Top 10 Cars With the Least Horsepower in 2017

Jason Siu
by Jason Siu
top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

Not everyone shopping for cars wants an 840-horsepower Dodge Challenger Demon.

The cars on this list are actually the total opposite of everything the Dodge Challenger Demon is. These vehicles have the lowest horsepower output, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re bad cars. These cars are all affordable and have decent fuel economy, and even though they may not be powerful, they make up for their lack of speed with other useful features.

SEE ALSO: 10 Worst Cars of 2017: The Short List.

Here are the top 10 cars with the lowest amount of horsepower available in the 2017 model year.

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10. Hyundai Elantra Eco

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

Powered by a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the Hyundai Elantra Eco lives up to its name. With 128 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque, its output is actually fairly respectable in its class despite being one of the lowest horsepower cars available today. The model returns up to 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway for a 35-mpg combined rating.

Read our Hyundai Elantra Review


9. Ford Focus SE Sedan

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

For decades, the Ford Focus has competed in the compact segment, attracting buyers on a budget. The Ford Focus SE sedan specifically features a 1.0-liter EcoBoost inline-three-cylinder engine, providing 123 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. When paired to a six-speed manual transmission, it returns 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway for a 34-mpg combined rating, while the six-speed automatic gets 27 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway for a 31-mpg combined rating.

Read our Ford Focus Review


8. Ford Fiesta

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

Also from the Ford family is the compact Ford Fiesta, powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 120 hp and 112 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the manual transmission-equipped model comes in at 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for a 30-mpg combined rating, while the automatic returns slightly better 37 mpg on the highway with its 27-mpg city rating for a 31-mpg combined figure.

Read our Ford Fiesta Review


7. Nissan Versa / Versa Note / Nissan Micra

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

Nissan occupies the seventh spot with three different models, all powered by the same 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 109 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. In the U.S., that’s found in the Versa and Versa Note models, while in Canada, there’s the Nissan Micra. With a five-speed manual transmission, the Versa sedan returns 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, while the automatic model gets 26 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The Versa Note performs better thanks to a continuously variable transmission (CVT), returning 31 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.

Read our Nissan Versa Review

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

In Canada, the Nissan Micra returns 8.7 L/100km in the city and 6.8 L/100km on the highway.

Read our Nissan Micra Review


5. Toyota Yaris (tie)

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

Tying in fifth place is the Toyota Yaris with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque. The subcompact car returns 30 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway for a 33-mpg combined rating.

Read our Toyota Yaris Review


5. Toyota Yaris iA (tie)

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

The Toyota Yaris iA may share the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 106 hp and 103 lb-ft of torque as the standard Yaris, but the Yaris iA is a traditional sedan. The model originally started its life as the Scion iA, but since then Toyota has dissolved its youth-oriented brand and rebadged the models as Toyota. The Yaris iA returns 30 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway for a 34-mpg combined rating.

Read our Toyota Yaris iA Review


4. Fiat 500

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

The Fiat 500 finds its way on the list with its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine providing 101 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque. But the MultiAir engine works well with the subcompact car, returning up to 31 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway when paired with a five-speed manual transmission.

Read our Fiat 500 Review


3. Chevrolet Spark

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

Treading into the double-digit territory is the Chevrolet Spark, with its 1.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine generating 98 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque. Its fuel economy comes in at 29 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

Read our Chevrolet Spark Review


2. Smart Fortwo

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

The gasoline-powered Smart Fortwo won’t be available in North American much longer, as the automaker will only be offering the Electric Drive versions. But in case you’re still interested, the 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine under the hood provides 89 hp and 100 lb-ft of torque, good for 31 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, or a 34-mpg combined rating.

Read our Smart Fortwo Review


1. Mitsubishi Mirage

top 10 cars with the least horsepower in 2017

The least powerful car available today is the Mitsubishi Mirage, with its 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine providing just 78 hp and 74 lb-ft of torque. It, however, makes it up with impressive fuel economy, especially for a non-electrified vehicle, returning 37 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway for a 39-mpg combined rating.

Read our Mitsubishi Mirage Review

Jason Siu
Jason Siu

Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.

More by Jason Siu

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  • Neil Reynolds Neil Reynolds on Jul 21, 2017

    Sorry but they are boring eco-boxes. All starting to look the same too.

    • Yunzer Yunzer on Jul 21, 2017

      And all of those brobdingnagian pickups and SUV's don't all look the same too - but handle and maneuver far more poorly?

  • Jerry Attric Jerry Attric on Jul 21, 2017

    I've got a John Deere Riding Mower with 17 Horsepower !!!

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