Gutless wonders: The least powerful cars you can buy today

Engine: 1.6-liter I-4

Output: 120 horsepower

Base price: $14,090

The Ford Fiesta's base 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with its 120 horsepower is a muscle car compared to the other vehicles on this list. However, compared to its direct competitors like the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio, it's working at a slight power disadvantage.

Engine: 1.6-liter I-4

Output: 120 horsepower

Base price: $14,090

To make the most out of the Fiesta's 120 horsepower, a five-speed manual transmission is standard, letting you run it all the way to redline when you really need to get going. Or you can solve the power problem by springing for the more powerful and altogether wonderful Fiesta ST.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 111 horsepower

Base price: $31,800

An electric car is about torque, which the Fiat 500e has more than enough of to make it feel very quick off the line. It's a wonderful city car. But this is a low-horsepower list, which is why the electric Fiat finds itself here with its 111-hp rating.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 111 horsepower

Base price: $31,800

This little runabout is best suited for lower, urban speeds, but highway runs are far from thrilling, with the 500e running out of steam at the top end.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 109 horsepower

Base price: $24,450

The silent Kia Soul EV is a Roadshow favorite, but its 109-horsepower rating lands it on our list all the same. And that's OK, because its ample 210 pound-feet of torque and 93 miles of real-world range help make up for its horsepower deficiencies.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 109 horsepower

Base price: $24,450

The EPA gives theKia Soul EV a fuel economy rating of 120 miles per gallon equivalent (mpg-e) city and 92 mpg-e highway. If an electric car isn't quite your style, then there's always the excellent gas-powered Soul.

Engine: 1.6-liter I-4

Output: 109 horsepower

Base price: $11,990

Nissan's entry-level Versa works with the same displacement and same number of cylinders as the Ford Fiesta, but only manages to pull out 109 horsepower from its four-pot mill.

Engine: 1.6-liter I-4

Output: 109 horsepower

Base price: $11,990

Like the Fiesta, a five-speed manual gearbox is standard on the Versa to make getting every last drop of power out of its engine easier and a little more entertaining.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 107 horsepower

Base price: $20,010

The second Nissan on the list is the Leaf electric car, which comes to the table with 107 horsepower. However, a recent battery boost keeps this aging EV relevant with up to 107 miles of electric range on a single charge -- that's more than key rivals.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 107 horsepower

Base price: $20,010

The Leaf's 187 pound-feet of torque and fairly tight low-speed handling help the Leaf feel more confident and capable around town than its horsepower figure would suggest.

Engine: 1.5-liter I-4

Output: 106 horsepower

Base price: $14,895

An update for the 2015 model year to the Toyota Yaris sadly didn't include any changes to the subcompact's 1.5-liter I-4 that produces just 106 horsepower and 103 pound-feet of torque.

Engine: 1.5-liter I-4

Output: 106 horsepower

Base price: $14,895

There are two transmission choices when it comes to routing all of the Yaris' 106 horsepower to the front wheels: a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. It would be wise to go with the manual for maximum entertainment.

Engine: 1.4-liter I-4

Output: 101 horsepower

Base price: $17,495

The stylish Fiat 500 is available in a performance-oriented Abarth version with 160 horsepower, but the standard 500 doesn't get a turbo for its 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Instead, it's just naturally aspirated and pumps out only 101 ponies.

Engine: 1.4-liter I-4

Output: 101 horsepower

Base price: $17,495

The Fiat 500 is quirky and cool looking, but its 101-horsepower engine leaves a lot to be desired in the performance department. The Fiat 500 Abarth solves the problem, though.

Engine: 1.5-liter I-4 hybrid

Output: 99 horsepower

Base price: $19,560

The only hybrid on our low-horsepower list, Toyota's Prius C works with a net horsepower output of 99 from its hybrid powertrain. Maybe now that the regular Prius has received some substantial updates, the Prius C will get some updates that include a power bump, too.

Engine: 1.5-liter I-4 hybrid

Output: 99 horsepower

Base price: $19,560

According to Toyota, the 99-horsepower Prius C goes from 0-to-60 mph in 11.5 seconds. Top speed for the smallest and cheapest member of the Prius family is 105 mph.

Engine: 1.4-liter I-4

Output: 98 horsepower

Base price: $12,660

The 98-horsepower, 1.4-liter four-cylinder in the 2016 Chevrolet Spark is actually a significant upgrade from the laughably small 1.25-liter engine with 84 horsepower in the outgoing Spark.

Engine: 1.4-liter I-4

Output: 98 horsepower

Base price: $12,660

Two gearboxes are available to work with the 1.4-liter engine in the Chevy Spark, including a standard five-speed manual or optional continuously variable transmission.

Engine: 0.9-liter turbocharged I-3

Output: 89 horsepower

Base price: $14,650

The new-generation Smart Fortwo is much improved with better transmissions and handling capabilities, but it still employs a small turbocharged three-cylinder engine, this one registering a scant 89 horsepower.

Engine: 0.9-liter turbocharged I-3

Output: 89 horsepower

Base price: $14,650

The result of the Smart Fortwo three-cylinder's 89 horsepower is a 0-to-60 mph time of 10.1 seconds and a top speed of 96 mph.

Engine: 1.2-liter I-3

Output: 78 horsepower

Base price: $12,995

After taking the 2016 model year off, the Mitsubishi Mirage returns as a 2017 with four more horsepower, bringing output from its 1.2-liter, three-cylinder engine to a whopping 78 ponies.

Engine: 1.2-liter I-3

Output: 78 horsepower

Base price: $12,995

Even with the power bump, the Mirage remains the lowest-horsepower, gas-only new car available in the US today.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 74 horsepower

Base price: $139 per month lease

Available as a coupe or cabrio, the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive's electric motor produces 74 horsepowerand 96 pound-feet of torque.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 74 horsepower

Base price: $139 per month lease

Not surprisingly, performance figures for the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive won't blow anyone away. Smart says 0-to-60 mph happens in a leisurely 11.5 seconds and top speed is 78 mph.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 66 horsepower

Base price: $22,995

The second Mitsubishi entry on our low-horsepower new car list is the i-Miev. The full electric bubble has just 66 horsepower coming from its motor. However, there is a respectable 145 pound-feet of torque available to help it feel more powerful in the city.

Engine: Electric motor

Output: 66 horsepower

Base price: $22,995

Having mustered just 66 horsepower, the Mitsubishi i-Miev claims the title as the lowest-horsepower new car you can buy in the US today.