2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid starts at US$26,825

Guess you hate Tesla then...

 

I'll admit that the choice narrows considerably below 2801lbs. I'm hopeful that one of the new 10th gen Civics will come in under the bar.

 

Great find, SlowTurd! That was a very detailed review. The only thing I would disagree with is the comfort of the front seats vs the Accord hybrid. The Sonata is much superior, but then I'm very tall. I found the handling and general driving characteristics of the Accord hybrid way out in front of the Sonata and Camry hybrids, but I drove the 2015 models.

 

One of the best handling cars under $100,000 is the Porsche boxter, but that doesn't meet your criteria (car and driver likes it more than the lighter lotus). It is 2920 lbs. The car undoubtedly handles much better than an RSX
The Best-Handling Car in America for Less Than $100K - Feature - Car and Driver

So we have a problem with the weight limit. First it is arbitrary, removing great handling cars. The second is safety and efficiency requirements mean cars have gained a lot of weight since the RSX. The porsche has a much better suspension, which is unfortunately where you need to spend the money on these cars.

One handling problem of hybrids is not the weight but the tires, but you can replace them with better handling tires if you give up some mpg. The next gen prius promises to weigh about as much as that porsche, and have a better suspension than the current one, but ... I think it will not pull out all the stops. The only hybrid you can buy that is bellow 2800 lbs is the aqua/yaris hybrid/prius c (slightly different variations depending on country but similar), these are bad handling cars. Hopefully the next gen prius liftback with blow them away

 

We're getting far off topic, and handling is a subjective thing, but IMO there's no hiding mass. And mass is ugly when it comes to handling. I would say that my 2350 lb '93 Honda Civic Si handled better than my 2750 lb RSX because it was lighter. The RSX has very little body roll, and firm suspension with good feedback. The hydraulic power steering is very well tuned, but you just can't get away from that heavier feel that makes it more sluggish. My 1300 lb Honda 600 sedan was an amazing handler! I never had to slow down for corners. I would simply turn! It was the funnest car I have ever driven even though it had only 35hp. On the other end of the scale was my friend's Corvette that he let me drive. I hated it! It felt like a truck. No sir. You can not hide mass. You can't. And that goes for motorcycles too

 

Seriously drive a boxster and tell me that honda 600 handled better. Sluggish has to do with too little grip on the tires or not enough hp. Sure there is no way to hide 4000 lbs, but a 3000 lb porsche will handle a lot better in most situations than a si, honda 600, Car and driver thought it handled better than the lighter lotus, but that is subjective.

You probably want a honda fit for current compliant light weight and inexpensive, haulting, resale point of view. fiat 500 and mazda 2 are both under 2400lbs, the mazda 2 becomes scion ia soon if you want to buy it from a toyota company. Other cars are lighter, but they won't handle as well. The si didn't have to work with today's safety regulations, or honda could probably make a fit that handles better.