Performance cars are awesome things that motoring enthusiasts dream about. They are brilliant when thrashed around a track or down a mountain pass over the weekend, but many are parked during the week as they simply don’t work in everyday use.
Automakers noticed this a long time ago and while there are still models specifically produced to only work on the track, most performance cars can cope with the daily commute. Cars such as sports sedans and wagons are perfect for school-based duties, although the same can be achieved with a large-ish coupe. Some performance cars are designed to be light, so they have smaller engines to drive them along, making them not only fun but efficient as well. Other models are so well-designed and built that they can be used to do pretty much everything, like the Porsche 911 – bar going off-road that is.
Sports cars have come a long way since the 1960s when sports cars were only built to be used over the weekends. Here are ten of the best performance cars which are perfect for the daily commute.
10/10 BMW M340i
The BMW M340i is the sportiest model just below the full M3 and features some fantastic performance. The M340i is fitted with the amazing B58 straight-6 turbo used in most BMW 6-cylinder models, producing 380 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque.
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The M340i blends the everyday practicality of an executive sedan with the sportiness of a sports car to create a daily driver which can do the 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds – or 4.4 if xDrive is not optioned. The 8-speed automatic is silky smooth when just cruising along the highway or when puttering around town, but becomes lightning-quick when in sports mode, turning the M340i from a comfortable city car into a back road blaster – just like all proper BMWs.
9/10 Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 is currently in its second generation and has not only experienced a name change – GT86 to GR86, thanks to Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division – but is now a much better vehicle than the one it replaces. Gone is the 2.0-liter flat-4, replaced with the 2.4-liter flat-4 used in the Subaru WRX – sans the turbocharger.
The GR86 is a fantastic sports car that now has adequate power to stay interesting. While its competitors still have more performance and technology, the GR86 is a relatively cheap way to enjoy driving – even if it’s only to work and back. Moreover, it is a Toyota, so it will be reliable and pretty fuel efficient for those times your right foot doesn’t weigh more than a ton.
8/10 Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is simply a brilliant car. Granted, the fit and finish of the interior plastics may have much to be desired, but for the money, it is brilliant. The normal Mustang offers a choice between two engines, either a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-4 or a mighty 5.0-liter V8. Unfortunately, the only transmission choice – for now – is the 10-speed auto.
The Mustang, being an American car, is relatively large on the inside, featuring big and comfortable seats and enough room in the back for small children. The trunk has enough space for a getaway – or golf clubs. All-in-all, the Mustang is almost the perfect sports car choice for a daily commuter.
7/10 Porsche 718 Cayman
The Porsche 718 Cayman is the smallest of the German marque’s sports cars but features the largest engine in the horizontally opposed engine arsenal. The lower models feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4 producing an impressive 300 hp. Luckily for us enthusiasts, the GTS and higher models feature the fabulous 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-6 from the 911. The GTS models are available with either a 6-speed manual as standard or an 8-speed PDK semi-automatic transmission.
The 718 Cayman is a fantastic sports car, blending the awesome Porsche design and build quality with the exceptional driving experience only a Porsche can provide. While the 4.0-liter is the recommended version, the turbo-4 would probably be better for use in the day-to-day as it is substantially less expensive and will have better fuel efficiency.
6/10 Mazda MX-5
The Mazda MX-5 is probably the last of the true sports cars as stipulated by the original definition of what a sports car should be. The Mazda is still pretty small compared to most of its competitors and while the engine only produces 181 hp, the lightness helps bring out every single horse when thrashing it around.
While the MX-5 is not exactly recommended for anyone with families – it only has two seats and is not very practical – it may work fine for everyone else. The 2.0-liter engine is pretty economical, and it doesn’t drone when driven normally. It comes with a manual transmission as standard but can be upgraded to an automatic for added comfort.
5/10 Subaru WRX
The Subaru WRX is the newest addition to the world of Subaru and not only replaced the Impreza WRX in the line-up but will be the highest trim left as Subaru has discontinued the STI model altogether. Still, it’s not all bad. The WRX is now based on the Legacy Outback’s platform, meaning more ride height to tackle dirt trails and a more comfortable ride everywhere else.
The WRX keeps the practicality of a sedan with enough seating for five and a trunk large enough for everyone’s luggage. The 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-4 produces an adequate 270 hp, keeping things interesting. One other aspect making the WRX intriguing is the fact that it is one of the few remaining vehicles which still has a manual transmission mated to an all-wheel-drive powertrain.
4/10 Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is in the same boat as the Ford Mustang in the sense that the interior could have been better built, but the rest of the car is excellent. Unlike the Mustang, the Camaro has another engine choice between the base turbocharged inline-4 and the big, naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 – a pretty good 3.6-liter V6.
The Camaro may have some visibility issues thanks to the huge C-Pillars and the fact that it feels like a dark cave when inside, but these niggles are easily overlooked when experiencing the driving dynamics. In a recent head-to-head test, one of the reviewers chose a Camaro SS over the new Nissan Z.
3/10 Lexus LC500
The Lexus LC500 is the most expensive car on this list, but with good reason. The LC is a gorgeous grand tourer, perfect for long-distance trips between picturesque cities and beautiful vistas. Coincidentally, it is also a brilliant daily driver thanks to the fact that it is a Lexus – the most reliable automaker on the planet.
The LC500 comes in two different trims – the proper LC500, or the more fuel-efficient LC500h. The former features a mighty 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 producing 470 hp, while the latter is a hybrid powertrain featuring a 3.5-liter V6 mated to an electric motor producing a combined 360 hp. While the hybrid will get better fuel economy, it’s the V8 that will put a bigger smile on the occupants’ faces during their drive to work.
2/10 VW Golf GTI
The VW Golf is the modern-day equivalent of the original ‘car of the people’ – the Beetle. The Golf is now in its eighth generation and is better than ever. Apart from some interior controls and various fit and finish issues, the Golf Mk8 is a fantastic car that gives premium vehicles twice its price a run for their money.
The Golf GTI is the best of the lot as it blends the practicality of a large hatchback with the performance of a sports car – while still offering luxury car features such as adaptive cruise control and a buttery smooth DSG transmission. The Golf GTI is one of the cars currently still on sale which is all things to all people – almost the perfect all-rounder.
1/10 Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is – without a doubt – the best sports car on the market. It is not only incredible as a sports car, but it manages to be a supercar, GT car and racecar all rolled up into one Beetle-shaped package. The top-spec Turbo S even embarrasses Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and McLarens way above its weight class.
It is not only the top-tier 911 that is so impressive. The brilliance trickles down the trims to the base Carrera as well. Even though all 911 models now feature turbocharged engines, they are still brilliant enough to keep the car interesting. Best of all? All 911 models have the option of either the 8-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic or a magnificent 7-speed manual. Whether flying down a back road, chasing the timer on a racetrack, or just driving to work in the morning, the Porsche 911 is most likely the best performance car for the job.