2021 Sports Cars

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Best American Sports Cars of the 2000s

Pros and Cons of Sports Cars

Pros

• Driving fun is top priority
• Dramatic looks
• Come in many sizes and prices
• The bleeding edge of tech
• Light weight means better fuel efficiency
• Hold their value well

Cons

• Less practical than sedans/SUVs
• Higher operating costs (fuel, insurance)
• Not always four-season appropriate
• Can attract the wrong kind of attention

What’s New in Sports Cars for 2020?

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

Easily the biggest news of the year is the mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette. After over 65 years of pushing the limits of the front-engine layout, the American brand has dropped the classic small-block V8 behind the two seats. The result is a more mature 'Vette with very different dynamics compared to what's come before. The looks are also quite a departure, with the midship layout forcing a change in proportions that we believe works better in the metal than pictures suggest. Did we mention America's sports car has ditched the manual transmission too? This new 'Vette puts out the sort of numbers you found from a Ferrari 430 only a decade ago, while still starting at around $60,000.

SEE ALSO: 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray First Drive Review

The C8-generation Corvette comes in just Stingray form right now, with a 490-horsepower V8. It is available as either a coupe or convertible. Of course, like its erstwhile European competition the Porsche 911, the Corvette will soon expand its lineup with more powerful models. We can hardly wait.

Porsche 911 Turbo S

Speaking of the 911, Porsche’s evergreen sports car got its own thorough refresh just over a year ago. With the internal code 992, this generation of the German sports car added its high-performance Turbo S model for the 2021 model year.

SEE ALSO: 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Does 0-60 in 2.6 Seconds

Boasting a mega 640 horsepower and a 0–60 mph time of just 2.6 seconds, it's the quickest road-going 911 ever, and one of the quickest new cars period. You'll need a princely $204,850 for the privilege—or even more for the convertible. Luckily the 911 Carrera starts at less than half that, with a 379-horsepower turbocharged flat-six of its own. Even without the GT models, the 911 range already includes a dizzying array of options thanks to rear- or all-wheel drive, regular Carrera or higher-performance S, and both manual and automatic transmission options.

Toyota GR Supra

Toyota brought back the storied Supra nameplate this year on a car that's guaranteed to elicit strong reactions one way or the other. Yes, it shares its platform—and engine, and transmission, and infotainment system—with a BMW, in this case the Z4. We drove both and found them quite different in nature. The Supra originally arrived with just one engine option, the smooth, 335-horsepower turbocharged inline-six.

SEE ALSO: 2021 Toyota GR Supra Adds More Power, New Entry-Level Four-Cylinder

For 2021 Toyota has bumped up the power of the six-pot to 382 hp and introduced a more affordable, lighter 2.0-liter turbo-four. A strict two-seater, the Supra is a well-rounded sports car, feeling light and alert on road and track alike.

Porsche Boxster/Cayman GTS 4.0

Sticking with two-seaters, Porsche’s smaller sports car duo got a welcome update for 2020 with the addition of the GTS 4.0 models. As the name implies, they borrow the bigger 4.0-liter flat-six from the Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder, though slightly detuned to 394 hp. This is an about face from the previously all-turbo lineup, which began with the switch to the 718 name in 2015. The atmospheric engines promise more progressive power delivery and sharper throttle response. Regardless of the engine found behind the driver, every Cayman and Boxster offers up impressive driving dynamics lead by beautiful chassis balance.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

We're cheating a bit here: the Mazda MX-5 Miata offers no major updates for 2020 after getting a power bump last year. But as the cheapest two-seater sports car on the market we have to mention it. The 2019 update brought in more tech, while keeping this lightweight roadster a nimble joy to drive. The MX-5 has earned its place as a modern day icon, staying true to its simple, engaging ethos for over 30 years. Having the option of the regular soft-top or RF retractable fastback is just icing on the cake.

Other Important Sports Cars

SEE ALSO: Top 10 Most Fun-To-Drive Cars Under $30,000

The Dodge Challenger isn't really a sports car, but it's a barrel of laughs in its own way. It offers one of the best dollar-per-horsepower ratios in the business, especially the V8 models. For maximum tire abusing grins, look no further than the 797-horsepower Hellcat Redeye. For more track-friendly muscle cars, even in turbo four-cylinder trim, look to the Ford Mustang EcoBoost High Performance Pack or Chevrolet Camaro 2.0L 1LE.

Of course, both Ferrari and Lamborghini continue to pump out the sorts of supercars that feature on bedroom walls. Ferrari's current stable consists of the mid-engined F8 Tributo, front-engined Portofino and 812 Superfast, and the GTC4 Lusso, a shooting brake available with four-wheel drive. Joining the lineup this year is the Roma, a stunning-looking coupe companion for the Portofino; and the SF90 Stradale, which is the brand's first series-production hybrid.

What’s Coming in Sports Cars?

Let's start with the part of the market us mere mortals can afford. The Toyota 86 is set to get a second-generation model, named GR86, by mid-2021. Rumors suggest it will follow the industry trend towards turbo power, this time adopting a 2.4-liter Subaru boxer engine.