Best performance cars to buy 2026

Even as the industry makes the switch to electric power, the performance car market remains as diverse as ever. With everything ranging from family-friendly hot hatchbacks to super saloons and fully fledged sports cars, the best performance cars deliver true driving thrills. 

That driving experience is essential when it comes to performance cars with the top models providing a real feeling of connection from the driver’s seat to the road. Straight line speed is secondary but the powertrain needs to have the responsiveness and capability to get the most from the finely tuned chassis on these machines.  

We’ve thoroughly tested every performance car that you can buy in the UK in order to determine which are the very best, so read on to discover the top 10 best performance cars to buy right now.

Compare the best performance cars

The Porsche 911 is the best performance car on sale, the benchmark for a sports car you can use every day. If you want to take things up a notch, the Ferrari Amalfi plays the same trick as the 911, and is a rival for the high-end 911 Turbos.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 N is the best electric performance car. Hyundai’s made the same underpinnings as the 5 N work even better in this lower, sleeker saloon, and it currently tops our list of the best driver-focused EVs. 

Keep scrolling to learn more about the best performance cars, or click the links in the table above to jump to a specific make and model..

1. Porsche 911

If you’re after a desirable performance car which you really can use everyday, look no further than the Porsche 911.

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• Prices from £105,200

In any guise, the current 992-generation of Porsche 911 is a high-quality car that offers solid performance and genuine driver engagement. 

What we love about the 911 is its sheer versatility. There are a wide range of variants and powertrains to choose from, all of which have their own specialties, but none of them will leave you feeling short-changed.

Even in base Carrera spec, the Porsche 911 will blast you from 0-62mph in only 4.1 seconds, and provide an incredibly enjoyable driving experience in the process. You’ll also have the choice of a convertible or targa roof if you wish, and it’s comfortable enough that you won’t be horrified by the idea of using it every day.

Alternatively, if you prefer your Porsches to be a bit more hardcore and track-oriented, there’s the option of the hardcore GT3 RS. This 911 has received some very carefully thought-out aerodynamic tweaks, as well as more power, and the result is an incredible amount of downforce and grip. 

If that still doesn’t appeal to you, there are a number of special editions including the slightly more subdued 911 S/T or even the off-roading 911 Dakar.

Dynamically, the 911 in any spec feels sublime and even more expensive supercar rivals can struggle to match the Porsche for its communicative steering or agile chassis.  

"Putting the engine (and therefore much of the weight) over the rear axle means it can feel a little light in the nose at times, but grip is exceptional in dry conditions but it rarely feels like it's lacking when damp or greasy." - Richard Ingram, deputy editor.

• Who will like it: If you want your performance car to come with rear seats, the Porsche 911 is a good option. Although only small children are likely to fit.
• Who won’t like it: For some people, the 911 might seem like a common and predictable performance car choice
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Latest Porsche 911 deals

2. Ferrari Amalfi

The Amalfi is Ferrari’s best front-engined V8-powered sports GT yet.

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• Prices from: £202,000

There’s no such thing as an entry-level Ferrari really, but the Amalfi is the least expensive car in the brand’s lineup. It’s not short of talent either, being one of our favourite performance cars - the work of nearly two decades of development of Ferrari’s front-engined V8 sports GTs.

That bloodline started with the California back in 2008, and evolved through the California T in 2014 and the Portofino of 2017, before the Roma arrived in 2020. The Amalfi replaced the Roma in early 2026 and is very much an evolution of that car, but shares visual characteristics with the shark-like 12Cilindri and the four-seat Purosangue.

Perhaps the most significant change though is to the Amalfi’s cabin. The Roma’s sweeping centre console with portrait touchscreen has made way for a 12Cilindri-style split design with a more conventional widescreen setup. Even better is the reintroduction of physical controls on the steering wheel - Ferrari’s dabbling with capacitive buttons was thankfully brief. The Amalfi certainly feels as special inside as it looks from the outside.

Even more so when you start it up and get on the road. With 631bhp, the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 makes more power than the V12 Ferrari 599 of twenty years ago, and with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, catapults from 0-62mph in 3.3 seconds, and misses out on 200mph by a scant two miles per hour. Steering is sharp, the Bumpy Road damper setting is amazingly pliant, and Side Slip Control makes the dynamics far friendlier than you might expect given the power output.

“Ferocious performance meets an engaging but approachable personality, matched with a more usable, ergonomic interior.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor.

• Who will like it: Existing Ferrari GT buyers, and maybe a few strays from Aston Martin or Bentley too.
• Who won’t like it: YouTubers and Instagram influencers looking for something a bit more rowdy from Ferrari
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Latest Ferrari deals

3. Hyundai Ioniq 6 N

Hyundai’s N division does it again, with a car that eclipses even the impressive Ioniq 5 N.

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• Prices from: £65,800

The history of Hyundai’s N brand is relatively short, but in that time there’s not been a single duffer - from the i30 N hot hatch that kicked things off, through the sporty Kona N compact crossover, to the remarkable electric Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai’s knocked it out of the park every time.

It’s not too surprising then that the new Ioniq 6 N is another blinder - a car we think is as close as anything has come to being a true driver’s EV. The guts underneath are largely the same as those of the Ioniq 5 N - no surprise given that despite their different body styles, both ride on the same basic E-GMP underpinnings - but being lower and more aerodynamic, the 6 N is already off to a good start for handling and performance.

The sleek aerodynamics mean it’s very quiet, but with 641bhp - ten horses more than that Ferrari Amalfi above, incidentally - it’s enormously quick. There’s an instant hit of power more or less whatever the speed (0-62mph comes up in 3.2 seconds, also quicker than the Amalfi, while top speed is 160mph), and the brakes are more than up to the task too.

Like the 5 N, you’ve got the option of ‘changing gear’ via virtual ratios, for extra interaction, but even if you leave everything alone, the handling is excellent. It responds quickly to your inputs (though the ratio is quite poor for town work; it steers like the Ever Given in tight spaces) and has plenty of grip, while the lower seating position feels inherently more sporty than the SUV-like 5 N.

A WLTP range of 302 miles, while not one of the longer-range EVs on the market, is pretty good for a car with this kind of punch too, and it has the potential for 350kW fast charging for an 18-minute 10-80 per cent top-up.

“No amount of instant torque or trick simulated gearbox tech will ever replace a naturally aspirated V8, but this latest N model comes within a hair’s breadth.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor.

• Who will like it: Anyone who gets a kick from high performance and a great chassis.
• Who won’t like it: Anyone who needs combustion power to provide that performance
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Latest Hyundai Ioniq 6 N deals

4. McLaren Artura Spider

If you want your performance car to come with open-top thrills, you’ll have trouble finding anything which can match the McLaren Artura Spider.

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• Prices from: £221,500

McLaren’s open top Artura Spider isn’t simply an Artura with a quick folding hard top. It has seen structural and performance enhancements, taking the already great Artura and making it even better. 

With 690bhp and 720Nm firing to the rear wheels via a seven-speed SSG dual clutch automatic gearbox, it’s no slouch and can easily dispatch 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds while firing the car on to 205mph. 

With identical performance to the Artura coupé, and, thanks to McLaren’s impressive Mono-Cell carbon fibre chassis, no structural reinforcements needed, it’s as light as the physics allow. Weighing in at 1,560kg, the Spider is only 62kg heavier than the coupe. 

Because it’s a relative featherweight for a hybrid supercar, the car feels light and nimble when you’re enjoying its ample performance. The steering is a little on the heavy side being an electro-hydraulic set-up, but you only really feel this when moving at parking speeds. Once you’re going a little quicker, the weight is still noticeable but is more manageable, and the wheel gives you plenty of feedback so you know exactly what the car is doing on the road.

The hybridised Artura Spider comes with the added bonus of 10-15 miles of electric range, which means you can slink through town without making too much noise… or using any fuel. Just don’t expect low running costs, though.

“There’s no turbo whoosh as you get when accelerating in a Ferrari 296, but the engine delivers a hard, metallic note that sounds purposeful, with rumbles from the exhaust as you lift off.” - Dean Gibson, senior test editor.

• Who will like it: If you want a car which is a little more exclusive, the Artura Spider should fit the bill.
• Who won’t like it: Those planning on going on long-distance tours. You’ll have to pack incredibly lightly as the boot is tiny at 160 litres
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Latest McLaren deals

5. Ferrari 296

Not many models raise the supercar bar when they launch but the Ferrari 296 is one that did.

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• Prices from £250,000

When a plug-in hybrid powertrain is as good as the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine found under the bonnet of the Ferrari 296, you wish they were adopted in supercars sooner.

There are a few different variants of the Ferrari 296, including a GTB coupe hard top, GTS roadster and the hardcore 296 Speciale. The Speciale is the car we would recommend if you had the kind of money Ferrari is asking for. 

Simply put, the 296 Speciale’s performance is off the scale and it is fantastic to drive. The price starts from £350,000 in case you were wondering, although the regular 296 is a little cheaper from £250,000.

Whichever Ferrari 296 you choose, you won’t be disappointed. 0-62mph can be dealt with in under three seconds and the car can go on to hit an eye-watering 204mph. When the road gets twisty, it feels light, responsive and incredibly poised. You might expect the compromise to be a harsh ride in town and at low speeds but it’s actually a very comfortable car, even when the suspension is in its firmest setting.

The cabin is stupendously well put together with the highest-quality materials. Our only gripe is that there aren't more physical buttons as Ferrari has opted for haptic controls instead, and there’s not much in the way of storage.

“The 3.0-litre unit in the 296 doesn’t just sound good by the standards of turbocharged V6 units, but it sounds better than any mid-engined Ferrari sports car since the naturally aspirated 458. It really is that good.” - Alex Ingram, contributor.

• Who will like it: Those looking for a truly special and head-turning supercar .
• Who won’t like it: Some people will still can’t get on board with hybrid powertrains in supercars
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Latest Ferrari deals

6. BMW M2

As the years pass, cars seem to grow ever larger and more powerful, but the BMW M2 hits the sweet spot in size and pace.

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• Prices from £74,300

BMW’s M division has produced some fantastic performance cars over the decades, but the BMW M2 is one of its finest creations to date. 

The M2 follows the classic BMW formula of a six-cylinder engine at the front and rear-wheel drive at the back. In the middle, an eight-speed automatic gearbox is fitted as standard but you do have the option of a six-speed manual. 

The twin-turbocharged engine produces 473bhp and up to 600Nm of torque, and this propels the M2 from 0-62mph in as little as four seconds if it has the automatic gearbox fitted. The manual is slightly slower at 4.2 seconds. The manual M2’s 177mph top speed means it also starts to creep into supercar territory (autos are limited to 155mph).

It’s undeniably quick, but the level of fun on offer with this BMW coupé is where it arguably shines the most. The M2 attacks corners with precision, and its smaller stature makes it more nimble than its bigger M car siblings. 

There is a real chance that this will be the final petrol-only sports car to come from BMW, so it’s a fitting end to a fantastic era. 

“I drove an M2 to Le Mans and back, and it actually proved to be a dependable long-distance cruiser. There’s plenty of room for two, and the back seats make it easy to store items close to hand while you’re driving, plus the boot was big enough to store a two-man tent and a decent amount of luggage.” - Dean Gibson, senior test editor.

• Who will like it: The M2 is no more difficult to drive than the standard 2 Series around town and at low speeds, which is great if you plan to daily drive it.
• Who won’t like it: No matter how you drive, BMW M car owners can have a bit of a reputation so keep in mind that you might be tarred with the same brush
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Latest BMW M2 deals

7. Mazda MX-5

The Mazda MX-5 is a great old-school drivers car, and one of the very best money can buy.

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• Prices from: £28,600

Mazda’s MX-5 has been a small performance car stalwart for decades now, offering drivers thrilling handling and sprightly performance. Thanks to its low weight and predictive chassis, the MX-5 is a wonderful entry level sports car that you can use every day. 

Available with a manual soft top or a folding ‘RF’ metal hard top, roof down thrills are never far away. Other sports cars might be more refined, especially compared to the RF version, but the MX-5’s philosophy is simplicity.

Its small footprint means drivers don’t need to worry about car park dings, though with that comes limited space - a long distance tourer it’s not designed to be. Its modest power outputs mean drivers don’t need to worry about risking their licences should they want to put their foot down, but they can exploit the truly excellent chassis on twisty roads. 

With either a 1.5 or 2.0-litre petrol engine, running costs are on the lower side for a performance car, but choosing the bigger engine grants buyers a limited slip differential for extra driving thrills. 

“The wonderful chassis gives the driver a feeling of agility and balance that becomes easier to appreciate as so many cars grow heavier, larger, and more ponderous.” - Shane Wilkinson, senior content editor.

• Who will like it: The MX-5 has reasonable running costs, so will suit those who want to use their performance car every day.
• Who won’t like it: Taller drivers and passengers might feel like the cabin is a bit of a squeeze due to its dimensions
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Latest Mazda MX-5 deals

8. Maserati MCPura

The Maserati MCPura looks fantastic, but its abilities are more than skin deep.

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• Prices from £210,000

The Maserati MCPura might look very similar to the MC20 and that’s because it’s little more than a rebadged and mildly tweaked version of that car. Although, that’s perfectly fine with us as it was a fantastic performance car to begin with.

The Maserati MCPura really is a beautiful car to look at, but it goes more than just skin deep. Under the bonnet is a ferocious 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine which puts out 621bhp and 730Nm of torque. Unlike in many of its rivals the engine isn’t electrically assisted which makes the Maserati stand out from the likes of the Ferrari 296 and Lamborghini Temerario.

A starting price of around £210,000 means the MCPura looks reasonably good value. 0-62mph takes just 2.9 seconds in the correct conditions, and it will keep accelerating until it hits an impressive 202mph. However you drive it, whether hammering it around a track or cruising your favourite B-road, the MCPura is undoubtedly a very special car.

“The MCPura is razor-sharp. The turn-in is immediate, and the rear tyres find immense traction. It encourages you to push harder, offering feedback that builds confidence rather than eroding it. It flows down a B-road with a rhythm that is intoxicating, accompanied by a soundtrack that is sonorous without being too shouty or ostentatious.” - Thomas Geiger, contributor.

• Who will like it: If you want your performance car to stand out, the MCPura will do exactly that.
• Who won’t like it: No plug-in hybrid powertrain means running costs are slightly higher, which could put off some buyers
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Latest Maserati deals

9. Ariel Atom

With very few safety systems and hardly any bodywork, the Ariel Atom is as close to superbike thrills as you can get on four wheels.

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• Prices from £55,000

If you’re after a performance car which focuses on driving engagement and driving engagement alone, then look no further than the Ariel Atom.

Powering the Atom is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine which produces 320bhp and 420Nm of torque. This might not sound like a lot when you compare it to some of the other cars on this list, but considering the Atom has no windows, no doors and only a slight suggestion of bodywork and seats, it’s more than plenty.

Going from a standstill, the Atom can hit 62mph in just 2.8 seconds and go on to hit a top speed of 162mph, giving you thrills similar to a sportsbike. When things get twisty, the Atom feels incredibly crisp and direct, in part thanks to its incredibly low 595kg kerb weight, direct steering and well-positioned pedal box.

“Beyond the Atom’s incredible performance, the weights of the controls are all superb – and the six-speed gearbox shines brighter than most. The shift quality is sublime; light and across a close gate, but incredibly precise once you’ve become familiar with it.” - Alex Ingram, contributor. 

• Who will like it: Buyers looking for an incredibly capable and focussed performance car will have difficulty finding something better than the Atom.
• Who won’t like it: If you want a modicum of practicality or comfort, the Ariel Atom really isn’t for you
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10. Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The Corvette Z06 is proof that American performance cars can give their European rivals a run for their money.

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• Prices from £180,000

When you think of a great performance car, chances are you will think of other cars on this list way before the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, but this shouldn’t be the case as the C8 generation Z06 can go toe-to-toe with almost any of its European rivals.

In typical American fashion, the engine is simply a brute. Under the bonnet lives a naturally-aspirated V8 which produces 661bhp and 637Nm of torque. The snappy eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox helps keep the 0-60mph sprint under three seconds, and the Z06 will go on to reach a top speed of a dizzying 195mph.

If you like the sound of things so far, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can officially get the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 in the UK and in right-hand drive form. 

Of course, there is a slight downside and that comes in the form of the price. In the United States, the Z06 starts from just over $120,000 or around £90,000 but you won’t be paying that in Blighty. In the UK, prices start from around £180,000 which is more than a Porsche 911 GT3.

The 911 GT3 will be more accomplished on both the road and track but when was the last time you saw a Corvette passing through a quaint English village or blasting across the Welsh valleys? For that reason alone we think it’s worth every penny.

“The performance at this level is now also off the scale, matched by brakes that offer superb feel and good levels of stopping power. Our test route on narrow roads around Goodwood on a greasy winter’s morning certainly didn’t give the car the space it needed to really shine, but the quality of its dynamic performance was clear.” – Jordan Katsianis, news editor.

• Who will like it: If you’re after an unashamedly brutish performance car, the Z06 fits the bill.
• Who won’t like it: The Z06 doesn’t come with the option of a manual gearbox, so those looking for the ultimate driving engagement will need to look elsewhere.

How to choose the best performance car

If you’re looking for high octane thrills, you’ll be well looked after no matter where you look in the modern performance car sector. Whether you want a hard top, soft top, a mix of both, low running costs, a hybrid system, or a massive motor, there’s something for everyone. Deciding what you want can be hard, but in this market it’s a nice problem to have. 

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