The automobile landscape is highly dynamic; one that requires carmakers to continuously adapt their products to suit an increasingly competitive market. Gone are the days when vehicles only play in well-defined segments.
Updated October 2021: If you're in the market for a fun and thrilling sports car that's practical enough to be used as a daily driver when commuting to work and getting groceries at the supermarket, you definitely need to check out this updated list that now includes even more models for you to choose from.
Now, there are family SUVs with a burst of speed that will pin the occupants to their seats or work trucks that can go straight from hauling goods to burning rubber at a drag strip. In the same vein, there are now sports cars that display two distinct personalities.
On one hand, you can push these sports cars flat out and drive at the very limits but in an instant, the same cars can transform into regular everyday vehicles docile enough for a casual drive through city streets.
12 Toyota GR Supra
There was a lot of controversy that surrounded the launch of the 5th generation Supra; the BMW connection, bold design language, or lack of a manual transmission, you take your pick. The jury is still out on whether the car will ever be able to fill the shoes of the legendary Supra MK4.
What is hard to argue against, though, is the practicability of the Supra as a daily driver. The fact that it's a Toyota translates to rock-solid reliability and reasonable running costs. It also packs quite a bit of power for days when you swap out city streets for the race tracks.
11 Kia Stinger
The Stinger is Kia's bold attempt to challenge established players in the sports sedan market. The journey has been quite rocky for the car but Kia is not backing down. The new models boast up to 368 hp from the twin-turbocharged V6 powerplant, enough for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in less than 5 seconds.
That's mighty impressive, but even better is the fact that the Kia Stinger can tone that performance down, slotting nicely into place as a premium daily driver loaded with a host of driver-assistance tech and other features for the perfect pleasure cruise.
10 Chevrolet Camaro
There's plenty to love about the new Camaro SS. The view out of the windscreen is still quite narrow but that minor inconvenience is more than offset by a well-laid out interior space and comfortable seats. The infotainment has been upgraded, and all model trims now support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The Camaro also does not disappoint when it comes to performance; even the base model packs decent power in the form of a 275 hp turbocharged inline-4 powerplant.
9 Honda Civic Type R
The current generation Civic Type R boasts extreme styling that is clearly not for everyone. However, look beyond that, and you are presented with a car that behaves like a proper sports car.
It's powered by an eager 306-hp turbocharged unit that's paired with a short-throw 6-speed manual transmission. It's a combination that makes for a truly exciting driving experience. It does not always have to be driven at the edge though and is perfectly comfortable functioning as a practical daily driver with better-than-average cabin room and storage spaces.
8 Ford Mustang
The Pony car ranks among the world's most popular muscle cars; one that perfectly fits the image of a brawny machine with loads of power at its disposal. What may not be as widely regarded is the car's ability to be used on a regular basis; driven like a normal car for routine grocery trips.
Even the most powerful versions are relatively easy to drive. Then there's a wide array of options such as leather upholstery, 6-way power-adjustable seats that complement a decent equipment load-out. The car's popularity also means spare parts are readily available and running costs should be well within acceptable levels.
7 McLaren GT
Make no mistake about it; McLaren's latest attempt at a grand Tourer is still a proper supercar. Somewhere within that sleek frame is a potent 4.0-liter V8 engine that cranks out 612 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. It can accelerate to 60 mph in less than 3 seconds and continue to a 202 mph top speed.
However, it is still very much a Grand Tourer with great visibility, leather upholstery, and a host of driver-assistance features. A 20.1 cubic feet of total storage space is also very generous for a car like this and will definitely come in handy if you use the car regularly.
6 Maserati GranTurismo
Maserati has received a few knocks over the years for less-than-stellar products and that reputation often impacts the GranTurismo negatively. However, this is an Italian sports car with one of the best sounding V8 engines ever placed in a modern car. That engine can also deliver proper sports car performance numbers.
It's not all about the engine symphony and stats though; the Maserati GranTurismo also makes a great daily driver with enough adult legroom for rear passengers and comfortable seating for everyone.
5 BMW M2
The BMW M2 is widely regarded as one of the best 'M' cars of the modern era. The Competition spec might be a bit too much for some but even the basic model trims should be perfect for the driver who is seeking to combine sports car performance with sensible practicability.
The M2 packs a punchy 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 engine that puts out 405 hp; good enough for a 4-second sprint to 60 mph. Even when driven at low speeds, the driver can still enjoy a combination of a superbly balanced chassis and crisp handling.
4 Jaguar F-Type
The Jaguar F-Type pulls no punches when it comes to performance. There's a hulking 575-hp supercharged variant at the top of the model line-up but even the mid-level 380-hp option or the entry-level model, with a 296 hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, are still acceptable considerations.
The luxury treatment of Jaguar sedans has also extended to the sports cars, which translates to a very comfortable driving experience. Cargo space is at a premium, but this should not matter much as long as the driver is not packing too much gear.
3 Acura NSX
Here's a modern technological hybrid marvel with all the attributes of a performance machine - power, speed, and handling. It weighs a hefty 3,800 pounds but can also zip to 60 mph in 3 seconds. That weight is also not a bother as the car dances around corners with surprising agility.
Another area where the car has earned praise is its ability to tone down its aggressiveness and function as a proper daily driver. A well-balanced ride, good grip, and a well-appointed interior all come together rather nicely for the NSX.
2 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Mazda's MX-5 Miata, now in its 4th generation, is still one of the most popular sports cars ever made. Literally millions have been made since the first unit rolled off the assembly line in 1989. There are still people who will tell you that Mazda just copied the original Lotus Elan formula, and as a result, the MX-5 single-handily killed the British sports car industry through its superior build quality.
While Mazda did copy the classic British roadsters, they did so in an effort to look backward to go forwards. Massively complicated cars with huge engines aren't the solution to offer maximum driving thrills. The MX-5 formula has always been a simple lightweight body on a steel chassis with modest engines, which has resulted in one of the finest front-engined rear-wheel drive sports cars of all time.
1 Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ
The second generation of the "ToyoBaru" offers more of the same. It's a simple, budget-friendly, front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car that's practical, useable, and plenty of fun without having to sell vital organs on the black market to pay for it.
Whether buyers opt for the Toyota or Subaru version, they'll get a track-proven two-seater with just enough grunt from its 2.4-liter boxer engine to spin the rear tires and get some tail-out action, if needed. This affordable package offers eager performance and razor-sharp handling for real driving enthusiasts.