THE ONLY SPORTS SEDANS YOU CAN BUY NEW FOR UNDER $35K

Purchasing a brand-new performance car tends to be mightily expensive in 2025, with premium high-performance nameplates like the BMW M4 demanding around $80,000 even for the entry-level trims. You don't necessarily need a vehicle to be a track weapon like the M4 to have fun though, and there are a few sub-$40,000 sports sedans that'll bring a smile to your face on a twisty road.

• 2025 Honda Civic Si Sedan Manual

  Engine  1.5L I4 ICE

  Drivetrain  Front-Wheel Drive

  Horsepower  200 HP @6000 RPM

  Torque  192 lb.-ft. @ 1800 RPM

  Curb Weight  2952 lbs.

  Trunk Volume  14.1 cu.ft.
• 2024 Hyundai Elantra N Manual

  Engine  2.0L Turbo Inline-4 Gas

  Drivetrain  Front-Wheel Drive

  Horsepower  276 hp

  Torque  289 lb-ft @ 2100 rpm

  Curb Weight  3,186 lbs

  Trunk Volume  14.2 ft³
• 2025 Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn DSG

  Engine  2L I4 ICE

  Drivetrain  Front-Wheel Drive

  Horsepower  228 HP @6500 RPM

  Torque  258 lb.-ft. @ 4000 RPM

  Curb Weight  3311 lbs.

  Trunk Volume  14.1 cu.ft.

Finding ones that can deal with the challenges of everyday life, especially for drivers with families, can be tougher. Luckily, there are three sporty sedans that can be purchased brand-new for less than $35,000.

The Honda Civic Si Is The Cheapest New Sports Sedan In The US

For drivers looking for good bang for buck, it's always worth looking at what Honda has on offer. The Japanese brand tends to offer cars that are not only affordable and reliable, but are also a hoot to drive. The 2025 Civic Si Sedan is no exception, with its little turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four engine sending 200 hp excitable horses through the front wheels.

Unlike many performance offerings on the market today, the Civic also gets an engaging six-speed manual transmission. It was also refreshed for 2025, which brought a stiffer chassis that improved responsiveness on the road as well as a handy shift light to help you nail every gear change.

The Civic Si Is Designed To Glide through The Bends

The Civic Si also comes with fully independent sports suspension, which is tuned to be firmer than standard Civics to help reduce body roll and increase responsiveness. A limited-slip differential also comes as part of the deal to ensure each front wheel is spending its time pulling the car forward, rather than spinning power away. Along with a range of handy interior toys, such as dual-zone climate control and a 10.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system, the Civic combines an engaging driving feel with convenience. Starting from $30,250, the Civic Si boasts impressive value.

The VW Jetta GLI Is A Somewhat Overlooked Bargain Choice

The second of the cut-price trio is the Volkswagen Jetta GLI, which is essentially the sedan version of the previous-generation Golf GTI. The Jetta is designed as more of an in-between performance offering than the Civic Si, with its balance geared more towards being a comfortable cruiser than the more hardcore Civic. That said, it comes with a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine than the Civic, with 228 hp being channeled through the front wheels.

Like the Civic, the Jetta GLI comes with a six-speed manual transmission, but you can opt for a seven-speed DSG automatic at no extra cost. It's a little more expensive than the Civic with a starting price of $32,715, though it is likely the better choice for drivers looking for a more usable performance car. CarBuzz felt the Jetta trod the line between offering a fun and dynamic driving experience alongside a relaxing one when we tested it, with models like the Civic Si and Hyundai Elantra N feeling more lively.

The Hyundai Elantra Boasts Potent Performance For The Price Point

The last sports sedan on the market for less than $35,000 is the Hyundai Elantra N, which starts from $34,250. It also leads the way from a pure performance standpoint, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 blowing its similarly-priced competition away in terms of grunt thanks to its 276 hp peak output. Like the Honda and VW, the power is sent through the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. You can get an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic for $1,500 if you want, but that pushes it out of our budget, so the manual it is, if you want to stay under $35k. As a result, the Elantra N can sprint to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds - 0.6 seconds slower than the auto.

The Elantra N Is More Hardcore Than Its Cheaper Rivals

Hyundai's N performance department also went to work to make sure the Elantra N could corner as well as the best of them, taking on higher-end models like the Civic Type R and the Golf GTI. It boasts increased chassis rigidity to improve responsiveness, while the all-around independent suspension setup is tuned to attack the bends like a race car. Front and rear stabilizer bars further help to stiffen up the chassis, as does a rear chassis brace.

The Elantra N also comes with a launch-control system as standard, as does Hyundai's electronic limited-slip diff to ensure no corner-exit speed is lost. As the cherry on the cake, the bargain Korean sports sedan gets a set of beefy 14.2-inch ventilated front brake rotors, which will help increase driver confidence on corner entry. It even looks more threatening than its similarly priced rivals, courtesy of its big trunk spoiler and aggressive front end.

All Three Budget Sports Sedans Make Compelling Arguments

Choosing which of the three to purchase is far from straightforward, as each comes with a distinct benefit. The Hyundai is easily the best performer when things get serious, as its sportier focus ensures that it handles the best of the three, while its engine makes it easily the quickest and its recently refreshed body gives it a more hardcore road presence. The Civic Si isn't quite as impressive as the Elantra N on a back road, mainly due to its significantly less powerful engine, but it still provides a fun drive and costs around $4,000 less.

The Volkswagen sits in the middle of the trio in terms of price, but is superior when you just want to cruise around and relax. From a performance perspective, while still good fun, it's no longer a benchmark. It therefore offers the best value for drivers who prioritize comfort, though the difference in terms of driving feel between it and the Hyundai is significant despite the small price difference.

The Elantra N Is The Best Option For Driving Enthusiasts

For those who simply want the most engaging driving experience possible, the Elantra N is the clear winner. As far as CarBuzz is concerned, its superior performance is more than worth the $4,000 premium over the Honda, as are its more aggressive looks. Quite frankly, the Elantra N isn't looking at the Jetta and Civic Si from a performance perspective; it's instead trying to box with heavyweights like the Civic Type-R. For the price, the Elantra N offers an amazing blend of performance and usability that easily justifies its slightly higher price when compared to its cheaper sub-$35,000 sports sedans. Should you fancy saving a bit of cash, or are after a more relaxing way to enjoy a back road blast, the Honda and VW are also solid choices.

Sources: Honda, Volkswagen, Hyundai.

2025-01-24T04:03:19Z