Top 10 least powerful cars on sale in North America

We love horsepower as much as the next enthusiast, but everyone and their mother has written a list of the top 10 most powerful cars on the road. With automakers constantly trying to one-up one another in an effort to be the most powerful, the lists can become outdated soon after they’re published. What we think might be more interesting then, is a list of the top 10 least powerful new cars currently on our roads.


10. Nissan Leaf, 107 hp

You know you’re in low-powered company when the all-electric Nissan Leaf is the most powerful car on your list. The eco-friendly Leaf makes just 107 hp (though it produces a stout 207 lb-ft of torque) from its front-mounted electric motor, good for a 9.6-second 0-60 mph run.






9. Toyota Yaris, 106 hp

Slotting in at number nine on our list is the compact Toyota Yaris hatchback. The Yaris is the most powerful gas-powered vehicle on this list, with 106 hp and 103 lb-ft or torque on tap from its 1.5-liter I-4.






8. Fiat 500, 101 hp

This one’s no surprise; no one has ever described the Fiat 500 as powerful (though the 500 Abarth is another story). The little Italian city car is powered by a 1.4-liter I-4 that produces 101 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque.






7. Mazda2, 100 hp

The Mazda2 embodies the idea that it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Though the Mazda2's 1.5-liter I-4 only makes 100 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque, the Mazda2 in our most recent subcompact comparison weighted 2266 lbs, allowing drivers to make the most of the little engine.





6. Toyota Prius C, 99 hp

The Toyota Prius C is the most powerful hybrid on this list, though with just 99 hp from its 1.5-liter I-4 and electric motor combo, that’s not saying much. That said, fuel economy is the Prius’ focus: the hatch has a 53/46 mpg city/highway EPA rating.