Best New Sports Cars of 2021

Calling the Mazda MX-5 Miata an automotive icon is no overstatement, as its heritage stretches back more than 30 years and its cheerful driving demeanor has always been its strongest character attribute. The Miata’s four-cylinder engine delivers just enough power to make it feel spunky and its chassis is delightfully balanced—perfect for zipping through curvy sections of road. Both a soft-top convertible model and a power-folding hard-top called the RF are offered, so with either one buyers are treated to fun in the sun. The Miata’s cabin is tight for two and cargo space is limited, but it wasn’t made for road trips; it’s designed for spirited sunny-drenched drives and track days. The fact that it remains one of the cheapest ways to get into a convertible sports car only adds to its appeal.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Pay no mind to the fact that the 2021 Toyota Supra shares much of its chassis and powertrains with the BMW Z4—it offers its own distinct personality and is an utter blast to drive. Two different turbocharged powertrains—an inline-four and an inline-six—are on offer, both of which drive the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. We know, we know: a six-speed manual would be preferable. To be honest, this automatic does an excellent job, changing gears crisply and responding quickly to the Supra’s paddle shifters. So impressed are we with the Supra, we’ve named it to our annual 10Best list two years in a row. Its snug cabin, while not the right size for every driver, is nicely finished.Want a convertible? Then you’ll have to get the Z4; the Supra is available only as a coupe.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

After years of waiting for the mid-engine Corvette to make its debut, the pressure was on for Chevrolet to deliver a modern-day icon. As the C8-generation car enters its second model year, we are happy to report that its status is preserved—in fact, it’s elevated. The Corvette offers impressive performance, a 490-hp V-8 engine, and an affordable base price, which helped it snag a 10Best award for 2021. Both a coupe and a convertible are offered, and the Corvette’s two-seat cabin is spacious and comfortable for full-size adults. Beyond its spectacular performance, Chevy’s engineers made the ride supple enough for daily commuting and cross-country road trips, yet with the Z51 package the Vette is track-capable. Cargo space is limited, but golf clubs still fit in the back, and the front trunk (frunk) offers a deep well that’ll easily hold a carry-on suitcase.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

The 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman captures the same physical and emotional excitement of driving that supercars do. This coupe and its convertible sibling—the 718 Boxster, which we review separately—provide unrivaled driver engagement among sports cars. The Cayman’s otherworldly chassis provides an open line of communication between the driver, the car, and the road. To create the 718, Porsche knits together strong brakes, an unflappable suspension, and a steering system rich with feedback. The result is so good that both 718 body styles made our 2021 10Best list. The brand’s flawless automatic and manual transmissions and potent engines—particularly the melodic flat-six—complete the picture. While the 2021 Cayman costs more than its distinguished rivals, the Chevy Corvette and Toyota Supra, it’s still the most focused and satisfying choice in the segment.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

Few vehicles fulfill their intended mission as well as the 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster does, and that’s why it’s one of our 2021 10Best award winners. The same goes for its coupe brother, the 718 Cayman. This car’s mid-engine design and sport-tuned chassis help it to deliver perfectly balanced driving dynamics, and its lineup of horizontally opposed four- and six-cylinder engines provide plenty of power to accompany this roadster’s sharp handling. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission and a quick-shifting seven-speed automatic for this rear-driver. Drop the top, let the wind rush through your hair, and enjoy all the performance and driving satisfaction that Porsche can deliver for thousands of dollars less than a 911.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

When it comes to max performance, the word “compromise” is a curse, but never fear, the 2021 BMW M2 doesn’t have to put a quarter in the swear jar. Compared with the regular BMW 2-series, this souped-up coupe badass boasts a meaner mug and wider hips, a chassis tuned for attacking racetracks, and a more powerful engine. The hard-charging, high-revving twin-turbo straight-six eats up straightaways quicker than Kobayashi downs hot dogs. While we prepare for the extinction of manual transmissions, this little BMW still fights for the resistance. It offers a snappy dual-clutch automatic, too. Its harsh ride and unimpressive interior are less contentious on the more affordable M240i, but the true M car is terrific specifically because it’s an uncompromising driver’s car.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

There’s nothing better than putting the top down on a nice day and finding an entertaining road to enjoy, and the 2021 BMW Z4 is a great choice for such an activity. Buyers can choose between a turbocharged four-cylinder or a twin-turbo inline-six—the latter of which blasted the Z4 to 60 mph in just 3.8-seconds at our test track. Rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive isn’t offered but, sadly, neither is a manual transmission; all Z4s come with an eight-speed automatic. Dynamically speaking, the Porsche Boxster is still our preferred ragtop sports car but the Z4 offers plenty of driving enjoyment with a slightly smoother ride for day-to-day use. The cabin is snug but comfortable for two adults and has plenty of standard creature comforts and connectivity features. If you’d prefer a fixed-roof coupe, check out the mechanically similar Toyota Supra instead. Toyota collaborated with BMW on it, and the two cars share their powertrains and suspensions.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

There’s nothing quite like hearing the thrilling timbre of a throbbing exhaust note or feeling the gratifying feedback from a superbly tuned steering system while flying down a twisty road. Few affordable cars offer both these satisfying sensations, but the 2021 Chevy Camaro is one of them. It’s not focused solely on being loud and going fast, however—even though it does both of those tasks very well. Chevy’s two-door pony car comes as a coupe or convertible, and it offers copious features and countless personalization options. While the 650-hp Camaro ZL1 is the most raucous version—and reviewed separately—every model from the base four-cylinder to the V-6 to the V-8 can be enhanced for track duty with the transformational 1LE package. Sure, the interior can feel claustrophobic and has several other quirks, but the 2021 Chevy Camaro is primarily geared towards those who love to drive. Like us.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

With a fire-breathing 650-hp supercharged V-8 and ferocious track capabilities, the 2021 Chevy Camaro ZL1 is the king of monster muscle cars. Sure, the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 have horsepower ratings that start with seven, but the bow-tie beast delivers similar thrills for fewer green bills. In fact, if the mid-engine Corvette didn’t exist, the ZL1 could perhaps be called the world’s greatest performance value. Regardless, the Camaro perfects the front-engine, rear-drive formula inherent to muscle cars. While both the coupe and convertible have a remarkable chassis that’s more clairvoyant than Miss Cleo, unleashing the ultimate Camaro requires the transformative 1LE track package, but beware that it makes the suspension very stiff. If you can overlook the Chevy’s flawed interior, the 2021 Camaro ZL1 can be more exciting than a roller coaster, and it’ll regularly reward thrill-seekers and track rats alike.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

The Ford Mustang family has a legendary history and is populated by models with diverse personalities. This year, that history is recalled by the revival of the Mach 1 moniker, first seen on the 1969 ‘Stang. The 2021 Mustang will still come as a coupe or a convertible, and its stable of high-performance offerings will be as full as ever. Whether it’s the turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost or the V-8-powered GT, every version of the original pony car can be armed with track weaponry to challenge its Chevy Camaro or Dodge Challenger counterparts. The Ford’s beautiful bodywork, vast personalization options, and practical interior also make it desirable to folks who care less about lap times and more about sporty everyday transportation. And that’s why the Mustang continues to be an icon: it offers something for everyone.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

The 2021 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 boasts 760 horses of supercharged-V-8 mayhem, but it also possesses the athleticism of smaller and lighter sports cars. Those accolades make it the most powerful production car Ford has ever built as well as the most immersive Mustang we’ve ever driven. At the center of the excitement is the Shelby’s supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, which plays a thrilling soundtrack through its bazooka-like exhaust pipes. A manual transmission isn’t available, but the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic operates damn near telepathically. The rear-drive-only coupe also accelerates so tenaciously that it should include a warranty on underwear. The GT500 feels equally thrilling when running down more exotic metal on a racetrack. Sure, it has terrible fuel economy and costs a lot for a Mustang–especially with the exorbitantly priced Carbon Fiber Track package–but the 2021 Shelby GT500 is a magnificent muscle car and a phenomenal sports car.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

From its rear-mounted flat-six engine to its otherworldly handling, the Porsche 911 has preserved the essential elements that made it an icon. Its familiar circular headlights, Coke bottle shape, and sloping rump make it virtually impossible to mistake a 911 for any other sports car. Climb into its perfectly positioned driver’s seat, fire up its powerful and unique-sounding engine, and engage either of its terrific transmissions; Porsche’s legendary 2+2-seater will then proceed to overload you with feedback from its telepathic steering and its peerless performance attributes. It’s offered as a coupe or convertible and with rear- or all-wheel drive. The company’s extensive list of options allows it to be personalized for all tastes. The only knock against the 2021 911 is that it’s too expensive for most enthusiasts to own.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

The absolutely stunning bodywork of the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT will no doubt draw your eye, but it’s more than just a pretty face. The low and wide GT is also an extremely capable high-performance sports car. This is Mercedes’s front-engine answer to the rear-engine Porsche 911. Offered at various point points, the GT features a hand-built twin-turbo V-8. Although this AMG isn’t as immersive to drive as its archrival from Porsche, it’s still super athletic, and most models are surprisingly civil on streets that aren’t racetrack smooth. Those who prefer a more refined grand tourer will appreciate the 523-hp GT and 550-hp GT C, and those with sportier desires will gravitate toward the 577-hp GT R and GT R Pro. Most models are available in coupe and softtop-roadster forms, but the track-focused Pro and almighty 720-hp Black Series are hardtop only.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

The supercar genre thrives on theatrical styling and performance, and the 2021 Ferrari F8 Tributo and Spider exemplify both. Ferrari dresses each variant with exotic bodywork, and the Spider’s removable top provides an extra visceral experience. Mounted behind the driver is a 710-hp twin-turbo V-8 that feeds the rear wheels through a paddle-shifted, seven-speed automatic transmission. Uncorking the F8’s V-8 yields hair-raising acceleration and a thrilling soundtrack, but the latter is less exciting than the Italian automaker’s best work. Still, the magicians in Maranello have assembled a charming chassis that bewitches the driver with amazing agility and tactility. These defining characteristics, combined with their unmistakable designs, make the 2021 F8 Tributo and Spider truly special machines.

Review, Pricing, and Specs

The 2021 McLaren 765LT is a track-focused exotic sports car that weighs less than 3000 pounds and basically bolts a nuclear reactor behind its passengers. The latter constitutes a 754-hp twin-turbo V-8 that roars like a lion in heat. The letters in its name stand for Longtail, which indicates this McLaren means serious business. It shares a hollow-eyed expression, lightweight construction, and eminently customizable properties with the McLaren 720S. While its interior can be stripped down for further weight reduction, it remains a driver’s paradise thanks to fantastic outward visibility and only the most essential controls. The 2021 765LT isn’t for the faint of heart, and it’s even more expensive than its shorter sibling, but that money help make it move quicker and corner sharper.

Review, Pricing, and Specs