Flashy and fun to drive, these sports cars speak to car lovers on the most basic level and satisfy both our need for speed as well as our desire to be seen.
If you’re like us—and if you’re reading this you probably are—you value speed and athleticism above all else when it comes to the car you drive. Sports cars are the lifeblood of automotive enthusiasts, and lucky for us there are plenty of good choices at a broad range of prices. The cars on this list are guaranteed to turn heads and thrill drivers. How do we know? Our editors have put just about every sports car sold today through our renowned testing regimen. From performance testing to cargo area measurements and a real-world fuel economy challenge, we do it all.
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Few cars deliver driving thrills at an affordable price quite like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, and it’s the only affordable sports car with a convertible top. It’s also on our 2022 Editors’ Choice list. A spunky four-cylinder primarily pairs with a satisfying six-speed manual, but an automatic transmission is offered, too. The Miata’s handling is eager and playful, which makes encountering twisty roads a joyful experience. Most versions come with a manually-folding soft-top, but there’s a more expensive RF model available with a power-folding Targa hardtop. With either roof, the Miata’s interior is snug but nicely equipped, with infotainment features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across all trims.
Subaru BRZ
Prioritizing affordability and lightweight agility over high horsepower and high-priced exclusivity, the 2022 Subaru BRZ continues to be a pure sports car for everyone. The completely redesigned rear-drive-only coupe remains a unique entry in Subaru’s otherwise all-wheel-drive lineup. The same is in store for its mechanical twin, the Toyota 86. With a 228-hp naturally aspirated flat-four, the BRZ is more powerful than before, which at least partly addresses one of our biggest complaints. Combine that with a lower center of gravity as well as a feathery curb weight and this assertively styled 2+2 hatchback is set up to deliver the seat-of-your-pants feeling that defines all great sports cars. With a new interior design that brings modern tech but preserves its predecessor’s practicality, the 2022 BRZ leapfrogs affordable sports-cars favorites like the Mazda MX-5 Miata and earns a 10Best nod and a spot on our Editors’ Choice list.
Toyota GR86
The second-generation Toyota GR86 follows the same rear-wheel-drive formula as the first-gen car. Developed again in conjunction with the Subaru BRZ, the GR86 will be powered by a horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine and a standard six-speed manual transmission. This time around, Toyota has addressed our principal complaint with the last generation and has given the GR86 more horsepower for 2022. The new model is powered by a 2.4-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder engine that makes 228 horsepower, which is 23 hp more than the outgoing model’s 2.0-liter mill. The result is a phenomenal driving experience for the price, a combo that’s worthy of spots on our 10Best and Editors’ Choice lists.
Toyota Supra
It’s been a few years since the Supra rejoined the Toyota lineup after a long hiatus, but despite our growing familiarity, the 2022 Supra remains one of our favorite sports cars. In fact, it’s on our 2022 Editors’ Choice list. Although it was developed and is built alongside the BMW Z4 convertible, the Supra coupe offers a personality that’s unique from its Bavarian brother, even though the two cars share the same powertrains. The latter include two turbocharged engines, a standard 255-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder and an optional 382-hp 3.0-liter inline-six. Both feed the rear wheels via a snappy eight-speed automatic transmission. The Toyota’s cabin is snug and surprisingly premium, largely because it pulls from the BMW parts bin. The Supra also packs plenty of infotainment features and safety tech, too.
Chevy Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro coupe and convertible are about the pure and simple joy of driving. Forget about their compromised outward visibility and cramped rear seats. Instead, embrace their lithe handling, satisfying stick-shift transmission, and remarkably smooth ride. A 275-hp turbo four is the default engine, but opting for the 335-hp V-6 or the 455-hp V-8 unlocks more melodic soundtracks and punchier acceleration. Its cabin includes some unattractive materials, and some will call it claustrophobic, but its front seats are comfy and supportive, and its well-stocked infotainment system is easy to use. The Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger are better as daily drivers, but with the optional 1LE package, Chevy’s pony car transforms into the best track car of the three. When it comes to performance for the price, it’s hard to find a better value than the 2022 Camaro.
Chevy Camaro ZL1
The 2022 Chevy Camaro ZL1 isn’t the most powerful muscle car, but when it comes to driver involvement and value for the performance, it’s unbeatable. It’s also on our 2022 Editors’ Choice list. The bow-tie boys stuff a 650-hp supercharged V-8 between the ZL1’s fenders and offer a satisfying manual transmission or a snappy 10-speed automatic. Sure, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 packs a 760-hp V-8 and its own incredible track capabilities, but it doesn’t offer a stick-shift or a convertible body style. Plus, unlocking the Shelby’s full potential costs considerably more than the Camaro’s transformative 1LE package. While a ZL1 1LE has the hardware and tuning to slay some six-figure cars around a racetrack, its ride will be too harsh for anyone who isn’t a glutton for punishment. And, as with every Camaro, the ZL1’s outward visibility is compromised, and the interior materials are unimpressive. Still, the 2022 Camaro ZL1 makes its driver feel like a king and lords over its fiercest rivals.
Ford Mustang
Whether it’s used for top-down trips on the Sunset Strip or track time at Lime Rock, there’s a 2022 Ford Mustang for most every lifestyle and personality. With countless appearance packages, notable performance-enhancing options, and coupe or convertible body styles, it can be highly personalized. Power comes from a punchy turbo four or a mighty 5.0-liter V-8; both engines feed the rear wheels through an engaging manual transmission or a terrific 10-speed automatic. While all models are fun to drive, Ford offers myriad packages to up the excitement, culminating in the track-focused Mach 1. Even the most aggressive Mustang (excluding the 760-hp Shelby GT500) can be driven every day, and it has a roomier back seat and better outward visibility than the Chevy Camaro. When it comes to pony cars, there’s none better than the 2022 Mustang, which is why it’s on our Editors’ Choice list.
Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Think of the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 kind of like a rolling theme park. Its monstrous 760-hp supercharged V-8 launches the coupe with eye-watering force, and its immense grip causes sensations of euphoria or nausea or both. All the while its thrilling exhaust note provides the soundtrack, and a rapid-shifting automatic transmission handles gearchanges for the rear-drive-only coupe. The Shelby GT500 isn’t just the mightiest Mustang ever, it’s also the most powerful road car Ford has ever built. We named it to our 2022 Editors’ Choice list, too. Despite the ability to soil people’s undergarments on demand, it’s still a Mustang at heart, meaning it doubles as a daily driver. Opting for the Carbon Fiber Track Pack optimizes the GT500’s performance, but it also costs almost a quarter of the Shelby’s base price. For some owners, that money will be better spent on fueling this thirsty beast or paying the inevitable influx of speeding tickets.
Chevy Corvette
After years of waiting for the mid-engine Corvette to make its debut, the pressure was on for Chevrolet to deliver a modern-day icon. As the C8-generation car enters its second model year, we are happy to report that its status is preserved—in fact, it’s elevated. The Corvette offers impressive performance, a 490-hp V-8 engine, and an affordable base price, which helped it snag a 10Best award for 2021. Both a coupe and a convertible are offered, and the Corvette’s two-seat cabin is spacious and comfortable for full-size adults. Beyond its spectacular performance, Chevy’s engineers made the ride supple enough for daily commuting and cross-country road trips, yet with the Z51 package the Vette is track-capable. Cargo space is limited, but golf clubs still fit in the back, and the front trunk (frunk) offers a deep well that’ll easily hold a carry-on suitcase.
Porsche 718 Cayman
Few cars, including other sports cars we love, offer the same purity of mission as the 2022 Porsche 718 Cayman. Its mid-engine arrangement and expertly tuned suspension give it a joyful driving demeanor that’s truly addictive, and we again named it to our 2022 Editors’ Choice list. Buyers can choose from a horizontally opposed four- or six-cylinder engine, the latter of which sings a siren’s song that encourages aggressive driving. Fans of open-air driving will find the 718 Boxster a similar experience, but we review that model separately. While the Cayman commands a price premium over rivals such as the Chevy Corvette and Toyota Supra, its focused persona and Porsche brand image are enough to justify the increased cost. Of course, its transcendent driving traits are what secure its spot on our 10Best list.
Porsche 718 Boxster
Most convertibles are a romantic way to enjoy the open road, but the 2022 Porsche 718 Boxster takes it a step further with its joyous handling and eager turbocharged powertrains. It shares its chassis and mechanical parts with the similarly sporty 718 Cayman coupe, but the Boxster’s cloth top opens the cabin to fresh air and the freeing feeling of the wind in your hair. Base models come with a turbocharged horizontally opposed four-cylinder, but speed freaks will gravitate toward the optional flat-six. The 718 Boxster may not have the cachet of Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car, but its focused chassis and lively nature make it one of the best-driving sports cars on the road earn it a 10Best award and a spot on our Editors’ Choice list.
Porsche 911
The 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S, which come in familiar, understated coupe and cabriolet body styles, are the pinnacle of the automaker’s most revered nameplate. At their heart—albeit located in their tails—is a twin-turbo 3.7-liter flat-six that develops 573 horsepower in the Turbo and 640 in the Turbo S. Along with spine-tingling yawps at stratospheric rpm, the engine delivers neck-snapping acceleration. After all, the 911 Turbo S is among the quickest cars we’ve ever tested. Helping achieve that historic status is standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic that ranks among the best. While we wish there was a manual option, and though we found the sportiest suspension setup to be overly stiff, the 2022 911 Turbo and Turbo S offer a sublime driving experience that even some more exotic supercars can’t replicate. This helps them earn a spot on our 2022 Editors’ Choice list.
Porsche 911 GT3
With an exclusive naturally aspirated engine and race car-inspired components, the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 is optimized for driver engagement and track-day glory. Porsche enhances its most visceral 911 variant with a control-arm front suspension—the first on a 911 road car—and an unusual rear wing that’s mounted at the top instead of the bottom. The GT3 is also the only 911 that’s not turbocharged, and the responsive nature and immersive sounds of its 502-hp 4.0-liter flat-six qualify as inspirational. The specialness of the rear-mounted mill is further realized by the telepathic seven-speed PDK automatic transmission or the rewarding six-speed manual. Thanks to a unique suspension setup and track-focused tire options, the 2022 911 GT3 has a surprisingly supple, albeit firm, ride and incredible steering feel that are just a few of the reasons it’s so exhilarating to drive. They also help it make our 2022 Editors’ Choice list.
Ferrari F8
The 2022 Ferrari F8 Tributo and Spider epitomize the supercar formula. They both have looks that kill, the most power-dense V-8 that Ferrari has ever built, and handling that’s more akin to donning a superhero’s suit than driving a car. While the Italian automaker has built V-8s that sound better than the F8’s twin-turbo 3.9-liter, the 710 horsepower it sends to the rear tires contributes to exhilarating take-offs and the sense you’re flying low to the ground. Whether drivers opt for the convertible Spider or the hardtop Tributo, the epic power, stout chassis, and neck-straining cornering grip will make them work to extract the car’s full potential. As with commuter-friendly alternatives such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and McLaren GT, the 2022 F8 is similarly comfortable and refined, making its incredible performance and supercar pedigree even more impressive.
Maserati MC20
Maserati has been teasing us with the new MC20 mid-engine sports car for some time now, and we’ve finally driven this sweet little cannoli and sampled its novel 621-hp twin-turbo V-6. The MC20 is offered as a two-seater coupe with a minimalist cabin that’s focused on the driver; a convertible is expected to join the lineup later and eventually an electric MC20 will reach production too. A collaboration with motorsport engineering company Dallara has resulted in a carbon-fiber structure with aluminum subframes for the suspension and powertrain. This construction minimizes weight, which sets the MC20 up for performance-related success.
McLaren 720S
Keyword: Best New Sports Cars of 2022 and 2023