Best Sports Cars

Top-rated sports cars in reviews

For this update, we've selected three very different sports cars at three widespread price points as the very best of the current crop, based on the research we found in reviews. There are also a bunch of worthwhile "honorable mention" candidates that deserve at least a once-over to see if they fit your style or budget. Those are grouped below in broad categories based on price.

The Mazda MX-5 Miata ((*est. $20,635 to $28,060)) continues to earn reviewers' praise. Car and Driver again names the MX-5 as one of its top 10 cars, noting that the Mazda's throttle response, braking feel and manual transmission all make for "an immensely satisfying drive and proves that a car doesn't need pavement-wrinkling horsepower to deliver driving enjoyment." Editors note that the standard manual top "is the easiest to use in the industry," and the optional power folding hardtop "is a model of compactness and light weight." The least-expensive hardtop convertible in the &United States, the MX-5 also offers a vinyl or cloth top for less money. Cars.com names the Mazda MX-5 a "Best Bet" and "Best Deal for Sun Lovers," and Forbes also recommends the MX-5, noting that what the Mazda doesn't offer in power, it more than makes up for in terms of fun driving and responsiveness.

Only one engine is available, a 166-hp, 2.0-liter I-4 (inline 4 cylinders). The horsepower drops to 158 when the car is equipped with the automatic transmission; the fun factor, however, drops far more. The estimated fuel efficiency of the Mazda MX-5 is 20-22 mpg/city and 27-28 mpg/hwy (premium fuel, unfortunately). Standard safety features of the MX-5 include 4-wheel antilock brakes and dual front and side airbags. Stability control is offered only on the higher trim levels.

This Mazda convertible does so much right that reviewers have a hard time finding much wrong, except perhaps for a lack of raw power when compared to other sports cars. Forbes' review also comments that the "ride and interior noise can be fatiguing on longer trips." But in the end, the Mazda MX-5's combination of style, performance and affordability has reduced even the most critical and jaded members of the automotive press to cheerleaders, with some saying it gives sports cars costing considerably more a serious run for their money.

Stepping up in price and power, we come to the Chevrolet Corvette ((*est. $46,100 to $83,345)) . The 2008 Corvette has received kudos from a host of respected reviewers, including recommendations or awards from Car and Driver, Forbes, Automobile Magazine, Consumer Guide, Kiplinger and IntelliChoice. What makes the Corvette a perennial favorite? An astounding mix, looks, performance and relative affordability add up to what most critics say is a winning package.

For 2008, the Corvette gets a number of minor refinements and a significant boost of 30 horsepower, thanks to a larger engine in the base model. The new 6.2-liter V8 now makes 430 hp and 424 lb.-ft. of torque. The even more powerful Z06 returns unchanged with 505 hp, and wins numerous comparison tests, including a Car and Driver head-to-head contest against the 600-hp Dodge Viper SRT10. The Viper is actually faster, but the Corvette Z06 wins on refinement and general drivability.

Intellichoice places the Corvette on its "Best Overall Value" and "Highest Retained Value" lists. Many other reviewers comment that despite the lofty price, few cars can match the Corvette in terms of performance, even at much higher prices. Consumer Guide says, "The Best Buy Corvette is fast fun. Any model is a reasonably practical daily driver that costs thousands less than rival sports cars with similar performance." Road & Track calls the Corvette "one of the world's most underrated sports cars." One last point of practicality: the Corvette's open cargo space under the rear hatch is a generous 22-cubic feet.

When it comes to premium sports cars, there's a new player that has absolutely captivated the motoring press: the Audi R8 ((*est. $109,000 to $118,000)) . The all-new supercar is a mid-engine two-seater with a 4.2-liter, 420-hp V8 putting power to the ground via Quattro all-wheel drive. While we are excluding exotic sports cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini from this report, the Audi doesn't seem so unobtainable. After all, every sizable city has an Audi dealer, selling a variety of coupes, sedans and wagons. However, R8 production will be limited and the price is north of $100,000, so we'll call the aluminum-bodied R8 a "near-exotic" that is a direct competitor to the Porsche 911.

Any new sports car gathers its share of attention, but the Audi R8 has nailed more prestigious awards than any other for 2008, including Car of the Year honors from Automobile, Robb Report, Playboy and several independent auto-journalist groups. The R8 scores on top/best/recommended lists from Forbes, Motor Week, Edmunds Inside Line and others.

The Audi R8 goes from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, according to a Car and Driver test, and reaches a top speed of 187 mph. Several magazines conducted head-to-head comparison tests against various competitors, including the Dodge Viper, Porsche 911 Turbo, Aston Martin Vantage and Corvette Z06, and the R8 came out tops in reviews by Popular Mechanics, Car and Driver and Motor Trend. For a car that performs so competently flat out at a race track, the Audi R8 is remarkably easy and comfortable to drive on everyday streets, reviewers say. Popular Mechanics editor Ben Stewart comments, "The R8 is so easy to drive, you could confidently toss your grandmother the keys and know she'd be okay. In fact, she'd probably have a lot of fun." Steward adds that the interior is quiet and "posh" with sedan-like qualities.

The R8 is screamingly fast, but it's not the fastest supercar, some of which can reach 60 mph in less than 4 seconds. However, it is one of the best handling sports cars, and it can hustle around a track faster than some higher horsepower competitors. It's hard to find criticism of the new Audi R8, other than a quick comment about difficult rearward visibility and limited cargo space (the forward luggage compartment is a mere 3.5-cubic feet). Some writers hint that if anything, the car's effortless driving dynamics make it feel just a little sterile compared to an Italian exotic car. But overall, the Audi R8 sets a new standard for high-performance, user-friendly sports cars.