Best Small Cars for 2025 and 2026:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/rankings/g61689890/best-small-compact-cars/
The 2025 Honda Civic Brings New Style, Hybrid Option:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46440980/2025-honda-civic-brings-new-style-hybrid-option/
"Honda announced ... that for the first time since 2015, a Civic Hybrid model is destined for U.S. shores, in both hatchback and sedan configurations."
The U.S.-Bound 2023 Toyota Prius Has Up to 196 HP, 57 MPG, And All-Wheel Drive (2023):
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a41978983/2023-toyota-prius-u-s/
"Like all Prius models, the new one is a hybrid-only affair. This time, though, Toyota has dropped the trust nickel-metal battery pack in favor of an all-new, more efficient lithium-ion battery setup. That pays dividends in both weight and power, with a maximum output of 196 hp. That's if you opt for the optional all-wheel-drive system, loading up an electric motor on the rear axle. Front-wheel-drive models get 194 hp. Either is a massive improvement over the outgoing model ..."
"All Priuses get adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, a pre-collision system with pedestrian braking, and the new "Proactive Driving Assist" system ..."
2025 VW GTI - The GTI's user interface gets a big upgrade alongside some visual tweaks:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/photos/g64609842/see-every-angle-of-the-2025-vw-gti/
https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a64606303/tested-2025-volkswagen-gti/
The 2022 VW Jetta GLI Packs More Equipment, Same Engine:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a37397763/2022-vw-jetta-gli/
"Buyers will have a choice between a standard six-speed manual gearbox and VW's seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Other performance hardware includes VW's electronic limited-slip differential, their XDS Cross Differential System, upgraded brakes from the outgoing Golf R, as well as adaptive dampers. The new GLI receives a multi-link rear suspension, whereas the standard Jetta gets a torsion beam set-up. A set of 18-inch wheels are also part of the GLI's equipment package. ...
VW's IQ.Drive driver assistance suite is standard on GLI as well, as are automatic climate control, push-button start, and keyless entry."
The 2024 Subaru Impreza Brings Back the RS Trim, Ditches Sedan:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a41992553/2024-subaru-impreza/
"The hatch-only model will now be offered with the standard 2.0-liter flat-four, making 152 hp and 145 lb-ft, and an optional 2.5-liter flat-four that makes 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. That engine—which is also available in the Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy, and Outback—comes exclusively on the Impreza RS, a trim level Subaru fans will recognize from the iconic Impreza 2.5RS of the Nineties. Unlike that old model, however, the new enthusiast-oriented trim comes exclusively with a continuously variable transmission. We'd prefer the 2.4-liter from the BR-Z mated to a manual, but at least self-shifting enthusiasts can still get a WRX with a stick."
"Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver assistance tech is also standard, as is all-wheel drive, of course. The AWD system also gets active torque vectoring, which should help in slippery conditions."
The Toyota GR Corolla Fulfills the Hot-Hatch Prophecy - Affordable performance cars don't get much better than this (2022): https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a41198882/toyota-gr-corolla-review/
Best Cheap Sports Cars for 2025: https://www.roadandtrack.com/rankings/g6710/cheapest-sports-cars/
From $30K - 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata up through a few in the mid-$40s.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/rankings/g61689890/best-small-compact-cars/
The 2025 Honda Civic Brings New Style, Hybrid Option:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a46440980/2025-honda-civic-brings-new-style-hybrid-option/
"Honda announced ... that for the first time since 2015, a Civic Hybrid model is destined for U.S. shores, in both hatchback and sedan configurations."
The U.S.-Bound 2023 Toyota Prius Has Up to 196 HP, 57 MPG, And All-Wheel Drive (2023):
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a41978983/2023-toyota-prius-u-s/
"Like all Prius models, the new one is a hybrid-only affair. This time, though, Toyota has dropped the trust nickel-metal battery pack in favor of an all-new, more efficient lithium-ion battery setup. That pays dividends in both weight and power, with a maximum output of 196 hp. That's if you opt for the optional all-wheel-drive system, loading up an electric motor on the rear axle. Front-wheel-drive models get 194 hp. Either is a massive improvement over the outgoing model ..."
"All Priuses get adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane tracing assist, automatic high beams, a pre-collision system with pedestrian braking, and the new "Proactive Driving Assist" system ..."
2025 VW GTI - The GTI's user interface gets a big upgrade alongside some visual tweaks:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/photos/g64609842/see-every-angle-of-the-2025-vw-gti/
https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a64606303/tested-2025-volkswagen-gti/
The 2022 VW Jetta GLI Packs More Equipment, Same Engine:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a37397763/2022-vw-jetta-gli/
"Buyers will have a choice between a standard six-speed manual gearbox and VW's seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Other performance hardware includes VW's electronic limited-slip differential, their XDS Cross Differential System, upgraded brakes from the outgoing Golf R, as well as adaptive dampers. The new GLI receives a multi-link rear suspension, whereas the standard Jetta gets a torsion beam set-up. A set of 18-inch wheels are also part of the GLI's equipment package. ...
VW's IQ.Drive driver assistance suite is standard on GLI as well, as are automatic climate control, push-button start, and keyless entry."
The 2024 Subaru Impreza Brings Back the RS Trim, Ditches Sedan:
https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a41992553/2024-subaru-impreza/
"The hatch-only model will now be offered with the standard 2.0-liter flat-four, making 152 hp and 145 lb-ft, and an optional 2.5-liter flat-four that makes 182 hp and 178 lb-ft of torque. That engine—which is also available in the Crosstrek, Forester, Legacy, and Outback—comes exclusively on the Impreza RS, a trim level Subaru fans will recognize from the iconic Impreza 2.5RS of the Nineties. Unlike that old model, however, the new enthusiast-oriented trim comes exclusively with a continuously variable transmission. We'd prefer the 2.4-liter from the BR-Z mated to a manual, but at least self-shifting enthusiasts can still get a WRX with a stick."
"Subaru's EyeSight suite of driver assistance tech is also standard, as is all-wheel drive, of course. The AWD system also gets active torque vectoring, which should help in slippery conditions."
The Toyota GR Corolla Fulfills the Hot-Hatch Prophecy - Affordable performance cars don't get much better than this (2022): https://www.roadandtrack.com/reviews/a41198882/toyota-gr-corolla-review/
Best Cheap Sports Cars for 2025: https://www.roadandtrack.com/rankings/g6710/cheapest-sports-cars/
From $30K - 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata up through a few in the mid-$40s.
