All-wheel-drive has grown since its introduction from an all-terrain vehicle staple to a way to increase a car's capability on the road. The best all wheel drive sports car model benefit from increased grip, faster launches and more predictable handling, making them a popular choice in the segment. They're a growing market too, with some of the best examples coming from Europe's Porsche and BMW, but the USA is now also seeing the light in this category. To help you decide which AWD sports cars are your favorite, we've put together a list of them using our BuzzScores.Vehicles are assigned a BuzzScore in relation to their direct segment competitors, and as such, vehicles in this list, while similarly scored, do not necessarily compete directly against one another. Find out more about how the BuzzScore ratings work here. These lists are continuously updated with the latest BuzzScores and vehicles as they become available. Porsche Taycan Turbo We all know electric cars are some of the fastest cars on the planet, and that only increases when they're equipped with all-wheel-drive. The Porsche Taycan Turbo sits on top of the Taycan lineup, especially when you choose the 'S' or 'GT' versions. The regular Turbo is no slouch with 871 horses, but the GT leaves it in the dust with 1,017 German horsepower. All-wheel-drive and instant torque means this car can hit 60 miles per hour in under 2.5 seconds, whichever Turbo you choose. Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Sporty all-wheel-drive cars don't come much more complete than the Porsche 911 Carrera 4, which gives you all the handling, poise and capability of the 911 package with more grip. The Carrera 4S, the cheapest 911 with AWD, has 471 horsepower and a 191 mile per hour top speed, but the best part of this car is knowing that it has been developed over the past 60 years. That includes Dakar rallies, where AWD is a must. BMW M4 The BMW M4 xDrive Competition sits on top of the M4 variants, and with 523 horsepower, it's also the most powerful. That power comes from a straight-six engine that's driven through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Adaptive M suspension makes sure you're kept in check, and inside, you'll be cocooned in sporty aesthetics and a lot of carbon fiber to remind you to go quicker. It might look over-the-top to some people, but when you're spending over $90k on a sports car, you want people around you to know. Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance One of the fastest AWD cars is also a four-door on this list, and it comes with a three-pointed star on the grille. The handcrafted 4.0L twin-turbo V8 in the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance is attached to a 150 kW plug-in hybrid motor that raises power up to 831 hors4es. What's more impressive, though, is the torque figure: 1,032 lb-ft. 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive can send all the power to the back wheels when you want to be silly, and an electromechanical coupling distributes power where it's needed most. Toyota GR Corolla It's not just large coupes or sedans that get AWD, as hot hatches can also benefit from the increased grip and versatility of AWD. Toyota's WRC team have knowledge of how to create the most capable AWD systems, and when it's mated to the GR Corolla's 300-hp three-cylinder engine, you know you'll be one of the quickest down a winding road. A six-speed manual makes the drive even more involving, or an eight-speed automatic comes with launch control to make the most of AWD."We then hopped back into the manual GR Corolla, which remains our preferred choice. The automatic isn't less exciting, but the enjoyment of being more connected to the car caused a slightly bigger grin. Toyota's claim of a "snappier" clutch seems to be accurate..."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-At-Large, CarBuzz BMW M3 xDrive The BMW M3 has always been the super sedan that all others aspire to be, and when you add AWD, it becomes one of the fastest AWD cars that you can daily. A six-cylinder turbo engine means power is in abundance with 523 horses under your right foot. BMW says that the engine powering this upgraded family sedan serves as the basis for the M4 GT3 racecar. Even though this is one of the fast all-wheel-drive cars on this list, you can choose to go only rear-wheel-drive for ultimate drifts on track. Mercedes-AMG SL55 Mercedes-AMG SL models have always been the do-everything roadsters, and that fact only gets more truthful when you add AWD into the mix. Roadsters aren't only used during the summer, so they have to be capable of dealing with difficult weather conditions. The V8 engine in this car means power isn't an issue, and it can thrill you on a long drive while you're being massaged by the luxury seats that come as standard. Audi RS e-tron GT Built on the Porsche Taycan platform, the Audi RS e-tron GT is more in-you-face than its Stuttgart twin but no less boring. Starting at $170k, it certainly aims for the stars, and it can get there quickly thanks to 912 horsepower and a 2.4-second 0-60 mph time. The 105 kWh battery can be charged from 10-80% in just 18 minutes, making road trips easy too. Audi once showed the world how impressive AWD can be on the rally stage, and it has improved it ever since. Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray One of the fastest AWD car models to come from the USA is the Chverolet Corvette E-Ray, which makes use of an electric front axle to drag it out of corners quicker. The 6.2L V8's power output is increased to 655 horsepower thanks to electrons, and the instantaneous torque gives it a 10.5 second quarter mile time. Carbon ceramic brakes come as standard on this mid-engined piece of America, and it can keep up with AWD sporty cars from Europe thanks to a 2.5 second 0-60 time. Audi RS7 AWD turbo cars are something of a staple for Audi, and the RS7 is one of the most aggressive-looking sedans to come out of Stuttgart. 621 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque is backed up by adaptive air suspension, which helps you stay comfortable under normal conditions and compliant when giving it the cherries. Audi is also proud of its sport rear differential, which intelligently sends power to the rear corner where it's needed most. Characteristics Of AWD Sports Cars While there are plenty of vehicles with AWD, sports cars are a slightly different breed. They have their own unique qualities that set them apart from rough-and-tumble SUVs or all-terrain pickup trucks. These include: Design: There are certainly some sporty crossovers out there, but for a genuinely athletic driving experience, you can’t settle for less than a sedan or coupe. Size doesn’t matter as much, though small cars are often seen as more nimble and cossetting. Larger vehicles can support better engines, however, and they have more of a balanced focus between performance and comfort. Performance: Speaking of engines and performance, the best AWD sports cars are seldom lacking when it comes to sheer power. There aren’t as many V6 or V8 options as there once were, but a good turbocharged four-cylinder still delivers bucket loads of fun. Automatic transmissions are the norm, too, but a few automakers still offer the option of an engaging manual. Budget: You normally pay more for the sheer indulgence of sports cars, and new AWD variants are generally even more expensive. This is because the drivetrain is more complex; it also means the added weight has a negative impact on fuel economy. There are still some relatively cheap choices out there, but the top sports cars in the USA are going to cost you. What To Consider When Buying A Sports Car With AWD Most automakers do their best to supply buyers with a well-rounded vehicle that has more strengths than weaknesses. However, sometimes cars are so single-minded in their focus that they neglect certain areas. So, before you run out and buy a car that can sprint to 60 mph in a couple of seconds, make sure it ticks the right boxes for you. These are the pros and cons of AWD sports cars. Pros Extremely high levels of performance AWD often improves acceleration times Great traction and handling - improved driver confidence Enhanced traction helps with adverse weather conditions Engaging and fun to drive Cons Extra weight can affect handling dynamics Costs even more than regular sports cars Higher fuel consumption figures Overconfidence from the driver can be dangerous Are AWD cars safer? While safety isn’t usually fore of thought for drivers of high-speed performance vehicles, all-wheel drive indeed offers slightly better safety standards. Improved traction on slippery surfaces is a boon. However, this will depend on the driver’s abilities since AWD only really improves how much control they have over the car. A good driver can, therefore, more easily avoid potential accidents. Do AWD cars use more gas? Generally speaking, yes. An all-wheel-drive system is heavier than a regular two-wheel setup, which means it takes more power to get the car moving. This, in turn, affects overall fuel consumption and mpg.Sources: BMW, Porsche, Audi, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Chevrolet
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