IRVINE, Calif. — Kelley Blue Book conceded its latest vehicle listing of the Top 10 Fast-Lane Four-Cylinders might lack the visceral kick and deep-throated exhaust rumble of bigger and more cylinder-rich V-type engines.

However, site editors contend this contingent of vehicles responds to consumer concerns about rising fuel prices while giving automakers a path to fulfill stringent emissions requirements.

Kbb.com editors believe this compilation of vehicles from automakers such as Audi, Volkswagen, Honda, Hyundai and Mazda have packages that blend variable valve and/or camshaft timing and direct fuel injection with either supercharging or turbocharging. They believe the results are a superb blend of adrenaline stimulation and efficiency.

"Many car shoppers may be surprised at the sheer number of performance-oriented new cars available today that boast ‘only' a four-cylinder engine," noted Jack Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com.

"Even more surprising is the amount of power and performance elicited from many of these four-bangers, providing a satisfying alternative for enthusiasts who also may be looking to save a little cash at the gas pump," Nerad continued.

Site editors offered more commentary about each vehicle they placed on this list. The following is a breakdown in alphabetical order.

Audi TT/TTS

"Coupe or convertible, Premium or Prestige trims, Audi's diminutive sportster elegantly entices with distinctive Bauhaus-inspired exterior styling and artfully detailed interior touches that ideally complement its high-performance mechanicals," site officials highlighted. "All iterations come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that develops 200 horsepower in TT trim and a stout 265 ponies in TTS guise. Both of these direct-injected engines are backed by Audi's six-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automated transmission teamed with Quattro all-wheel-drive to keep you charging hard through the tightest of twisties regardless of season. But opting for a top-line TTS also nets Audi's continuously adjustable magnetic ride suspension damping and bumps the top speed to 155 mph — 25 mph beyond the TT's terminal velocity."

Honda Civic Si

"Visually subtle but dynamically sweet, the Civic Si offers its high-revving brand of excitement in well-appointed coupe and sedan forms, each starting below $23,000," KBB offered. "Both Si variants are impressively quick, thanks to Honda's 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine that sends its 197 horsepower to the front wheels though a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. Rounding out the Si's mechanical mix is a firm but well-sorted suspension and a 17-inch wheel/tire package that encourages one to regularly explore its formidable limits. Although you'll have to live without leather, both members of the Si set boast nice touches like a 350-watt premium sound system and power moonroof in their standards column and offer even-stickier summer tires and Honda's voice-activated satellite navigation package and Bluetooth as options."

Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T

"Sharing the same rear-drive platform as Hyundai's premium Genesis sedan, the Genesis Coupe 2.0T complements its sexy lines and impressive packaging with a bounty of straight-line quickness, whether you pair its 210-horsepower turbocharged engine with the standard six-speed manual transmission or optional five-speed autoshifter," site editors noticed. "All four Coupe trim levels use the same drivetrain elements, but the top-line R-Spec and Track are the two that peg the enthusiast meter by adding a host of functional chassis/brake/wheel-and-tire upgrades to the already ultra-competent underpinnings. If cylinder envy ultimately does get the best of your cost concerns, an even higher-spirited version of this hot Hyundai is available with a 306-horsepower/3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 (but don't forget, it's heavier)."

Lotus Elise/Exige

"Embracing the ‘light makes right' design mantra that turned Lotus into a legendary name on racetracks around the world, the Elise roadster and its Exige coupe cousin stand out as the hardest-core offerings in our Top 10 list," KBB declared. "These mid-engine/rear-drive two-seat featherweights match exotic styling and take-no-prisoners suspension packages with a free-revving 1.8-liter four that's sourced from Toyota but bolstered by numerous Lotus-engineered enhancements to increase output. It develops 189 naturally aspirated horses and 218 supercharged ponies in the Elise and Elise SC, respectively, but ups those force-fed totals to a scintillating 240 and 257 in the Exige S240 and carbon-fiber-enriched S260 Sport models. Quick, agile and ultimately engaging, the Elise and Exige deliver six-figure excitement for far less. Just don't expect to order either one with a factory-installed navigation system."

Mazda Mazdaspeed3

"Fortified with a 263-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged engine that ships motive force to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission, the hottest member of the Mazda3 family matches a host of tastefully aggressive styling cues and confidence-building handling/braking enhancements with the practicality of a five-door hatchback configuration," site editors found. "Speaking of practicality, the Mazdaspeed3 also happens to be the most powerful front-drive performance car you can buy for less than $25,000. While it excels at creating impromptu adrenaline rushes, the Mazdaspeed3 does a solid job of people pampering and complements a lengthy roster of standard creature features with options that include both a navigation system and Bose premium audio."

MINI Cooper S/John Cooper Works

"Arguably the best automotive example of good things coming in small packages, the iconic MINI provides its unique take on front-drive high-performance fun in hatchback, convertible or demi-wagon Clubman body styles — in both Cooper S and John Cooper Works spec," KBB explained. "The turbocharged 1.6-liter in the Cooper S set puts 172 horsepower under the hood while the even-more-intense JCW variants pack 208 ponies and bring unique visual/aerodynamic enhancements along with their own dedicated chassis tweaks. As part of its comprehensive personalization program, MINI also offers many of the John Cooper Works goodies in ala carte form, as part of its JCW accessory line. With its new Countryman crossover launching here early next year and cool coupe and roadster variants to follow, the MINI invasion shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon."

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR/MR

"Another fantastic four with an impeccable performance pedigree, the 10th incarnation of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution offers its special brand of four-door, all-wheel-drive excitement in GSR, MR and new-for-2010 MR Touring trims," site editors emphasized. "While a 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter motivates all Evos and Brembo binders supply abundant stopping power, the MRs pair their Super-All Wheel Control, Active Center Differential 4-wheel drive and Active Yaw Control rear differential with a paddle-shifted six-speed twin-clutch automated transmission in place of the GSR's conventional five-speed manual. Ticking the MR box also brings even-edgier suspension upgrades headed by Bilstein shocks, Eibach springs and BBS forged-alloy wheels. Topping the Evo range, the primo MR Touring wraps its Recaro buckets in leather instead of cloth and gets a standard power moonroof. Got the busted-budget blues? The Lancer Ralliart makes a great Evolution alternative, in sedan or five-door Sportback form. Packing a high-spirited 237-horse turbo four and the Evo IX's all-wheel drive system, this more affordable/insurable thrill ride costs nearly $7,000 less than a base Evo GSR model."

Nissan Sentra SE-R/Spec-V

"Nissan's unassuming front-drive Sentra sedan spawns two distinctively higher-profile go-fast variations on the base car, both focused on value-oriented enthusiasts who require the practicality of four doors," KBB noted. "The naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine in the hot SE-R makes 177 horsepower and gets paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that can be upgraded with paddle-shifters and emulates six conventional gears in Sport mode. Step up to the hotter Spec-V and the front wheels are driven by a 200-horse variation of the 2.5L backed by a close-ratio six-speed manual. To help cope with that extra muscle, the Spec-V also nets tauter chassis tuning, bigger brakes, various body reinforcements, grippier tires and offers an optional helical limited-slip differential. Other items on the well-appointed SE-R and Spec-V's very minimal list of extras include a GPS navigation system with XM Real-Time Traffic and a 340-watt Rockford Fosgate premium audio package."

Subaru WRX/STI

"Two flavors of all-wheel-drive quickness charge out of the Subie stable for 2010, enhanced by a new Premium trim that includes a moonroof and an All-Weather Package," site editors noticed. "Subaru's signature 2.5-liter turbocharged ‘boxer' four makes 265-horsepower in the WRX sedan and hatch and 305 ponies in the five-door-only STI. The latter swaps the WRX's five-speed manual gearbox for a dedicated six-speed and adds driver-selectable powertrain and dynamic handling controls plus bulgier body bits that directly recall its predecessor's glory days in the World Rally Championship. The news gets even better for the 2011 model year. While powertrains carry over, suspension retunes further sharpen the corner-carving prowess of both. Visually, the 2011 WRX gets the STI's wide-body look and the primo STI will reintroduce a big-winged sedan model last seen in 2008. Sometimes, patience really can be a virtue."

Volkswagen GTI

"Spun from the Gen VI Golf platform that was redesigned for 2010, the new GTI embodies a commendably sophisticated, albeit front-drive-only Teutonic take on total performance," KBB pointed out. "Like its counterpart in the Audi TT, the GTI's 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injected engine makes 200 horsepower whether backed by the standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional six-speed paddle-shifted dual-clutch ‘DSG' alternative. In addition to a host of computer-assisted dynamic handling controls, the sport suspension in this high-velocity Volkswagen is now complemented by a new standard torque-vectoring electronic limited slip differential. With cabin amenities that extend from deeply bolstered sport buckets and a flat-bottom steering wheel to custom instrumentation and SIRIUS Satellite Radio plus iPod/Bluetooth connectivity, both the three-door and five-door hatchback models help you make the most of even mundane daily commutes."