may have been small, but it was mighty. With a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, short wheelbase, and razor-sharp handling, it became a cult classic almost instantly. It was the kind of car that begged you to push it harder, rewarding you with playful cornering and eager acceleration. In Canada, its affordability and big personality made it one of the most fun small cars of its era.
Toyota GR Yaris (2020–Present, global markets)
While Canada and the U.S. never officially got the GR Yaris, enthusiasts import them or travel abroad just to experience what many call one of the best modern hot hatches ever built. Born from rally homologation rules, the GR Yaris features a 1.6-liter three-cylinder turbo, all-wheel drive, and a chassis designed to tackle rally stages. It’s small, raw, and focused — everything driving enthusiasts love.
Hyundai Veloster N (2019–2022)
The Veloster N surprised everyone. With a quirky three-door layout, adjustable exhaust that pops and crackles, and a turbocharged engine delivering real punch, it was Hyundai’s way of saying it could play with the best hot hatches. Canadians embraced it because it was affordable, packed with character, and made even a trip to the grocery store feel like a joyride.
Fiat 500 Abarth (2012–2019)
The Fiat 500 Abarth is tiny but filled with Italian flair. Its turbocharged four-cylinder delivers zippy performance, but the real magic is in the sound — a growly, loud exhaust that makes it feel faster than it is. Canadian owners loved its cheeky personality, though its compact size made it better suited for city streets than long highway stretches.
Suzuki Swift Sport (2005–Present, imports only)
While not officially sold widely in Canada or the U.S., the Swift Sport has built a reputation worldwide as a plucky, affordable, fun-to-drive hatch. Lightweight and simple, it’s the kind of car that rewards momentum driving. Canadians who’ve imported one know it as a hidden gem — cheap to run, playful to toss around, and full of character.
Acura Integra Type R (1997–2001, celebrated into the 2000s)
The Integra Type R is considered by many as the greatest front-wheel-drive car ever made. Its screaming VTEC engine, razor-sharp steering, and lightweight chassis made it a legend. In Canada, it became an instant collectible, and today clean examples fetch huge money. Driving one is an education in why small cars can feel so alive.
Toyota GR Corolla (2023–Present)
The GR Corolla is Canada’s answer to the GR Yaris envy. With a turbocharged three-cylinder producing over 300 horsepower and rally-inspired all-wheel drive, it’s a small car with huge performance credentials. It’s already becoming a cult hit, especially among Canadians who want a rally-bred machine that can handle snow just as well as twisty backroads.
Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V (2002–2012)
The Sentra SE-R Spec V was Nissan’s attempt to inject fun into a compact sedan. With extra horsepower, sporty suspension, and a rowdy personality, it stood out among otherwise bland small cars. Canadians who owned them often remember them fondly as affordable little sedans with surprising spirit.
Honda Fit (2007–2020)
The Honda Fit might not look thrilling, but behind the wheel, it surprises. With a lightweight body, nimble handling, and engines that love to rev, it’s a blast to drive. Add in the “magic seats” that make it incredibly practical, and you get one of the most versatile small cars Canada has ever seen. For many, it’s proof that fun can come in unexpected packages.
Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged (2005–2007)
The Cobalt SS Supercharged was GM’s hot compact that caught a lot of people off guard. With 205 horsepower from a blown 2.0-liter four-cylinder and sharp handling, it was a proper performance machine. Canadian owners loved that it was fast, relatively cheap, and had huge tuning potential.
Subaru WRX (1999–Present)
The WRX may have grown in size over the years, but it still carries the DNA of a small rally car. With turbocharged power and standard all-wheel drive, it delivers thrills in every season. In Canada, it’s practically an icon — perfect for carving up snowy roads in January and mountain passes in July.
Dodge Neon SRT-4 (2003–2005)
The Neon SRT-4 was America’s answer to the import tuner craze of the early 2000s. With a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine pushing up to 230 horsepower, it was quick, cheap, and endlessly tunable. Canadians embraced it as a homegrown hot compact that punched well above its weight.
MazdaSpeed3 (2007–2013)
The MazdaSpeed3 packed a serious punch with its turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder producing 263 horsepower. Known for its wild torque steer, it kept drivers on their toes in the best way possible. Canadians loved it because it delivered practicality with an edge — a hatchback that could haul gear but also shred tires.
Scion FR-S / Toyota 86 / Subaru BRZ (2012–Present)
These small coupes were designed with purists in mind. Lightweight, rear-wheel drive, and perfectly balanced, they proved that driving engagement matters more than outright speed. Canadians appreciated their affordability and the way they encouraged driver skill, making them ideal for autocross and track days.
Renault Clio RS (1999–2018, imported to Canada by enthusiasts)
Though not widely sold in North America, the Clio RS has become a cult favorite among import fans. With sharp handling, lively engines, and rally-bred DNA, it embodies everything fun about small cars. Canadians who go through the effort of importing one are rewarded with a hot hatch that feels truly special.
Honda CR-Z (2011–2016)
The CR-Z was Honda’s bold attempt to mix hybrid efficiency with sporty fun. While not the fastest car on this list, it offered a lightweight body, sharp handling, and, importantly, a manual transmission option. Canadians who drove one often describe it as quirky but surprisingly enjoyable — a reminder that fun can come in unexpected forms.
Small Car Big Performance
Small cars may not dominate today’s sales charts, but they remain essential to driving culture. They prove that you don’t need massive horsepower or a huge footprint to feel connected to the road. For Canadians, small cars are often the perfect mix: affordable to buy, cheap to run, and thrilling to drive. Whether it’s carving twisty mountain roads, darting through city streets, or simply enjoying a Sunday cruise, these 20 models show that sometimes the smallest cars offer the biggest thrills.
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