Power, as they say, is nothing without control, and it is that control as well as the enjoyment derived from having it that is the criteria for this list. Having fun in a car with lots of horsepower is far easier than doing it with, say, no more than 200 ponies; engineers have their work cut out for them when making these cars fast since they don’t have the luxury of neck-snapping horsepower and acceleration as wow factor. Such fun, low-horsepower cars do exist. These cars will put a smile on your face; they’ve got character, and they also allow you to drive them close to their limit and revel in the entire breadth of their performance. And, even if you exceed their limits and plant them in a ditch, the repair costs will also be noticeably lower than those associated with really serious performance machines. Here's a list of 10 such cars that you can buy today.

Mazda MX-5 Miata – 155 Horsepower

When it comes to low-horsepower fun, the Mazda MX-5 Miata can’t not be on the list. It packs well under 200 horsepower (155, to be precise) from its 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated engine, but it offsets its lack of oomph through great handling combined with the limitless headroom it offers as a convertible. Whichever style of MX-5 you go for (the regular roadster or the folding hardtop RF) you will be rewarded with one of the most enjoyable modern automotive experiences at any price. The latest Miata isn’t just fun to drive, but it also sports a surprisingly posh-feeling interior and actually has head-turning styling too.

It’s the kind of car which you simply must have with the manual gearbox as it features one of the most enjoyable stick shifters in the automotive world. As a package, it’s one of the most affordable and simple ways to paint a big smile on your face pretty much every time you drive it in good weather.

Volkswagen Jetta – 158 Horsepower

The Jetta is a longstanding name and it is one of the most competent all-rounders that you can get on a budget. Released for the first time in 1979, the Jetta has come a long way. It isn’t particularly engaging to drive, but the driving dynamics are sorted and the entire performance bandwidth is available at your disposal, ready to be exploited. The cherry on the top is the availability of a manual gearbox.

The 2022 model comes with a slightly more powerful engine, but it’s still one that can fit into this list. The previous model used to be powered by a 1.4-liter, turbocharged engine that made 147 horses. But, this time, it comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that makes 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. It’s the same engine that’s also found under the hood of the Taos. It comes with an electronically locking e-differential as well. The Jetta might not be the most powerful on this list, but it is a refined car that can be pushed to its limits for some bursts of adrenaline rush.

Polaris Slingshot – 178 Horsepower

The list doesn’t say the vehicle needs to be practical or utilitarian, so here’s a vehicle that screams fun – the Polaris Slingshot. This dramatic-looking three-wheeler is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-pot engine that puts out 178 ponies and 120 pound-feet of torque in the top-spec model. It's not a lot of power, but the Slingshot has a light footprint, courtesy of a 1,647-pound curb weight.

Handling is remarkably good (for a three-wheeler), and even though all power is sent to the single rear wheel, there’s nothing sketchy about driving it quickly. According to reviews, it’s surefooted and rewarding to drive quickly, although it’s not as good as, say, an MX-5 Miata in this respect. You buy the Slingshot to stand out and drive something really unique and head-turning - the fact that it also drives quite well is a bonus in this context given that most buyers will be in it for the radical look.

Mazda 3 – 186 Horsepower

Personally, I’m a fan of Mazda’s minimalistic designs, so I find the Mazda 3 to be an absolute looker. It feels a lot more premium than its competitors. The base trims are quite bare-boned, so it might be wise to avoid them unless you’re strictly on a budget. The automaker offers the 3 with a 2.0-liter four-pot engine or a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder mill. The latter can be had with or without forced induction.

The engine that’s made the cut in our list is the 2.5-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder mill. It makes 186 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of oomph. A six-speed automatic gearbox sends power to the front wheels. Courtesy of a well-balanced chassis, the Mazda 3 and its 186 horses work well together to create a driving experience that will make you smile every single time. A cracker of an option at the end of the day.

Mazda CX-50 – 187 Horsepower

For the sake of diversity, we’re adding the CX-50 to the list. In the naturally aspirated form, it makes 187 horses and 186 pound-feet of torque. It isn’t exactly a driver’s paradise, but the standard all-wheel-drive system makes it a pretty decent handler. It is also based on a new platform that will aid the driving dynamics.

It has Mazda’s typical understated looks, but with a pinch of ruggedness that adds to the sporty/off-road cred. It comes with loads of tech features as well and makes sure you aren’t left feeling outdated. Now, if you’re looking for a practical vehicle for under $30,000 with around 200 horses, the CX-50 will fit your bill perfectly well.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class – 188 Horsepower

Who said all luxury brands are powerful and expensive? This entry-level Mercedes car starts at under $35,000 and makes less than 200 horsepower, too. Now, having fewer horses is more of a con than a pro, but in some cases, it works for the best. if you’re a rich parent who has the budget to give his or her offspring a luxury car but are worried about handing over a powerful car – which generally is the case – then cars like the A-Class come to your rescue.

Powered by a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, it puts out 188 horses and 221 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic as standard, but AWD is available as an option. It isn’t extraordinarily plush, but it isn’t your average run-of-the-mill car either. It has the signature Mercedes styling on the outside and the inside, and is loaded pretty well, too. All-in-all, the A-Class is a great luxury car with less than 200 horses that you can have without breaking the bank.

MINI Cooper S – 189 Horsepower

Let’s not forget that front-wheel drive is fun too, and you can have it with a luxury badge while at it. The MINI Cooper S has oodles of appeal for keen drivers, and it’s also available with a manual gearbox. No other car on the road requires such little steering input to turn and, while the comparison to a go-kart is an overused cliché, it offers a pin-sharp driving experience.

The Cooper S comes with a strong, 2.0-liter, turbocharged, four-cylinder with 189 horsepower and a top speed of 146 mph. The engine is more than powerful enough and is also quite raspy and characterful with a combination of intake whoosh under load and pops and bangs on the overrun.

Honda Civic Si – 200 Horsepower

The Civic is known for being a driver’s car since the beginning. The Civic is more powerful than the standard model, but it has managed to find a spot in this list courtesy of a five-horsepower reduction compared to the model it replaces. The 11th-gen, 2022 Civic Si is powered by an updated 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged mill that makes 200 horses and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,800- and 5,000 rpm. The peak torque arrives 300 rpm sooner than before, which is something we’re willing to accept at the loss of five horses.

It is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching this time. Nips and tucks are also made to the flywheel, suspension setup, exhaust system, etc. when compared to the previous model. All-in-all, you can’t go wrong with the Civic Si and it is a no-brainer if you’re confused as to which 200-horsepower car would float your boat the best.

Acura Integra – 200 Horsepower

The Acura Integra was revived last year and it turned out to be a little disappointing for some since it was a Civic with new clothes and badges in a way. Nevertheless, the much-loved and revered moniker still finds a spot on this list. All the three trims that the Integra is offered in come with the same 1.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It churns out 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque.

What makes the Integra even sweeter is the fact that Acura decided to offer it with a six-speed manual gearbox with rev-matching. This is limited to the top-spec model. The other lower trims come with a CVT that doesn’t unlock the engine’s potential to the fullest. While it is the same engine as the Civic, Acura has revised the chassis and steering to make it sharper. So, 200 horses in a package like this could be the best 30-odd thousand bucks that you spend this year.

Audi A3 – 201 horsepower

Audi brought in the third-gen with the 2022 model A3, and it is an upgrade in every sense. The A3 has always been a pretty good handler, but the new model only makes it better. It comes with good specs like a 10.1-inch touchscreen system, a tri-zone automatic climate control, more tech features, and a plusher interior, but we’re concerned about what drives it.

The Audi A3 comes with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine under the hood. It makes 201 horses, which breaches the title of this list, but this borderline increase can’t let us not include it in the list. Along with the 201 horses, it makes 221 pound-feet of torque. You can also opt for the famed Quattro all-wheel-drive system that’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.