Best sports cars 2024 – plus the one to avoid

If you want ultimate driving thrills, a sports car should be at the top of your shortlist, but the best can do more than simply go fast...

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by
Alasdair Rodden
Updated22 January 2024

There are several criteria by which you can judge a new car, but for a sports car none is as important as fun.

A great sports car should be able to put a smile on your face whether you’re gliding along a smooth, scenic B-road or tackling potholes and speed bumps on a drizzly Monday morning commute. That means ride comfort, interior quality and generous equipment levels are often just as important as deft handling, a powerful engine and a fast 0-62mph sprint time.

Best sports cars - Alpine A110 McLaren 720S

Our road testers have reviewed every sports car on the market – including sports SUVs and performance cars – but for pure driving thrills, they all agree that the Porsche Cayman is the best sports car money can buy right now.

But we know that buyers have differing needs, and with sports cars decisions are often made with the heart as much as the head, so we’ve also rounded up the best of the rest – and our sports car deals pages shows you how to get the best price on a new one.

Our pick: 4.0 GTS 2dr

0-62mph: 4.5 sec
MPG/range: 25.9mpg
CO2 emissions: 247g/km
Seats: 2
Boot: 270 litres
Insurance group: 46E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Brilliant handling
  • Wonderful six-cylinder GTS engine
  • High quality

Weaknesses

  • Stingy standard equipment
  • Lack of safety equipment
  • Disappointing sound of the smaller four-cylinder engines

Even in entry-level 2.0-litre form, the Porsche 718 Cayman is an impressive sports car, but it’s the glorious 4.0-litre flat six fitted to the GTS model which propels the Cayman to the top spot on our list.

That engine delivers thunderous performance and a terrific soundtrack, and is at its best when paired with the standard six-speed manual gearbox; the extra driver involvement the manual offers gives it the edge over the optional PDK automatic gearbox.

Of course, you can also get the 718 as a convertible – the Porsche 718 Boxster. That car comes a close second, but the Cayman is even better to drive than its soft-top sibling, not to mention cheaper to buy.

"The backrests of the Alcantara and leather-trimmed seats adjust electrically, but it’s a shame lumbar adjustment is part of a pricey upgrade." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

 

Read our Porsche Cayman review

 

Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Brilliant handling
  • Surprisingly comfortable ride
  • Classy interior

Weaknesses

  • Four-cylinder engines sounds gruff
  • Terrible reliability record
  • You'll want to add lots of options

The 718 Boxster is a sensational sports car, and the GTS version is the best of a great bunch. Indeed, the Boxster GTS comes with a 4.0-litre flat-six engine which sounds incredible, and produces a heady 395bhp.

If your budget won’t stretch to the GTS, you’ll be pleased to know that the standard 2.0-litre Boxster is still one of the most enjoyable sports cars around.

No matter which version you go for, you’ll be treated not only to endless handling excitement, but also a remarkably well-controlled ride, beautiful build quality and a highly customisable interior.

"You can open or close the roof in around nine seconds at the touch of a button, while I found the front and rear boots would take enough luggage for a weekend away." – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

 

Read our Porsche Boxster review

Our pick: 1.8L Turbo 2dr DCT

0-62mph: 4.5 sec
MPG/range: 42.2mpg
CO2 emissions: 152g/km
Seats: 2
Boot: 196 litres
Insurance group: 47E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Truly involving and entertaining handling
  • Comfortable ride for a sports car
  • Rapid performance with surprisingly good economy

Weaknesses

  • Pretty poor luggage space
  • Terrible infotainment system
  • Doesn’t have the plushest interior

Small, light and nimble cars often make the best sports cars, and the A110 is a great example of that general rule. It weighs only about 1100kg, which is roughly the same as a Ford Fiesta. That means the A110’s 249bhp 1.8-litre turbocharged engine propels it with ease, and 0-62mph takes just 4.5 seconds. Faster models are available, but we think the entry-level version is still the best.

The model's low weight also brings handling benefits. The A110 feels well-balanced and athletic, and very accurate steering makes it easy to turn with precision.

The A110 costs more than the Audi TT coupé and about the same as a Porsche 718 Cayman but resale values are stronger even than the Porsche’s.

"As much as I like the A110, I hate the Renault Clio-sourced climate controls, which feel out of place in a £55,000 sports car." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

 

Read our Alpine A110 review

Our pick: 5.2 FSI [570] V10 Performance 2dr S Tronic RWD

0-62mph: 3.7 sec
MPG/range: 22.4mpg
CO2 emissions: 285g/km
Seats: 2
Boot: 112 litres
Insurance group: 50E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Mighty V10 engine's pace and noise
  • Well made and easy to live with interior
  • Superb ride and high-speed refinement

Weaknesses

  • Still an expensive car to buy and run
  • Less practical than a 911
  • Fractionally less focused handling than more expensive rivals

The first-generation R8 proved to the world that Audi was capable of creating an excellent supercar, and the current R8 has followed in its predecessor’s footsteps.

All versions come with a 5.2-litre V10 engine – one of the best sports car engines out there, we think – which produces 562bhp in rear-wheel-drive versions of the R8, or 611bhp in four-wheel-drive versions.

The rear-wheel-drive car – called Performance RWD – is more pleasing to drive than the four-wheel-drive model (not to mention significantly cheaper). While it's not as engaging to drive as the Porsche 911 GT3 the R8 is much more comfortable and refined.

"The absolute star of the R8, for me, is its naturally aspirated engine, which sounds epic and is incredibly responsive. I’ll miss it when it’s gone." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

 

Read our Audi R8 review

Our pick: 2dr PDK

0-62mph: 4.2 sec
MPG/range: 27.4mpg
CO2 emissions: 233g/km
Seats: 4
Boot: 264 litres
Insurance group: 50E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Seriously rapid
  • Great to drive on any road
  • Practical for a sports car

Weaknesses

  • Lots of road noise
  • Expensive options
  • Cheaper Cayman is even better to drive

The latest iteration of the 911 upholds the reputation of its predecessors with its fantastic range of engines, excellent handling and impressive interior.

The entry-level Carrera comes with a 380bhp 3.0-litre engine offers plenty of performance, and we think it represents the best value for money. But if you want even more power, there are many other versions to choose from – the most powerful of which is the 641bhp Turbo S. All models come with adaptive suspension, allowing you to fine-tune the car’s handling to suit the road you’re driving on.

Optional extras don’t come cheap, but we’d recommend adding a reversing camera, power-folding door mirrors, keyless entry and adjustable sports seats to help you get comfortable behind the wheel.

"One of the things that makes the 911 so usable is the fact that most versions seat four people. Okay, six-footers will be cramped in the back, but my wife and mother-in-law were perfectly comfortable." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

 

Read our Porsche 911 review

Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Ballistic performance in any gear at any revs
  • Delicate handling that allows you to attack a road with confidence
  • Emissions-free running helps your conscious and local air quality

Weaknesses

  • Bleeding-edge tech makes the 296 very expensive
  • Infotainment controls are unreliable and distracting
  • You might want to put a six-figure sum aside for options

The Ferrari 296 GTB is a landmark car, because it marked the moment Ferrari used its F1 hybrid knowhow in a mainstream supercar. The elephant in the room is the term ‘mainstream’, because all that cutting-edge tech comes with a hefty price tag which prevents it climbing higher in our list.

If your pockets are deep enough, though, it is a remarkable feat of engineering. Unlike the old-school-feeling Lamborghini Huracán, it can travel 15 miles on electricity alone, meaning you can leave your house without waking the neighbours. Press the accelerator hard, and the V6 engine and motors combine for a 2.9sec 0-62mph and a top speed of 205mph.

That it’s superb fun to drive is a given, but what is truly remarkable is just how easy it is to drive – and to exploit that performance.

"It's not hard to spend more than £100,000 on options: £28,000 for the Fiorano Performance Pack, £15,000 for blue stripes, £5000 for upgraded alloy wheels, and another £3500 if you want them painted blue. The list goes on." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

 

Read our Ferrari 296 GTB review

Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • General sense of flamboyance
  • Features a sharper version of the the R8’s V10 engine
  • Surprisingly easy to drive

Weaknesses

  • Slightly blunt handling
  • Pricey next to an Audi R8
  • RWD is a bit snappy on the limit

For anyone who wants their sports car to draw plenty of attention, the Huracán would be a very good choice. The original Huracán’s sense of occasion alone was enough to convince many people to buy it, despite some rivals being better to drive.

Over the years, Lamborghini has incrementally improved the handling of the Huracán so that it drives as well as its looks would have you believe. The 5.2-litre V10 engine has also been improved, and now produces up to 631bhp.

The model is available with a rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive set-up. We reckon the rear-wheel drive version offers the better driving experience of the two, despite having a slightly lower 602bhp power output.

"The Huracan's interior is better designed than Lamborghinis of old, and the tech is very good, too. But in a nod to the marque's previous impracticalities, there's still no cupholder." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

 

Read our Lamborghini Huracán review

Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Stunning handling
  • Superb visibility
  • Surprisingly comfortable ride

Weaknesses

  • Hugely expensive
  • Distracting touchscreen

The McLaren 720S has a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 710bhp, and you might think that would make the 720S a bit of a handful, but it’s surprisingly easy to drive. It's also tremendous fun, with perfectly weighted steering and a very comfortable ride that help to put the model well ahead of its closest rivals.

On the inside, everything is laid out sensibly, although the infotainment system can be distracting on the move, and interior quality doesn’t match the enormous price tag.

"Those huge 'insect eyes' are actually headlights with air ducts below to provide some much-needed cooling when driving at high speed." – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

 

Read our McLaren 720S review

Our pick: 1.5 [132] Exclusive-Line 2dr

0-62mph: 8.3 sec
MPG/range: 44.8mpg
CO2 emissions: 142g/km
Seats: 2
Boot: 130 litres
Insurance group: 27E
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Good ride and handling balance
  • Performance suited to UK roads
  • Low running costs

Weaknesses

  • Not much head room for tall drivers
  • Limited storage
  • Driving position would benefit from greater range of adjustment

If you’re looking for the most fun for the least money, the MX-5 is an excellent choice. Even a top-spec model will cost you much less than any other car on this list.

Although the MX-5 is the slowest model in this list and would struggle to shake off many hot hatches, it makes up for that by being so easy to drive and have fun in. (It's also available with a retractable hardtop roof, as the Mazda MX-5 RF.)

We rate the 1.5-litre model in Prime-Line trim highly, but whichever engine you choose, the car is free-revving, light and precise, and even the stiffer suspension fitted to 2.0-litre versions provides a sufficiently comfortable ride. This is not a big car, and for many buyers that's part of the appeal, but that does mean taller people might struggle to fit.

"If you’re 6ft 2in tall like me, you’ll find the MX-5’s interior snug. However, I love the way the instruments are dominated by the rev counter, just as they should be in a sports car." – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor 

 

Read our Mazda MX-5 review

Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Epic performance
  • Amazing traction makes it usable and fun
  • Perfect blend of handling poise and ride comfort

Weaknesses

  • Obviously it’s pricey
  • Limited practicality
  • Interior quality could be improved in places

The DBS is based on the Aston Martin DB11 but has been heavily tweaked to make it lighter, faster and more exciting, as well as less skittish and easier to live with.

Thanks to its accurate steering and excellent balance, you feel as though you’re in complete control of the staggering 715bhp produced by the 5.2-litre petrol engine. And that makes it an absolute joy to drive.

The interior is less than perfect, though. Some of the trim feels a bit flimsy, and the infotainment system can be laggy, but the DBS does at least score well for comfort. The car manages to combine great handling prowess with suspension that delivers a smooth ride over imperfect roads.

"The Mercedes-sourced infotainment system isn’t much to write home about. Aston Martin’s own system, used in the DB12, is sharper and less laggy." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

 

Read our Aston Martin DBS Superleggera review

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And the sports car to avoid...

BMW Z4

Above all else, a sports car has to be fun. Unfortunately, the Z4 isn’t nearly as fun as any of our favourite sports cars. Read our review