The best sports cars of 2025
Among all the sports cars on the market, The Car Guide team has compiled a list of the models that represent the best buys in this category in 2025.
Of course, there's something for every taste and budget. Sporty sedans and compact hatchbacks are evaluated separately from the others, as are luxury sports cars. Here, we focus on the more classic, affordable two-door sports cars.
1. Mazda MX-5
Having celebrated its 35th birthday, the Mazda MX-5 masters the art of driving like no other. The RF version is some forty kilos heavier, but that's not much considering the addition of a roll bar, hardtop and deployment mechanism. That said, the MX-5 is the lightest car available in 2025, which explains why it's so much fun to drive.
Even though its power output is relatively limited (181 hp), the MX-5 delivers a powerful feel in the corners. This is the main reason for choosing it, not its load space or cabin clearance.
The manual gearbox is a perfect match for the 2-liter engine, the suspension is perfectly calibrated and the driving position is beyond reproach, with well-sculpted bucket seats. As a bonus, the MX-5 is beautifully assembled and can be described as the world's most reliable sports car, with minimal maintenance costs.
2. Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86
This Japanese duo takes second place, and their base price of under $35,000 is partly to blame. Aesthetically and technically very similar, the BRZ and GR86 are powered by the same 2.4-liter flat-four cylinder (228 hp), but what makes them so appealing is their weight of just 1,300 kg.
Engineers have focused on driving pleasure, emphasizing agility and sensations. The manual gearbox, with its wonderfully responsive controls, plays an active role in driving pleasure. On the other hand, the sound of the engine could be more engaging. While the MX-5 is more maneuverable, the BRZ and GR86 make up for it with greater everyday versatility. Two downsides, however: the ride is firm on bad roads, and both cars are noisy at high speeds.
On board, Subaru and Toyota have not given in to the trend for huge screens and touch-sensitive controls, and so much the better! Space is decent up front, better than in an MX-5. By the way, don't miss the tS (BRZ) and Hakone (GR86) special editions added for 2025.
3. Ford Mustang
Finally, the venerable Mustang completes our podium of sports cars this year. After six decades, Ford's pony car has never looked so dashing and desirable. The GT remains a pure pleasure with a V8 now delivering 480 hp - even better with the optional Performance Package - while the EcoBoost version surprises with its 315 hp turbocharged four-cylinder offering a pleasing sound.
In the cockpit, the two juxtaposed screens that replace the traditional round dials fit in quite well with the dashboard, even if this is a radical change and surely scandalous in the eyes of die-hard fans. Still, we'd like to see a few more physical controls.
With a very firm ride, crisp steering and a rigid structure, the new Dark Horse version has the aplomb of a race car, a worthy heir to the Mach 1, GT350 and GT500. The 10-speed automatic gearbox, on the other hand, proves disappointing. Better still is the solid Tremec 6-speed manual gearbox.
