While sports cars may excel on the racetrack, they undoubtedly would not enjoy the popularity that they hold today unless they could also serve us as competent daily drivers. When thinking about which sports cars are best for daily use, there are several practical considerations to wrestle with including fuel efficiency, safety, maintenance costs, and cargo space. At the same time, daily driving sports cars still need to offer a premium level of power and handling with styling that sets them apart from traditional sedans and coupes.
The sports cars that function best as daily drivers execute a delicate balance between performance and reliability that make them suitable for everything from a quick grocery run to a grueling cross-country trek. Also, while the interiors of race cars contain only the bare essentials, sports cars driven by the masses must provide comfortable seating and the latest innovations in navigation and entertainment. Fortunately, there is a diverse list of cars that meet these criteria that span from small lightweight roadsters to beefier coupes with ample seating room. Sticker prices and top speeds vary widely among the following 10 cars, but they all provide a thrilling driving experience that makes them the best daily driver sports cars for 2023.
10 Dodge Challenger
2023 will be the last year for this generation of the beloved Dodge Challenger, but it's hard to imagine that America's number one muscle car won't resurface again in the near future. Compared to other pony or muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, the Challenger is actually a heavier and larger vehicle, which makes it one of the best sports cars for daily driving.
The added size of the Challenger allows it to offer a generous amount of interior room with a comfortable backseat. To those drivers who prefer to shop wholesale, the Challenger has a trunk that puts the storage capacity of other sports cars to shame.
9 Nissan GT-R
Ever since the Nissan GT-R arrived at dealerships in 2009, it has become one of the more popular sports cars due to its relatively affordable price and ability to easily tune and customize. The design of the GT-R has changed little since its debut prompting some critics to call it stale, but its stability throughout the years has allowed it to remain one of the best daily driving sports cars.
The GT-R with its low hood and tall roof means drivers with mediocre skills benefit from better-than-average visibility to avoid accidents in crowded parking lots and streets. The car is also surprisingly easy to get in and out of and its AWD configuration makes it possible to drive the GT-R in adverse weather conditions.
8 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro has provided a relatively affordable way to enjoy the thrill of a high-performance sports car for more than 50 years. With up to a 6.2L supercharged direct-injection V8 engine available for the Camaro, prospective buyers won't have to shell out more than $100,000 to turn some heads from onlookers.
The Camaro is also one of the top daily driving sports cars, known to have a comfortable ride despite the speeds it's capable of, and handling and braking that are more intuitive for non-professional racers to master. Owners of this pony care will avoid too much pain at the mechanic's garage with maintenance and replacement part costs that won't break the bank.
7 Maserati GranTurismo
V8 fans expressed some disappointment when learning that the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo would no longer offer a model using the engine. Fortunately, the GranTurismo's turbo V6 engine allows the car to be more fuel efficient while still providing plenty of punch at 542 horsepower with the Modena trim.
Maserati is a brand that does not have a stellar reputation for reliability, but in recent years models like the GranTurismo have proven to be more durable as daily drivers. The car's generous size and weight help it to provide more stability when driving while drivers can switch between sport and normal modes depending on their personal preferences.
6 Ford Mustang GT
The 2023 Ford Mustang manages to preserve its iconic muscle car design while still providing ample raw power and the modern conveniences that drivers expect today. Besides its stellar infotainment system, the Mustang's interior effectively shields passengers from the roar of the V8 engine outside and keeps riders comfortable even over bumpy terrain.
The Mustang's generous visibility through its windshield and windows keeps drivers aware of their surroundings. The Ford pony car's decently sized trunk with wide openings allows it to serve as one of the best daily driver sports cars. The Mustang also has traditionally preserved its resale value better than any car in its class, even with some mileage on the odometer.
5 Jaguar F-Type
There are few modern sports cars as recognizable as the Jaguar F-Type with its led headlights and retractable rear spoiler. Unlike other cars in its class, Jaguar is still firmly in the V8 camp, with the 2023 model eliminating all choices except its supercharged V8 capable of up to 575 horsepower in the F-Type R trim.
A 2 passenger sports car may not seem like the most sensible choice for a daily driver to carry passengers in, but the F-Type coupe version's trunk pops out to store a capable amount of goods. With economic and sport driving modes available, the F-Type has appeal to the masses who want to experience Jaguar's lavishly luxurious interiors.
4 Audi RS5
The Audi RS5 may be the perfect combination of power and practicality for drivers looking to run errands but still have over 440 horsepower through its V6 engine at their disposal. The 2023 version of the car arrived with a reduced weight, a coilover suspension system, and Sport Direct Steering for more capable handling.
The Audi RS5 is also available in a Sportback trim with 4 doors, enticing buyers to make it their new daily driver sports car. The AWD of the RS5 makes it a viable option in poor weather conditions and its trademark Virtual Cockpit above the steering wheel is one of the handiest technologies ever developed to easily plot and follow a course.
3 BMW 8 Series
When looking for a sports car suitable for long cross-country drives, it's difficult to find an option as reliable and comfortable as the BMW 8 Series. The M8 sports plush Merino Leather seats that are as comfortable as any driver will find in a car capable of a remarkable 617 horsepower.
The refined aerodynamic styling of the 8 series gives it a definite edge in handling over the BMW 6. Also, the digitally dominated interior of the BMW 8 series includes as much modern technology as any car on the planet, including two large LCD screens and its popular iDrive infotainment system.
2 Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 is an affordable compact sports car that seats four and won't blow away the competition with power, but its 228-hp 2.4-liter boxer-four engine will still get drivers from point A to point B as quickly as speed limits allow for. The GR86 is appreciated for its ultra-responsive handling and attractive styling which made it one of the best-selling sports cars in 2022.
When looking at the field of potential daily driver sports cars, the GR86 stands out for fuel efficiency, with its 6-speed manual transmission allowing for 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
1 Madza MX-5 Miata
With the Mazda MX-5 Miata holding the distinguished title of the best-selling roadster of all time, it's no surprise that many owners use them as daily drivers. The 2023 Miata includes a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that maxes out at 181 horsepower, but the ultra-lightweight car gives passengers a healthy sense of speed, especially as a convertible.
Unmatched in its class for fuel efficiency, the Miata touts an impressive 35 mpg on the highway. The economic advantages of the Miata don't end there, as it's also cheap to insure and maintain giving drivers the security that the car will continue to provide a fun driving experience for years to come.