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Friday, February 15, 2008
Like singer Amy Winehouse, compacts have their own sort of rehab going on. That’s because tuners — high-performance mini cars — are entering a new phase. Gone are the Spartan interiors and stiff, butt-busting suspensions. Instead, a new crop of refined pocket rockets are more stylish, comfortable and responsive than ever. There’s still plenty of power (so you can watch as others eat your dust), but there’s less herky-jerky bouncing over potholes and quieter cabins, which muffle wind and road noise.
Another plus: fuel savings. Sport compacts may use more gas than their mainstream siblings, but they still use less than most mid- or large-sized cars.
In short, there’s no better — or more affordable — way to take a drive on the wild side.
$33,000
16 city/22 highway
5 seconds
The regular Lancer got a complete redo last year. Now it’s the high-test Evo’s turn. This is the 10th generation of the popular tuner, immortalized a few versions back in hunky Paul Walker’s “2 Fast 2 Furious.” The newest model comes with a wicked, all-new turbocharged inline-4 engine that churns out 291 hp. It comes with a choice of 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic (with paddle shifters for sporty faux-manual mode). Considered one of the best-handling cars in the world, the Evo boasts primo traction and brakes. The car features two trim levels, both with form-fitting Recaro seats, 18-inch alloy wheels, alloy foot pedals, all-wheel drive and rear wing spoiler. Must-have options: keyless ignition, nav system with digital music storage and Rockford Fosgate sound system with 10-inch subwoofer.
$35,000
19 city/25 highway
4.8 seconds
Subaru calls this WRX STI redo a five-door hatch, but it’s really a street-cred wagon. There’s a funky front end, aggressive body cladding and deep exhaust growl that brings sexy back. Along with a quiet cabin, there’s plenty of passenger and cargo room — as well as large rear doors for easier entry. Power comes from a 305-hp four banger, the fastest engine here. And there’s no automatic transmission — this being a true enthusiast’s car — only a six-speed manual. Steering, cornering and braking are all stellar. So is the user-friendly interior design. Three option packages include BBS wheels, fog lights, trip computer, Bluetooth capability and nav system.
$15,000
23 city/31 highway
9.2 seconds
From boring to boisterous, Suzuki vehicles have undergone a renaissance. That includes the all-new SX4 Sport sedan, which joins last year’s acclaimed five-door hatch. The sedan is more fun to drive, especially when cornering, with its stiffer and lower-to-the-ground chassis. It’s also bigger than the competition, such as the Chevy Aveo, Honda Fit and Nissan Versa. Power comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that spits out a measly 143 hp — not exactly high-performance territory. Still, the SX4 Sport is surprisingly sprightly and resistant to road bumps. And the seats are as firm and comfortable as those in a BMW 3 Series. Driver visibility is excellent, and there’s lots of headroom. Two downsides: rear seats don’t fold down, and cabin build-quality is so-so. But compared with pricier sport compacts, this pseudo-tuner is just half the price.
$33,000
18 city/23 highway
6.5 seconds
Rakish. Roguish. Rowdy. VW’s new R32 is wild, with more autobahn DNA than many high-priced exotics. A muscular 250-hp V6 powers this somewhat heavy (3,500-lb.) two-door hatch. But the result is effortless acceleration, sure handling and one helluva ride. The short length means the R32 is cozier (and easier to park) than the sedans listed above. Yet there’s a surprisingly large 43 cubic feet of cargo space. Interior is Audi-like, with sporty flat-bottom steering wheel and alloy interior trim and pedals. Practically every amenity comes standard: 18-inch alloys, xenon headlights, center-mounted dual exhaust, power sunroof, heated leather seats with lumbar support, dual-zone automatic climate control and premium audio with six-CD changer and satellite radio. But hurry: only 5,000 will be sold in the U.S. per year.
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