Best sports cars 2026 – plus the one to avoid
There's nothing like summer sunshine to enjoy your favourite sports car, but the very best in this class will put a smile on your face come rain or shine. To make our list of the best sports cars, we're looking for models which offer a scintillating driving experience, with potent acceleration, agile handline and a well-controlled ride. But while practicality can in some ways take a back seat to driving fun here, the very best sports cars are still usable for everyday driving.
Our experienced road test team have spent hundreds of hours testing every sports car on the market, driving them both on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track. The result is the list you see here, where we've named the 10 best sports cars you can buy, as well as the model we think you should avoid. You can find more about how we test and rate cars in our separate feature, plus we can help you buy or lease a sports car; just follow the links to find out more.
Best sports cars to buy now – and how to get the best deal
| Make and model | List price from | Rating | PCP deals | Leasing deals |
| Porsche 911 | £108,435 | 5 | Best PCP deals | NA |
| Aston Martin Vanquish | £330,000 | 5 | NA | NA |
| Alpine A110 | £49,810 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Ferrari 296 GTB | £259,575 | 5 | NA | NA |
| McLaren 720S | £208,600 | 4 | NA | NA |
The best sports cars for you
Few cars can claim to be true icons, but the Porsche 911 is one car which fully deserves that title. It's been a staple feature in this list for years, and the latest version blends grin-inducing performance with sublime handling, and more practicality than you might expect.
Alternatively, the Aston Martin Vanquish is a wonderfully old-school sports car, with its gloriously excessive V12 petrol engine providing huge dollops of power, and resulting in a 0-62mph sprint time of less than 3.5 seconds.
Not every sports car needs to cost the Earth, and in the grand scheme of things the Alpine A110 comes out looking like a bit of a bargain. Its small size and light weight makes for lively performance from the 1.8-litre petrol engine, which emits a very appealing rasp as you drive along.
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Our pick: 3.0T 992 Carrera S PDK Euro 6 (s/s) 2dr
Strengths
- Seriously rapid and sounds good
- Great to drive
- Practical for a sports car
Weaknesses
- Options are expensive
- Lots of road noise
The latest iteration of the Porsche 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 that 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 front seats.
"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 in-depth Porsche 911 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £109,900
RRP from: £108,605
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
3.0T 992 Carrera Coupe 2dr Petrol PDK Euro 6 (s/s) (394 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 6000 |
| Term months | 48 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £1,244.51 |
| Initial payment | £14,934.12 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Strengths
- Fantastic V12 engine
- Comfortable cruiser
- Excellent interior quality
Weaknesses
- Expensive to buy
- No rear seats
In a field of technological marvels, you might think that the new Aston Martin Vanquish is, well, a bit of a dinosaur. That's because it doesn't feature any advanced fuel-saving hybrid technology, and instead is powered by a strapping great V12 petrol engine.
The result is a sound-track that's unapologetically raw and, frankly, a little addictive. You'll find yourself deliberately droppin down a gear just to mash the accelerator pedal into the floor and enjoy the roar which comes as a result. The Vanquish is impressively fast, too, with a 0-62mph sprint time of 3.5sec and a top speed of more than 200mph.
You can enjoy all that theatricality from some very comfortable seats up front, where you're surrounded by the kind of high-end materials you'd expect at this price point. And while infotainment systems in other, less recent Aston Martins were a bit out-dated, the system in the Vanquish is bang up to date, reacting promptly to your inputs and with decent graphics – even if the system in the Bentley Continental GT has more features.
"It was with a very sad face that I told my children they couldn't come with me and my wife for a drive in the Aston Martin, since the Vanquish has no rear seats. Still, we enjoyed ourselves immensely." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our in-depth Aston Martin Vanquish review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £335,745
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 and light models often make the best sports cars, and the Alpine 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 4.5sec. Faster models are available, but we think the entry-level version is all you need.
The model's low weight also brings handling benefits. The A110 feels well-balanced and nimble, and very accurate steering makes it easy to turn with precision.
It doesn't feel as classy as the 718 Cayman and is less practical despite costing similar money, but because of its comparative rarity, resale values are actually even stronger 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, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Alpine A110 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £55,999
RRP from: £56,810
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 introduced its F1 hybrid knowhow into a mainstream supercar, rather than just some limited-run special. 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 on 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 time, 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 on the Ferrari 296 GTB: £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 in-depth Ferrari 296 GTB review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £259,695
Strengths
- Stunning handling
- Superb visibility
- Surprisingly comfortable ride
Weaknesses
- Hugely expensive
- Distracting touchscreen
We know that in real-world conditions, even sports car owners aren't likely to be touring down to the Amalfi coast every weekend – but on the off chance that you're able to, we reckon the perfect way to get going would be in a McLaren 720S.
What makes the 720S special is its dual nature. On the one hand, it's as exciting to drive as many other sports cars, with hellish performance and entertaining handling. But when you need to settle down to do some serious motorway miles, it's able to do so comfortably and relatively quietly. Indeed, the 720S' ride is as absorbent as many executive cars, despite its huge wheels. In short, no other sports car rival gets close to offering the same level of comfort.
And while most of us wouldn't expect a mid-engined sports car to be especially practical, the 720S does a better job than most, with enough room to keep a couple of six-footers happy in the front, and space for a couple of carry-on suitcases in its front boot. Or, if the mood takes you, there's space for a set of golf clubs behind the seats.
"I love a gimmick, and the 720S digital instrument cluster, which can fold away to leave you with an F1-style minimalist readout, is a great centrepiece." – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth McLaren 720S review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £228,345
Strengths
- Delicate but playful handling balance
- Savage power delivery
- Beautiful body control
Weaknesses
- Engine could sound more charismatic
- Depreciation is a concern
- Interior could have more pizzazz
While an increasing number of supercars rely on hybrid technology for their performance, the Maserati MC20 is far more traditional in its approach. True, its 3.0-litre V6 engine doesn't sound amazing, but the acceleration it provides is savage.
What's more, the way the MC20 handles is perfectly suited to the UK’s roads, with accurate steering and adaptive suspension that deals with broken surfaces beautifully.
The interior is less showy than that of the Ferrari 296 and McLaren Artura, but its simplicity is refreshing. It’s easy to get a good driving position and visibility – forward at least – is very good. The MC20 is a strict two-seater, but there’s a reasonable boot which combine with the great ride quality to make a surprisingly useful long-distance tourer.
"I like that the drive settings are all very easy to use – and less distracting as a result. The driving-mode selector sits on the centre console; you just swipe left or right on the touchpad to bring up the suspension and drivetrain menus, then use a rotary dial to confirm individual settings. Simple.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth Maserati MC20 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £229,845
Strengths
- Fantastic engine
- Engaging handling
- Classy interior
Weaknesses
- Porsche 911 has lower starting price
- Road noise
- Limited practicality
We all like a good update, so the power hike that came for the Aston Martin Vantage's 4.0-litre V8 engine in 2024, boosting power from 503bhp to 656bhp, was extremely good news. It cut the 0-62mph sprint time to a heady 3.2 seconds – although that's still slightly slower than the fastest versions of the Mercedes-AMG GT can manage – while also increasing the top speed to 202mph.
The result is a sports car which is wonderfully entertaining, with the engine serving up huge dollops of mid-range muscle once into its stride. Gear shifts from the automatic gearbox are quick enough, but they aren't quite as snappy as the dual-clutch alternatives you'll find in rivals such as the Porsche 911.
It's a similar story with handling, where the Vantage can't quite match the strong sense of connection that a 911 gives you to its front wheels, but it's far from numb. Indeed, there's a huge amount of grip from the front tyres, and the car's short wheelbase makes it feel eager to turn into bends.
"I found plenty of space inside the Vantage to get comfortable, but it's a bit of a shame that storage for your odds and ends is a little tight." – Steve Huntingford, Editor
Read our in-depth Aston Martin Vantage review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
RRP from: £174,745
Our pick: 1.5 SKYACTIV-G Prime-Line Roadster Euro 6 (s/s) 2dr
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 here 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 hard-top roof, as the Mazda MX-5 RF).
We rate the 1.5-litre model in Prime-Line trim highest, 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. Just bear in mind that this isn't a big car, which has its advantages, but also means taller people might struggle to fit.
"I love the way the MX-5's instruments are dominated by the rev counter, just as they should be in a sports car." – Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor
Read our in-depth Mazda MX-5 review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £24,995
RRP from: £28,605
Strengths
- Competitive price
- Wild V8 performance
- Available in right-hand drive
Weaknesses
- Keen drivers will prefer the Porsche 911
- There are more luxurious interiors in the class
- Only two seats
If you like the idea of cruising around in something thoroughly American, then the Chevrolet Corvette has you well covered. Its naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine is as red, white and blue as apple pie and the fourth of July, while the soundtrack it puts out when laying down all of its 475bhp is nothing short of intoxicating.
The Corvette can pin you into the back of your seat on a straight road, but this isn't a sports car that's only good for drag racing. Indeed, thanks to light steering and beautifully neutral handling, the Corvette has no trouble in hauling itself around corners, being both engaging and inspiring confidence.
The interior of the Corvette Stingray might make you think of fighter jets in the way it wraps around you, and we think most drivers will appreciate having all of the controls fall easily to hand. The Corvette's standard infotainment system is pretty basic and slow, but you can get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.
"The Competition Sports seats you can get in the Corvette are as good as anything we've tried from BMW or Porsche – I found them comfortable and supportive on a spirited drive." – Doug Revolta, Head of Video
Read our in-depth Cherolet Corvette review
What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £104,480
RRP from: £103,124
Our pick: 77kWh Trophy Auto 2dr
Strengths
- Practical for a two-seater
- GT is savagely quick
- Very well equipped
Weaknesses
- Petrol alternatives are more agile
- Clunky infotainment system
- Fidgety ride quality
The world of electric sports cars is still young, but the fact that the MG Cyberster manages to make it onto our list of the best models in the class shows you how good it is.
For a start, it's fast. Entry-level versions get a 335bhp electric motor driving the rear wheels, resulting in a 0-62mph sprint time of 5.0 seconds. Go for the GT model and you get a second motor, upping the power output to 503bhp and dropping the 0-62mph time to 3.2 seconds. That means any BMW Z4 or Porsche 718 Boxster will be left for dust in a drag race.
Yet despite that performance, the Cyberster doesn't feel like a savage sports car. That's party due to how much it weighs compared with the most agile petrol-engined rivals, but that also means that the MG doesn't handle with quite the same aplomb as something like a Boxster.
Inside the Cyberster, you'll find a comfortable driving position and a good mix of materials, but the infotainment system is slow to react to your inputs.
“I didn't mind it, but if you get into the Cyberster expecting to sit low to the ground, like you do in other sports cars, you might be disappointed, because it places you fairly high up.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor
Read our in-depth MG Cyberster review
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What is What Car? best price?
The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.
Available now from: £52,490
RRP from: £55,245
About our price indicator
What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)
77kWh Trophy Convertible 2dr Electric Auto (340 ps)
| Expected annual mileage | 5000 |
| Term months | 60 |
| Deposit months | 12 |
| Monthly payment | £773.13 |
| Initial payment | £9,277.56 |
Step-by-step
Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.
- Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
- Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
- Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end
What you get
When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:
- Full manufacturer’s warranty
- Road tax and roadside assistance included
- No admin fees
- Free returns within 30 days*
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
