From Miata to McLaren: Notable Sports Cars You Should Know
Some well-known sports cars include the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota GR Supra, Nissan Z, Ford Mustang GT, BMW M2, Porsche 718 Cayman, Lotus Emira, Ferrari 296 GTB, Lamborghini Revuelto, McLaren 750S, Mercedes-AMG GT, and Alpine A110. These models span accessible roadsters to cutting-edge exotics, illustrating the breadth of the sports-car world across price points and performance tiers.
Contents
What counts as a sports car?
Sports cars are typically two-seat or 2+2 coupes and roadsters designed to prioritize driving engagement—lightweight construction, responsive steering, balanced chassis dynamics, and strong power-to-weight ratios. While purists prefer rear-wheel drive and manual transmissions, modern sports cars may use advanced automatics, hybrids, or even full electric powertrains to deliver performance. Below are representative names across the segment, grouped by theme rather than strict price or availability.
Accessible and enthusiast favorites
These models deliver classic sports-car feel without supercar prices, focusing on balance, driver involvement, and everyday usability.
- Mazda MX-5 Miata
- Toyota GR86
- Subaru BRZ
- Toyota GR Supra
- Nissan Z
- Ford Mustang GT (including Dark Horse)
- Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
- Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster
- BMW M2
- BMW Z4 M40i
- Alpine A110
- Lotus Emira
Together, these cars emphasize analog thrills—light curb weights, communicative chassis setups, and a range of powertrains—making them favorites for back roads, track days, and daily driving alike.
Premium, supercar, and exotic names
These are higher-performance machines that blend advanced materials, sophisticated aerodynamics, and powerful engines, often pushing into supercar territory.
- Porsche 911 (Carrera, Turbo, GT3)
- Mercedes-AMG GT
- Aston Martin Vantage
- Ferrari 296 GTB
- Lamborghini Huracán
- Lamborghini Revuelto
- McLaren 750S
- McLaren Artura
- Maserati MC20
- Nissan GT-R
- Audi R8 (discontinued 2023)
- Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and E-Ray
These nameplates showcase the segment’s cutting edge, from hybridized V6s to V12 flagships, delivering track-grade performance with road-going polish.
Track-focused and special variants
Track-oriented versions intensify aerodynamics, braking, and chassis tuning for circuit work, often in limited production runs.
- Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 RS
- Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS
- Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1 (C8)
- Ford Mustang Dark Horse and GTD
- BMW M4 CSL
- Nissan Z Nismo
- Lamborghini Huracán STO
- Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro
- McLaren 765LT
These specials sacrifice some comfort for lap-time gains, appealing to drivers who prioritize precision, feedback, and durability under sustained hard use.
Electrified sports cars (hybrid and EV)
Performance is increasingly electrified, with hybrids and EVs delivering instant torque, regenerative braking, and innovative packaging.
- Rimac Nevera (EV)
- Pininfarina Battista (EV)
- Lotus Evija (EV)
- MG Cyberster (EV roadster)
- Ferrari 296 GTB (hybrid)
- Lamborghini Revuelto (hybrid)
- McLaren Artura (hybrid)
- Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray (hybrid)
From hypercar benchmarks to a new wave of electric roadsters, these models show how battery assistance can enhance performance while redefining the sports-car experience.
Classic and iconic nameplates
These historically significant models helped establish the sports-car canon and continue to influence modern designs and engineering.
- Porsche 911 (legacy spanning decades)
- Chevrolet Corvette (across generations)
- Jaguar E-Type
- Toyota 2000GT
- Mazda RX-7
- Acura/Honda NSX (first generation)
- Dodge Viper
- Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32–R34)
- Toyota MR2
- Lotus Elise/Exige
- De Tomaso Pantera
- Ferrari F40
- Porsche 959
- BMW M1
- Jaguar F-Type
Whether still in production or honored in memory, these names symbolize pivotal moments in performance, styling, and motorsport heritage.
Summary
Sports cars range from approachable driver’s cars like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and Nissan Z to exotic machinery such as the Ferrari 296 GTB and Lamborghini Revuelto. Between accessible icons, track-honed specials, electrified innovators, and timeless classics, the segment remains diverse and evolving—offering a nameplate for nearly every taste, budget, and definition of driving fun.
What is the name of some sports cars?
List of sports cars
| Manufacturer | Model | Styles |
|---|---|---|
| Abarth | Fiat Abarth 850 TC Berlina | Roadster, Coupé |
| Aerocon | Boa Type S | Coupé |
| AC Cars | 378 GT Zagato | |
| 3000ME |
What is a nice sports car that is affordable?
The best cheap sports cars for 2025 include the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Toyota GR86, and Subaru BRZ as highly-regarded, affordable options with engaging, lightweight performance. Other strong contenders for performance and value are the hot hatchbacks like the Hyundai Elantra N, Subaru WRX, and Volkswagen Golf GTI, which offer excellent driving dynamics and a class-leading warranty. For even deeper budget cuts, consider looking for used models like older Mustangs, Camaros, and Nissan 350Zs or even the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ twins from the 2013-2016 era, with some models available for under $10,000.
For the New Car Buyer
These are the recommended new cars for 2025 that offer outstanding sports car experiences at a relatively affordable price point.
- Mazda MX-5 Miata: Opens in new tabA pure, simple, and fun sports car that is a benchmark for driving thrills and affordability.
- Toyota GR86 / Subaru BRZ: Opens in new tabThese lightweight, rear-wheel-drive coupes offer balanced handling and a connected driving experience, making them excellent choices for enthusiasts.
- Hyundai Elantra N: Opens in new tabA high-performance sport compact that delivers engaging driving, a great warranty, and a competitive price.
- Subaru WRX: Opens in new tabKnown for its all-wheel-drive and rally-inspired performance, the WRX is a strong contender for those who want a capable and engaging sports sedan.
- Volkswagen Golf GTI: Opens in new tabThis hot hatch blends sensible practicality with a sensational driving experience, making it a favorite among those seeking a versatile sport car.
- Ford Mustang: Opens in new tabThe iconic American muscle car remains a strong value-driven choice, offering heritage and character in a sporty package.
For the Budget-Conscious Used Car Buyer
If a brand-new car is out of reach, the used market offers many excellent, affordable sports cars that are still incredibly fun to drive.
- Mazda MX-5 Miata: Opens in new tabOlder generations of the iconic roadster remain a fantastic and affordable way to experience pure driving joy.
- Scion FR-S / Subaru BRZ: Opens in new tabThe previous generation of these “Toyobaru twins” can be found at lower price points and offer a similar lightweight, rear-wheel-drive experience to the current models.
- Ford Mustang / Chevrolet Camaro: Opens in new tabYou can find various generations of these American muscle cars for under $10,000, providing significant power for the money.
- Honda S2000 / Nissan 350Z: Opens in new tabThese reliable Japanese sports cars offer a great blend of performance and modern styling, with previous models being excellent value on the used market.
What is the top 10 sports car?
Top sports cars for 2025 include the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster, and Porsche 911 for high performance, the Toyota GR Supra and Nissan Z for strong options, and the fun-to-drive Mazda MX-5 Miata, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota GR86 for affordable, lighter alternatives. Other top-rated cars are the BMW M2 and BMW Z4.
High-Performance Options
- Chevrolet Corvette: Opens in new tabPraised for its supercar performance and exotic looks at an accessible price.
- Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster: Opens in new tabKnown for a visceral, unfiltered driving experience and sublime chassis balance.
- Porsche 911: Opens in new tabA legendary sports car with a rich history, offering thrilling performance.
Strong All-Rounders
- Toyota GR Supra: A well-regarded sports car with a blend of performance and style.
- Nissan Z: A popular choice in the sports car segment, known for its engaging driving experience.
- BMW M2: A powerful and sporty offering from BMW’s performance division.
- BMW Z4: A capable sports car from BMW, providing a classic driving feel.
Affordable and Fun-to-Drive
- Mazda MX-5 Miata: An iconic affordable sports car, celebrated for its pure driving fun.
- Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ: Excellent choices for those seeking an engaging and balanced sports car experience at a great value.
Considerations
- Affordability vs. Performance: The “best” sports car depends on your budget, with options ranging from the affordable Toyota GR86 to the high-performance Porsche 911.
- Driving Experience: Some sports cars focus on raw performance (Corvette), while others offer a more refined and balanced driving experience (Porsche 718 series), and some prioritize lightweight fun (Miata).
What are the 10 most popular cars?
Top 10 Most Popular Cars in the World
- Toyota Corolla. Maintaining its leadership for 4 consecutive years!
- Toyota Camry. Another “leading” model from Toyota is the representative and more comfortable Camry.
- Honda CR-V.
- Toyota RAV4.
- Ford F-Series.
- Hyundai Tucson.
- Chevrolet Silverado.
- Tesla Model 3.
