Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Porsche Macan

car-of-the-year-awards-2023-best-sports-suv-for-thrills

Hatchback

Ford

Puma

Coupe

<p dir="ltr">Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.</p>


PORSCHE

CAYENNE

<p>If you asked us to choose a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-sports-suvs-2023/n20200">sports SUV</a> based purely on driver appeal, we’d pick the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/coupe/review/n19924">Porsche Cayenne Coupé GTS</a> quicker than you can say ‘driving thrills’, because nothing else comes close in this respect.</p><p>With a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine pumping out 453bhp, the GTS is outrageously fast, sprinting from 0-62mph in 4.5sec. It’s not just a one-trick pony, though; the GTS is equally good at going around corners. In fact, with optional active anti-roll bars added, it displays superb body control and allows for great precision through corners; it’s incredibly agile for a car that weighs 2.2 tonnes.</p>

<p>And when you’ve finished having more fun than you have any right to expect in an upmarket SUV, it reverts to being a spacious, surprisingly practical and comfortable family car. If you can afford the huge step up in price over the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n22293">Ford Puma ST</a>, this is the motoring equivalent of skydiving: a pure adrenaline rush.</p>

<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter </strong><a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html"><strong>here</strong></a></p>

<h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards"><strong>See all of our Car of the Year 2023 winners &gt;&gt;</strong></a></h2>

<p>If you asked us to choose a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-sports-suvs-2023/n20200">sports SUV</a> based purely on driver appeal, we’d pick the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/coupe/review/n19924">Porsche Cayenne Coupé GTS</a> quicker than you can say ‘driving thrills’, because nothing else comes close in this respect.</p>

<p>With a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine pumping out 453bhp, the GTS is outrageously fast, sprinting from 0-62mph in 4.5sec. It’s not just a one-trick pony, though; the GTS is equally good at going around corners. In fact, with optional active anti-roll bars added, it displays superb body control and allows for great precision through corners; it’s incredibly agile for a car that weighs 2.2 tonnes.</p>

<p>And when you’ve finished having more fun than you have any right to expect in an upmarket SUV, it reverts to being a spacious, surprisingly practical and comfortable family car. If you can afford the huge step up in price over the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/puma/hatchback/review/n22293">Ford Puma ST</a>, this is the motoring equivalent of skydiving: a pure adrenaline rush.</p><p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter </strong><a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html"><strong>here</strong></a></p><h2><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/awards/new-car-awards"><strong>See all of our Car of the Year 2023 winners &gt;&gt;</strong></a></h2>

Car of the Year Awards 2023: Best sports SUV for thrills

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Precise, feelsome steering</li> <li>Agile, entertaining handling</li> <li>Reasonable ride comfort</li> <li>Smart and practical interior</li></ul>

<p>Needing a&nbsp;practical load-lugger doesn't mean you need to scrimp on power and sporting prowess. In fact, most sporty manufacturers now have dedicated sports SUVs in their line-up with 0-62mph times to rival cars half their size.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Porsche, for example, offers two:&nbsp;the Macan and the Cayenne, both of which offer rapid performance and seriously impressive handling, as well as providing enough space for five people and a boot capable of fitting more than seven carry-on suitcases.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But even&nbsp;manufacturers not usually focused on track times are getting involved in this market. The Volkswagen T-Roc R is one of our favourites, too, with a 0-62mph time of 4.8sec&nbsp;and&nbsp;fuel economy of 31.5mpg. A sports SUV&nbsp;should satisfy anyone who doesn't want to trade speed for space.&nbsp;</p>

Sports SUV

The pick of the range is the Cayenne Coupé GTS, which straddles the fine line between sensible SUV and bonkers sports SUV. It uses a 454bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol that’s more than powerful enough to beat most rivals away from the traffic lights and its 0-62mph time is just 4.5sec. The V8 sounds great, too, especially with the standard sports exhaust, but don't expect much more than 20mpg on a run. 

Our favourite trim comes with everything the standard Cayenne Coupé has, plus 21in black alloy wheels, Alcantara and leather seats, a sports exhaust, 20mm lower sports suspension, bigger brakes and styling upgrades. 

GTS 5dr Tiptronic S [5 Seat]

gts-5dr-tiptronic-s-5-seat

Electric windows + anti trap protection + one touch open/close drivers side

Front windscreen wipers with two speeds, intermittent wipe and rain sensor

Full size driver and front passenger airbags

Automatic headlight activation including welcome home functionality

Electrically adjustable, folding and heated exterior mirrors, aspherical on drivers side including courtesy lights

Vehicle stability system, Porsche stability management (PSM) including ABS, ASR, ABD, MSR and trailer stability management

Mobile phone preparation with Bluetooth interface for telephone and music

Massage and ventilation function for front seats

Front and rear park assist with visual and audible warning

14 way electric comfort front seats with memory pack

GTS 8 way electric sports seats front with integrated headrests

GTS 8-way electric sports seats front with integrated headrests and seat centre in Alcantara

18 way electric adaptive sports seats with memory pack

GTS Adaptive air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)

High gloss black interior trim pack - Cayenne

Leather interior pack with contrasting colour - Cayenne

Anthracite chestnut interior pack - Cayenne

Natural olive grey interior pack - Cayenne

Extended trim pack (grab handle) in leather - Cayenne

Extended trim pack (grab handle) in alcantara - Cayenne

Interior trim package with decorative stitching and seat centres in leather in contrasting colour - Cayenne

High gloss black Sport Design pack - Cayenne

Interior pack painted in exterior colour - Cayenne

Interior trim package with decorative stitching in contrasting colour - Cayenne

Sport chrono pack with mode switch - Cayenne

GTS interior package in Carmine red - Cayenne

Black brushed aluminium interior trim package - Cayenne

Interior pack painted in contrasting exterior colour - Cayenne

Leather Interior package in interior colour - Cayenne

Sport Chrono Package with Porsche Design Clock - Cayenne

Textured aluminium interior trim pack - Cayenne

Leather/Artificial leather seat upholstery

If you’d really like to be driving a sports car but can’t compromise on practicality, a sports SUV is just the ticket. The best are fun to drive, with scintillating pace and agile handling

Car of the Year Awards 2023: Best sports SUV for thrills        

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Small Car of the Year

Family Car of the Year

Hot Hatch of the Year

Small SUV of the Year

Family SUV of the Year

Plug-in Hybrid of the Year

Small Electric Car of the Year

Large Electric Car of the Year

Executive Car of the Year

Estate Car of the Year

7-Seater of the Year

Luxury Car of the Year

Electric SUV of the Year

Coupé of the Year

Sports car of the Year

Sports SUV of the Year

Convertible of the Year

Performance Car of the Year

Category winners

Readers' choice

Efficiency Award

Safety Award

Reliability Award

Technology Award

Tow Car Award

Special awards

Best small car for value

Best small car to drive

Best small car interior

Best family car for value

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Best family car interior

Best hot hatch for everyday usability

Best hot hatch engine

Best small SUV for value

Best small SUV to drive

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Best family SUV for off-roading

Best plug-in hybrid for value

Best plug-in hybrid for big families

Best plug-in hybrid for luxury

Best small electric car for the city

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Best large electric car interior

Best electric car for long distances

Best executive car for value

Best plug-in hybrid executive car

Best electric estate car

Best estate car to drive

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Best 7-seater for value

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Best electric SUV to drive

Best electric SUV for long distances

Best coupé for value

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Best sports car for value

Best high-end sports car

Best sports SUV for thrills

Best sports SUV for luxury

Best performance car for value

Best performance car for thrills

Best convertible for value

Best convertible for luxury

Also consider

Car of the Year Awards 2023

The fully electric Volkswagen ID Buzz combines the practicality of an MPV with the comfort and refinement of a luxury SUV

Volkswagen ID Buzz

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.</p>

Small

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of practical space </li> <li>Low running costs </li> <li>A comfortable ride </li> <li>A healthy equipment list </li> <li>Quality materials and thoughtful touches inside </li> <li>Rock-solid reliability</li></ul>

<p>Family cars arguably have the toughest brief of all: they have to be good at pretty much everything. They’re used as the daily drive, on the school run or work commute (often both), and have to be able to cope with a family’s clutter on weekends and holidays.</p>

<p>The Skoda Scala is a relative newcomer, but it's&nbsp;already carved out a name for itself in this segment.&nbsp;If you're looking for a moderately priced car that combines a supple ride, neat handling, a spacious interior and a capacious boot&nbsp;it's well worth a look.&nbsp;Alternatively, if you're looking for entertaining handling then the&nbsp;BMW 1 Series may well be for you. It's great to drive, rides well&nbsp;and also comes with a top-notch interior, featuring one of our very favourite infotainment systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Toyota Corolla&nbsp;is another great choice. This latest version of one of the world's best-selling cars of all time can be had with a choice of two different petrol-electric hybrid engines, both of which should mean&nbsp;potentially lower fuel bills. It's comfortable, well equipped and should be very reliable, too.&nbsp;</p>

Family

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Engaging handling </li> <li>Thrilling performance </li> <li>A characterful engine with an enticing soundtrack </li> <li>Reasonable running costs </li> <li>Not hard to live with day to day</li></ul>

<p>A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.</p>

<p>The Golf GTI remains one of the best hot hatches on the market, along with its main competitor,&nbsp;the&nbsp;equally as responsive and cheaper to buy Hyundai i30 N. But there are some terrific options for even less money than both of these cars. We're big fans of the Ford Fiesta ST, which is definitely one of the best hot hatches ever and certainly one of the most fun to drive. It's full of character and its engaging handling makes it a bit of a hoot at all speeds.&nbsp;</p>

<p>If you’ve got a bit more money to spare, there are even faster cars available, such as the Honda Civic Type R. This latest version is sublime to drive, either on road or on a track, as it's so sweetly balanced. It's also incredibly quick in a straight line&nbsp;and round a corner, and yet it's as practical as a regular Civic.&nbsp;</p>

Hot hatch

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Running costs that won’t break the bank </li> <li>Generous kit</li> <li>Pokey engine and tidy handling</li> <li>Spacious interior</li> <li>Boot big enough to cope with family life</li></ul>

<p>The car-buying public has fallen in love with small SUVs, or crossovers as they’re often called, with thousands turning away from conventional hatchbacks in favour of something that rides that little bit higher.</p>

<p>The original baby SUV is the Nissan Juke, which remains a popular choice, but there are plenty of better rivals to consider instead. We’d recommend you look at either the Ford Puma or Skoda Kamiq, because they offer&nbsp;a great blend of practicality and value that keeps them&nbsp;clear of the opposition. Equally, if you’ve got more money to spend, the Audi Q2 and Volkswagen T-Roc&nbsp;are both fine choices.&nbsp;</p>

Small SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Comfortable ride </li> <li>Feature-filled infotainment </li> <li>Space for child seats </li> <li>Robust build quality </li> <li>Practical storage spaces </li> <li>A boot fit for a family holiday </li> <li>Fuel-efficient engines</li></ul>

<p>While we define a small SUV&nbsp;as something&nbsp;less than 4.3 metres long and a large SUV as measuring more than 4.5 metres, family SUVs tread the middle ground.</p>

<p>As the name suggests, the vast majority are&nbsp;designed for family duties rather than serious off-roading, so practicality is paramount. However, that&nbsp;shouldn't come at the expense of a decent drive; the best examples combine tidy handling with smooth engines&nbsp;and a ride that's comfortable&nbsp;enough to ensure the kids aren't left feeling queasy.</p>

<p>The Seat Ateca and&nbsp;Skoda Karoq should definitely be on your shortlist. But if you have a bit more to spend,&nbsp;the Range Rover Evoque is another strong option. If money is a concern, then the Dacia Duster provides comfortable, spacious and well-equipped transportation for an affordable price.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Family SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

<p>We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.</p>

<p>The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.</p>

<p>A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;</p>

Large SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Effortless long-distance capability</li> <li>Strong standard specification</li> <li>Low running costs</li> <li>Comfortable driving position</li> <li>Comprehensive yet easy-to-use infotainment system</li></ul>

<p>Executive cars are often the choice of company car drivers, so factors such as CO2 emissions (which govern your monthly tax bill) are just as important as cruising refinement for those long motorway journeys, a plush cabin and (whisper it) the image of the badge on the bonnet.</p>

<p>The good news is that there are options for all budgets and tastes. If rear space is crucial and you’re willing to put up with a less-than-premium badge, the Skoda Superb is tough to beat, while if you want a premium badge on the bonnet then the BMW 3 Series is consistently one of our favourites in this class.</p>

<p>And don't think you're limited to just petrol or diesel-powered choices in this class,&nbsp;because at the top end the Tesla Model 3 is well worth considering for its long range and engaging driving style.</p>

Executive

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Usefully long electric-only range</li> <li>Exceedingly frugal</li> <li>Cheap company car tax rates</li> <li>Smooth switching between electric and petrol power</li></ul>

<p>If you're not ready to commit to a fully electric vehicle&nbsp;but have the capacity to charge your car at home or at work, a plug-in hybrid could be the perfect compromise. Electric batteries paired with a petrol or diesel&nbsp;engine means you'll never be left short of charge&nbsp;but can capitalise on cheap running costs, thanks to a surprisingly long electric-only range.</p>

<p>There's plenty of choice, too, whether you're after a sporty saloon like the BMW 3 Series, the 330e variant of which providing up to 36 miles of electric-only driving on a full charge, or a large load-lugging large SUV, including the Volvo XC90 T8, which claims an extraordinary&nbsp;113mpg.</p>

<p>Throw in competent handling and driving prowess, despite the added weight of the electric batteries, and a plug-in hybrid&nbsp;makes a compelling case for frugal buyers.&nbsp;</p>

Plug-in hybrid

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

<p>With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.</p>

<p>As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.</p>

Small Electric

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Long range and ultra-fast charging capability</li> <li>Luxurious and comfortable interior</li> <li>Smooth ride and capable handling</li> <li>Lots of high-tech driver aids</li> <li>Strong performance and great refinement</li></ul>

Large Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

<p>We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £45,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.</p>

<p>The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.</p>

Luxury SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Huge boot and excellent practicality</li> <li>Plenty of interior space so you can carry passengers as well as luggage </li> <li>Strong engines to pull a heavily laden car</li> <li>Comfortable ride, especially on the motorway</li> <li>Low running costs for company car drivers</li></ul>

<p>If you’re after bags of space but you don’t want to commit to the van-like dimensions and styling of an MPV, there are some great estate cars on offer that should do the job.</p>

<p>Tricks to look out for include an electric tailgate&nbsp;that opens automatically when you wave your foot under the rear bumper; this is&nbsp;particularly handy if you’re trying to load in a heavy or&nbsp;bulky item. You should also look for handles in the side of the boot itself that can drop down the rear seats; these are much more convenient than having to walk around the side of the car to do it.</p>

<p>There are some terrific estates at most price ranges. The humble Skoda Fabia Estate offers cavernous space for not much cash at all, for example.</p>

<p>Further up the price range, another of our perennial favourites is the Skoda Superb Estate;&nbsp;it’s great to drive and as practical as most people should ever need. Meanwhile, for serious mile-munching ability and a premium, well-finished interior, it’s hard to look beyond the BMW 5 Series Touring.</p>

Estate

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Go-anywhere capability</li> <li>Work-ready load bay</li> <li>Robust, durable yet also pleasant interior</li> <li>Commanding driving position</li> <li>Heavyweight towing capacity</li></ul>

<p>The popularity of pick-up trucks is growing in the UK, thanks in part to a fixed-rate company car tax for business users, due to them being categorised as light commercial vehicles.</p>

<p>But it's not just those savings to your wallet that makes the pick-up a compelling buy; incredibly durability, huge towing capacity and the surprising about of technology available means the majority are worthy for much more than just working on building sites.</p>

<p>Prices start at under £30,000 for examples such as the Ssangyong Musso, while top-spec models, including the Volkswagen Amarok, feature rear-view cameras, heated seats and smartphone mirroring. Just beware high running costs, as might be expected for vehicles of this size.&nbsp;</p>

Pick-up

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

<p>Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.</p>

<p>Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.</p>

<p>But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.</p>

<p>What we're looking for:</p><ul><li>Wind-in-the-hair excitement</li> <li>Roof that’s quick and easy to raise and lower</li> <li>Comfortable seating for four adults</li> <li>Sufficient practicality for everyday use</li> <li>Little wind buffeting</li> <li>Quietness, whether the roof is up or down</li> <li>Minimal shaking and shimmying over bumps</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Despite the British weather, UK car buyers are among the biggest enthusiasts for wind-in-your-hair motoring, so convertibles have always been surprisingly popular here. It’s best to be able to react to the fickle climate, though, so we’re after a roof that opens (and closes) slickly and quickly and good top-down cruising refinement.</p>

<p dir="ltr">There are precious few bespoke drop-tops these days, so your choice of models is generally limited to soft-top versions of existing models. Mini will sell you a drop-top version of its style-focused hatchback, if you’re after a bit of flair.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/sports/review/n17253">Audi A5 Cabriolet</a>, meanwhile, brings all of the benefits of the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a5/hatchback/review/n170">A5</a> – refined engines and a beautifully finished interior. Alternatively, the much more expensive <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/continental-gt/sports/review/n24424">Bentley Continental GT Convertible</a> is one of the most luxurious convertibles on sale.</p>

Convertible

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Good balance between ride and handling</li> <li>Excellent build quality</li> <li>Decent practicality</li> <li>Sophisticated interior</li></ul>

<p dir="ltr">Coupés are all about style, but while practicality undoubtedly takes a back seat to aesthetics, these cars still need to be easy to live with on a daily basis. It’s this that distinguishes a coupé from an out-and-out sports car.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Fortunately, there’s a wide range of style-focused models available, and you don’t even need to spend silly money to buy or run one.</p>

<p dir="ltr">For a blend of rock-solid resale values, punchy engines and an interior to die for, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/tt/coupe/review/n12">Audi TT</a> is a brilliant option. But the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/4-series/hatchback/review/n17260">BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/cla/coupe/review/n19245">Mercedes CLA</a> both offer plenty of style and substance to match, while the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/aston-martin/dbs/coupe/review/n18289">Aston Martin DBS Superleggera</a> will give you serious performance.</p>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> <p>Practicality is not essential but nice to have</p> </li></ul>

<p>Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.</p>

<p>The Mazda MX-5 embodies sports-car spirit without wearing an exotic price tag, and has deservedly gained a strong following over the years. Much newer to the scene is the mid-engined Alpine A110. It may carry a name from the past, but this potent, mid-engined sports car was designed with the very latest lightweight thinking.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rounding off our shortlist, though, is a name that'll be familiar to even those to whom sports cars hold little interest. The Porsche 911 was born an icon in 1964, and the latest generation bridges the gap between sports car and supercar. Yet, somehow, it manages to preserve a distinctly civilised character.</p>

Sports

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Eye-catching looks without sacrificing too much practicality</li> <li>Strong performance in keeping with a sportier brief</li> <li>Running costs that won’t break the bank</li> <li>Classy interior with high-quality materials</li> <li>Pricing that isn’t exorbitant next to that of conventional siblings</li></ul>

Coupe SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Entertainingly agile handling</li> <li>Eye-widening acceleration</li> <li>Fruity exhaust note</li> <li>Punchy and characterful engine</li> <li>Great driving position</li> <li>Everyday usability</li></ul>

<p>The best performance cars combine sports car-rivalling acceleration with&nbsp;engaging handling. However, they also retain the&nbsp;impressive everyday usability of the conventional saloons and estates on which they're based.</p>

<p>The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio currently sets the standard. However, the models from BMW's M division and Mercedes-AMG also tend to impress.</p>

Performance car

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Car of the Year Awards 2023: Best sports SUV for thrills

If you’d really like to be driving a sports car but can’t compromise on practicality, a sports SUV is just the ticket. The best are fun to drive, with scintillating pace and agile handling...

Porsche Cayenne Coupé GTS

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