10 Sports Cars That Dominate On The Road And The Track

Here's what makes these sports cars the ultimate driver's cars, both, on the road and around a racetrack

When it comes to high-performance vehicles, the sport car segment offers a wide array of cars for any budget or need. Whether it’s an Autobahn cruise missile like the BMW M5 or a pure, compact roadster like the Mazda MX-5, there’s no shortage of worthy offerings that provide a pure, unadulterated driving experience. To make a great sports car, however, manufacturers, often, need to sacrifice some of the practicality or on-road usability. Track-focused variants usually feature stiffer suspension, more rigid chassis, and more aggressive aero that favors high downforce while optimizing on-track performance.

At the same time, the same optimizations that make the car better on track, can make it terrible on the road. While getting the best of both worlds can be a challenge, manufacturers seem to have cracked the code, resulting in some epic sports cars that are a joy to drive, both on a racetrack and on public roads. Moreover, many of these cars can double as very fast family cars, with all the necessary amenities. The best part is, each of the below-mentioned sports cars is equally capable, both, on the ractrack and as a daily driver.

RELATED: 10 Performance Cars That Still Offer A Manual Transmission In 2023

Toyota and Subaru’s GR86/RBZ twins may sit near the bottom of the sports car food chain when it comes to performance capabilities, but are some of the most fun you can have in a sports car for not a lot of money. The compact, rear-wheel-drive coupe is a spiritual successor to the Corolla AE86, and as it turns out, a great platform to build upon.

Engine

2.4-liter flat-4

Transmission

6-speed manual/ 6-speed auto

Drivetrain

Front-engine, RWD

Power

228 hp

Torque

184 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

6.0 seconds

These are a very popular choice for gear heads, who often hit the racetrack, as the balanced chassis and usable power allow you to make the most out of the platform on even the most technical of courses. At the same time, the GR86 is refined enough to serve as a good daily driver. The GR86 Trueno edition takes things further by offering a black and white exterior finish, and upgraded brakes, wheels, and suspension.

Honda’s hot hatchback has always been an exciting proposition, despite the “wrong-wheel drive”. The Honda Civic may be in its 11th generation, but it’s only the sixth generation of the Civic Type-R. The current one is more capable than ever while continuing to rely on a K20 engine, which since 2014, received a turbocharger and “reverse V-TEC” (only on the exhaust camshaft).

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4

Transmission

6-speed manual

Drivetrain

Front-engine, FWD

Power

316 hp

Torque

310 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

5.3 seconds

In case you have any doubts about the Civic Type-R being a great track car, the Japanese hot hatch has been holding the record for the fastest front-wheel-drive car on the Nurburgring, for a few years now. At the same time, the Civic Type-R is just as refined on the street, and comes with all the practicality and amenities you can expect from a hatchback, including Smartphone connectivity and a usable cargo area.

Lotus axe the Elise, Exige, and Evora to make room for new models. After the Evija EV hypercar, the brand introduced a new, mid-engine, ICE-powered model, called the Emira. Lotus’ ability to make excellent chassis and lightweight vehicles is renowned, and the 2022 Lotus Emira upholds these traditions. However, the model also brings a level of refinement and luxury, previously lacking in the brand’s lineup.

Engine

2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4/ 3.5-liter supercharged V-6

Transmission

6-speed manual/ 6-speed automatic/ 8-speed DCT

Drivetrain

Mid-engine, RWD

Power

360-400 hp

Torque

317-320 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.5-4.3 seconds

Performance hasn’t lost its importance and there are two engine options available. The Toyota-derived, supercharged V-6 is the only one available with a six-speed manual while the AMG-derived, M139 turbo-four is only available with the eight-speed AMG Speedshift DCT. Both options provide similar performance in a very different manner. While still a competent track car, the Lotus Emira is also much more suited for daily usability than Lotus’ previous offerings.

RELATED: The Next-Gen Mazda MX-5 Miata Keeps The Internal Combustion Engine, But There's A Twist

It shouldn’t be any surprise the Mazda MX-5 Miata is here, despite its lack of performance compared to other cars on the list. With just 2,259 pounds (1,025 kg) to lug around, the Miata’s naturally-aspirated, SKYACTIV engine and short gear ratios, make a surprisingly short work of highway speeds. The car’s balanced, lightweight chassis responds exceptionally well to mods, which is why the Miata has always been a common sight on track days.

Engine

2.0-liter inline-4

Transmission

6-speed manual/ 6-speed automatic

Drivetrain

Front-engine, RWD

Power

184 hp

Torque

151 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

6.2 seconds

Supercharger and turbo kits bump power to well over 100 horsepower per liter, shaving close to 2.0 seconds from the already-impressive 0 to 60 mph time, which on a prepped surface can go down to 5.5 seconds. The Miata is the smallest car on the list, but still refined enough to be enjoyed on the road. It’s also the most fuel-efficient sports car you can buy.

The BMW G80/G82 has already proven to be supercar-quick. Its S58 inline-six engine is notoriously underrated, in addition to being conservatively set up to reduce boost at high RPMs. Even so, the “503-horsepower’ Competition is able to give many exotic cars a run for their money, especially when fitted with the brand’s xDrive, all-wheel-drive system and the ZF eight-speed automatic.

Engine

3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6

Transmission

6-speed manual/ 8-speed automatic

Drivetrain

Front-engine, RWD/ AWD

Power

473-543 hp (claimed)

Torque

405-479 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.0-3.3 seconds

That’s even before we start talking about the more hardcore M3 CS and M4 CSL variants, which squeeze even more performance from the G80/G82 platform. At the same time, the M3 and M4 offer the expected from a premium carmaker with sporty aspirations and refinement, along with the luxury and practicality of a sports-luxury sedan, or 2+2 coupe in the M4’s case.

The Toyota GR Supra may share the bones of the BMW Z4, but it’ more Japanese than you think. While Toyota engineers have done their own improvements to the platform, this is also a classic case of taking something good and making it better. The B58 engine, like many modern-day BMW performance mills, is underrated and capable of a lot more with basic mods.

Engine

3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6

Transmission

6-speed manual/ 8-speed automatic

Drivetrain

Front-engine, RWD

Power

382hp (claimed)

Torque

368 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

3.9-4.3 seconds

The nimble, lightweight chassis can handle a lot more power than the factory figures and with the awesome, ZF automatic, it sprints to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds. With as little as 3,351 pounds (1,520 kg) for the six-cylinder model, the GR Supra is one on the lighter spectrum of modern sports cars. Toyota listened to fans and from 2022, the GR Supra can also be had with a manual.

RELATED: 10 Best Attainable Mid-Engined Sports Car Every Enthusiast Should Own

For the first time since its inception in 1953, the Chevrolet Corvette has finally become a mid-engine sports car. There have been many concepts based on previous generations, but only since 2020, can you buy a production, mid-engine Corvette. While the base C8 Stingray is quick enough to give Italian, mid-engine exotics a run for their money, the C8 Z06 goes even further by swapping the LT2 V-8 for the first GM, DOHC V-8 with a flat-plane crankshaft.

Engine

6.2-liter V-8 (Stingray), 6.2-liter V8 + e-Moor (E-Ray), 5.5-liter DOHC V-8 (Z06)

Transmission

8-speed DCT

Drivetrain

Mid-engine, RWD/AWD

Power

490-670 hp

Torque

452-470 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

2.9-2.4 seconds

Regardless of which C8 Corvette you choose, the mid-engine American sports car can perform equally well, both, on the street and on a racetrack. In all of its versions, the C8 can sprint to 60 mph in under 3.0 seconds, making is supercar-quick for as little as a quarter of the price of a brand-new Ferrari or Lamborghini.

When it comes to high-performance sports cars that can also double as daily drivers, we have to include the almighty Nissan GT-R. For the 16th consecutive year, the R35 GT-R is undergoing a refresh. Godzilla came out in 2008 and although it’s showing its age, it still manages to be relevant in today’s world of high-performance vehicles. Moreover, Godzilla is old enough to be a well-known platform, and in addition to being extremely tuner-friendly, it’s also quite reliable. On top of that, the conventional front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout allows for semi-usable rear seats, and a usable trunk.

Engine

3.8-liter twin-turbo V-6

Transmission

6-speed DCT

Drivetrain

Front-engine, AWD

Power

485-592 hp

Torque

433-481 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

3.3-2.5 seconds

Later models also feature active noise-cancellation, which means you can cruise at high speeds and have a normal conversation inside. At the same time, very few cars are able to keep up with the GT-R’s corner-to-corner acceleration, on and off the racetrack, and that's before we mention the track-focused GT-R NISMO.

When it comes to mid-size executive sedans that pack sports car credentials, the BMW M5 is said to be the ultimate. Currently, in its sixth (F90) generation, the M5 still carries on with the same formula of taking an already-good luxury sedan and infusing motorsport know-how. The S63 engine features a hot-V meaning the twin turbochargers are in-between the cylinder heads for better response. In the past, the engine’s output was underrated and companies like Evolve Motorsport are pushing 1,000 horsepower fairly easily.

Engine

4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8

Transmission

8-speed manual

Drivetrain

Rear-engine, AWD

Power

600-635 hp

Torque

553 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

3.2-2.9 seconds

Even in stock form, the M5 is able to run with supercars while cocooning you in luxury. In its more hardcore variants like the M5 CS, the Bavarian high-performance sedan is able to lap the Nurburgring faster than some supercars. The refined, ZF automatic and engine that features a wide torque band means the car feels equally at home on a racetrack and on public roads.

RELATED: 10 Sleeper Cars That Can Give The Porsche 911 A Run For Its Money

The Porsche 911 is not just an all-time classic when it comes to high-performance sports cars, but also one of the most capable sports cars you can use on a regular basis. By now, Porsche engineers have perfected the recipe of putting the engine in the back, negating the layout’s inherent handling deficits. It’s difficult to talk about a single version of the 911 since they are all capable on and off the racetrack.

Engine

3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-6/ 4.0-liter flat-6

Transmission

6-speed manual/ 7-speed manual/ 8-speed PDK

Drivetrain

Rear-engine, RWD/ AWD

Power

385-650 hp

Torque

332-590 lb-ft

0-60 MPH

4.3-2.2 seconds

The only exceptions are the hardcore GT3 and GT3 RS models, which are the most track-focused variants. Between the different body styles, engines, and drivetrains, there are over 20 variants to choose from. Most of them are flexible enough to be serious performers on a racetrack as well as a tight, canyon road or an Autobahn.

Dim’s fascination with cars began when he was just six. Born into a family of car enthusiasts and racing drivers, he started learning basic mechanics and driving from an early age. While he loves writing for any car, Dim is most interested in exploring obscure and forgotten cars as well as finding the best deals on the enthusiast car market. His passion took him to car restoration in the Malta Classic Car Museum, where he briefly worked on a 1964 Jaguar E-Type and an Alfa Romeo Junior. In Malta, he also graduated Media and Communications, which further improved his skills as an automotive journalist. Dim is always ready to get behind the wheel of any car and tell you all about it later.