The Porsche 911 lineage needs no introduction. That famously sleek silhouette, the engine swung over the rear end, and the fact that it has been around with us for 60 years now means that the 911 moniker has firmly stapled itself as one of the most iconic cars in history.

UPDATE: 2023/10/24 18:09 EST BY RON FP

The Porsche 911 debuted six decades ago, and it has been regarded by many enthusiasts as the archetypal sports car. Through all its numerous iterations over the past 60 years, the Porsche 911 has always aimed to provide an exhilarating driving experience through its robust engines, exquisite balance, and uncompromising focus on the driver.

Using cross-referenced vehicle specifications, performance data, and vehicle reviews from manufacturer websites, Kelley Blue Book (KBB), Edmunds, Zero To 60 Times, CarSurvey, and Bring A Trailer, we've updated this list to bring you more details about the best Porsche 911 models ever made.

Looking back at the first Porsche 911, which was introduced way back in 1963, it's tough to decide exactly which model is the greatest of them all. The variety of different performance grades, trim levels, interior finishes, and exterior modifications on the estimated 1.2 million examples that have left the factory in that time means there is a 911 for anyone and everyone out there.

That versatility and ability to integrate itself into anyone's life, whether it be a basic 911 T or one of the brutally fast 911 GT2s is what has allowed it to continue to flourish, even though the actual shape of the 911 hasn’t changed too much. Taking a browse over the 10 greatest Porsches ever made, it comes as no surprise that the vast majority would be 911s.

Distilling this list into just 17 of the greatest is almost impossible, and will likely cause a divide in opinion since some cult heroes will inevitably have to be left out. But we’ve tried our best to include the most unanimous favorites possible. Here’s what we’ve come up with.

17 2018-2020 Porsche 911 GT2 RS 991

0-60 MPH: 2.7 Seconds

Starting off strong with what could possibly be the craziest Porsche 911 of them all – certainly one of the fastest. It smashed the lap record at the Nürburgring and left the world speechless in the process. That’s probably why we’d remortgage the house to buy a Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

Performance

Aside from the clever aero manipulation and the sticky tires, the raw power is provided by a 3.8-liter flat-six that chucks out 700 hp and catapults it to 60 in a mere 2.7 seconds. Put all that together, in addition to a considerable diet that brings its weight down to 3,241 pounds, and what you’re left with is a track day showstopper.

16 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S

0-60 MPH: 2.6 Seconds

The year 2014 saw some very good things happen to the Porsche 911 nameplate. First, Porsche celebrated the 911's golden anniversary by releasing the Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition for the 2014 model year. Furthermore, the new Turbo, Turbo S, and GT3 variants also joined the 2014 Porsche 911 lineup. The 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S was the fastest of these contemporary trims, as it offered groundbreaking turbocharged performance and technological features in an adrenaline-inducing package. The Turbo S gained the Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system, a new 4-wheel steering system, the revered 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK, which translates to Porsche dual-clutch) transmission, and a monstrous 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine that generated 560 hp and 516 lb-ft of twist (553 lb-ft with overboost).

Performance

15 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

0-60 MPH: 3.0 Seconds

Like most automotive manufacturers, Porsche is constantly pushing the envelope with their cars, especially with the company's flagship model, the 911. For 2023, Porsche released the 911 GT3 RS - a beast that comes close to the track-only GT3 R racecar in terms of performance but still qualifies as a road-legal car. Built with parts from Porsche's motorsport division, the 2023 Porsche GT3 RS boasts track-focused aerodynamic exterior elements that include a large rear wing, front and side splitters, and even aerodynamic suspension links. On a straight line, the GT3 RS is capable of a 0-60 mph sprint time of 3.0 seconds. Powered by a 4.0-liter flat-6 engine (518 hp, 343 lb-ft), the 2023 Porsche GT3 RS is currently the most powerful naturally-aspirated 911 ever built - and one of the most exclusive, as well.

Performance

14 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster 991.2

0-60 MPH: 3.8 Seconds

This isn’t the first instance of those at Stuttgart toying with the idea of a ‘Speedster’, and it certainly won’t be the last. But there’s something special about this generation. It just looks like a standard 911 that has been stretched a little longer and dropped a bit lower, but it works very well. Only a handful of these were made, which explains why the 2019 Porsche 911 Speedster is worth over $360,000.

Performance

Even though performance isn’t the aim of the game with the Speedster, its 502 hp and 346 lb-ft of torque still make it more than a handful in certain situations. A top speed of 192 mph also makes it one of the fastest 911s ever made. So, you not only look roguishly cool behind the wheel, but you can leave 99 percent of the cars you see at a set of lights trailing in your wake.

13 1974-1975 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0

0-60 MPH: 4.8 Seconds

Built specifically to go racing, check out how much a 1974 Porsche 911 RSR costs today to have your mind blown. A storied history on both the road and the track has made this one of the most desirable 911s ever made, too, so don’t expect to see too many of them sitting around.

Performance

Weighing in at just 900 kg, or under 2,000 pounds, the RSR took lightweight, fleet-footed performance to a whole new level. Combine this with 330 hp at your rear wheels and the result is … scary. This was built at a time when driver-aids and computer trickery didn’t exist, remember, so it was as close to a track-focused go-kart as you could get back then.

12 2010 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 997.2

0-60 MPH: 3.8 Seconds

The 997.2 was Porsche's first attempt at making a retro-looking 911. Since its launch in 2009, the Sport Classic has been a favorite for many enthusiasts. It sold out quickly, thanks to a limited production number of only 250 units. Even though it used the Carrera S platform, it had a vast selection of options and a price tag higher than the equivalent 997 Turbo. It certainly belongs on the list of the 10 most awesome Porsche 911 variants.

Performance

At the rear of the 911 Sport Classic is a 408 hp 3.8-liter engine that offers a 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 3.8 seconds. Porsche gave the 997.2 Sport Classic a few driver-oriented modifications. They included different-shaped seats and a unique steering wheel and gear lever.

11 2020-Present Porsche 911 Turbo S 992

0-60 MPH: 2.6 Seconds

The Porsche 911 992 Turbo S belongs to the 8th generation of the Porsche 911, which started in 2018. It brings over some stylistic choices from its predecessors, like LED headlights and the 48 mm wider size. Even though the 992 Turbo S is heavier than its predecessor, it's great in terms of aerodynamics, thanks to a reworked spoiler, bringing a 15 percent improvement in downforce.

Performance

It was inevitable that the 911 Turbo was going to evolve beyond the point of being a mere sports car. These days, it can’t even be considered a supercar given that the Porsche 911 Turbo S puts most of its rivals in that particular category to shame. For power, the 992 Turbo S is incredibly impressive. It boasts a 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine producing 640 hp – a big jump from the previous generation's 580 hp. It's available as a coupe or cabriolet, with the coupe achieving a 2.6 seconds 0 to 60 mph time and the cabriolet an ever-so-close 0-60 mph time of 2.7 seconds.

10 1963-1964 Porsche 901

0-60 MPH: 8.5 Seconds

Porsche introduced the seminal 901 at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was to sell alongside the 356 as a sports car with room for a rear seat and more power. This was a massive undertaking for Porsche since it helped replace the 356. However, before the launch of the 901, Peugeot decided to object to the name, claiming that it violated French copyright and trademark laws.

For Porsche, this was sad news, since the 901 logo design was already complete. To mend the problem, the chief designer, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, replaced the 0 with 1. With this symbolic gesture, the 901 became the 911 which nowadays is the most iconic Porsche. So, the Porsche 911 story doesn’t have an entirely happy beginning here.

Performance

But where performance was concerned, the 901 was seen as the ideal car for that period. It was fast, achieving a 60 mph run in 8.5 seconds en route to a top speed of 130 mph. The rear-engine, rear-wheel drive set-up that we’ve grown accustomed to really started to take off here, and it’s because the 901 laid the foundations for its future generations that we’re still able to enjoy these wonderful cars so much.

9 2005-2012 Porsche 911 997 Carrera 4S

0-60 MPH: 4.5 Seconds

Produced for the 2005 to 2012 model years, the Porsche 911 (997) Carrera 4S was an incredibly successful car. It had a 3.8-liter engine producing 385 hp, making it a fantastic sports car with great handling. Like most 911s on this list, the 997 Carrera 4S is a great daily driver sports car. Its AWD system offers great traction for track and road driving. Unlike most classic 911s, the 997 Carrera 4S has plenty of modern contemporaries that will thrill any enthusiast daily.

Performance

Even by today’s standards, it remains quick. A top speed of 185 mph would leave most of its in-class rivals in its wake, and while Jeremy Clarkson did chastise the non-S variant quite a lot, his take on the Carrera S is substantially different. It was quite heavy compared to its predecessors, but it handled its weight well thanks to that wonderful engine.

8 1967-1973 Porsche 911 T

0-60 MPH: 6.3 Seconds

The 911 T was a more entry-level version of the Porsche, making sense for it to be a sleeper. Like most Porsche 911s, the 911 T had classy and stylish looks. Its unassuming nature made it a great car to tune and drive.

Performance

For most enthusiasts, the Porsche 911 T was an excellent sleeper car. It had a 2.4-liter flat-six engine that produced 130 hp. While this isn't much compared to the standards of many 911 cars today, it was enough for the 911 T, thanks to its lightweight. We believe the modern iteration of the Porsche 911 Carrera T is ideal for driving enthusiasts, and it no doubt takes inspiration from the brilliant original.

7 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8

0-60 MPH: 4.4 Seconds

The Carrera RS 3.8 is the ultimate version of the Porsche 911's 964 generation, which was first released in 1989. It was ultra-rare, thanks to Porsche producing only 90 units. Upon its inception, the Carrera RS 3.8 was intentionally designed to extract the most performance possible. To achieve this, Porsche increased the 3.6-liter engine to 3.8 liters and power to 300hp, making this the fastest 964 generation 911. We also think it comfortably qualifies as one of the 10 best Porsche models to buy used, provided you have the financial means.

Performance

The 911 Carrera RS 3.8 also featured Porsche's legendary ability to shed weight while keeping the car decently usable. Thinner glass reduced sound deadening, and aluminum wings helped keep the weight down to 2,645 lbs. The RS 3.8 also used wider rear arches than the 911 Turbo, giving it a much more menacing look.

6 1993-1994 Porsche 911 GT2

0-60 MPH: 3.6 Seconds

Released in 1993, the Porsche 911 GT2 was built to meet homologation requirements for GT2 class racing. The car came with widened plastic fenders and a larger rear wing. It was very much suited for racing as it had improved engine cooling and was very fast.

Performance

The engine was a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged air-cooled powertrain that produced 430 hp, which Porsche upgraded in 1998 to 444 hp. The top speed was 187 mph, with the car accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds. As such, it was great for the track, but absolutely demented on the street.

5 1974-1989 Porsche 911 Turbo

0-60 MPH: 5.5 Seconds

Porsche released the first-ever turbocharged 911 in 1974. Porsche sold the 911 Turbo in North America under the name Porsche 930 but retained the 911 Turbo name in European markets. It is a very distinct car, with its wide wheel arches and whale tail spoiler. The original 911 Turbo is also the focus of Singer’s 911 Turbo Study.

Performance

The 911 Turbo had a 3.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 260 hp. For the latter models, Porsche increased the power to 300 hp. Despite early models having a tremendous amount of turbo lag, the car came with great acceleration and was fun to drive.

4 1972-1973 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS

0-60 MPH: 5.6 Seconds

Upon launch, the Porsche 911 2.7 RS was the fastest production 911 of its time. It had flared wheel arches and a ducktail spoiler. At the rear was a 2.7-liter boxer-six engine producing 207 hp. The lightweight nature of the car also meant that performance increased, with the car weighing just 2,149 lb. It was perfect for racing and considered one of the best-handling cars ever made. Nowadays, it's a collectible Porsche that many enthusiasts would love to own.

Performance

The reason for its motorsport pedigree is the fact that it’s lightweight and has more than enough power for its period. With 210 hp channeling towards the rear wheels, and near-perfect weight distribution balancing out the car, the 911 2.7 RS is a deserving entrant to this list.

3 2018-2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

0-60 MPH: 3.0 Seconds

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS variants represent the best 911s money can buy. For the 2019 model year, the GT3 RS got a 4.0-liter flat-six naturally aspirated engine producing 520 hp. The impressive power figures helped the GT3 RS sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds. In addition, Porsche used plenty of carbon fiber elements to make the GT3 RS more lightweight. As a result, the GT3 RS had better general performance, making it a great enthusiast sports car.

Performance

Besides being very aerodynamically efficient, the GT3 RS had a PDK sport mode that helped boost performance. With these upgrades, the GT3 RS was the full-package sports car for most enthusiasts.

2 1970 Porsche 911 ST

0-60 MPH: 6.3 Seconds

In the early 1970s, Porsche faced some seriously tough competition in Group 2 racing. This led the German carmaker to develop a far more aggressive model than the regular 911. Turning the volume all the way up to 11, Porsche increased the engine's displacement to 2.5 liters, and the arches grew wider to fit the 15×8 and 15×9-inch wheels. What resulted was known as the Porsche 911 ST - one of the rarest 911 models ever.

Performance

Porsche only built 24 known examples, and no two ST cars are identical. Some had thinner, lightweight steel, some were actually based on standard 911 chassis and tubs, and some cars sold as a kit package. What we can be certain of, though, is the focus on trimming weight will pay handsome dividends on a dash across a mountain road.

1 2016 Porsche 911R

0-60 MPH: 3.7 Seconds

Porsche brought out the 911R in 2016 for its first attempt at the homologation game. Unfortunately, the FIA refused to accept it, so the 911R cars had to compete in non-production categories or as rally cars. That's probably why Porsche only built 23 units.

Performance

The Porsche 911R sports car used the potent Carrera flat-six engine, while the boffins at Stuttgart took things as far as they could regarding weight saving. The 911R featured a steel unibody foundation, but the 911R's body only used fiberglass, thanks to the engineering prowess of Karl Baur. To this very day, the lightest Porsche 911 ever made was Ferdinand Piëch's 1967 Porsche 911R.