10 of the Best Sports Cars Under $100k

What Makes It Special

Although Ford's CEO has confirmed that the gas-powered Mustang will still be part of their electric vehicle push, it remains uncertain for how long. Meanwhile, we can appreciate what might be one of the last model years of a gasoline Mustang with a manual tranny. The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Fastback is a muscle car that combines the best traits of the Mustang GT and Shelby GT350.

Under the bonnet, a 5.0-liter V8 engine stumps out 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed transmission or a ten-speed automatic. With this powertrain, the Mach 1 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.

This high-performance American sports car includes enhancements such as a Torsen limited-slip differential, Brembo brakes, and a stiffer suspension.

Other features include 19-inch aluminum wheels, a performance spoiler, hood vents, unique front and rear fascias, Recaro seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals.

Starting at $56,570, the Mustang Mach 1 Fastback is an excellent choice for drivers seeking power and style in their muscle car while being capable on the track.

What Makes It Special

Roadsters are getting rarer by the hour, but the few survive in a radiant, striking, and, to some extent, nostalgic way, refusing to die amidst the rise in demand for family haulers. BMW has one of these roadsters. We refer to the 2023 Z4 M40i, which received a slight but exciting facelift for 2023.

At first glance, the new BMW Z4 doesn't look that different from the previous model year but sports a slightly redesigned grille. Although the changes are subtle, compared to its predecessor, this new grille stands out more. BMW nixed the 3D pattern, and now the fanny pack has a more traditional honeycomb design. The side air intakes were also modified.

Additional new features include 19-inch wheels and a palette of body colors, among which the metallic Thundernight stands out. The same 3.0 DOHC 24-valve inline-6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission powers all model variants and produces 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This Z4 can go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The starting MSRP of this bimmer is $66,300

What Makes It Special

The first electric car from the Stuttgart automaker is a proper Porsche: It's fast, fun to drive, easily recharged, rear-wheel drive, and suitable for daily usage. This vehicle's ride quality and handling are unparalleled, and the interior's execution and design are top-notch.

The base Taycan is a sports car's heart. It can be entertaining on the appropriate road and is a pleasure to cruise in. First and foremost, it's a genuine Porsche that runs on electricity.

All of the power from the 2023base Porsche Taycan's 79.2 kWh battery pack and permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor goes to the car's rear wheels, generating 402 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque for a 0-60 time of 5.1 seconds.

The Taycan drives and performs as expected in everyday situations. The Taycan RWD expertly balances ride quality over rough terrain with body control and handling on winding back roads.

Body roll is kept to a minimum, and the chassis's responsiveness to steering inputs is first-rate even when moving quickly, thanks to where the battery pack is situated. The Taycan is an electric car with a reasonable weight that deceives with its apparent lightness. The Porsche Taycan starts at $90,900.

What Makes It Special

Challenger, this Classic American muscle car persona from Dodge that now incorporates the Jailbreak package, offers plenty of cosmetic and functional configuration options.

The factory's wide range of colors and custom options will allow you to create a bespoke, high-performance vehicle. Surprisingly, the Challenger is roomy enough for four adults and their luggage and has a pretty comfortable ride compared to its muscle car rivals.

The Jailbreak package will allow owners to configure their cars virtually from scratch. In addition, they'll get a Jailbreak badge on the instrument panel, and the power of the SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody will increase to 807 hp thanks to a revised powertrain calibration.

With just a $995 premium above the already impressive Hellcat Redeye, this Jailbreak unleashes over 800 horsepower. The standard 6.2-liter supercharged V8 bumps its power from 797 hp to 807 hp. The engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive for a 0–60 time of 3.7 seconds.

The Jailbreak has a bold and aggressive design with gator skin roof graphics and white fender stripes, which is particularly striking. The Challenger Jailbreak starts at $87,295.

What Makes It Special

Mercedes-Benz again relied on AMG and gave them a conventional and compelling C-Class sedan to rebuild with a hand-built 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and a big turbo. The engine uses an electrically powered turbocharger arrangement similar to that used in Mercedes-AMG's Formula 1 race car to help reduce turbo lag—the plug-in hybrid system's combined output of 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque.

The gas engine alone on the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Performance PHEV stumps out 469 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, which is astounding given that the original C63 produced 469 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque with double everything: the displacement, turbochargers, and cylinders.

An electric motor and a powerful 6.1-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack complement that formidable inline-four. The pair is constantly capable of 94 horsepower, but it can create up to 201 horsepower for ten-second periods. They are both installed at the back axle. The C63, like AMG Petronas' Formula 1 cars, consistently yields to the car's electrical system.

This PHEV's 0 to 60 mph time is 3.3 seconds, and its top speed is governed at 155 or 174 mph. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Performance has a price tag of approximately $90,000.

What Makes It Special

Subtlety isn't one of the Camaro ZL1's virtues. It's not its goal; it never has been, and the current generation is no exception.

Focused on track performance but without neglecting street use, this 650-horsepower monster boasts massive air inlets, while its general proportions give it a menacing appearance.

Under the hood, a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or a 10-speed automatic. Thanks to the supercharger, power delivery is immediate for a 0 to 60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. All this power goes to the rear wheels, which feature Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires, specially developed for the ZL1 and focused on high grip.

The 285/30Z/R20 front and 305/30Z/R20 rear tires enhance the impressive cornering grip you don't expect from a muscle car. However, the ZL1 Camaro features an independent system on all four wheels, assisted by Magnetic Ride, and an electronically controlled slip rear differential.

This Camaro may not have the finesse of some of its German counterparts. Still, when unleashing a surge of brute force that requires expert hands to control, the Camaro ZL1 excels expectations. You can own a Camaro ZL1 for $75,400

What Makes It Special

The Track Edition of the RC F nixed 143 pounds thanks to carbon fiber for the engine cover, roof, front spoiler, rear diffuser, seat brace, and wing. The wing, carbon side fins, and front spoiler reduce lift and generate a slight downforce.

As with the standard RC F, the Track Edition's hallmark is the fantastic naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine. Although 470 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque may not sound impressive, its outstanding throttle response makes up for the lack of torque compared to turbocharged rivals. This RC F sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

Although it was unusual for Lexus to incorporate a torque converter, the RC F's eight-speed automatic is pleasingly aggressive, with snappy and responsive downshifts. The Track Edition's upgraded chassis delivers more confidence when entering a corner and enhances the car's ability to rotate and adjust mid-turn.

The Track Edition's customization options set it apart, though. You'll need to modify the car's attitude even in Expert mode of the electronic stability program (ESP), but if you turn it off, you can use the brakes or the gas pedal to get any desired center of gravity. This Lexus is the most expensive car on our list, costing a little over $100,000.

What Makes It Special

The Giulia Quadrifoglio's most noteworthy feature is its twin-turbo, 2.9-liter, 90-degree V6 engine, which Ferrari designed based on its enormous F154 CB twin-turbo V8.

The Giulia's robust 505 HP and 443 lb-ft of torque are transmitted to the rear wheels through either an 8-speed dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission (Europe only). The Quadrifoglio is one of the quickest four-door saloons in the world, reaching 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 191 mph.

The Giulia Quadrifoglio also has a lot of Ferrari-loaned technology because it almost qualifies as a supercar. You have active aerodynamics with an adjustable front splitter, stall flaps in the rear diffuser, and a carbon fiber/carbon composite drive shaft.

Ferrari also significantly contributed to the Quadrifoglio's fully independent suspension, providing an incredible cornering grip. You may enjoy a power slide without crashing because it releases at the back in a predictable and manageable manner.

The car also has a nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution and places the driver's seat as close to the pivot center as practical, enhancing the driving experience. The Giulia Quadrafoglio has a price tag of $81,800.

What Makes It Special

Part of that racing knowledge gained by Cadillac over the last few years has been distilled into the Blackwing series lineup, more specifically, the flagship model, the potent CT5-V.

Under the hood lies a 6.2-liter supercharged V8. This powertrain churns out a massive 658 HP and tarmac-tearing 659 lb-ft of torque sent to the rear wheels.

This rocket is attached to a six-speed manual or optional ten-speed automatic and will send the CT5-V screaming through the 60 MPH barrier in 3.6 seconds.

Regarding its main competitors, like the BMW M5, the Audi RS6, and the Mercedes E63S, the Cadillac lands a hammer blow on all of them. It's more powerful than the Mercedes and faster than the RS6, and it's considered more premium and luxurious inside than the M5.

You can tell that Cadillac is serious when it includes a functional front carbon fiber splitter, a trunk-lid spoiler, and a functional diffuser under the rear of the car. The CT5-V Blackwing corners like a proper sports saloon, on par with its four-door sports sedan peers from Europe.

The CT5-V Blackwing is our favorite V8-powered sports sedan, thanks to its blistering acceleration and brilliantly balanced handling. This Cadillac can be yours for around $95,000.

What Makes It Special

At first glance, you can tell you're looking at a very muscular BMW 2 Series, with more prominent wheel arches and air intakes. The Bavarian automaker wanted to ensure that the entry-level M car had enough personality to be worthy of the BMW Motorsport badge.

Unlike the BMW M3 and M4, the M2 exhibits a surprisingly boxy and functional design with square lines that look almost from another era but give the car a very robust and aggressive stance, perfect for a fun machine with over 400 horses.

Regarding its mechanics, the M2 boasts a "detuned" 3.0L twin-turbocharged inline-six inherited from the current BMW M3 and M4 but with a whopping output of 453 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque powering the rear wheels and a redline of 7,200 rpm.

The engine is paired with a six-speed manual gearbox or another 8-speed M Steptronic dual-clutch automatic that will get the most out of the car. The M2 does 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and with the optional driver's pack, which removes the limitation, the top speed is 177 mph. You can get your hands on the M2 for a mere $62,000.