Top 10 best sports cars 2022

Hot hatches and performance SUVs are hot property, but traditional sports cars still have their place in the market. While the genre incorporates a range of sizes, layouts and power outputs, the bottom line is that the best sports cars are all created with driving fun near the top of their priority list.

There’s a sports car for just about every budget. From around just £25,000 the Mazda MX-5  is ready to thrill with its traditional low-powered, rear-drive recipe. A little more cash will secure an Audi TT, while other sporty coupes such as the Toyota Supra offer enthusiasts a choice of different styles and driving characteristics. 

If you want something that feels a bit more exotic, then machines like the Porsche 718 Boxster and the Alpine A110 occupy the sports car sweet spot, with plenty of power and thrilling handling to rival the fun factor of much more expensive supercars.

The higher end of the spectrum includes cars that are devastatingly fast and hugely exciting to drive, just like a full-fat supercar, but our favourites also blend in some genuine practicality and day-to-day ability – the Porsche 911 being a particularly great example.

If you want something that feels a bit more exotic, then machines like the Porsche 718 Boxster and the Alpine A110 occupy the sports car sweet spot, with plenty of power and thrilling handling to rival the fun factor of much more expensive supercars.

The higher end of the spectrum includes cars that are devastatingly fast and hugely exciting to drive, just like a full-fat supercar, but our favourites also blend in some genuine practicality and day-to-day ability – the Porsche 911 being a particularly great example.

1. Mazda MX-5
2. Porsche 911
3. Alpine A110
4. Porsche 718 Boxster/Cayman
5. BMW M3/M4
6. McLaren 720S
7. Toyota GR Supra
8. Ford Mustang
9. Nissan GT-R
10. Audi TT

Best sports cars: buying advice

t’s common sense, but it pays to have a very good idea of your needs before setting foot in a showroom or beginning your online hunt. Most sports cars will compromise on practicality, and limited load space and room for two may not quite match your lifestyle. Similarly, larger performance machines will be more expensive to run, so there’s a balance to be found if you plan to use your sports car as your sole transport.

At the cheaper end of the market, it makes sense to decide whether or not you want a convertible. Modern soft-tops are far more sophisticated than ever before – with the roof up or down – but at high speeds one with a cheaper fabric top will be less refined than the equivalent coupé. Again, a compromise may be required if you want the option of wind-in-the-hair motoring.

Once you’ve decided on your requirements and budget, the next step should always be a test drive. Make sure you take the car to a proper twisty road and get a feel for its responses. Pay attention to the steering, gearshift, pedalbox, suspension and its performance through the gears; it’s likely you’ll be buying a sports car to have fun, so make sure you feel able to enjoy yourself. Check too that you fit behind the steering wheel; many sports cars can feel a little cramped inside if you’re more than six feet tall.

The sports car market is filled with prestigious badges. Picking one of these is a good idea if you can afford it, because their residual values will be relatively high. That’s a good thing if you’re buying on a PCP deal, too; high residuals usually equal relatively low monthly payments. Just don’t get too carried away with expensive options.