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Compare the best small sports cars

High-quality small sports cars from rated and reviewed dealers

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Rated 4.6/5 from 47,788 reviews

Best small sports cars of 2023

A small sports car is the perfect thing for narrow country lanes and blasts down your favourite B-roads. Luggage and passenger space tend to be somewhat compromised, making them a bit less appealing for a long-haul road trip, but for fun on a twisty road there's nothing that can match them.

Below you'll find our expert reviewers' favourite small sports cars, covering all sorts of budgets and varying levels of practicality, so there's something for everyone.

Porsche 718 Cayman

1. Porsche 718 Cayman

9/10
Porsche 718 Cayman review
For razor-sharp handling dynamics, serious pace and solid build quality, the Porsche 718 Cayman is the best in its class. Base models don’t sound as great as some of the pricier six-cylinder cars though, and options can quickly push the pricing way up, but for pure sports car thrills, nothing can match the Cayman.
Porsche 718 Boxster

2. Porsche 718 Boxster

9/10
Porsche 718 Boxster review
Like the idea of a Cayman but like the idea of the wind blowing through your hair more? The Porsche Boxster is the car for you. Essentially identical underneath, the only difference is that this is a convertible model. Gone are the days when you had to make compromises to handling fun to have a convertible, because the Boxster is just as enjoyable to drive as the Cayman – but can get similarly expensive.
BMW M2

3. BMW M2

9/10
BMW M2 review
The latest BMW M2 is an absolute riot to drive. It’s rear-wheel drive like a proper sports car and it’s even available with a manual transmission (though we actually prefer the automatic). It also has a lovely, high-tech interior and can be quite comfortable when you’re not hooning about.
Mazda MX-5

4. Mazda MX-5

9/10
Mazda MX-5 review
The most-sold roadster in history remains a superb sports car with all the right ingredients. Namely, a revvy naturally aspirated engine, rear-wheel drive and a manual gearbox as standard. It’s not particularly quick and would be left for dead by everything else in this list, but proves you don't need big power to have fun behind the wheel.
Toyota Supra

5. Toyota Supra

9/10
Toyota Supra review
Reviving the iconic Supra name was a bold move from Toyota, but there was no need to worry, because its rear-wheel drive layout combined with a punchy engine makes it an enjoyable handful to drive. It's also available with a manual transmission, making it rather rare these days. The smaller 2.0-litre-engined version is a bit disappointing, though.
Toyota GR86

6. Toyota GR86

9/10
Toyota GR86 review
Want a rear-wheel drive, front-engined Toyota sports car but your budget doesn’t stretch to the Supra? The GR86 is a worthy alternative. It’s one of the purest, simplest sports cars around today. They’re rare in the UK, so getting hold of one could be tricky. It's worth the effort, though.
Lotus Emira

7. Lotus Emira

8/10
Lotus Emira review
Lotus is famous for building some of the best sports cars in the world, and the Emira is its next-generation model. It’s beautifully composed whether you’re driving on road or track, and the interior is much higher-quality than we’ve seen from the firm before. It’s not very practical, though.
Audi TT RS

8. Audi TT RS

8/10
Audi TT RS review
The TT RS shares its stonking 400hp 2.5-litre engine with the RS3 hot hatch, but has a sportier coupe body style which still manages to squeeze in a pair of tiny rear seats. It may not be the most precise driving tool, but the TT RS is still extremely quick and feels solidly built.
Alpine A110

9. Alpine A110

7/10
Alpine A110 review
A small sports car list wouldn’t be complete without one of the smallest in the business. The Alpine A110 has super cool retro-inspired exterior styling and a high-quality interior. Most importantly it handles brilliantly and its tiny frame gives you confidence on tight, winding British roads. There do appear to be some reliability gremlins, though.
BMW Z4

10. BMW Z4

7/10
BMW Z4 review
The BMW Z4 is hi-tech, looks great and the top-spec M40i model is very quick. The build quality is top class and the boot is actually useable. Some rivals are sharper to drive, but the Z4 remains a thoroughly enjoyable convertible that is refined enough to double as a daily driver.

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Advice about small sports cars

Small sports cars FAQs

If you’re on a budget, then the Mazda MX-5 is always a solid choice. It’s quick enough and has great handling. If your budget stretches a little further, then the Porsche 718 Boxster is a superb option with class-leading driving dynamics and plenty of performance. 

The Suzuki Swift Sport is one of the most affordable small sports cars around, being essentially a small city hatch with some added oomph also gives it a practicality advantage over most of its rivals. If your definition of a small sports car is a bit more focussed, then the multi-talented Mazda MX-5 is your best bet.

The Porsche 718 Cayman and Alpine A110 are both superb small sports cars offering the sort of immersive driving experience that makes far pricier supercars feel a bit pointless. The Cayman can be had with more options and engine choices, although the Alpine is significantly cheaper in base trim – which is the perfect way to experience it anyway.

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