10 Hot Alternatives to the Toyota GR Prius

10 Honda Civic Si 2004 (7th generation)

Average used price range: $3,671 – $5,678

First on our list, we have the 2004 Honda Civic Si, and with an average used price from KBB of just under $4,000, the seventh-generation Civic Si is one of the quickest used cars under $5,000. The Si’s 2.0-liter VTEC-equipped straight-four generates 160 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.

Honda Civic Si 2004 engine and performance specifications

Thanks to a 6,800-rpm redline and manual gearbox, the seventh-generation Civic Si accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just over 8 seconds. In other words, the Civic is about a second and a half behind the GR Prius from 0 to 60 mph but costs 7 or 8 times less.

9 2009 Mini Cooper S (R56)

Average used price range: $5,452 – $6,779

Not only is the R56 Mini Cooper S one of the coolest cars for teenagers, but the low-mileage examples will one day become underrated European classics perfect for collectors on a budget. The small turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that sits under the hood of the 2009 Cooper S delivers 172 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.

Mini Cooper S 2009 engine and performance specifications

In the real world, this means the Mini Cooper S can achieve 0-60 mph in just 6.6 seconds. That’s on par with the GR Prius, but much cheaper as KBB reports that a 2009 Mini Cooper S costs between $5,452 and $6,779 on average.

8 Mazda Speed ​​2011 3

Average used price range: $8,212 – $10,351

As young car enthusiasts focus on new sports car versions like the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata, the value of older, lower-performance cars is declining dramatically. While it’s sad news for those who bought new cars, it’s great news for those looking to buy a cheap car.

2011 Mazdaspeed3 engine specs and performance

In 2023, you can buy a Mazdaspeed3 for about $9,000 on average according to KBB. With that comes a 263-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s powerful enough to get you from 0 to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds. The MAzdaspeed3 is much cheaper and faster than the GR Prius ever was.

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7 2014 Fiat 500 Abarth

Average used price range: $8,957 – $10,816

Arguably one of the best first cars for teenagers, the Fiat 500 Abarth is an affordable and fairly reasonable entry into the world of hot hatches. Despite its bland looks, the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine under the Abarth’s hood makes 160 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque.

Fiat 500 Abarth 2014 engine and performance specifications

Although it’s a little slower than the GR Prius with 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds, it’s again much cheaper. While run-down, high-mileage Abarth 500 models can set you back just a few thousand, a 2014 Fiat 500 Abarth will set you back just under $10,000 on average according to KBB.

6 2016 Ford Fiesta ST

Average used price range: $10,482 – $12,235

While many pocket rocket fans rave about the Ford Focus ST, many neglect the Fiesta ST. Powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, the 2016 Fiesta ST had nearly 200 hp and 202 lb-ft of torque.

Ford Fiesta ST 2016 engine and performance specifications

Thanks to its lighter curb weight of 2,743 pounds, the Fiesta ST can accelerate to 60 mph from potholes in 6.5 seconds – 0.1 of a second faster than the Prius GR. KBB claims used 2019 Ford Fiestas sell for an average of between $10,482 and $12,235.

5 2015 Mini Hatch John Cooper Works (F56)

Average used price range: $15,069 – $17,776

Since BMW took control of Mini in the early 2000s, Minis have grown in size, price and power; Just look at the 2025 Mini Cooper Electric for example. However, one of the best value-for-money used hot hatches you can buy is the F56 Mini JCW

2015 Mini Hatch JCW engine and performance specifications

Powered by BMW’s B48 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the 2015 Mini JCW hatchback has 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque at the front wheels. In the real world, this allows the hot Mini to go from 0 to 60 mph in 6 seconds. Not only is it faster than the upcoming Prius GR, but used 2015 Mini Hatch John Cooper Works models cost on average between $15,069 and $17,776, according to KBB.

4 2015 Volkswagen Golf R (Mk7)

Average used price range: $20,173 – $22,566

The Volkswagen Golf R is arguably the best car you can buy for a daily driver, but since the new 2023 Volkswagen Golf R has a starting MSRP of $44,740, it’s not the healthiest financial choice. Fortunately, you can buy the previous-generation Golf R for an average of between $20,173 and $22,566.

Volkswagen Golf R 2015 engine and performance specifications

Powered by the Golf R’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, the all-wheel drive Golf accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. This 0-60 mph time is on par with most BMW M-cars like the M340i.

3 2017 Ford Focus RS

Average used price range: $25,937 – $28,542

Think of the Ford Focus RS as a more powerful and louder American version of the Toyota GR Corolla. To this day, it is many people’s favorite hot hatch of all time because it was one of the first hatchbacks to feature a torque vectoring system that allows you to drift like a hooligan. What’s more, the Focus RS is one of the best depreciated dream cars that cost under $60,000, with KBB claiming that Focus RS models sell for an average of between $25,937 and $28,542.

Ford Focus RS 2017 engine and performance specifications

Not only is his tail happy, but he can be nimble and fast when asked to do so. Thanks to its focused all-wheel drive system (pun intended), the Focus RS can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds, which is much quicker than the GR Prius and GR Corolla as well. And all this thanks to the American-made 2.3-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost engine.

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2 2017 Honda Civic Type R (FK8)

Average used price range: $27,872 – $31,821

Typically, Civic Type Rs feature some of the best four-cylinder engines ever, and the FK8 Honda Civic Type R’s K20 engine is no exception. A 2.0-liter turbo-four produces 315 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

Honda Civic Type R 2017 engine and performance specifications

Not only does the previous generation best the still-future Prius GR with a 5.1-second 0-60 mph time, but its 8:01 Nürburgring lap time makes it 0.84 seconds quicker around the green hellhole than the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder.

1 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI (Mk8)

MSRP when new: $30,530

Instead of waiting for the Toyota GR Prius to launch, consider actually jumping in and buying the best new hatchback on the market, the Mk8 Volkswagen Golf GTI. The 2023 VW Golf GTI features a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque.

Engine and performance specifications of the 2023 Volkswagen Golf GTI

When optioned with the dual-clutch automatic transmission, the 2023 Golf GTI accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.1 seconds. With a base price of $30,530, it proves to be cheaper and faster than a GR Prius could ever dream of being.