Best Sports Cars: 2024 & 2024 Edition

What gets a car enthusiast’s heart racing more than a sports car? Forget about how much stuff you can fit in the boot, or how many miles you can squeeze from a tank of gas. For many if us, the obsession is white-knuckle acceleration and the kind of handling that makes every turn a joyride. At MotoPickers we will always love our sports cars!

In this post we’re talking about everything from the petite, yet mighty, Mazda MX-5 Miata to the daddy of grin-inducers, the Porsche 911 Turbo. Do these two seem entirely different? On the surface, yes. But peel back the layers, and you’ll realize they both share the same heart – one designed to evoke pure driver euphoria. They sit here in splendid company from across the best brands.

In today’s list we’re offering up models that find the elusive equilibrium between everyday drivability and track day prowess. Each of those below will offer you a gem of an experience. Our list isn’t just about which are the most fun to drive. The stars of the list shine bright by embodying those quintessential qualities that transform good cars into great ones.

Chevy Camaro ZL1

MotoPickers Rating: 9.5/10

Think of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as the perfect mash-up of everyday ride and racetrack beast. Starting with the standard Camaro, a storm brews in its heart to create the ZL1. Compared to its Camaro LT1 and SS siblings with their hefty 455 horsepower, the ZL1 is like a hurricane in full force thanks to its supercharged V-8 engine, a marvel of engineering that generates a whopping 650 horsepower.

And let’s not forget its humongous Goodyear F1 SuperCar tires. They grip the road as if they were smeared in treacle. If you fancy the ultimate package, amp up your game with the 1LE performance package. It gives you wider tires, greater adjustment options at each corner, and a dynamic suspension system that would make any NASCAR driver give a knowing nod. In essence, the Camaro ZL1 is your own personal street-legal NASCAR champion.

Chevrolet Corvette

MotoPickers Rating: 9.6/10

The 2024 Chevrolet Corvette combines jaw-dropping performance, an unbeatable price tag, and dazzling looks. Living up to its long-time status as an iconic offer, the Corvette brings a fresh twist with a mid-engine layout.

In news that fascinated us, the latest C8 is the first to have its punchy, naturally-aspirated V-8 nestled snugly behind the passenger space, boosting this Chevy into the rarified atmosphere of the sports car world’s more exotic beasts. Sharp on the corners and explosive on the straights, this beauty rivals competitors costing a small fortune. But don’t be fooled; it won’t break your back on cross-country jaunts.

A convertible or a coupe is your call. The hardtop even touts a removable roof panel, letting the sun pour in for those beach road trips. The cabin may seem snug, but it’s surprisingly comfy, and it’s got enough boot space for groceries or travel bags, making the Corvette easy to love as a day-to-day ride. We’re completely smitten with this repeat MotoPickers 10 Best award-winner, and we are sure you’ll fall hard too.

Chevrolet Corvette Z06

MotoPickers Rating: 9.7/10

The 2024 Chevy Corvette Z06 is a game-changer, taking the famous nameplate into the league of heavy-hitters like Ferrari and Lamborghini. This Z06 isn’t like its predecessors, thanks to the engine sitting back behind the driver. Unlike some former Corvettes, it showcases its unique personality proudly. There’s no shying away here!

With a stance much wider than its sibling, the Corvette Stingray, the Z06 flaunts larger air intakes and has a gloriously distinct rear wing. The new Z06, equipped with a 5.5-liter V-8 and a flat-plane crankshaft, offers a radical departure from traditional Vette sounds, and catapulted itself in our test run, hitting 60 mph in a liver-quivering 2.6 seconds.

Borrowing from the Stingray’s top-tier tech and comforts, the Z06 takes performance and handling up a notch. The transition to a mid-engine setup transforms the C8 Corvette into an affordable supercar, and this 2024 Corvette Z06 is all set to leave many flashy, overpriced supercars in the dust on the track.

Ford Mustang

MotoPickers Rating: 9.5/10

For well over half a century, the Ford Mustang has been on a transformation journey, becoming a classier beast with each leap. This version rocks a 310-hp turbo-driven inline-four EcoBoost engine as a standard, a neat piece of engineering that throws out raw power coupled with a smooth six-speed manual gearbox. But the Mustang isn’t just about the EcoBoost.

In fact, you can go wild with the 760-hp Shelby GT500 or keep it more traditional with the Mustang GT, housing a solid 450-hp V-8 engine. Whether it’s the four-cylinder or V-8, you can have your choice: a manual stick shift or a snappy 10-speed automatic. Available as a sturdy coupe or a free-spirited convertible, every Mustang makes the back wheels do all the work.

If you’re craving even more excitement, you can upgrade the four-cylinder with the High Performance EcoBoost and feel the rush of 330-hp. Mustang loves to parade its growling V-8, and we can’t blame it. Its close competitor, the Chevy Camaro, may boast a better-designed cabin, but Mustang’s roomier back seat and improved visibility make it a tad more practical. That said, with an engine this good, it’s not about storing the shopping!

Mazda MX-5 Miata

MotoPickers Rating: 9.3/10

Labeling the 2024 Mazda MX-5 Miata an icon would honestly be selling it short. Launched in 1989, this compact, drop-top sports car transformed the game entirely, and has been upping its game since then. Today, it’s one of the most exhilarating rides you can find with four wheels.

The Miata takes on competitors like the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR 86 twins, but, unlike these coupes, the Miata ups the ante with its cloth-top convertible or detachable hard-top Targa, affectionately known as the RF.

At its heart beats a feisty 181-hp four-cylinder, smoothly working with a standard six-speed manual gearbox, a pairing nostalgically reminiscent of classic sports cars. You could opt for an automatic, but we wouldn’t; the manual keeps this breezy two-seater a deliriously engaging ride.

Perhaps the Miata isn’t your go-to for everyday commutes or ultra-long cruisers, and taller folks might find the interior a squeeze, but this car delivers on essentials and packs an expertly calibrated chassis for unabashed fun.

McLaren Artura

MotoPickers Rating: 10/10

Stepping boldly into the hybrid era of high-octane performance, McLaren introduces the jaw-dropping 2024 Artura supercar. Featuring an airy, mid-engine two-seater design, this stunner sits atop a brand-new featherlight platform.

The real kicker is the dream team of power: a first-ever twin-turbo V-6 for McLaren, mated to an electric powertrain. It’s a combination that creates a plug-in hybrid like no other. Together, they crank out a hair-raising 671 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque.

Expect to reach 60 mph in a mind-boggling 2.6 seconds and shatter the 200 mph barrier. The Artura’s body is classic McLaren, flaunting cool air vents and scissor-style doors. The interior is a step above the 720S and is roomier with a top-shelf feel. Strange to talk practicality in such a glorious creation, but it actually also manages to come brimming with handy features and driver aids. A perfect achievement worthy of its rare MotoPickers 10/10 rating!

Porsche 718 Boxster

MotoPickers Rating: 9.7/10

Don’t be fooled! Though the 2024 718 Boxster is technically the brand’s ‘entry-level’ ride, it’s nothing short of spectacular. With a dream-like handling, turbocharged engines that mean business, and a steering connection that feels mind-melding, it’s not a watered-down 911 variant by any stretch.

A sibling to the 718 Cayman coupe, the Boxster nails what a sports car should embody, earning it a spot on our 10 Best cars lineup. Its mid-engine setup gifts the Boxster a poised, nimble demeanor on the road, and there’s nothing quite like having the top down to enjoy the engine’s throaty roar under the warm sun.

It’s almost perfect, but not quite! You might say that it’s perfection with flaws! There’s limited cargo space and the sublime flat-six powertrain is reserved for the pricier GTS trim. But it’s unequivocally a purebred sports car. It doesn’t have to be everything to everyone; it’s better than that!

Porsche 718 Cayman

MotoPickers Rating: 9.6/10

Certain sports cars do more than just make your heart race. They find a way to stick in your memory, long after the drive. The 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman is a car that consistently wins our heart, and for good reason.

Sporting mid-mounted turbocharged engines, the Cayman and its convertible sibling, the 718 Boxster, hold a natural advantage in handling over front-engined rivals like the Jaguar F-Type and Toyota Supra. Hug a curve in this auto masterpiece, and be prepared for unyielding stability and the kind of handling that begs for an endless drive.

Like the Boxster, it could use a bit more storage room for your stuff, and the base turbo four might benefit from a more sophisticated song. But aside from that, the Cayman is pure driving pleasure, a sports car that’s hard not to adore.

Porsche 911

MotoPickers Rating: 10/10

Picture a Porsche. Chances are, the first image that pops into your head is the legendary 911. This rear-engine speed machine is iconic for a bundle of reasons. For years, it’s set the standard in performance, handling, and sheer driving pleasure, inspiring rivals like the Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8, and Maserati MC20.

Staying true to its roots, the 911 sports a pair of turbocharged flat-six engines, tuned to crank out up to a hefty 473 horsepower. With most 911 models boasting rear-wheel drive and options for all-wheel drive, Porsche offers the flexibility to choose from a coupe, cabriolet convertible, or the Targa body style. Both the heavily decked out and standard interiors provide a comfortable ride for two adults.

Perfection can come in various forms in cars. But the 911 is unquestionably a form of perfection, and it is with a full heart we award it a perfect MotoPickers 10/10!

Porsche 911 GT3 / GT3 RS

MotoPickers Rating: 10/10. A True masterpiece!

Describing the 2024 Porsche 911 GT3 and its fierce sibling, the GT3 RS, isn’t easy. They’re beyond mesmerizing, packing the charisma of the standard 911 and melting it down with unworldly performance, pure driving joy, and racetrack bravado. Under the hood, a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine belts out a heart-stopping soundtrack while dishing out 502 horsepower in both the GT3 and GT3 Touring, all the way up to its astounding 9000 rpm redline.

Over in the GT3 RS, the same beastly engine gets amped up to 518 hp, but it’s the standout aero features – inspired by GT and Formula 1 – that put it in a league of its own. With a standard six-speed manual in GT3 models, the optional seven-speed PDK automatic adds a magical touch, swapping gears like lightning. It is quite extraordinary.

When it comes to the GT3 RS, there’s only one choice—the telepathic PDK ‘box. The GT3 and GT3 Touring might be meant for devouring race tracks, but they’re nearly as comfortable and practical as the regular 911 for everyday commutes. It’s this dual-duty marvel that makes the GT3 one of our sports car champions, securing its place firmly among the greatest cars of all time.

Porsche 911 Turbo / Turbo S

MotoPickers Rating: 9.9/10

Fast is one thing, but the Porsche 911 Turbo takes it to ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ territory. Its acceleration, thanks to a standard 573-hp 3.7-liter flat-six engine, or a 640-hp turbocharged beast in the Turbo S models, is on another level.

The stats! This remarkable machine hits 30 mph in a mere 0.8 seconds, 60 mph in a blazing 2.1 seconds, and crushes the quarter-mile in just 9.9 seconds, as it reaching a cool 138 mph after just 10 seconds.

However, the 911 Turbo’s magic doesn’t end at straight-line speed. Ride it around tight bends, and you’ll marvel at its handling prowess, confident steering, and unrivaled road grip. While there’s no manual option, the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is so smart and swift, you won’t miss it. Besides, at this kind of power, you’d want both hands on the wheel.

Subaru BRZ

MotoPickers Rating: 9.6/10

The BRZ is one of those thrilling, budget-friendly rides getting everyone amped up. Joined at the hip with its near-identical sibling, the Toyota GR86, it puts pure driving joy on the top of the list. It’s compact, light, and as nimble as a cat. Stir in the energetic steering feel, standard six-speed manual, and a low-slung seat, and you’re served up a deliciously exciting rear-drive coupe experience.

Under the hood, Subaru’s 228-hp 2.4-liter flat-four engine delivers ample power for this lively little 2+2. Inside, the BRZ displays true manual transmission love, with a solid, easy-to-manage shifter. It’s willing handling and incredible cornering grip practically dare you to take it to a weekend autocross event.

But here’s a twist. The BRZ isn’t just a bundle of fun; it also offers practical touches like handy storage cubbies and a small back seat, akin to the Porsche 911, perfect for a pint-sized passenger or grocery bags. Tip down that back seat and there’s even enough space to stow an extra set of race-day tires. It’s an absolutely cracking car and it deserves our attention.

Toyota GR86

MotoPickers Rating: 9.1/10

If there were a “Most Improved Sports Car” award, the Toyota GR86 might just scoop it up. This fun-packed, rear-wheel-drive coupe’s second generation stormed in with serious fixes for the main gripe we had about the original – a lackluster engine. Now, it packs a brisk 228-hp flat-four with enough punch in the mid-range to really get things moving.

While the six-speed manual comes standard (and for driving pleasure it’s the obvious choice), there’s an available six-speed automatic too. The GR86 keeps things compact and pocket-friendly, much like the Mazda MX-5 Miata, but throws in a little Porsche 911-esque rear seat for bonus versatility.

Built primarily for fun, the GR86 does have a bit of a road noise issue, especially on highways, and the engine’s soundtrack won’t be winning any Grammy awards. But the thrill comes from its grippy cornering, balanced feel, responsive steering, and rev-loving engine that make it a joy to drive, regardless of destination.

Toyota GR Supra

MotoPickers Rating: 9.2/10

The 2024 GR Supra is Toyota’s crown jewel of sports cars, serving up heaps of thrill, elegance, and character that set it apart from the brand’s more understated lineup of sedans, hatchbacks, and SUVs. Crafted alongside the BMW Z4 convertible, you’ll find similar build quality with clean and alluring interior touches in all areas of the GR Supra cabin.

The 255-hp turbo-four base model brings plenty power to the party, but there’s something especially mesmerizing about the optional 382-hp turbo 3.0-liter BMW inline-six engine that makes this two-seater absolutely soar. With rear-wheel drive as standard, the GR Supra’s confident chassis and responsive steering give it a spirited personality on winding roads and race tracks alike.

It’s built for those who live to drive and who adore the thrill. It utterly deserves its place in our MotoPickers pick of the best.