Best performance cars to buy 2025
Performance cars have reached new heights of speed and interaction - here’s a list of our ten favourites from the current crop
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.
1. McLaren Artura Spider
- Prices from: £221,500
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
McLaren’s open top Artura Spider isn’t simply an Artura with a quick folding hard top. With it come structural and performance enhancements that’ll be rolled out across the range. With 690bhp and 720Nm firing to the rear wheels via a seven-speed SSG dual clutch automatic gearbox, it’s no slouch - easily dispatching 0-62mph in 3.0 seconds and firing the car 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. Because it’s a featherweight, it feels lithe and nimble when you’re enjoying its ample performance. 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.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
- Prices from £65,000
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
The age of the electric car is upon us, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is concrete proof that an EV can also be a great performance car. Not only does it sit high up this list, but the Ioniq 5 N also took our Performance Car of the Year trophy at the 2024 Auto Express New Car Awards. It really is that good.
There’s an overall feeling that Hyundai truly let its engineers go to town when building the Ioniq 5 N, because it’s loaded with features that range from groundbreaking to downright bonkers. It’s a heavy car, but the chassis has been carefully crafted to make this EV genuinely engaging to drive, as opposed to one that’s simply quick in a straight line.
That being said, it's still very fast. The Ioniq 5 N’s 641bhp twin motors allow it to sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds. If you find linear acceleration a bit dull, there’s even the option of simulated manual gearshifts, and these are surprisingly convincing.
3. BMW M2
- Prices from £66,000
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
BMW’s M division has produced some fantastic performance cars over the decades, but the BMW M2 is one of its finest creations yet. 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.
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.
4. Porsche 911
- Prices from £99,800
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
In any guise, the 992-generation of Porsche 911 is a high-quality car that offers solid performance and genuine driver engagement. There are a wide range of variants to choose from, 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 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.
5. Mazda MX-5
- Prices from: £28,015
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Mazda’s MX-5 has been a small performance car stalwart for decades now. Offering thrilling handling, sprightly performance, and lightweight thrills, it’s 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 - that said, the RF option isn’t as refined as some may expect. The MX-5’s philosophy is simplicity - keep your spec simple and you’ll have more fun.
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 is not. 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.
6. Honda Civic Type R
- Prices from £50,000
- Best for practicality
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
The Honda Civic Type R is rather easy going until you uncork its 324bhp. In normal driving, it feels tightly wound but beautifully judged, with instinctive responses from all its controls. Make no mistake, though, because our 2024 Hot Hatch of the Year lurks beneath this sophistication.
The fury from the Civic’s 2.0-litre motor is only just contained by its 265-width front tyres, which occasionally skate and hop over the road surface at maximum attack. Importantly, though, the Civic clearly communicates when you’ve reached — and breached — its limits, so these moments are exciting rather than frustrating.
In fact, it feels unlike any other hot hatch in its flat, wide stance, storming along like a Super Touring car rather than an upright family car. It might cost a whopping £50,000, but the FL5 Type R justifies its asking price — and then some.
7. Maserati MC20
- Prices from £204,500
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
After an 18-year hiatus from the supercar market, Maserati made every effort to ensure that the MC20 is a statement of intent, and a reminder the historic marque is still a force to be reckoned with.
With its truly stunning looks, butterfly doors, carbon-fibre chassis, double-wishbone suspension, and ferocious 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine, the 621bhp MC20 has every supercar factor covered, and even features F1-derived technology. A starting price of around £205,000 means the cost even looks reasonably good value next to some of its supercar rivals. 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 through town, the MC20 is undoubtedly a very special car.
8. Ford Focus ST
- Prices from £37,700
- Best value for money
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
The Ford Fiesta ST is dead, but the Ford Focus ST isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet. This is a very good thing, too, because it’s one of the more modestly priced performance cars on the current market. A lower cost certainly doesn’t mean it’s less fun, though,
The 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumps out 276bhp and 420Nm of torque, and this is delivered to the Focus ST’s front wheels. A limited-slip differential helps to keep this power under control, and the result is a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds and a 155mph top speed. The Focus’s hatchback body already means it does a good job of doubling up as a family car, but you can also choose an estate version, and few things are cooler than a fast estate car.
9. Ferrari 296 GTB
- Prices from £250,000
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
It’s fair to say that Ferrari stumbled slightly in its second stab at a hybrid supercar. The V12 LaFerrari was mesmerising, but the electrified SF90 felt confused in its execution. Thankfully, with the 296 GTB, the firm went back to the drawing board and gave us its best supercar in years.
It did so, surprisingly, by dropping two cylinders and four-wheel drive, which unlocked the trademark expressive handling that the SF90 lacked. Amazingly, the V6 motor sounds even better than Ferrari’s twin-turbo V8, with the electrified system offering a combined 819bhp.
The performance is eye-widening, but the nature of delivery is what defines the 296 GTB. It feels light, responsive and endlessly adjustable, which is some feat considering the complexity of the powertrain. The hybrid element genuinely adds to the thrill, rather than reining it back.
10. Alpine A110
- Prices from £54,500
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
Alpine’s return to the sports car world can safely be described as a highly successful one. Built to compete with the Porsche 718 Cayman and Lotus Emira, the Alpine A110 is a good old-fashioned two-seater, rear-wheel-drive sports car that’s lightweight, reasonably priced and a real pleasure to drive.
Of course, you can opt for the more powerful GT, S or R variant, but the regular A110 offers more than enough performance and agility to bring endless hours of smiles. 248bhp and 320Nm may not sound like a huge amount compared to some of the other cars on this list, but the sub-1,200kg kerb weight means there isn't too much bulk for the 1.8-litre engine to haul around. The A110 will happily sprint from 0-62mph in well under five seconds.
Best performance cars to buy
- McLaren Artura Spider
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
- BMW M2
- Porsche 911
- Mazda MX-5
- Honda Civic Type R
- Maserati MC20
- Ford Focus ST
- Ferrari 296 GTB
- Alpine A110
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.
Performance not your jam? Take a look at the best executive cars, or maybe a look at our best electric cars, best SUVs, or even our best long distance cars.
Frequently Asked Questions
A performance car is something that puts power, acceleration, looks, and handling above all else. It’s not something you would necessarily take to IKEA, but more something you can take to your favourite road, or track, and use to the fullest of its abilities. The running costs may be higher than a diesel saloon, but the smiles will come a lot more easily, too.
Now check out the fastest-accelerating cars in the world…
