Regresar al GuidesSports cars are the envy of those who want a flashy, fun-to-drive car, that handles well and has the zip to back it all up. Unfortunately, sports cars are also some of the least practical vehicles on both the new and used car markets. That is not always the case, though. The current variety of sports cars on the automotive market caters to a wide variety of consumer demands, making it likely that you can find one that suits your wants and needs.
Even though recently discontinued models like the Jaguar F-Type, Audi TT, and Chevrolet Camaro are no longer available for the 2025 model year and beyond, many of the new sports cars on the market are the best versions of themselves they have ever been, and the future remains bright for enthusiasts. Read on to see what we have to say about the best sports cars for 2025.
1. Porsche 718 Boxster
2. BMW Z4
3. Mazda MX-5 Miata
4. Nissan Z
5. Ford Mustang
6. Porsche 718 Cayman
7. Lotus Emira
8. Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR 86
9. Volkswagen GTI
10. Toyota GR Supra
11. Chevrolet Corvette
12. Honda Civic Type-R
13. BMW M2
1. Porsche 718 Boxster
They say that the Porsche Boxster is the poor man’s Porsche 911. Its starting MSRP of $74,900 certainly suggests that it earns that nickname, but getting behind the wheel will help you forget about almost any other vehicle. Its mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout creates a balance that is unrivaled and a sublime driving experience as a result.
It comes with several engine options: A 300-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four, a 350-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged flat-four, a 394-horsepower 4.0-liter flat-six, or a 493-horsepower 4.0-liter flat-six. Any one of them is more than enough to get the 718 Boxster up to speed and compliment its excellent handling. A six-speed manual transmission even comes standard with each powerplant.
Every engine provides a 0-60 MPH time of under 5 seconds, so none of them is a loser. On top of that, you will enjoy the open-air experience that a two-seater convertible roadster is able to provide. Features like dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, and Apple CarPlay are available, but drivers will likely be having too much fun to notice. Porsche has not made any significant changes to the Boxster for the 2025 model year, yet it remains high in our rankings.
Browse Porsche 718 Boxster listings here.
2. BMW Z4
The BMW Z4 is also a two-seater roadster like the 718 Boxster, and even though it is not quite as sporty or balanced as its German neighbor, it brings a classier touch to the table. Base models are motivated by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo that sends 255 horsepower to the rear wheels. Alternatively, buyers can opt for the 382-horsepower inline-six turbo. New for 2025, the larger engine can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission and a few extra “go-fast” parts.
Despite the first-time inclusion of a manual transmission option for 2025, the eight-speed automatic transmission should do just fine for most buyers. Something else that should be just fine is the Z4’s 32 MPG rating on the highway. Even though this comes by way of the smaller engine option, buyers can add a dynamic handling package that includes upgrades like an M-Sport differential, adaptive suspension, and sport brakes for a bit more handling capability.
If sheer performance is what you are after, the inline-six engine with the automatic transmission will provide you with a mid-three-second 0-60 MPH time. When you are done ripping your Z4 of choice around the corners, you will still be able to enjoy available typically BMW features like ambient lighting, adaptive cruise control, wireless device charging, a heated steering wheel, and a Harman Kardon surround sound system.
3. Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata is the stereotypical affordable sports car. Its relatively low horsepower figures, diminutive size, and historically “cutesy” looks have earned it a reputation that it does not deserve. Its near-perfect balance, zippy personality, and razor-sharp handling make it fun to drive, and the fact that its starting price of under $30,000 provides all of this and more is an impressive feat in today’s world of rising costs.
Not much has been released about the 2025 model, but after a mid-cycle refresh in 2024, there should not be much that is changing for 2025. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 181 horsepower without the help of a turbo. A six-speed manual transmission and a curb weight of only around 2,500 pounds help it feel much zestier than its engine specs suggest.
The smile on your face should get larger when you find out that the MX-5 you just purchased can get you well over 30 MPG on the highway. Nice features like a Bose sound system, an 8.8-inch infotainment display, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, and Apple CarPlay are just there for your additional enjoyment. Both a soft top convertible and a retractable hardtop RF model are available to buyers.
Browse Mazda MX-5 Miata listings here.
4. Nissan Z
The Nissan Z is the latest in a long line of well-respected models within the Japanese automaker’s lineup. It replaced the aging 370Z in 2023 after a short hiatus, and it has lived up to its high expectations. A 400-horsepower twin-turbo V6 engine lives in the Sport and Performance models while the extra sporty Z Nismo model produces 420 horsepower from the same engine. The Z comes nowhere near the iconic Nissan GT-R, but it does give us the tiniest glimpse into its world.
Its rear-wheel-drive setup and standard six-speed manual give it everything it needs to succeed. The performance model even gets upgrades like larger brakes, a limited-slip differential, rev matching, and a spoiler, but the standard Sport model should do just fine for many enthusiasts. Its starting price of around $43,000 is a bit high, but its styling and history should be enough to gather a faithful fanbase.
Unfortunately for enthusiasts, the $53,000 Z Nismo only comes with an automatic transmission. It does come with some nifty extras like high-performance tires, a high-performance oil cooler, tuned suspension, sharper steering, and a Nismo body kit, though. So, which one would you buy? We would have a hard time choosing since all of them have a little something different to offer.
Browse Nissan Z listings here.
5. Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is not considered to be a real sports car by many, but it certainly took a giant leap forward in 2015 when Ford gave it independent rear suspension. It now has the handling capability to back up its power. For those looking to save a buck, a 315-horsepower 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbo is offered under the hood for around $32,000. Most enthusiasts will still gravitate toward the 480-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine found in the GT model.
It sounds just as good as any ritzier, high-performance offerings from Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Aston Martin with a punch of muscle that comes with a modern pony car. A 500-horsepower Dark Horse version is even available. It features upgrades like adaptive dampers, Brembo brakes, and tuning enhancements. Unfortunately, the four-cylinder turbo can only be paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. All other models come standard with a six-speed manual.
With the recent death of the Chevrolet Camaro, the Ford Mustang stands almost entirely alone among new cars with a V8 engine option. Ford has announced plans to hold on to that as long as possible. To commemorate the Mustang itself and celebrate how far it has come, a 60th Anniversary Edition Mustang model that features several tribute elements is available for 2025.
Thankfully, the current Mustang lineup features a wide price range, plenty of powertrain options, and even the opportunity to choose a convertible or fastback coupe body style to provide buyers with the maximum amount of purchasing power.
Browse Ford Mustang listings here.
6. Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman is perfect for those who want everything that the Boxster brings to the table but in a coupe form rather than a convertible form. Like its twin, it features excellent handling balance, a host of lively powerplants, a touch of Porsche 911 DNA, and the ability to row your own gears with a standard six-speed manual. All of these things add up to provide any buyer with quite possibly the best driving experience that any new car can provide.
A 300-horsepower flat-four turbo, a larger 350-horsepower flat-four turbo, and either a 394-horsepower or 493-horsepower flat-six are situated just behind the cockpit. The least expensive models start at just under $73,000, but the Cayman’s price range extends to $165,000 for the GT4 RS model. That is a ton of cash, but a 3.2-second 0-60 MPH time and a 196 MPH top speed are pretty enticing for those who can afford it.
Much like the 718 Boxster, the 718 Cayman is quite basic for a Porsche. A simple interior layout, Apple CarPlay, heated seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control, are all included in the base package. The name of the game is driving pleasure, though, and the 718 Cayman delivers exactly what it was designed to do for everyone who gets behind the wheel.
Browse Porsche 718 Cayman listings here.
7. Lotus Emira
Lotus is a small British automaker that is often forgotten in the automotive world thanks to its relative obscurity and the plethora of other more obtainable new car options. It is a shame to see how the Lotus Emira sits solidly within our rankings of the best sports cars in 2025. Like the Porsche Boxster and Cayman, it features a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, and a communicative chassis for maximum balance and fun.
Unlike the Porsche siblings, the Emira only comes in two flavors. The first is an AMG-derived turbo-four that produces 360 horsepower. The second is a 400-horsepower V6 engine from Toyota. The latter of the two is the only one available with a six-speed manual transmission. A quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic comes with the turbo-four. Both powerplants pack quite the punch, though.
Its ritzy interior, 12.3-inch digital driver information display, and 3,200-pound curb weight are uncharacteristic of simple and lightweight Lotus models of the past. That does not make the Emira a loser. Thanks to its modern powertrains and luxury touches, the Emira combines class and driving experience. The only change that Lotus brings to the table for 2025 is a new Turbo SE model which is unavailable in the U.S.
Browse Lotus Emira listings here.
8. Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR 86
The Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 were developed jointly to offer a coupe alternative to the Mazda MX-5 Miata. That is a tall task, but the results were excellent. As a consequence of the automakers’ efforts, both cars are well-balanced true RWD sports cars that are designed to handle first and hit top speeds at the race track second.
Neither of the car’s engine specs are impressive by today’s standards. Both come with a 2.4-liter flat-four-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower, but both feature a curb weight of well under 3,000 pounds. Both come standard with a six-speed manual transmission and tiny rear seats for the most desperate of situations. Beyond that, both models rely on simplicity to produce a fun-to-drive automobile that ranks high on the list of affordable sports cars.
The BRZ is a tad bit more expensive than the GR86 with a starting price of around $32,000. It benefits from the addition of a dedicated sport drive mode that livens up the throttle response. The GR 86 costs a tiny bit less than its evil twin and comes with a few more upgrades for 2025, including a retuned suspension, electric power steering, and a Hakone special edition package.
Browse Subaru BRZ/Toyota GR 86 listings here.
9. Volkswagen GTI
The Volkswagen GTI is considered by many to be the first hot hatchback, but it is one of the most well-rounded vehicles on the new car market. It is only available with a front-wheel drive drivetrain and the manual transmission option is being dropped for 2025, but it has a ton of other things going for it, including a relatively affordable mid-$30,000 starting price tag.
It also benefits from a mid-cycle refresh for the 2025 model year, complete with styling tweaks, a larger infotainment touchscreen than last year, and a few improvements to the steering wheel controls. Last year’s model utilized a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo that produced 241 horsepower, but that power output should be boosted a bit for 2025.
The GTI’s boxy styling allows it to be as practical as it is fun to drive. There are about 20 cubic feet of space behind the back seats and 35 when they are folded. We do not have official fuel economy estimates for the new model, but last year’s combined fuel economy estimate of 27 MPG continues to set the expectation that the GTI is and will continue to be one of the best daily drivers on the market.
Browse Volkswagen GTI listings here.
10. Toyota GR Supra
Enthusiasts were both shocked and ecstatic when Toyota announced that the Supra name would be coming back to the market in 2020. Both fortunately and unfortunately for many, it is essentially a dressed-up BMW Z4. We tend to think that isn’t so bad. The previously available four-cylinder engine is no longer offered in 2025, leaving a 382-horsepower inline-six turbo as the sole powerplant option. A six-speed manual transmission is available, sending power to the rear wheels as it should.
The GR Supra comes with a $56,250 starting MSRP, but its four-second 0-60 MPH time should help convince you that it is worth it. It may not be quite as light on its feet as the smaller GR 86, but it is more than capable of tackling the twisties. When you need it to calm down, it is more than capable of doing so. Much like the Z4, it offers an admirable blend of comfort and sporty handling.
BMW fans will recognize the interior layout and the standard 8.8 infotainment display. Even though it runs a “rebadged” version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, it is different enough to fool those who do not know any better. Features like available adaptive cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and a 10-speaker audio system will surely be adequate for those who plan to use the Supra for more than just a showpiece that never gets touched.
Browse Toyota GR Supra listings here.
11. Chevrolet Corvette
The 8th-generation mid-engine Corvette took the world by storm when it made its debut for the 2020 model year. With its howling V8 engine behind the driver, a starting price of around $60,000, and performance that started nudging the big boys from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Porsche, it had all the makings of a baby supercar. It has built upon that very first mid-engine model and has truly cemented itself as a legitimate American rival to some of the best in the automotive industry.
Entry-level Corvette Stingray models start at less than $70,000, but they pack a punch. A 490-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine serves as the standard powerplant and 495 horsepower is squeezed out if you opt for the Z51 Performance Package. 60 MPH comes in around 3 seconds from a standstill, courtesy of an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Z06 has an even more impressive 670 horsepower from its 5.5-liter flat-plane crank V8.
Of course, the Z06 is the one to get if you seek the ultimate Corvette model, but its triple-digit price tag might just be too much for some. Each model comes with excellent handling, though, so it is hard to go wrong with any model. Only a handful of changes are made to the standard Corvette and Z06 models for 2025, including a few paint additions and minor equipment updates here and there.
Browse Chevrolet Corvette listings here.
12. Honda Civic Type-R
The Honda Civic Type-R is the ultimate hot hatch for many enthusiasts. It is spicier than both the Volkswagen GTI and Golf R with a bit more rawness and audacity than its more refined German rivals. Like them, though, it is only available with a front-wheel drive drivetrain, something that Honda does quite well. Another thing that Honda does quite well is make manual transmission. That is a good thing since a six-speed manual is all that the Type-R gets.
Since it was redesigned in 2023, no changes are on the docket for 2025, and that is fine with us. Each one comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 315 horsepower and 310-lb-ft of torque. It utilizes a dual-axis front strut suspension to help eliminate most of the torque steer that would be present under normal conditions. It also features active exhaust valves, a large rear wing, and rev-matching to push performance to the max.
Its excellent steering is what really sets the Type-R apart though. It makes the car feel light and helps it get around corners better than nearly every other front-wheel-drive car on the market. Its interior looks and feels sporty, but it is still a Honda Civic at heart. That means you should be able to transport your family to and from wherever they need to go then take it to the track to finish up your day.
Browse Honda Civic Type-R listings here.
13. BMW M2
The BMW M2 may look a little odd, but it is probably the purest BMW M car on sale today. it features a smooth twin-turbo inline-six engine under the hood, a six-speed manual helping to send its 473 horsepower to the rear wheels, and a responsive chassis that keeps it moving around whatever corner you throw at it.
2025 models come with a host of minor changes. The largest one is the addition of BMW’s iDrive 8.5 infotainment system which comes with a 14.9-inch infotainment screen. A flat-bottom steering wheel, optional M Carbon bucket seats, and several new paint colors are all at the buyer’s disposal. Other niceties like a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, heated seats, and adaptive cruise control all help remind buyers that the M2 is still a BMW.
The M2 lacks the overall sledgehammer-like grunt that other current BMW M models and competition Mercedes-AMG models have, but it is so much more fun to drive than many of its larger rivals. Still, a top speed of 177 MPH is nothing to sneeze at when you have the chance to hit the Autobahn.
