It's not only the hills that are coming alive with the sounds of small hatches. The town market is abuzz with littlies too, the calling cards for which emphasise that these models are cheap to buy and cheap to run. Yet at the same time they come impressively loaded with equipment levels that are temptingly fulsome -- especially considering the price. 

Which is all very well of course, except that the econocars' entrenched dollar-conscious priorities also invariably mean that corners have to be cut here and there. All too often it's the design and development phases that feel the pinch, and as a consequence sporty chassis dynamics and heartfelt driving satisfaction don't make the menu.

Spirited enthusiasm remains rare in the under-$20K ranks, however there's now a clutch of go-good, feel-good under-$25,000 models whose purpose is to add some spice to your daily grind.

Gathered here are five that prove the point by offering more performance and/or more pizzazz than their regular garden variety siblings, without over-revving your budget.

Citroen C2 VTS 
The $23,990 C2 VTS makes a (successful) career out of cheeky individuality. That's seen in the three-door body's distinctively jaunty styling and the cabin's cheery ambience. The sportiness can certainly be felt in the performance which claims enough kick to qualify for the Moulin Rouge chorus line.

As is universal in this group, the Citroen has a four-cylinder, five-speed manual, front-drive powertrain. The VTS cites 90kW maximum power and 143Nm peak torque, combining with 1040kg kerb weight to yield just over 86kW/tonne in power:weight -- that's about the class average.

However, there's nothing average about the VTS's claimed 8sec-something romp through the gears for 0-100km/h. It's no gas guzzler either, thanks to a good-to-average 6.9lt/100km official consumption number.

With the group's shortest wheelbase and length, it's not surprising the four-seat cabin is a touch snug. However, the agreeably comfortable and well-appointed accommodations brim with features including four airbags, two-way steering wheel, driver's seat height/tilt adjustments, 16-inch alloys, five-stack CD player, trip computer, automatic wipers and electronic stability system. Like all others here, the VTS has ABS brakes with EBD.

Metallic paint costs $550 extra and black is $325 more than other solid colours, while the optional leather/leather-cloth interior adds $1000.

Factor in average-ish resale prospects and the C2 VTS comes across with zeal appeal for small car enthusiasts wanting to run a bit apart from the herd.

Ford Fiesta XR4 (more here)
The newest thing in its class, the $24,990 XR4 exemplifies what the junior sports-hatch genre is all about -- enthusiastic sportiness in an affordable pseudo-silk purse, simple as that.

Apart from many detail cosmetic differences distinguishing the XR4 from standard Fiestas inside and out, the sporty resolve is clear in the 17-inch alloys with lowered and firmed suspension, plus the provocatively cheeky (optional) retro/race stripes. Metallic paint is $310.

More substance to the XR4's conversion comes in the larger brakes, revised gear ratios (shared with the Zetec version), taller final drive ratio, electronic stability system, traction control, six airbags and, far from least, a 110kW/190Nm version of the 2.0-litre Ford Focus engine.

Putting almost 101kW:tonne at your disposal, the XR4 can leave the 0-100km/h rush behind it in less than 9sec. On the other hand, its nominal overall consumption is a reasonably thrifty 7.4lt/100km. Alas the economy angle is slightly dulled by needing Premium 95 or better.

The XR4's wonderfully precise and communicative steering is slightly flawed by an 11.4m turning circle, while the like-on-rails handling is offset on bumpy roads by the fairly terse and choppy ride.

Other quibbles are few, and, like the space-saver spare wheel, take nothing from the XR4's strong appeal as a well specified and very capable driver's car.

Honda Jazz VTi-S
Although heading towards retirement, rumoured for late this year or early next, the $20,590 Jazz VTi-S still has its share of attractions -- not least the proven reputation and keen pricing. It is reasonably well equipped, albeit showing its age with only two airbags, asks $300 for metallic paint, and has resale prospects second to none in the class.

Regardless of the impression its seeks to impart, the VTi-S is more a looker than a goer. Under the skin it's essentially the VTi model dressed-up with a sporty body kit, front fog lights, 15-inch alloys and sports-style interior. That interior loses nothing of the unrivalled space efficiency and functionality that stand as small-car benchmarks.

However, unlike the other hotties featured here, the Honda's perceived sportiness doesn't extend under the bonnet -- the engine is the same 81kW/143Nm 1.5-litre unit as in the VTi.

So despite shaving the Citroen C2 VTS's weight by a few kg, the Jazz musters only 79kW:tonne. While this is nippy enough for city and suburbs, it won't get under low 10s for the 0-100km/h dash. But it will get outstanding fuel economy that rarely strays far from the official 6.0lt/100km rating.

The Jazz is alone here in offering automatic transmission (priced at $22,990 so equipped). And not some arthritic four-speed this -- rather an efficient CVT unit allowing the driver sporty manual control via a seven-speed paddle-shift system.

Suzuki Swift Sport (more here)
Judged strictly on its performance, this Swift may seem a Sport more by name than by nature. But don't be fooled by the mid-9sec time for 0-100km/h.

Whatever the $23,990 Swift Sport may lack in back-slapping throttle response (and in ride refinement on bumpy roads) is largely offset by its sense of enthusiasm, excellent build quality and the imposing array of standard features. Have no doubt, either, that on smooth roads, the Sport's eager ability to carve through corners with impassioned dexterity is the stuff of real driving satisfaction.

Like the Jazz and Polo, the Swift Sport has a five-door body. And like them, it has a single CD player where the C2 VTS and Fiesta XR4 have multi-stackers.

As in the rival models, power windows, power mirrors, alloys, air-con, sports-style pedals, anti-lock brakes and such are givens, to which the Swift Sport adds six airbags, electronic stability system and a $200 metallic paint option.

Less persuasive asides, perhaps, are the group's smallest luggage boot, no spare tyre (instead, a pressure-pack puncture repair kit), and a surprisingly modest 53 per cent three-year resale. This is more a reflection of Suzuki's market position than of the Sport's excellent build quality, first class reliability expectation and demonstrable entertainment value.

VW Polo TDI (more here)
The $22,990 turbodiesel Polo TDI doesn't set out to necessarily compete with the class hotshots, but does so anyway because it's within their price, performance and driving ambits.

Since the 1.9 TDI musters 'only' 74kW and scales a husky 1222kg, its power:weight registers a fairly dismal 60kW/tonne. Ample compensation comes from the hearty 240Nm torque which means urgent in-gear response is always on call. Although VW conservatively cites 0-100km/h in 10.7sec, quick road-testers shave that by a second or so.

The bonus comes in frugal fuel consumption, officially just 5.0lt/100km, all the sweeter now diesel is little if any costlier than regular unleaded.

The TDI is no duffer in handling and other driving dynamics either in spite of nose-heaviness next to its petrol-powered siblings. The only rider, considering the TDI's sporty under-currents and mighty torque, is that the driving and safety would be even better if the traction control and stability systems available to Polo players elsewhere were offered here too.

While side and curtain airbags are a $700 extra, the TDI could probably be put on alloy wheels, rather than the standard steels, and still limbo under $25K by foregoing the $490 metallic paint.

Include the competitive equipment list, VW build quality and Jazz-like resale prospects and the Polo TDI comes across as a convincing package for those adaptable to the diesel difference.

The Carsales Network's picks
Hardhead - Considering the contenders purely as cars, assessing them from the practical, functional and economic angles, the sensible choice boils down to a toss-up between the Jazz VTi-S and Polo TDI.

While they're not the sportiest things here by a long shot, the Honda and VW have enough pizzazz to play the game for most people most of the time, and their fringe benefits include class-leading resale and thriftiest fuel usage.

Heartbeat - However, for drivers who put sportiness at the top of their priorities, the decision rests with a three-way play-off between the C2 VTS, Fiesta XR4 and Swift Sport.

Perhaps the easiest answer is that the spirited little Citroen offers unmatched Euro appeal and palpably chic individuality. Like the Citroen, the Suzuki's appeal is heightened rather than harmed by non-mainstream status, and the Sport's, er, sporty character shines through while keeping its Japanese quality values intact.

But for sheer driving involvement that guarantees almost no occasion behind the wheel goes unrewarded, the Fiesta XR4 enthusiastically out-sports the others.

 » Get the best price from a Citroen dealer

 » Get the best price from a Ford dealer

 » Get the best price from a Honda dealer

 » Get the best price from a Suzuki dealer

 » Get the best price from a Volkswagen dealer

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