15 Most Fun Cars To Drive Under 100 Horsepower
Back in college, a buddy of mine had a first-gen Honda Insight. It looked like a spaceship and had the horsepower of a hairdryer. But on a twisty backroad? T
hat thing drove like it had something to prove. We laughed the whole time, gripping the wheel like we were in a rally car, not an econo-pod.
Turns out, driving fun doesn’t always come with big numbers or roaring V8s.
Sometimes it’s all about balance, character, and the kind of grin that sneaks up when the car weighs as much as a toaster and corners like it’s on rails.
1. Mazda MX-5 Miata NA (early JDM-spec 1.6L)
Pop-up headlights? Check! The Mazda MX-5 Miata NA has been winning hearts since the early ’90s.
Its lightweight design makes every twist and turn feel like a dance. Despite its modest power, this Miata offers a pure, unfiltered driving experience.
Imagine cruising along a winding road, the sun setting in your rearview mirror.
The JDM-spec 1.6L version, with just under 100 horsepower, delivers smiles per gallon. It’s a reminder that driving pleasure isn’t always about speed.
2. Honda Beat
With just 63 horsepower and a redline that screams to 8,500 rpm, the Honda Beat is a masterclass in momentum driving.
This pint-sized roadster weighs almost nothing and handles like it’s tethered to the road. It’s the kind of car that makes you grin at 40 mph and corner like you’re in a go-kart championship.
Designed with input from Pininfarina and powered by a mid-mounted three-cylinder, it’s not fast—but it’s more fun than plenty of cars three times its size.
3. Suzuki Cappuccino
Small yet mighty, the Suzuki Cappuccino is a pint-sized powerhouse. Its turbocharged 657cc engine delivers an exhilarating ride that’s all about agility and style.
With a retractable hardtop, this car can transform from a coupe to a convertible in seconds. It’s perfect for those who crave versatility. The Cappuccino’s nimble handling makes tight corners its playground.
Fun fact: The Suzuki Cappuccino was named for its compact size and bubbly performance, much like its caffeinated namesake.
4. Fiat Panda 100HP
The Fiat Panda 100HP is what happens when someone spikes your morning espresso with pure joy.
With its peppy 1.4-liter engine, precise 6-speed manual, and a curb weight under a ton, it delivers giggles in unexpected doses.
It’s practical, boxy, and hilariously eager—perfect for carving up tight city streets or twisting backroads.
The suspension is firm, the throttle is sharp, and the styling is cheeky without trying too hard. It’s a hot hatch, distilled into something charmingly underpowered.
5. Mini Cooper (Classic, 998cc)
Tiny but mighty! The classic Mini Cooper 998cc is an icon of British motoring history. Its compact size and legendary handling make every drive feel like a rally stage.
With its go-kart-like steering, it’s as if the road becomes your racetrack. Perfect for navigating narrow streets or country lanes. This Mini’s charm is timeless, and its legacy continues to inspire.
The original Mini was designed as an affordable car that maximized interior space, making it a revolutionary design of its time.
6. Smart Fortwo Brabus (early EU-spec)
You wouldn’t expect a Smart car to make this list, but the Brabus-tuned Fortwo is an anomaly in the best way.
It cranks just under 100 horses, but paired with its featherweight body and turbocharged torque, it zips around like a caffeinated pinball.
The short wheelbase and rear-engine layout make for quirky but entertaining handling, and the upgraded exhaust gives it a bark far louder than its bite.
It’s urban mischief in microcar form—and surprisingly addictive to drive.
7. Toyota Yaris T-Sport (early 1.3L Euro model)
Who said small can’t be sporty? The Toyota Yaris T-Sport proves otherwise with its lively 1.3L engine. It’s a compact car that punches above its weight class.
With sporty accents and an eager engine, it’s ready for any adventure. Whether weaving through city streets or cruising the open road, the Yaris T-Sport delivers fun in spades.
Did you know? This model was specifically tuned for the European market, offering a unique blend of agility and style.
8. Citroën AX GT
Lightweight to the point of disbelief, the Citroën AX GT feels like driving a tin can with a rocket strapped to it.
Its 1.4-liter engine pushed less than 90 hp, but the car barely tipped the scales at 720 kg. That meant quick reflexes, eager cornering, and a sense of raw connection often missing from modern machines.
No power steering, minimal sound deadening, and just enough French quirkiness to keep things spicy—this AX was a backroad thrill ride in budget disguise.
9. Subaru Vivio RX-R
Subaru’s Vivio RX-R is like a hidden treasure in the kei car world. Its tiny yet turbocharged engine offers a surprising amount of fun.
Designed for precision, this little beast handles curves like a pro. It’s a car that’s equally at home in urban settings or tackling country roads.
Fun fact: The Vivio RX-R’s name is derived from the Italian word ‘vivo’, meaning lively, and it lives up to that promise.
10. Daihatsu Copen (660cc turbo)
Don’t let its toy-like looks fool you—the first-gen Daihatsu Copen is a kei car with genuine driving charm.
Its 660cc turbo engine may be modest, but the five-speed manual and featherlight frame let you wring every drop of fun from every gear.
With its retractable hardtop, playful chassis, and surprising grip, the Copen delivers a sports car experience scaled down to bite-sized brilliance. It’s like a miniature Miata that’s always in the mood to party.
11. Renault Twingo (first gen)
Quirky and full of character, the first-gen Renault Twingo is impossible to ignore. With its distinctive design and playful vibe, it’s a car that makes every trip an adventure.
Its compact dimensions make city driving a breeze, while its clever interior layout offers surprising space. Perfect for those who enjoy a bit of whimsy in their ride.
Fun tidbit: The Renault Twingo was one of the first cars to feature a centrally-mounted digital speedometer.
12. MG Midget 1500
The MG Midget 1500 is an old-school thrill machine that proves less can be more.
With 65 horsepower on tap, it won’t set records, but its low-slung stance, rear-wheel drive, and featherweight body deliver purist fun in spades.
It’s a car that forces you to drive—not just steer. You feel every vibration, every bump, and every ounce of the road.
Simple, honest, and endlessly charming, the Midget is the kind of classic that teaches you what driving was meant to feel like.
13. Austin Mini Mayfair
The Mini Mayfair isn’t the fastest of the breed, but it’s still every bit a riot to drive.
With its front-wheel-drive layout and a wheelbase you could measure with a yardstick, the car darts around corners like a hyperactive puppy.
It’s light, responsive, and eager to please—plus, the vintage interior and iconic styling make every drive feel like an event. Under 100 hp, sure—but every ounce of it is ready to entertain.
14. Peugeot 205 XE
A legend in its own right, the Peugeot 205 XE offers a perfect blend of practicality and fun. Its lightweight build and responsive handling make it a joy to drive.
This hatchback is as comfortable in the city as it is on the open road. Its amazing design and efficient engine ensure every journey is a breeze.
Fun tidbit: The Peugeot 205 XE was celebrated for its balance of economy and driving pleasure, becoming a favorite among European drivers.
15. Volkswagen Up! (1.0L base)
The base Volkswagen Up! might only offer 59 to 74 horsepower, but it uses every one of them with charm.
Thanks to its tight chassis and direct steering, this little city car feels unexpectedly capable on twisty roads. It’s engaging in the same way a lightweight vintage car is: not about speed, but sensation.
Its clean design and playful personality give it a youthful vibe that makes even a quick grocery run feel like a good time behind the wheel.