Sports cars and Muscle cars open us up to the world of performance driving. There was a time when this vehicle category was mostly defined by shoehorning massive gas-guzzling engines under the hood. The drive for sustainability and the EV push have all but ended that trend.
However, this does not mean sports cars and muscle cars have lost their ability to serve up an exciting experience behind the wheel. Many of them are still a lot of fun to drive, thanks to constant advancements in automotive engineering that have helped offset the reduction in engine sizes.
Even better? There are countless sports and muscle cars to choose from in the market today. They range in price from the minuscule Miata to the punchy C8 Corvette. This variety opens up access to a wider consumer base, allowing even enthusiasts on a tight budget to experience the pleasures of performance driving.
- 024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
- 2024 Chevrolet C8 Corvette
- 2024 Mazda Miata MX-5
- 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman
- 2024 Toyota GR Supra 3.0
- 2024 Lotus Emira First Edition
- 2024 Nissan Z
- 2024 Subaru BRZ
- 2024 Chevrolet Camaro SS
- 2024 Audi R8
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
Image Credit: GuideAutoWeb
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $61,080 USD / $82,711 CAD
- Engine: 5.0L naturally aspirated V8
- Power / Torque: 500 hp / 418 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 14 MPG (city) | 16.8 L/100 km / 22 MPG | 10.7 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Our Take
America’s beloved pony car is in its seventh generation, and even after 59 years, it shows no signs of slowing down. There are several model variants of the seventh generation already, with the Dark Horse being one of the standouts in the Mustang lineup. The Mustang Dark Horse defiantly sticks to a formidable naturally aspirated V8 engine, putting out about 500 hp. That, and several clever tweaks by Ford, underscore the Dark Horse’s performance as a track-honed sports car worthy of leading the current Mustang clan.
2024 Chevrolet C8 Corvette
Image Credit: Motor Authority
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $69,995 USD / $94,783 CAD
- Engine: 6.2L naturally aspirated V8
- Power / Torque: 490 hp / 470 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 2.9 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 16 MPG (city) | 14.7 L/100 km / 25 MPG | 9.4 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Our Take
Chverolet’s gamble to switch to a mid-engine layout with the eight-generation Corvette was a risky move that has massively paid off. The American supercar is currently regarded as one of the best performance cars on the market today and with good reason, too. The C8 Corvette delivers supercar performance levels for a fraction of the cost, making it an ideal bargain deal for enthusiasts. The Corvette E-Ray joins the lineup with time-warping acceleration off the line and all-wheel-drive capability. The base models have also been refreshed for the 2024 MY, and for many, that will be enough.
2024 Mazda Miata MX-5
Image Credit: Drive
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $30,150 USD / $40,827 CAD
- Engine: 2.0L naturally aspirated 4-cylinder
- Power / Torque: 181 hp / 151 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 5.7 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 26 MPG (city) | 9.1 L/100 km / 35 MPG | 6.7 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Our Take
The Miata has been around for well over three decades now. More impressive is the fact that the delightful little sports car has outlasted nearly every rival in the segment it entered back in 1989 when it first launched. Power was never the Miata’s strong point. Instead, what Mazda did was put together a package that was extremely fun to drive, thanks to a simple, clean design, agile handling and a manual transmission option that exists even on current models.
2024 Porsche 718 Cayman
Image Credit: Top Gear
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $68,300 USD / $92,488 CAD
- Engine: 2.0L turbocharged flat-four
- Power / Torque: 300 hp / 280 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 4.9 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 20 MPG (city) | 11.8 L/100 km / 25 MPG | 9.4 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
The Porsche 718 Cayman is the entry point into Porsche’s world of high-performance motoring. The 4-cylinder sports car lacks the outright cutting-edge performance that becomes increasingly more apparent as you move up the Porsche sports car chain. However, its brilliant handling and everyday practicality make it one of the best sports cars you can buy today.
2024 Toyota GR Supra 3.0
Image Credit: RPM
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $56,495 USD / $76,519 CAD
- Engine: 3.0L turbocharged inline-6
- Power / Torque: 382 hp / 368 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 23 MPG (city) | 10.2 L/100 km / 31 MPG | 7.6 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Our Take
This Japanese sports car has struggled to shine in the shadow cast by its iconic fourth-generation sibling, the MK IV Supra. However, the GR Supra, built by Toyota Gazoo Racing in partnership with BMW, still has plenty to offer. Its biggest strong point is the optional turbo six under the hood and the availability of a manual transmission to go along with it. It’s a pairing that transforms the rear-wheel-drive Supra into a hugely enjoyable sports machine.
2024 Lotus Emira First Edition
Image Credit: Carscoops
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $107,500 USD / $145,603 CAD
- Engine: 3.5L supercharged V6
- Power / Torque: 400 hp / 317 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 16 MPG (city) | 14.7 L/100 km / 24 MPG | 9.8 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Our Take
The Emira is Lotus’s farewell to its combustion chapter as it transitions to an all-electric lineup. It will be the last car from the British carmaker fitted with an internal combustion engine, first with a supercharged V6 and then later, a turbo four unit. The Emira is a big evolution from the preceding Evora GT, with an updated interior and active safety equipment like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Agile handling and a well-balanced chassis are also elements that contribute to a pleasurable driving experience in the Emira.
2024 Nissan Z
Image Credit: Asian Journal
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $43,450 USD / $58,850 CAD
- Engine: 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6
- Power / Torque: 400 hp / 350 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 4.3 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 19 MPG (city) | 12.4 L/100 km / 28 MPG | 8.4 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Our Take
The Nissan Z was a much-needed overhaul of the Japanese carmaker’s iconic sports car nameplate. It hit the market in 2023, boasting a handsome new look complemented by updated tech and an upscale interior. Other plus points in the Z’s corner include an attractive price point, a potent engine and playful handling despite its weight. It’s still fairly new in the market but has already bagged a couple of notable awards, including the 2023 SEMA Sport Compact of the Year.
2024 Subaru BRZ
Image Credit: Edmunds
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $31,315 USD / $42,414 CAD
- Engine: 2.4L naturally aspirated flat-four
- Power / Torque: 228 hp / 184 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 6.3 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 19 MPG (city) | 12.4 L/100 km / 24 MPG | 9.8 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Our Take
Redesigned for the 2022 MY, the BRZ continues to stick with the same formula that’s made it such a successful sports car in a highly competitive segment. It’s small, lightweight and handles beautifully. Best of all, it’s affordable, making it an ideal consideration for shoppers operating on a tight budget. A 2022 Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS is proof that Subaru didn’t compromise safety standards in designing an affordable sports car package.
2024 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Image Credit: Lakewood Chevrolet
Specifications
- MSRP: starts from $43,895 USD / $59,453 CAD
- Engine: 6.2L naturally aspirated V8
- Power / Torque: 455 hp / 455 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 3.9 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 16 MPG (city) | 14.7 L/100 km / 27 MPG | 8.7 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles (60,000 km)
Our Take
It’s the last ride for the Camaro muscle car, with Chevrolet confirming that 2024 will be the final year of production. The muscle car has had a good run and is determined to go out on a high, with over ten variants available for purchase. The SS trim is a sweet pick, especially when fitted with the optional 1LE track package. In this guise, the Camaro 1SS gets the shiny black-painted wheels, Brembo brakes and the small-block V8 power plant.
2024 Audi R8
Image Credit: Audi
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from $161,395 USD / $218,601 CAD
- Engine: 5.2L naturally aspirated V10
- Power / Torque: 562 hp / 406 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 3.5 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 13 MPG (city) | 18.1 L/100 km / 18 MPG | 13.1 L/100 km (highway)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
The Camaro is not the only entry being nixed after 2024. Audi is retiring the R8, a big-name sports car, in favour of a rumoured all-electric model. The R8 has been around since 2006, with almost 44,000 units built over a 17-year production run. The German sports car has consistently impressed with its well-balanced chassis, compliant handling, and, of course, its naturally aspirated V10 engine, taken from the Lamborghini Gallardo and, later, the Huracan.
