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Rated 4.6/5 from 47,615 reviews

Top sports cars of 2023

With school runs, pot holes and traffic jams forming so much of our day-to-day motoring lives, it can sometimes be easy to forget that driving can be fun, and cars can be exciting, enjoyable machines to pilot.

Come the right day and the right road, however, it only takes a moment to rediscover the pleasure implicit in a nicely taken corner and judicious use of the right-hand pedal, and it is this sort of scenario that sports cars are designed for. Such vehicles may not always be the most practical cars, and they often come with high price tags relative to a humble hatchback, but if you're someone who relishes the freedom brought by the open road, and the rewarding nature of a well-tuned chassis and engine, a sports car could be just the ticket.

Our experts have put their heads together to come up with a list of the 10 best sports cars you can buy today, and each of these has one main focus at its core: to be enjoyable and rewarding to drive.

Porsche 911

1. Porsche 911

9/10
Porsche 911 review
The benchmark sports car just keeps getting better, and the latest version is faster and more capable than ever before. Options are expensive but even the base car is superb, and the small rear seats add a modicum of practicality into the mix. An iconic machine that manages to be both easy and exciting to drive, there really is nothing like a 911, and nor has there ever been.
Audi R8

2. Audi R8

9/10
Audi R8 review
The R8’s mid-mounted naturally-aspirated V10 is just about perfect, providing the sound and performance of a supercar for a fraction of the price of some vehicles with comparable performance and powerplants. It handles well too, and while luggage space is a little limited, this is a mid-engined two-seat supercar, after all.
Porsche 718 Cayman

3. Porsche 718 Cayman

9/10
Porsche 718 Cayman review
The Cayman is quick, well-built and brilliant to drive. You may want the range topping six-cylinder models for their amazing sound, but even the base models are fast and handle superbly. Unfortunately, many desirable options are rather pricey, though this tends to be the way with Porsche, and if you're happy without such addenda, even a bare bones Cayman is, quite simply, brilliant.
BMW M2

4. BMW M2

9/10
BMW M2 review
The new BMW M2 is here and it's absolutely brilliant. Sure, the styling won't be for everyone, with its boxy, squared-off lines, but the wide stance and huge intakes make it look suitably aggressive. Its 460hp, 3.0-litre engine has all the power you need, and it has more grip than the bigger M3, meaning you can enjoy it more of the time. It's relatively practical for a sports car, but it is rather expensive for its size.
Mazda MX-5

5. Mazda MX-5

9/10
Mazda MX-5 review
The MX-5 is affordable to buy and run while still being seriously fun to drive. This rare formula makes it stand out among its rivals, although some are quicker in a straight line. Very few are as rewarding to drive, though, while Mazda has a strong reputation for reliability. Some sports cars come and go, but the MX-5 has been a success over four generations and more than three decades, which should give some indication of its talents.
Porsche Taycan

6. Porsche Taycan

9/10
Porsche Taycan review
Battery range up to 273 miles
The very first all-electric Porsche drives and handles just like a Porsche should, meaning it's great around corners and quick off the line. It’s comfortable too, with space for four, but some alternatives have more interior and luggage space while its electric range is not quite class-leading either.
BMW M3

7. BMW M3

9/10
BMW M3 review
The M3 arguably stretches the term sports car to its limit, but it deserves its place in this list because it's great to drive while also being ideal for a family as it has plenty of space inside and a decent-sized boot. Its hard, uncomfortable suspension leaves you in no doubt that this is a performance car first and family car second, though. And it's available as a 'Touring' estate model too, for extra cool points.
Toyota GR86

8. Toyota GR86

9/10
Toyota GR86 review
Affordable, rear-wheel-drive two-door sports cars like the Toyota GR86 are rare, and that's a real shame, as few vehicles deliver such bang for your buck. The GR86 offers fantastic handling with just the right amount of power, and while the styling may not be the most exciting, it's a classic of its genre.
Lexus LC Convertible

9. Lexus LC Convertible

9/10
Lexus LC Convertible review
The Lexus LC is a beautifully designed sports car and in convertible form you get to hear its great V8 even better. It comes packed with kit but doesn’t have the best infotainment system, and the rear seats are cramped. Alternatives handle better, but the LC is perfect for a more laid-back driving style. Did we mention it's stunning?!
Lotus Emira

10. Lotus Emira

8/10
Lotus Emira review
Not only is the Emira a massive improvement in terms of cabin quality compared with what has come from Lotus before, but its engine also sounds great and it's a car that's equally adept on road and track. Practicality isn't its strongest suit compared to other sports cars here, but it's a superbly fun two-seater.

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Sports cars FAQs

The term ‘sports car’ generally refers to a car that has been designed to offer above-average performance in both acceleration and handling. Common traits found in sports cars include a low-slung two-door body style, two-seater layout and powerful engines. 

Sports cars can, however, be just about any configuration and there are many popular sports saloons that can take a family of four and their luggage while still offering pulverising performance.

The word ‘coupe’ refers to a two-door body style, so a coupe can definitely be a sports car. However, this body style is used in everything from budget cars to ultra-luxurious grand tourers, so not every coupe is automatically classified as a sports car.

If you enjoy driving and don’t mind a bit of a compromise in practicality or ride comfort, then a sports car is a great choice. Some sports cars like the BMW M5 manage to combine both luxury and sportiness into one very usable package, while other cars like the Porsche 718 Cayman are purely designed for driving enjoyment and don’t offer much in the way of practicality.

If you are on a tight budget then a Mazda MX-5 is a great choice. It isn’t the quickest sports car but it handles superbly and is affordable to run.

Judging from recent reliability surveys, the Audi TT, BMW 2 Series and Mazda MX-5 all scored highly in this regard. The Porsche 911 has also proven to be reliable in recent years while Lexus's reputation for building solid and reliable cars should see the LC Convertible perform well in this regard.

With such a broad range of sports cars on sale right now, prices vary greatly. A Mazda MX-5 is one of the most affordable sports cars, while a Porsche Taycan Turbo S sits at the other end of the scale, comfortable into six figures.

For something like an entry-level Porsche 718 Cayman or Jaguar F-Type, pricing starts from arounf £50,000 to £60,000, depending on the version.

While the exact pricing will be influenced by an individual’s risk profile, vehicle-specific factors that can push up insurance costs include cars with very powerful engines, expensive price tags and expensive repairs.

Seeing as most sports cars tick a lot of these boxes, they tend to be more expensive to insure than less sporty vehicles.

Sports cars can come in both automatic and manual transmissions. Traditionally, many sports cars were only offered with manual transmissions because they were believed to provide a more engaging and connected driving experience. However, with advancements in technology, many sports car manufacturers now offer automatic transmissions with paddle shifters or dual-clutch systems that provide faster and more precise shifting. Ultimately, the choice between manual or automatic transmission for a sports car depends on personal preference and driving style.

Not all sports cars are rear-wheel drive, but many are. Rear-wheel drive is a popular drivetrain configuration for sports cars because it often provides better handling, balance, and weight distribution. With rear-wheel drive, the front wheels are free from the job of propelling the car forward, allowing for a more precise and responsive handling experience. However, there are also sports cars with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Ultimately, the choice of drivetrain configuration for a sports car depends on various factors such as the intended use, performance goals, and driving preferences.

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