5 cars that are fun to test drive (and own)

5 cars that are fun to test drive (and own)

(Shutterstock)


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

Whether it’s a little deuce coupe or a big four-wheel drive, test driving cars may be a slowly declining phenomenon in the United States. In fact, according to a study from Maritz Research, more than one in ten car buyers forego the test drive. That said, there’s still something about taking a car by the wheel and getting a feel for it – and, of course, smelling that new-car scent.

5 cars that are fun to test drive (and own)
Photo: Shutterstock

Whether you’re serious about finding a new car, or just toying around with the idea, test driving can be a great way to narrow your choices and find a vehicle that “clicks” with you. That said, some cars make that test drive a little more fun. So even if you’re not in the market for that new Porsche, why not see what the fuss is all about?

Hyundai Veloster Turbo

Yes, turbo. Hyundai’s compact, hatch-back car may seem practical, but it boasts more than a few perks on the open road. Its three-door styling sets it apart from the crowd, with a forward-opening rear door that’s totally concealed in the design. And with the aforementioned turbo engine, you’re little test drive will feature a lot of get-up-and-go. A touch-screen interface with Bluetooth connectivity adds a bit of luxury to this fun little faux-coupe from Hyundai.

Mazda5

If you’ve ever uttered the words, “I’ll never drive a minivan,” maybe it’s time you took one for a spin – namely the Mazda5. Smaller than a full-size minivan, the three-row Mazda5 offers better handling than the larger soccer-mom favorites, with comfortable seating for six and tons of cargo space. The sliding rear door, while reminiscent of the traditional minivan, adds convenience when you’re hauling grocery bags, baseball gear or baby carriers. If you think you everything minivans have to offer, it’s time to test drive the Mazda5.

5 cars that are fun to test drive (and own)
Photo: Shutterstock

Acura MDX

There’s a reason that the Acura MDX was named a must-test-drive SUV for 2014; not only is the design beautiful and modern, but the new crossover SUV delivers the superior driving experience that’s become a permanent part of the MDX reputation along with a whole lot of bells and whistles. The new MDX is more economical than ever before, boasting 28 mpg on the highway. And the automated sliding second-row seats, LED headlights and touchscreen controls will make your test drive just plain fun.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

There’s test driving a car, and then there’s test driving a Corvette. The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray may not be sitting in your driveway anytime soon, but you could be sitting in the driver’s seat this weekend—at least for 20 minutes. The new Corvette combines all the features of a coupe and a convertible, featuring a removable center roof panel. The standard seven-speed manual transmission offers a fun and exciting driving experience, while still pulling off a 29 mpg highway fuel economy rate.

Cadillac CTS

If you want to know what kind of car wins awards, it’s time to test drive the Cadillac CTS, which holds Motor Trend’s coveted “Car of the Year” award for 2014. The CTS’s sleek, elegant design is reflected on the interior as well, featuring artistic angles, defined creases and all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a luxury brand. With stellar safety features like head-up display, blind-spot monitoring and lane-departure warnings, along with a 30 mpg fuel economy rating on the highway, the CTS may be one car you won’t be able to return to the dealership.

Author's note: Some of these cars may require a credit check to drive.

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

BrandviewUtah
KSL Cars

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast