THE BEST SPORTS CARS AND COUPES REVIEWS 2018 MAZDA

We use cookies as set out in our privacy policy. By using this website, you agree we may place these cookies on your device. Close Skip to main content area Carbuyer Car Reviews Car Finder Video Reviews Makes & Models Compare Cars Best Cars Buying Advice Car Deals News Choose a make Choose a model Find Facebook Twitter Youtube Newsletter Search Sign up to the Carbuyer newsletter Advertisement You Are Here: HomeCar Reviews And ComparisonsBest Sports Cars Best sports cars Last updated: Jan 3, 2018 FACEBOOK TWITTER GOOGLE+ EMAIL Advertisement Most people instinctively have a feel for what a sports car is, but pinning down a precise definition can be tricky. For what it’s worth, the Oxford English Dictionary reckons a sports car is “designed for performance at high speeds,” but we’d argue that ignores a fairly major aspect of sports car ownership: enjoyment. Sports cars should be fast, but they should also put a big grin on your face every time you drive them. They tend to be less practical and more expensive than family hatchbacks, for example, so those deficits need compensating for; pure driving pleasure is surely one of the most significant carrots that sports cars dangle in front of potential buyers. We’ve tried to focus on those that could be used every day, so there aren't any super-light track specials allowed, and on cars that could loosely be described as 'affordable', as opposed to the preserve of millionaires. Sports cars aren't intrinsically impractical, with improvements in packaging and design meaning sports-car boots are far more useable than they used to be. It’s a similar story with fuel economy, as most of the cars on this list use the latest engine technology to offer reasonable running costs. If you like the sounds of the cars on this list that let you feel the the wind in your hair, head over to our top 10 list of the best convertibles, as many of the cars on this list are also offered with a folding roof. Those who want driver thrills but still need their cars to offer five seats and a useable boot, meanwhile, should look at our recommendations for the best hot hatchbacks on sale right now. Mazda MX-5 RF convertible Mazda MX-5 RF convertible Now in its fourth generation, the Mazda MX-5 has been a cornerstone of the sports car market for over 25 years. The latest model is one of the finest examples of the breed, with its lightweight construction, eager engines and fantastic handling making it one of the best driver’s cars on sale at any price. In standard soft-top form, the MX-5 offers a good balance of sporty appeal and day-to-day practicality (although luggage space is limited), but it’s at its most civilised in RF (Retractable Fastback) format. This brings a folding hard-top that makes it quieter inside and also leaves you less exposed to the elements than in the full convertible. It’s set up to be more of a cruiser than the standard car, but the RF remains a sharp and exciting car to drive – it’s best fitted with the larger, 158bhp 2.0-litre engine to deal with the extra weight. Read more. Key points 4.2 / 5 Price £22,295 - £29,495 Read Review Watch Video Mazda MX-5 roadster Mazda MX-5 roadster The Mazda MX-5 follows a traditional recipe for sports car success with excellent results. The fundamental design principle is to produce a balanced car; keeping the weight down and evenly distributed across the car. The 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre engines available produce 129 and 158bhp respectively, and while these are small numbers relative to most other modern performance cars, the MX-5 never feels underpowered. Agile, quick and great value-for-money, the MX-5 is fun at even modest speeds, rather than a car that needs to be driven at licence-losing pace before you get anywhere near its limits. Read more. Key points 4.2 / 5 Price £20,495 - £25,595 Read Review Watch Video Toyota GT 86 coupe Toyota GT 86 coupe The GT 86 is a real enthusiast’s choice and one of the few modern cars that favours handling balance and driver involvement over brute power. It’s not slow – a reliable 197bhp 2.0-litre engine is more than enough – and the low driving position, traditional rear-wheel-drive layout and view down that long bonnet endear it to old-school sports car fans. While many carmakers are fitting hugely powerful engines to their sports cars, Toyota is to be praised for taking a different route with the GT 86. Believe it or not, it comes with the same size tyres as the oh-so-sensible Prius hybrid, but this only improves matters in the GT 86: it makes the driving experience pin-sharp and bestows the car with just the right amount of grip. Things are rather less appealing inside, as the dashboard is uninspiring and features fairly run-of-the-mill materials, but that’ll be the last thing on your mind on a challenging country road. The Subaru BRZ is more or less identical save for badging and paint options, but the GT 86 benefits from a larger network of dealers and slightly better residual values. Read more. Key points 4.1 / 5 Price £26,855 - £30,270 Read Review Watch Video Subaru BRZ coupe Subaru BRZ coupe Essentially the twin of the Toyota GT 86, the Subaru BRZ has all the same ingredients to make it a great car for the enthusiastic driver who doesn't want to risk their licence or break the bank. A 197bhp 2.0-litre engine feels noteworthy for its lack of a turbocharger, meaning it revs and pulls like sports cars did 'in the good old days' and the slick gearchange is a perfect match. Factor in gloriously accurate and communicative steering, plus a well judged suspension setup and the BRZ really is a great choice if you enjoy driving. The BRZ is by no means flawless – the interior isn't the best in terms of quality, for one thing – but the areas in which you have to compromise will be acceptable to those who want a car that's fun to drive and doesn't cost the earth. Read more. Key points 4.1 / 5 Price £26,495 - £27,995 Read Review Watch Video Audi TT coupe Audi TT coupe There’s more to the Audi TT than just sharp styling. That bold front grille conceals a range of turbocharged engines that offer impressive power, while the diesels boast low running costs. Driver involvement is better than ever, with precise steering and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit putting you in the centre of the action. Choose the ‘Ultra’ diesel model if you’re after ultimate economy, the 395bhp TT RS if you’ve deep pockets and want a junior supercar, or the punchy 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine for something in between. Adding Audi’s quattro four-wheel-drive system will give you an extra dose of reassuring grip for about £1,500. A stylish, high-quality interior allied with much improved ride quality makes long journeys easy, too. This is the best TT ever – never has sports-coupe motoring looked so easy. Read more. Key points 4.1 / 5 Price £28,850 - £44,270 Read Review Watch Video Abarth 124 Spider convertible Abarth 124 Spider convertible The Abarth 124 Spider is closely related to the Fiat 124 Spider and the Mazda MX-5, but its 1.4-litre turbocharged engine produces slightly more power than either of its two relatives. With 168bhp, 0-62mph takes 6.8 seconds and the car gets a limited-slip differential to help it deploy the extra power in corners without losing grip. The Abarth is another small, lightweight, rear-wheel drive two-seater sports car on our list, and that’s because it delivers exactly the sort of driving fun you'd expect from a car with such properties. Read more. Key points 4 / 5 Price £26,920 Read Review Fiat 124 Spider convertible Fiat 124 Spider convertible The Fiat 124 Spider is based on the Mazda MX-5, combining Japanese engineering with Italian styling. Just like the MX-5, the Fiat 124 Spider is a compact and nimble car that it easy to drive around town but also great fun on the open road. The handling is sharp, the exhaust note sounds great and the 138bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged engine is flexible and powerful enough for the car without making it expensive to run or scary to drive quickly. The car may not be the most practical, and tall people are likely to find the inside of the car fairly tight, but the Fiat 124 Spider is a very enjoyable all-round sports car nonetheless. Read more. Key points 3.9 / 5 Price £21,050 - £31,920 Read Review Watch Video BMW 2 Series coupe BMW 2 Series coupe The 2 Series offers all the hallmarks of traditional BMW driver appeal, distilled into a more compact and affordable package than the bigger 4 Series. A wide choice of engines offers any blend of economy and power you could want, with the formidable BMW M2 at the top of the range boasting 365bhp and suitably aggressive styling. It goes without saying that the M2 is a hoot to drive, but even the less exotic models can put a broad smile on your face, while the 218d returns around 65mpg. It’s a direct rival to the Audi TT and both should be experienced if you’re shopping at this price range. The BMW can count rear-wheel drive in its favour, although the TT’s interior has the 2 Series beaten when it comes to aesthetics. If you want four-wheel drive, go for BMW’s xDrive setup, but be aware this can only be added to the 220d. Read more. Key points 3.8 / 5 Price £25,015 - £37,360 Read Review Watch Video Ford Mustang coupe Ford Mustang coupe For the first time, the Ford Mustang is available as a right-hand-drive model in the UK. You can buy the car with either a 313bhp 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine or a 410bhp 5.0-litre V8, and the latter is our pick. It may cost more to run, but the V8 feels like a natural fit for an American muscle car, providing a lovely burble at low revs and an angry growl under hard acceleration. The V8 Mustang is capable of 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds but it’s not only good in a straight line. The combination of a more sophisticated suspension setup than previous Mustangs and the Performance Pack, which includes stiffer springs and upgraded brakes, means the Mustang stays much flatter through corners than before, and feels a lot quicker and more precise on a twisty road. Read more. Key points 3.2 / 5 Price £35,995 - £43,095 Read Review Watch Video Nissan 370Z coupe Nissan 370Z coupe There aren’t many sports cars out there like the Nissan 370Z. A rear-wheel drive coupe with a 322bhp 3.7-litre V6 engine, the 370Z feels like a muscle car, and it's got enough power that it’ll catch you out with wheelspin and oversteer if you don’t treat it with the required respect. While it undoubtedly lacks the approachability of some of its rivals, real driving enthusiasts will find that once you’ve learnt how to exploit its performance, it delivers the kind of thrills you ordinarily would have to pay a lot more money for. There are sports cars on the market that have more attractive interiors and make better cruisers, but there is little else to rival the power and performance offered by the 370Z for £30,000. Read more. Key points 3 / 5 Price £29,185 - £39,375 Read Review Watch Video Advertisement We Recommend Best first cars Best Motability cars Best small SUVs Best automatic cars Best 4x4s and SUVs The UK's top 10 best-selling cars Best family cars Best estate cars Find new cars Find your new car with our new car search.SEARCH NOW Find used cars Find your used car with our used car search.SEARCH NOW Help me choose Car Finder matches you to your perfect car, whatever your budget Latest poll What is the greatest film car? 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