15 New Cars You Can Buy Instead of a Toyota Prius

NOTE: This is entirely based on U.S. available models and their MSRP’s. Prices will vary.

The redesigned Toyota Prius for the 2016 model year is a good car to buy if you want great fuel economy and don’t care much for thrills. The suggested retail price for the new Prius is $24,200 - $30,000. For a car only available with an automatic transmission and a shamefully small amount of power, that just won’t do for most car enthusiasts. Here are 15 alternatives you can purchase for close to the same amount of money.

1. Chevrolet Camaro

The base model Camaro starts around $26,000. It has a 2.0 L turbocharged, inline four cylinder engine offering 275 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is available with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. Don’t let the absence of the non-SS V8 fool you, the l4 Camaro can still be launched from 0-60 mph in about 5.5 seconds, and you’ll be saving gas!

2. Dodge Challenger SXT

The Challenger R/T is just out of the $20k - $30k price range, with the SRT and Hellcat in the outfield, but the SXT - starting around $27k - still offers decent performance. The 3.6 L Pentastar V6 achieves a fun 305 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. Like the Camaro, it offers an 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission. If you opt for the slightly more expensive R/T model (starting at $32k) you can choose the optional 6-speed manual.

3. Ford Fiesta ST

The 2016 Fiesta ST is probably the best new car that a car guy on a budget can buy. The ST is the top of the current lineup with an MSRP of only $21k. That’s $3,000 cheaper than where the Prius starts! The Fiesta ST has a 197 hp, 1.6 L EcoBoost engine, 6-speed manual transmission, and weighs under 1.5 tons. It’s a hot hatch at its finest. The best part is, you’ll probably pretend you’re Ken Block everywhere you go.

4. Ford Focus ST

The Fiesta ST’s bigger brother, the Focus ST is another option from Ford. It’s heavier, more powerful, and quicker in a straight line than the Fiesta. It starts out at about $24k just like the Prius. The Focus ST has a 252 hp, 2.0 L EcoBoost I4 engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The juicy 350 hp RS model would obviously be more fun, but is out of the price range starting at $36k.

5. Ford Mustang

The base model V6 Mustang starts at $24k along with the Prius. The 3.7 L V6 offers 300 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. For only about $1,500 added to the MSRP you can boost the power and fuel economy by choosing the 2.3L EcoBoost engine pushing out 310 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. Both models come standard with a proper 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 6-speed paddle-shift automatic. The V8-powered Mustang GT is just out of the price range starting at about $32k.

6. Fiat 500 Abarth

The turbocharged, 160 hp, l4 1.4 L engine makes plenty enough power for this tiny bucket of fun. Starting just under $23k and getting great gas mileage (28/34) is great for a performance hot hatch. It’s shorter in length and width to an NA Miata and comes optional as a convertible. A 5-speed manual transmission comes standard. If you wait until the summer to buy a new car, you could go for the elegant 2017 Fiat 124 Spider which is supposed to start at $25k.

7. Hyundai Genesis Coupe

With a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission as standard, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a proper modern sports car. It is also available with an 8-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission The 3.8 L V6 puts out 348 hp which is plenty for the average person’s daily driver. It starts at $27k.

8 Jeep Wrangler Sport

If offroad fun is what you’re looking for then a new Jeep is a great choice. The Wrangler Sport starts at about $24k. It’s powered by a 3.6 L V6 engine and comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. It is only recommended to tow about 2,000 lbs and it is not fast, but rugged terrain is where it really shines.

9. Jeep Renegade

Basically an SUV version of the Wrangler, the Renegade also offers offroading capabilities. The top of the line Limited model with the 180 hp, 2.4 L l4 engine starts at only $27k, but only comes with a 9-speed automatic transmission. If a manual is what you desire you can choose the 75th Anniversary model (starting at $25k), which comes with a 6-speed manual but slightly weaker 160hp, 1.4 L l4 engine. Both of these models come standard as 4WD.

10. Mazda MX-5 Miata

Reviewed by Car Throttle and loved by many, the new ND Miata looks aggressive and screams modern sports car. It is one of the best new cars you can buy for the money. The Sport model starts at $25k and comes standard with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 155 hp, 2.0 L DOHC 16-valve l4 engine makes adequate power for this roadster, but lots of power is never what the MX-5 Miata was all about anyway.

11. Mini Cooper S

The Mini Cooper is known for being nimble and agile. The 2-door S model starts at $24k just like the Prius. Weighing only 2,760 lbs, the 189 hp, I4 2.0 L engine gives enough power for this unique car. A 6-speed manual Getrag transmission comes standard and 0-60 mph can be reached in about six seconds.

12. Nissan 370Z

The 370Z may be a bit of a stretch on the price range. The suggested price starts out right at $30k. The 332 hp, 3.7 L V6 propels this car from 0-60 mph in just five seconds flat, probably making this the fastest car in a straight line on this entire list. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard. The performance of this Z likely won’t disappoint.

13. Subaru BRZ

The Scion FR-S is ceasing production at the end of 2016, so the Subaru BRZ triplet of the group is the next choice for U.S. buyers. The manual Premium model starts out at about $25k. The 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine only gives 200 hp, but still offers a decent 0-60 mph of just over six seconds. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard and the car has many sporty trim options and aftermarket modifications.

14. Subaru Impreza WRX

Starting at about $26k and with a standard 6-speed manual transmission, the Subaru WRX is one of the best new sedans a car guy can buy. The 268 hp, turbocharged 2.0 L 4-cylinder engine launches the car from 0-60 mph in about 5.4 seconds, pretty quick for a sedan. For about another $10k you can get the faster STI model.

15. Volkswagen Golf GTI

The ever popular hot hatch, the Golf GTI is another alternative to the Prius. The GTI S model offers a 210 hp, turbocharged 2.0 L l4 engine. A 6-speed manual transmission adds to the fun. It starts out at $25k. For $10k more you could opt for the new Golf R with better performance and an AWD system.

Thanks for reading! Do you have other ideas for new (or used) cars you can buy for the price of a new Prius? Post them in the comments below!