For years, the previous two cars in this list locked horns with little else to challenge them. Ford changed all that this year by finally bringing U.S. buyers a version of the sports-tuned Focus sold in Europe.
2013 Ford Focus ST Review: Video
It isn’t quite as powerful as the Mazdaspeed3, but the 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder is still very potent. It offers 270 lb-ft of torque and 252 hp, which is more than enough to soar past speed limits without realizing it.
If you fancy the idea of having a powerful car that people won’t notice right away, this low-flying Ford is a fantastic choice. It starts at $24,495, which makes it slightly cheaper than the Mazdaspeed3.
