The Chevrolet Camaro is a pony car for individuals who give priority to performance over day-to-day livability.
Pleasant things are costly. It’s obvious, isn't that so? Even though we might have grown up with pictures of expensive Ferraris, Lamborghinis, or Porsches on our walls, the truth is you don't need to spend truckloads of money to get a great sports car. There is a significantly moderate budget of only $40,000 (surprisingly, almost the average transaction cost for new vehicles sold in 2020). In this budget, you can get generally fun-to-drive performance vehicles in your carport.
Sports cars come in all prices, shapes, and sizes. Regardless of your specific preferences, we're confident you can find something on this list of the affordable cars of 2021 that will satisfy your craving for performance and speed.
In this article, of the 10 affordable sports cars we’ve gathered here, only one has a base price that starts above $30,000.
Note: You'll notice the nonappearance of the new Toyota GR 86, the Subaru BRZ, the Nissan 370Z, and the 124 Spider. They will continue to provide models for 2020 or have not been updated yet.
The Nissan 370Z has not been redesigned in quite a while. In that period, competitors have set the standard for infotainment, interior design, driving dynamics, advanced technology, and the accessibility of active safety systems. However, if you want lots of horsepower within a reasonable price, the 2020 Nissan 370Z remains a robust nominee in the sports cars category. There’s no controversy that the 370Z's standard 332-hp V6 and compact dimensions make for a thrilling performance machine.
No doubt that the Dodge Challenger is a good sports car. It comes with a user-friendly infotainment system and sufficient room for five people. In addition, the Challenger comes with one of the best performance engine lineups on the market from the past few years. The sensation of standard V6 is adequately muscular. However, with the car's bulk, it might not be sufficient to push you off the line as swiftly as you'd like. Nevertheless, the Dodge Challenger is perhaps the most comfortable car for long-distance trips with amazingly comfortable drive and direct handling.
The Subaru BRZ is a decent choice for sports car lovers. Its capable engine, agile handling, and sharp steering make it the best choice for drivers looking for excitement. It comes with a rear-wheel drive, manual transmission, 2-liter four-cylinder engine producing 205hp and 156lb ft. of torque with the manual transmission. The ride is secure; however, sports car customers are possibly more eager to make this kind of sacrifice, thinking how much this vehicle lives for corners.
The 2021 VW Golf GTI is practical, reasonable, and, most important, an incredible driving machine. With an energetic four-cylinder 228-hp engine and terrific automatic and manual transmissions, this front-driver is perfectly fast. Even though its above-average price and sober styling won't attract everyone, the GTI's holistic style to undeniable versatility and performance make it the crucial sport compact. However, the quality of the ride can be a bit harsh, too modest for some; competing hot hatches charge less.
The 2021 Subaru WRX does not provide a smooth ride or modern aesthetic. However, it does have an ordinary all-wheel ride and can entertain driving fans. It has a roomy trunk, 268 horsepower turbocharged flat-four-cylinder, and a standard six-speed manual or optional CVT (Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission). The 2021 Subaru WRX is less sophisticated than the most competing sport compacts. However, its rawness is likewise its unique method of entertainment.
The 2021 Ford Mustang surpasses almost all other sports cars. It boasts excellent engines that start with a competent turbocharged four-cylinder and closes with the significant V8s that you'd anticipate in a muscle car. Moreover, the driver-focused cabin usually is classy and features easy-to-use controls and supportive seats. The main knock contrary to the Mustang is its confined rear seats, yet the same can be thought about several two-door vehicles of this size. Nevertheless, for complete performance from a modern muscle car, it's tough to overcome this Ford.
The 2020 Toyota 86 is mechanically similar to the Subaru BRZ – both sports cars were co-engineered and co-developed together with each other. It means the Toyota 86 has the similar brilliant handling you get with the Subaru BRZ; however, it likewise feels like a big dollop of horsepower would create a good thing even enhanced. The 86 offers thrilling rear-drive performance for a value that most buyers can afford. It has precise steering, impressive cargo space, an improved infotainment system, and agile ride handling. Its four-cylinder engine is not mainly refined or potent, but the 2020 Toyota 86 sparkles when tracing corners instead of drag racing.
The 2020 Fiat 124 is the third least costly sports car listed here. It has a more excellent interior with a high-quality material inside, a bit of trunk space, and a more powerful 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbo engine which produces 160hp to the rear wheels through an optional six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. Overall, the Fiat 124 Spider has the smoothest ride and more comfortable driving manners. If you want a gentler kind of two-passenger transformable, the 124 Spider could be a good sports car.
Bombing along a twisting road, the Miata is almost perfect regardless of its several recognized compromises. Its cheerful driving manner has constantly been its robust character feature. Although the cabin of Miata is congested for two and limited cargo space, the four-cylinder engine of Miata provides sufficient power to make it feel energetic. Its framework is pleasantly balanced—perfect for driving over curved sections of the road. Its playful handling makes every sunny day special.
The most affordable car on our list is the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro. The vehicle comes with a potent turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission, a touch-screen infotainment system, and sexy V-6 and V-8 soundtracks. However, you would not get so much cargo space. Moreover, the interior can feel confining and has some other oddities, but the 2021 Camaro is primarily made for those who love to drive. The Chevrolet Camaro is a pony car for individuals who give priority to performance over day-to-day livability.
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| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Volkswagen |
Germany |
| #2 |  Toyota |
Japan |
| #3 |  Stellantis |
Netherlands |
| #4 |  Mercedes-Benz Group |
Germany |
| #5 |  Ford Motor |
United States |
| Rank | Company | Country |
|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Michelin |
France |
| #2 |  Bridgestone |
Japan |
| #3 |  Continental |
Germany |
| #4 |  Goodyear |
United States |
| #5 |  Sumitomo |
Japan |
