Sports cars are some of the purest ways to enjoy the act of driving, with their thrilling drivetrains and excellent handling giving you confidence behind the wheel. When their dimensions get smaller, the enjoyment usually only gets bigger, as they'll be easier to pilot down a winding road without crossing lanes and worrying about clipping the grass. While cars grow in size and power, the little sports cars on our list for 2026 show that you can get performance credentials without the bloat.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.This list includes conventional two-door sports cars as well as other compact, high-performance cars with different body styles, including sports sedans and hot hatchbacks. Honda Civic Type R A hot hatch is one of the best ways to get sports car performance in a small package, and the Honda Civic Type R is one of the seminal takes on the iconic formula. A 2.0L turbo four-cylinder mated to a slick six-speed manual 'box might not sound like anything special, but it's all about how involving this car is to drive. All 315 ponies go to the front wheels, and you'll be able to see your stats on track thanks to a live datalogger. BMW M2 BMW has a knack for making small and involving cars out of its usual product line, and while the M2 might now be built on the larger M4 platform, it's still a pocket rocket. It has 453 horsepower coming from a six-cylinder turbo engine, and that means it can hit 60 miles per hour in under four seconds. That number may be even quicker soon, as the Bavarian manufacturer is going to give the M2 all-wheel-drive. Acura Integra Type S Being the premium version of Honda, Acura has a lot riding on the Integra Type S. It's built on the same platform as the Civic Type R and uses the same brilliant powertrain, but this time with a bump in power thanks to a revised exhaust system. It's also been tuned for a slightly softer ride, meaning it's easier to daily. With 37 inches of legroom, this small sports car can also fit right into family life with its space and become an animal when you want it to be."You can feel exactly what those front wheels are up to through the steering as the car gets all 320 horses down to the road. It's buzzy, it's full of character, and it will put a huge grin on your face. I found that finessing the throttle to get the quickest launch is more satisfying than the German alternatives"- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz Toyota GR Corolla Hot hatches have only been getting more capable since their peak in the 90s, and the GR Corolla shows that perfectly. The three-cylinder in this car makes 300 horsepower, which is already impressive, but you'll love the all-wheel-drive drivetrain that includes a six-speed manual. There is an eight-speed automatic available that offers launch control, but we think the manual is the better choice for small performance cars.""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 Subaru BRZ Some of the best tiny sports cars feature the legendary combination of a front-mounted engine, rear-wheel-drive and only two doors. The Subaru BRZ is one of the best ways to learn how to handle a rear-drive car thanks to its friendly tuning and no-frills 228-hp boxer engine. That doesn't mean it can't be driven in anger — the tS have upgraded brakes and tuned suspension that's ready for the track. The six-speed manual, like other cars on this list, helps you feel more connected to the machine. Audi RS3 When Audi sets out to make a performance car, chances are it'll be sensible, good to drive but a little uninspiring. That isn't true with the RS3, which has become one of the standout driver's cars of 2026. A turbocharged five-cylinder makes 401 horsepower, and we all know that part of the fun of performance cars is the sound, and in certain modes, a valve is open to make it scream. With torque vectoring and an improved rear torque splitter, this car can be lively when you need it to be, or grip out of corners to slash laptimes. "The RS3 is one of the feistiest small cars we've driven, and it's proper adaptive suspension away from perfection. However, that would add a little weight and a lot of cost, and we would rather take that awesome drivetrain. If you're looking for all-wheel-drive thrills in a small package, it's best in class. It's a complicated car, but the bottom line is as simple as that."- Ian Wright, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz BMW Z4 While the end is nigh for the BMW Z4, you can still enjoy it before it goes off sale. It may not be the smallest sports car with a droptop on our list, but it makes good use of its dimensions to offer comfort and technology. A four-cylinder comes as standard, but if you're serious about performance, you'll be eyeing up the six-cylinder and equipping it with the Handschalter package. That gives this roadster a manual transmission, a special tune for the dampers, and other modifications to get the most out of your drive."BMW delivered everything that enthusiasts asked for: a manual transmission, a great engine, handsome styling, and access to the sky. For discerning enthusiasts, the Z4 Handschalter is the best BMW currently on sale. It's easy to get the rear end to step out and manage the throttle without worrying about losing control. This is now our favorite BMW to drive; it's more comfortable than an M2 but just as fun."- Jared Rosenholtz, Editor-at-Large, CarBuzz" Toyota GR Supra Toyota took BMW's platform and engine and made it their own in the GR Supra. While it's going off sale soon, like the Z4 on which it's based, it's still a great sports car to pick up. Starting at $58k, it comes with the modern 2JZ (the BMW B58 six-cylinder turbo engine), a six-speed manual, and even a complimentary membership to the National Auto Sport Association. The latter helps you get the most out of this car by putting on track days. Mazda MX-5 Miata All the smallest sports cars have to bow down in front of the Mazda MX-5 Miata, the legend of small and affordable performance. While it might not be the most potent — the 2.0L NA four-cylinder makes only 181 horsepower - but its 50/50 weight distribution and tight handling characteristics make it one of the most enjoyable cars on the road. When you're not hooning around winding roads, this small two-seater can be had with heated seats, a Bose speaker system and even blind-spot monitoring. Toyota GR86 When we drove all three GR models on a track day, it was the GR86 that left the biggest impression. Its 228-hp four-cylinder boxer takes some beating to loosen, making most of its power at the top of the rev band, but it's happy to comply with whatever you throw at it. Like the GR Supra, you can get a complimentary NASA membership with this car, and with how good it is on track, we'd be sweeping that offer right up."It's astoundingly predictable, telling you exactly what it's up to at all times, and it never does anything suddenly, and if it ever steps out of line at either end, a subtle change in throttle is all it takes to get it back on line. Few cars keep you as wired in as the 86, which is why you'll want to whip it around lap after lap after lap, whether you're new to track driving or a seasoned veteran."- Joel Stocksdale, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz What To Consider When Buying A Compact Sports Car Buying a compact sports car obviously means you’ll need to make some sacrifices, but does the good outweigh the bad? Here are the pros and cons of the smallest sports cars. Pros Easy to maneuver due to small size Efficient due to low curb weights and small-displacement turbocharged engines Sporty good looks and various body styles Small sports cars have reasonable price tags Cons Not as powerful or rapid as larger performance cars The best small sporty cars are often impractical in terms of cargo space Space for passengers is often limited Sources: Honda, Toyota, Mazda, BMW, Audi, Acura