Best Sports Cars

Sports cars for 2022 are some of the most advanced and luxurious models on the market. These cars will be able to take you to the racetrack or around town in style, and whilst they have slightly higher price tags than your average vehicle, they’re more than worth it, offering style and substance.

If you’re looking for the best sports car on the market, these are the models you should consider – we’ve chosen a variety of sports cars from different manufacturers, and at different ends of the price range to ensure there’s something for everyone.

All of these vehicles offer drivers superb handling and top speeds, as well as striking looks that will make them stand out from the crowd.

Value your car in under 30 seconds

Alpine A110

Drawing from a rich history of rear-engine sports and racing cars, the latest Alpine A110 is styled to look and feel much like the French brand’s iconic 60s offering of the same name. But, with a mid-mounted turbocharged four-cylinder engine, dual-clutch gearbox and a perfectly judged chassis, the modern A110 is far more modern than its retro styled bodywork may have you believe.

Rivals are more practical, but the Alpine is certainly a good choice for keen drivers who want to stand out. The standard A110 sees 249bhp from its 1.8-litre Renault engine, which doesn’t sound like much, but is more than enough in a car that weighs just 1098kg. It’s this low weight that defines the driving experience.

Unlike its German rivals, the A110 offers a pared-back, purer drive. It drives delicately, while perfect balance, sweet steering and just a hint of roll through the suspension help inspire confidence. The Alpine is refreshingly compact, too, and thanks to a great forward view , it’s very easy to place and not at all intimidating to drive.

Even the entry-level Standard comes with a multimedia system, bespoke engine calibration with driving mode selector, and power assisted steering. It starts at £49,990 for the Standard trim, jumping to £59,440 for the GT, and £60,040 for the top of the range S trim. Find out more about the Alpine A110, here.

McLaren 720S

The 720S was designed with the likes of the Lamborghini Huracan and the Ferrari 488 in its sights and taking on these brands isn’t an easy feat for most. Fortunately for McLaren, an abundance of technological expertise and long-standing motorsport pedigree have helped to shape the 720S into a formidable opponent.

A mid-mounted twin turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine creates a vast amount of power, producing a huge 710bhp. This will launch you from 0-62mph in an alarmingly short 2.9 seconds, and on to an equally astonishing top speed of 212mph.

The handling is spot on too, with electro-hydraulic power steering providing plenty of satisfying feedback. A selection of drive modes allows the 720S to be easily optimised for just about any bit of tarmac that you point it towards. There’s even a Variable Drift Control system that will let you have fun with the car while the Electronic Stability Control works towards preventing any unfortunate (and likely expensive) mishaps.

There aren’t any trim levels available, but the kit is more than comprehensive: leather upholstery, voice-activated satellite navigation, DAB radio, reversing sensors and keyless entry are all standard fit. The options list is vast, including a 360-degree parking camera, an upgraded stereo and a sports exhaust.

Prices start at £215,055, with additional extras hiking the price up further. Find out more about the McLaren 720S, here.

Mazda MX-5

The MX-5 is one of the best vehicles on sale for car enthusiasts, regardless of its lower price tag. There aren’t many small rear-wheel drive sports cars available on the modern market, so most of the MX-5’s rivals are actually front-drive hot hatchbacks. The MX-5 isn’t the most practical everyday car, but involvement behind the wheel is simply in another league.

Powered by a choice of either a 1.5 or 2.0-litre petrol engine, it’s less about outright performance and focused more on sharp handling and enjoyment. One of the very best manual gearboxes available provides a welcome dose of engagement, while light, direct steering gives feedback by the bucketload.

The MX-5’s seats are supportive rather than incredibly figure-hugging, but the cabin is very snug, so tall occupants may struggle to get comfortable. The fabric roof is easily opened and closed from the driver’s seat despite its lack of electric assistance, perfect for making the most of the UK’s sporadic sunshine at a moment’s notice.

Even the entry-level SE-L had LED daytime running lights, climate control, a 7” infotainment screen and cruise control. An upgrade to the Sport trim sees a premium Bose sound system, rear parking sensors and keyless entry added.

Prices begin at just £25,725 for the SE-L, £28,025 for the Sport, £30,360 for the Sport Tech, and £31,860 for the range-topping GT Sport Tech. Find out more about the Mazda MX-5, here.

Ford Mustang

In terms of value, the Ford Mustang GT looks to be ahead of its rivals. It has the same output as Porsche’s 911 Carrera S (444bhp) but starts at around £50,000 less. Not only do you save a bundle of cash, but you also get a 5.0-litre V8 and a 0-62mph time of 4.3 seconds with a limited top speed of 155mph.

Whilst muscle cars aren’t usually known for being at home on a twisty road, the Mustang copes admirably. It isn’t the last word in delicacy, but its recently revised chassis is more controlled than ever, especially with adaptive dampers.

The heavy yet accurate steering is good, while the six-speed manual box is much better in use than the slightly lethargic 10-speed auto. Even the standard GT trim comes with 19” alloys, Launch Control and Electronic Line Lock.

Prices start from £52,075 for the GT and £62,075 for the Mach 1. Find out more about the Ford Mustang, here.

Porsche 718 Boxster

The Porsche 718 Boxster is the German manufacturer’s entry-level roadster, offering a blend of performance and handling that has seen it remain among the most popular sports machines for years.

Unlike its big brother, the 911 (which we’ll discuss next), the 718 makes do with a four-cylinder engine that’s somewhat of a weak point in an otherwise excellent package. Standard and T models get 296bhp, but S models receive a boost to 345bhp. If you desire yet more power, the top-spec GTS cars get a further boost to almost 400bhp.

The six-speed manual and seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearboxes are great to use, and you’ll quickly forget about the lack of a great noise once you come to a set of corners. Beautiful steering, huge grip and a brilliantly damped ride all combine to make the 718 one of the very best sports cars for driving.

It’s more expensive than some rivals but Porsche’s expertise should prove to be worth the extra pennies. Prices start at £49,000 for the standard trim, jumping to £56,500 for the T, £59,000, for the TS and £70,000 for the GTS. Find out more about the Porsche 718 Boxster, here.

Porsche 911

Porsche’s latest 911 is the most complete yet; it’s fast, sophisticated and entirely usable in everyday life. The current crop of Carrera S and 4S models are just as fast as the Carrera GTS from the previous generation.

In terms of power, at the top of the pack is the 641bhp Turbo S variant, which manages the 0-62mph sprint in just 2.7 seconds and a 205mph top speed. The rear-wheel-drive Carrera S Coupe remains characterful with 444bhp on tap despite its brace of turbochargers, while the standard PDK dual-clutch gearbox delivers lightning-fast shifts.

The 911’s breadth of ability is what impresses most. It performs as an engaging sports car, a long-legged tourer and a comfortable companion, all regardless of road conditions.

Prices vary dependent on the vast number of trims available but start at £87,330 and round off at £209,540. Find out more about the Porsche 911, here.

Toyota GR Supra

A full 17 years after the much-loved MK4 Supra ended production, Toyota has finally brought back the name. BMW had an extreme amount of input in the development – much to many car enthusiasts’ dismay – but no one can deny the new Supra is an exquisite driver’s car.

The BMW-sourced 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder produces a healthy 335bhp and 500Nm of torque. While this is quite a way off the BMW M2 Competition’s 404bhp, the Supra holds its own in the handling department. 0-62mph is dealt with in just 4.3 seconds.

The interior relies heavily on BMW parts, but this brings advantages in terms of quality and infotainment technology, compared to Toyota’s own recent efforts. The driving experience was clearly prioritised in the Supra’s development and for sheer driving thrills, it’s a winner.

The standard kit features a twelve-speaker sound system, wireless smartphone charging and a heads-up display on the windscreen.

Prices start from £49,495. Find out more about the Toyota GR Supra, here.