Every 5-star car on What Car?: sporty cars
From nimble hatchbacks to stylish SUVs, and exciting sports cars to practical estates – this is where you'll find every model that has earned our highest road test rating...
You may not have heard of Alpine, but you'll certainly enjoy the way its dinky sports car can put a smile on your face, even at sensible speeds.
Read our full Alpine A110 review >>
Audi R8
The soundtrack from the R8's 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine is nothing short of outrageous, but there's more to enjoy from this range-topping Audi than just straight-line pace. It also has a high-quality interior, while superb high-speed refinement makes it easy to live with.
Read our full Audi R8 review >>
Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder
For the money, the Porsche Boxster Spyder is truly sublime. It looks fantastic, but what’s underneath, including the fabulous flat-six engine and bespoke suspension, equips it to dynamically outgun cheaper – and more expensive – rivals alike.
Porsche 718 Boxster
Very little else in any class can put a smile on your face quite like this open-top sports car. It offers brilliant handling, a surprisingly comfortable ride and – in GTS form – a glorious 4.0-litre flat six engine.
Read our full Porsche 718 Boxster review >>
Porsche 718 Cayman
Porsche fans may have been nervous when the Cayman adopted a turbocharged petrol engine, but they needn't have worried, because this is still one of the most fun sports cars to drive, with agile handling and raucous power. It has a classy interior, too.
Read our full Porsche 718 Cayman review >>
Porsche 911
The 911 badge is one of the oldest, yet Porsche's most iconic model remains one of the very best sports cars on sale. It's fantastic to drive, usable every day and has a beautifully furnished interior. There are several versions of the 911 which enjoy our highest rating, with this standard model being joined by the open-top Targa, the Cabriolet and the hardcore GT3.
Read our full Porsche 911 review >>
Sports SUVs
Ford Puma ST
In the same way that the regular Ford Puma is our favourite small SUV, this go-faster ST model is our reigning Sports SUV of the Year. That's because it takes everything we love about the regular Puma – its space, surefooted handling and clever technology – and adds a rorty engine which makes it immensely enjoyable to drive.
Porsche Cayenne Coupe
Just like the regular Cayenne, the Cayenne Coupe offers sublime handling and performance. In fact, if you go for mid-rung GTS trim, you'll have about as much fun as it's possible to have in a car that's this big and heavy. We love its classy interior and its range of powerful engines.
Read our full Porsche Cayenne Coupe review >>
Porsche Macan
We recommend the mid-range S version of Porsche's smallest SUV rather than the range-topping Turbo, because it's still ferociously fast – dispatching the 0-62mph sprint in 5.1sec – yet also able to keep running costs reasonably sensible. And like all Macan's it pulls off the trick of mixing thrilling, confidence-inspiring handling with a ride that's compliant enough for everyday use.
Read our full Porsche Macan review >>
Performance cars
BMW M3
With staggering pace, a high-quality interior and a comfy ride, the BMW M3 could spend the entire day setting fast lap times at your local circuit, and then be perfectly suited to your morning commute the day after. It's a car which pleases head and heart in equal measure.
Read our full BMW M3 review >>
BMW M4
The M4 offers simply staggering straight-line performance and surefooted yet playful handling. Don't think it's just a one-trick pony, though, because it's also comfy and has a high-quality interior.
Read our full BMW M4 review >>
Mercedes-AMG C63 S
This fastest version of the Mercedes C-Class has muscle car brutishness, courtesy of a thundering V8 engine, but it's no drag-racer that's effective only in a straight line. It steers well and has a delightful chassis balance, too.
Read our full Mercedes-AMG C63 S review >>
Porsche Taycan
Porsche's first electric car, the Taycan, sets the benchmark for handling and interior quality. A brilliant piece of engineering, if only for the privileged few who can afford it.
Read our full Porsche Tycan review >>
Coupés
Audi TT
The Audi TT has always been an icon in the coupé market, and the latest version continues the original's ethos of offering great fun at a relatively affordable price. There's lot of choice in the TT range, so chances are that there's a model to suit you, and it's truly great to drive, with peppy engines and handling which inspires confidence. The interior design is fabulous, too.
Read our full Audi TT review >>
BMW 4 Series
If you want to buy the best coupe in 2021, you can do no better than the BMW 4 Series. It's more fun to drive than its rivals, has more room in the back than you might imagine and is smart inside to boot. Its looks may divide opinion, but it's sure to get you noticed.
Read our full BMW 4 Series review >>
Convertibles
BMW 4 Series Convertible
Save money on a new BMW 4 Series Convertible with What Car? >>
Take the 4 Series coupe above, fit a convertible roof and, hey presto, a 4 Series Convertible will be standing before you. This version keeps everything that we love about the regular car, but adds a big dose of wind-in-your-hair thrills.
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